A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 109

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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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9. Alex Returns
Autumn brought the founding day of the Tailyes Empire. And on the founding day, a hunting tournament was always held in the ‘Spirit Forest.’ Because it was such a symbolic event, it continued to be held even during the Emperor’s illness. This was because the entrance to the ‘Spirit Forest’ itself only opened on the founding day.
“Here’s to eternal glory for the Tailyes Empire.”
Hiton confidently raised his wine glass to announce the opening of the event. Dolores sat beside him, displaying her magnificent attire, while the Empress did not attend.
What differed from other events was that Seliet, who was as famous for secluding herself in the imperial palace as the Empress, made an appearance. Though Seliet had never shown her face at other events, she always made a point to appear at the hunting tournament.
Hiton declared the start of the hunting tournament with a pleased expression.
“The champion this year shall receive the same prize as always, so I hope everyone will do their best.”
At the same time, young nobles dressed in hunting attire cheered.
On a clear autumn day, the ‘Spirit Forest’ that opened for only one day on the founding day….
At the time of the empire’s founding, there was a spirit who helped Elika Prelai and Edmund Tailyes defeat the dark mage Ortson. After the Tailyes Empire was established, this spirit fell asleep in this mysterious forest. The faint mist that perpetually shrouded this forest created such an otherworldly atmosphere that it was enough to excite the young people.
And Hiton and Dolores were equally excited. After finishing his opening speech, Hiton returned to Dolores, who whispered to him.
“Everything’s going according to plan?”
Hiton smiled wickedly and nodded.
“Of course.”
An excited hunting tournament—what a perfect place to orchestrate something.
He had checked just to be sure, but oddly enough, the entire Prelai family had attended. Alex had not yet arrived, but given his personality, which loved violence and slaughter, it was obvious he would show up at some point. Alex, who rode around on a Gray Wolf summon, was so unpredictable that tracking his whereabouts was meaningless.
“No matter how extraordinary the magical artifacts Kiana Prelai uses, she cannot control every person and every situation in such a vast outdoor space.”
Hiton smiled wickedly as he gazed at the Spirit Forest, where mysterious mist swirled.
“When Alex Prelai arrives, I will begin.”
Today, Hiton was scheduled to face an assassination attempt in this forest.
* * *
Piyak was completely excited about wanting to see the Spirit Forest and went off with Hou.
【We can only come here once a year!】
【With the spirit’s blessing here, I feel wonderful!】
To my excited summons, who noted this wasn’t a place you could enter anytime, I warmly told them they were truly like my family.
“Getting all worked up over a limited-edition location—that’s so Joshua of you.”
【That’s harsh!】
【Kid, you really shouldn’t talk like that.】
In any case, Piyak and Hou flew up together and disappeared into the forest.
So I sat in a corner of the headquarters with a sullen expression, arms crossed. I had put on a checkered hunting outfit for ease of movement, but I had no intention of actually hunting. Running, jumping, moving around—I absolutely hated all of it.
As I sat quietly observing the people, I noticed something strange.
‘What’s this? Something seems off.’
The accessories of the noble ladies gathered in small groups each had a checkered pattern. Had my consistent fashion sense finally aligned with the trend? I had always known such a trend would come eventually, but….
“It seems checkered patterns are in fashion these days, Princess.”
Someone quietly approached and sat beside me.
“They say it’s become a symbol of an intellectual image….”
It was Seliet, whom I hadn’t seen in quite a while.
“You caught a criminal at the Kodiak Charity event, Princess. It seems many nobles were impressed by that.”
And Seliet’s gloves also had a checkered ribbon attached. I blinked in disbelief and asked.
“Wait, if my intellectual image was so impressive, shouldn’t mathematics studying be the trend instead of checkered patterns?”
“…Well, I’m not sure about that. I don’t think it will ever become fashionable….”
Seliet shook her head as if the mere thought disgusted her. Then she sighed deeply with regret.
“I wish I had known about the Princess’s remarkable performance—I would have attended the Kodiak Charity Event….”
I glanced at Seliet and offered her comfort, telling her there was no need to regret it.
“It’s fine. Even if you had come, it wouldn’t have helped me at all, and you would have just been harassed by the Third Queen, anyway.”
Seliet laughed awkwardly, and another person sat down beside me, grumbling.
“Ugh, why are they holding such an event? It’s noisy and chaotic…. I’m sure the spirits sleeping peacefully must be thrilled about it.”
It was Joshua, dressed head to toe in luxury hunting attire. His hat was also checkered, and he sat down beside me with a pompous air, striking the exact same pose as I was.
“Though, I suppose it’s not bad to organize the beasts once a year.”
I looked at Joshua in shock and asked him a question.
“Why are you here? You never come to hunting competitions like this.”
Joshua didn’t attend any social events. So in the original story, he doesn’t come to this hunting competition either!
That was when it happened.
“Move aside, Joshua.”
“…Grandfather?”
“The seat next to Kiana is mine.”
“Pardon? But I arrived first?”
“I was born first.”
Grandfather kicked Joshua out of the way and sat down beside me. It seemed Grandfather had come here after paying his respects to Hitten and Dolores. Someone of Grandfather’s standing should have been seated in the VIP section, so I wondered why he came all the way here….
“Hahaha, if it isn’t Lady Kiana!”
“Princess, good day to you.”
And the people who appeared before me were Loyte, the returned Captain of the Guard, and Avian. Avian was dressed in well-fitted hunting attire, and he knelt on one knee before me with a determined expression.
“I promise to show you excellent results in this hunting competition, Princess.”
Joshua interjected sarcastically at those words.
“What, are you planning to win first place and get a wish voucher from our Kiana?”
“….”
“Really? You’re really going to win first place?”
Joshua asked in surprise, and Avian smiled warmly at me before rising to his feet.
“Then I shall take my leave, Princess.”
With that, he swiftly mounted his horse and disappeared like lightning. Watching his departing figure, Loyte laughed.
“Huheuheuheu, he’s a fine young man. I actually wanted to appoint him as the First Captain of the Guard….”
No, why isn’t this man leaving? He even glanced back and forth between me and Avian’s retreating figure several times before laughing with a hollow sound.
“…Now that I think about it, it seems he has an unrequited love for quite a formidable rival, huheuheuheu….”

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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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