A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 182

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“As a commemoration, let’s hold a festival to release petty criminals and reduce taxes for half a year….”
“I’m opposed to releasing criminals.”
“They say the sea in the Southern Region stays warm even in winter, making it perfect for swimming….”
“That’s right, I’ve always wanted to try swimming….”
Tangerine offering to teach Kiriel how to swim, and Kiriel clapping enthusiastically as if genuinely delighted.
Cyprus taking it even further.
“Let’s hold a swimming competition named after my sister….”
I left the room first, turning my back on the festive atmosphere.
I wanted to stay longer and savor this bright mood, but I had a prior engagement.
“Allow me to guide you.”
“It’s fine. Stay inside. The butler would be happy too.”
I declined the Grand Duke’s Butler who tried to follow and walked alone down the Corridor.
An advantage of the Southern Region: safety and peace. Even though I’m not a member of the Grand Duke Household, nothing happens when I wander around alone without attendants.
“Yawn.”
After pushing my abilities to their limit, exhaustion washed over me as I yawned and walked down the sun-drenched Corridor.
“Yusara.”
“Cyprus.”
Cyprus caught up to me with long strides and stood beside me.
“Are you going to see the Former Empress?”
“I have to. She must be waiting for the results.”
“I’ll guide you.”
“That’s not nec— No, actually. Yes, thank you.”
Watching someone who never cried even facing death now sniffling with red eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse coldly.
Cyprus and I walked together down a beautiful Corridor that seemed built from emerald. A long but comfortable silence flowed between us, and Cyprus, wiping his eyes childishly with the back of his hand, suddenly spoke.
“…Thank you.”
“Yes. Thank me plenty.”
Even I had to admit he had reason to be grateful. I lifted my head arrogantly.
Despite my playful attitude, Cyprus didn’t laugh. Instead, his expression grew more serious as he emphasized again.
“Thank you. Sincerely.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
This is getting embarrassing.
I just did what needed to be done.
“I’ll express my gratitude separately to Mascarpone and Yujein, but what you did for me… what you did for my sister. It means something deeper.”
“I suppose it does.”
You disrespected me, yet I helped you anyway.
You could say I repaid enmity with kindness.
But then again, my mother wronged you and your sister in the first place… and of course, your father wronged me too….
If we’re keeping score, there’s no end to it.
I simply said this:
“I’m glad. That it worked out well.”
Regardless of our parents’ mistakes, we’ve built a friendship between ourselves, and I was able to fix Kiriel’s legs.
When you think about it, we’re both victims. There’s no reason for us to hate each other.
Unless we were attending therapy sessions together….
“From now on, don’t hate me.”
At my earnest plea, Cyprus’s lips curved upward.
“There’s no reason for me to hate you, you know?”
That’s right. You like me…after all….
‘Has he still not changed his mind?’
I glanced up at him, but Cyprus wore his usual smiling expression, making it impossible to read his true feelings.
I spoke with a sigh.
“Fine. Treat me well.”
“I will. What should I start with?”
“First.”
Normally, this is where one would wave a hand dismissively and say something like “Oh no, it’s nothing,” which is considered the humble thing to do, but unfortunately, that’s not my nature.
You all know this, right?
You have to make your accomplishments and appeal clear. Especially at work.
This! I! Did this!!! You have to shout at the top of your lungs, bang the drums, clang the cymbals, and hammer away before people barely acknowledge you.
Your company recognizes your work and reflects it in your evaluations without such desperate appeals?
You work at a good company. I’m envious….
I crossed my arms and looked Cyprus up and down.
‘What should I ask him to do?’
Should I ask him to connect a Portal between the Southern Region and my Territory? I tasted the wine from the Southern Region and found it delicious, so I want to supply it to the hotel in my Territory. If I connect a Portal for direct imports, there’s no money going to middlemen, so it would benefit us both….
But before that.
“You know I’m on my way to meet the Former Empress right now.”
“Yeah.”
“Come with me….”
I’m scared of her….
“She does seem to like you quite a bit….”
Seeing me tremble slightly, Cyprus burst into laughter.
* * *
The Former Empress.
Praha’s mother. The architect of victory in war. The reason female Grand Dukes and female Knights exist in this Empire.
Yet also the person who blasphemed God and nearly brought the nation to ruin.
And the person who afterward acknowledged her mistakes and unhesitatingly stepped down from the throne.
Stubborn, self-righteous, and a master of rule through fear, but paradoxically, no one is more open-minded than her.
She opened the closed Imperial Palace.
And.
She’s also my future mother-in-law.
‘I’m scared….’
Why do you still wear a sword at your side even here in this peaceful Southern Region? You?
Cyprus beside me wears a survival smile, though his tension matches mine perfectly.
The Former Empress watched us exchange greetings like an idol group meeting our senior, then leisurely crossed her legs.
“So, did you fix Kiriel’s legs?”
“Yes. The Court Physician confirmed that Kiriel’s legs are moving, and she’s currently undergoing additional examinations. Mascarpone will submit a detailed report after her review.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Mascarpone and Yujein deserve much of the credit.”
I spoke while gauging her reaction.
I remembered the Former Empress hadn’t been particularly fond of Yujein before.
However, the Former Empress seemed to have no objection to Yujein as a mage rather than a saint.
“Clever children, indeed.”
“Yes. The future of the Empire. By the way, did you know?”
Something about reconstruction projects in cities devastated by zombies. Something about the charity work Marquis Diane, Consomme’s mother, undertook to commemorate reclaiming her child.
I carefully selected only topics the Former Empress, who bore responsibility for the zombie catastrophe and left the Capital yet still loved the Empire, would find interesting.
I did my best to keep talking.
“…So, when we hold our first performance in my Territory this time, I hope Your Majesty would grace us with your presence.”
“It would be quite a distance from here to your Territory.”
“I’ll arrange everything to ensure your comfort. If you would consider it, it would be infinite glory for my House.”
“Isn’t your House now my House?”
“Well, that’s true…”
My future mother-in-law… haha…
I awkwardly laughed and ended the conversation.
Regardless, the Former Empress’s complexion looked better than when she was in the Capital.
“I’ll reserve the finest seat in the theater for Your Majesty.”
I made the promise and turned to leave.
“By the way, child.”
The Former Empress called out to me.
Child…? Surely not me?
“Yes?”
“Isn’t there a portrait without eyes in the Duke’s Residence in the Capital?”
Oh no!
How did the Former Empress know about that?!
It exists!
In the Study my Younger Brother used to use!
I snuck in at night, saw it, and nearly fainted!
“Your Majesty, how did you…”
How did you know? I turned around with wide eyes.
The Former Empress touched the long sword at her side with a tap and let out a soft laugh.
“That was my gift.”
“Your Majesty?”
“It’s a portrait of your Maternal Grandmother who fell in battle. An arrow struck her eyes on the battlefield, killing her instantly.”
Still, thanks to him clearing the way ahead, we were able to turn the tide of battle.
“To honor his courage, I ordered a portrait painter to capture his likeness.”
Unfortunately, all the painters available at that time were foreigners from the conquered territories. We had to paint his face before burying the body.
I instructed them to paint him with bandages wrapped around his eyes.
“That foolish painter didn’t understand Imperial, so he painted it exactly as I said!”
Hahahaha!
The Former Empress laughed heartily.
“So don’t be too discouraged thinking your mother is unremarkable. Even if your mother is, your Maternal Grandmother was certainly an exceptional person.”
How dare she leave before me—when we meet in the afterlife, I’ll plant an arrow in the other eye too!
“Hahahaha!”
“Hahahaha….”
“Hahahaha….”
Cyprus and I laughed awkwardly along with her.
The Former Empress.
She certainly had qualities worthy of respect and lessons to learn.
But our sense of humor simply didn’t align.
‘Still, that was her way of offering comfort, I suppose.’
An unremarkable mother….
On the way out of the Former Empress’s chamber and back to my Territory.
Her parting words brought my mother and Younger Brother, currently in the Southern Region, to mind.
I glanced sideways at Cyprus beside me, and he caught it with uncanny perception.
“What? Something on your mind?”
“…How is Aspara?”
“Huh?”
At my blunt question, Cyprus blinked.
“Aspara. My younger brother. How is he these days?”
“Well… I’m not sure.”
“Don’t play dumb. I heard from Kiriel that he’s still trying to slip away whenever he gets the chance.”
I glared at Cyprus, who was feigning ignorance.
Caught, Cyprus laughed with a “you got me” expression.
“Well… gambling addiction is hard to cure in most cases.”
“Don’t bother covering for my sake. If he causes trouble, I’ll deal with it by law.”
“Don’t worry. The trained Knights of the Southern Region are taking turns watching him.”
“I see.”
“…Is it alright if you don’t go see him?”
My Younger Brother Aspara, and my Mother who loves only him. Is it alright not to see them before leaving?
After hesitating, he asks me that.
I replied calmly.
“I’m tired of unrequited love now.”
Even if it’s love for family.
And.
“You know this already. Some families are better off keeping their distance.”
Even if others wouldn’t understand, you would.
“That’s right. I know that well.”
“Yes.”
….
“…Actually, I feel a bit sorry toward you. It seems like I’ve dumped the Grand Duke Household’s troubles onto the Southern Region.”
As I spoke while rubbing the corner of my eyebrow, Cyprus’s lips curved upward in a smirk.
“If you’re sorry, then come out with me this evening….”
That was when it happened.
“Cyprus, haven’t you broken that habit of pestering someone else’s lover yet?”
A familiar voice interjected.
“Praha!”
My fiancé!
I spun around at the speed of light.
A towering figure visible beyond the Corridor bathed in sunlight.
“What!”
Unable to contain my joy, I rushed toward him. Praha caught me as I came sliding across the floor.
“How did you get here!”
“…This morning, as I was getting dressed. You weren’t there.”
He whispered that he came because he felt empty without me.
“Ah….”
My eyes narrowed upon hearing those words.
My lover says he felt empty, and my reaction is like this?
There’s a reason for this.
The thing is.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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