A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 108

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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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Chapter 108
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After the nobility council ended, I spent the entire day lying in bed, congratulating myself on bringing down House Purbis.
‘Perhaps being demoted below the rank of viscount is more painful for them than death. After all, they were so obsessed with the honor of their ducal house.’
A viscountcy without lands or wealth was essentially the same as a fallen noble house. These people had been so conscious of falling behind House Prelai, and now they had become fallen nobility themselves. And everyone in the capital knew it.
‘Thinking about it that way does bring me satisfaction.’
In any case, House Purbis disposed of their estates and manor near the capital and departed for the provinces. As a result, since Lord Rodrigo remained imprisoned, Leon was left alone in the capital. And the money Dolores had given to House Purbis simply vanished into thin air.
‘Money means capability. Their movements will be restricted for a while.’
In any case, the rather significant incident I had orchestrated was concluded in this manner.
‘And when movements are restricted, people tend to make dangerous choices.’
All I had to do on my end was wait for those dangerous choices. After all, clues emerge when enemies make conspicuous moves.
That didn’t mean all my concerns had disappeared, however.
A few days later, a reply came to the letter I had sent through Piyak immediately after the nobility council ended.
The fact that Piyak was originally Kiana’s summoned creature was something only my family knew at present. So even the Crown Prince seemed somewhat surprised.
It was predictable, though. He clearly knew some kind of clue.
My heart began to race. Did the Tailiz royal family, who had possessed supernatural abilities alongside House Prelai since ancient times, actually know something?!
At his following words, not only I but even Piyak’s beak fell open.
I blinked in surprise.
So he was saying that during the hunting tournament, he wanted to personally investigate something, and since it might be related to my summoned creature issue, we should do it together?
Ultimately, it meant meeting directly at the hunting tournament. It was all the more shocking a proposal coming from the Crown Prince, who had been completely hiding his identity until now.
【Oh my, your understanding of Kiana is quite accurate! It’s definitely an unrequited love watched secretly from the shadows!】
Setting aside Piyak’s astonishment, I continued reading the letter with a serious expression.
The hunting tournament… Originally, I had planned not to attend the autumn hunting tournament. Because at this hunting tournament too, Hiton and Dolores would be plotting to torment House Prelai. As a result, not only Grandfather but also Alex and Melissa would suffer greatly.
‘Especially Alex, whose movements would be completely restricted, and he’d be captured so pathetically when the treason charges were pinned on him at the end…’
He was originally the type of talent who could go berserk and turn the Imperial Palace upside down. Therefore, I had intended to tell the entire House Prelai, including Alex, not to participate this time at all.
‘Alex’s movement speed is incredibly fast. It’s probably about time for him to return…’
But this concerned summoned creatures, of all things. I had no choice but to answer the Crown Prince’s summons.
I had to avoid others’ eyes. Whatever the Crown Prince intended to investigate that day, in any case, it meant I had to act in secret.
‘Sigh… I was hoping this would pass quietly.’
I let out a deep sigh while holding the letter. Then I lifted my head and smiled wryly.
‘Looks like I’ll have to step in again this time.’
I had a way to both make those targeting House Prelai regret it and make the Crown Prince’s investigation proceed more smoothly.
* * *
At that moment, in the town house of Duke Risiniss in the capital.
Loyte, who had returned to his position as Captain of the Guard, had come to meet Avian.
“Why don’t you think about it once more?”
Loyte had come to see Avian after a long time and was encouraging him to return to the Guards.
“The capital’s security has improved considerably these days. Investigations have become very efficient and convenient. It’s all thanks to Lady Kiana.”
Avian’s eyes, which had been preparing to refuse with an uncomfortable expression, widened greatly.
“Kiana… Lady Kiana?”
“Yes. After the charity event last time, I provided the Guards with various magical artifacts, and they were truly impressive.”
Loyte continued with a chuckling laugh.
“I mean, she speaks bluntly and always has a cold expression, plus she dresses oddly from head to toe, so I thought she was as incompetent as the rumors suggested. But it seems I was mistaken.”
While Avian struggled to respond, Loyte stroked his beard and smiled wryly.
“Just looking at the additional magical artifacts she sent and their instruction manuals, I could tell how meticulous Lady Kiana is. Of course, she did add a rather boastful postscript saying, ‘Don’t forget you found your Captain position thanks to me.'”
“….”
“Anyway, the investigative methods incorporating scientific approaches are quite excellent. Why don’t you come experience it yourself?”
“That is….”
Avian hesitated slightly, then answered with a deep sigh.
“To return as Captain of the Guard, I’m afraid I’ve developed feelings for a woman….”
“Good heavens.”
Loyte’s mouth fell open. If he had developed feelings for a woman, he couldn’t simply ask him to take a position as Captain of the Guard, which forbade marriage.
“…Your expression is quite something. Is it unrequited love, perhaps? Who is she?”
Avian couldn’t bring himself to say the woman’s name was Kiana. Because Kiana had an official lover in Sezare Levin.
“Looking at that deflated expression, it’s definitely unrequited love.”
Loyte stroked his chin and spoke seriously.
“For the future of the Guards, I sincerely hope your unrequited love fails spectacularly.”
“That’s too much. I hope you won’t seek me out again in the future….”
“But as a former superior with some experience, aside from my wishes, I can offer you some decent advice.”
“Yes?”
“You haven’t been on a single date with this woman, have you?”
“…How did you know….”
“I can tell at a glance. Do you think I’ve only conducted one or two interrogations?”
Loyte spoke with an amused smile.
“Whoever this woman is, there’s an opportunity coming up for you to go on a date. The hunting tournament is coming soon.”
“Hmm….”
Avian narrowed his eyes, his expression growing suspicious.
If one won the hunting tournament, they received a wish token.
“This might be the last year. If the Crown Prince is alive as the rumors from ‘Lorelai’ suggest, then starting next year the championship will belong to the Crown Prince.”
Because of the condition that hunting tournament participants must be adults, the Crown Prince had never won the hunting tournament even once.
“But if that’s the case, wouldn’t Prince Alex win this year’s championship as well?”
And recently, Alex had always swept the hunting tournament victories. Of course, Alex only participated because he enjoyed wielding his sword, and since he had no interest in wish tokens, he didn’t even appear on the awards platform.
Loyte winked as he spoke.
“But you haven’t participated in the hunting tournament precisely because you’ve been devoted to your duties in the Guards. You won’t know unless you compare. Will you give up without even trying?”
That was true. Avian slowly blinked and nodded.
Just as Loyte said, he couldn’t give up without trying. The devilish face of Sezare Levin was strangely hard to remember, but the sinister aura he emanated was still vivid.
‘Because he seems to be of poor quality, I cannot give up all the more.’
Avian made up his mind to participate in the hunting tournament.

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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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