A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 120

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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 120
“…Sigh.”
Kiana, who had been walking back as slowly as possible from the far end of the garden, let out a deep sigh.
At that distance, the conversation between the two of them was barely audible anyway. Still, she wasn’t greatly surprised that Sezare had suddenly left. Though Kiana was someone who rarely hesitated in matters, in that moment alone she had wavered for quite some time with a bitter expression on her face.
Only after considerable time had passed did Kiana finally walk toward the Empress. She couldn’t spend forever counting the gravel along the hem of her dress to kill time.
Despite much time having elapsed, the Empress still appeared distracted. During the long walk as Kiana approached her, the Empress’s expression seemed almost vacant.
“Your Majesty.”
The Empress gazed at Kiana with glistening eyes for a while before slowly lowering her head.
“Princess, I’m sorry….”
After deliberating over her words for some time, what the Empress finally uttered was a hollow apology.
“I’m feeling rather fatigued. If I’ve offended you, I truly apologize, but….”
So Kiana assured the Empress that she hadn’t taken offense at all.
“It’s fine. I’m always tired too, Your Majesty. There’s no need to apologize. I actually quite enjoy when plans are cancelled.”
Kiana answered matter-of-factly.
“Then I shall take my leave now.”
The Empress asked Kiana nothing at all. Why she had used her royal audience rights to come here today, why she had come with Sezare, or why she had arranged for them to be alone together.
“Do you know something, Princess.”
She only murmured quietly.
“I lived longer as a princess than I have as Empress.”
“….”
“It’s true that I wished for my son’s return. But…I was also afraid of how he would turn out, given that his feelings toward Sola might not be the same as mine.”
Kiana gazed at the Empress quietly.
“…If my son had heard me say that I hoped both would be safe, would he have thought I was being too naive?”
“No.”
Kiana answered heavily. The Empress looked at her with eyes seeking sympathy, tears held back.
“Yes, that’s right, isn’t it?”
“…He would have thought it cruel.”
“….”
“Truly.”
A brief silence fell.
“When I was young, there were people who spoke ill of me. That I was useless, that I only brought shame to my house. But what’s strange is….”
Kiana continued with a faint sigh.
“Humans are weak, so such negative words feel like truth, even though there are countless reasons not to live that way.”
Ultimately, it was a message of ‘I know from experience—don’t live like that.’
“So I truly hurt the people I cherished. And thus the victim becomes a cruel perpetrator.”
“….”
“I can at least make the excuse that I was young then. Though that doesn’t mean I don’t regret it.”
Ultimately, it meant ‘You don’t even have that excuse.’
“In any case, I shall take my leave now, Your Majesty.”
Kiana bowed respectfully to the Empress and slowly boarded the carriage alone. Just from the Empress’s reaction, she could guess what she had said to Sezare.
Lost in thought for a moment, she gazed out the carriage window. Not a single cloud marred the sky. For some, it would be a peaceful and serene afternoon—a beautiful day bathed in sunlight. For her, it was infuriating.
“Just like six years ago, the weather is perfectly clear. How irritating.”
Kiana exhaled softly.
More time passed in silence.
“Damn it.”
Finally, Kiana tugged at her hair in frustration and muttered to herself.
“Why am I always so soft-hearted? I can’t bear not to comfort him!”
The Coachman, startled by her muttering, waited for her command.
“Take me to Levin Manor.”
However, the carriage couldn’t maintain its usual speed after leaving the Imperial Palace. The roads were inexplicably congested, and the carriage could barely move.
“What now? What is it this time?”
Kiana irritably poked her head out the carriage window. In doing so, she locked eyes with a most unexpected person—Avian, who was riding toward her on horseback.
“Princess!”
Avian approached her window with an urgent expression, then leaped down from his horse. Looking up at her, he asked with concern.
“Are you injured anywhere? Are you all right?”
Kiana answered urgently in return.
“I’m fine, but is this a situation where I should be injured? I’m always aching somewhere anyway! But why are you asking?”
“…Ah.”
Avian, realizing that Kiana was unharmed, relaxed his expression. Then he began explaining seriously.
“King Enoch of the Kingdom of Sola was attacked on his way back from the Imperial Palace.”
“What?”
“That’s why the Guards are investigating and the roads are blocked.”
Kiana’s face grew grave in an instant. Since she was not naturally inclined to take much interest in others’ affairs, Avian quickly noticed her concern about this matter. Seizing the opportunity, he began explaining in detail.
“The pattern resembles the previous attacks. He was assaulted by mysterious assailants, and apparently one of his shoulders was rendered completely useless. They’re so elusive that despite this happening in broad daylight on a main road, no one has a proper account of what occurred.”
“But the King would have had many guards attending him…”
“Which makes it all the more astonishing. However, this time King Enoch lost consciousness entirely, so even the Crown Prince couldn’t provide a testimony.”
Yet Kiana, Avian, and the many people gathered on this road all knew the truth. This incident bore the same signature as the previous attack.
“The Guards are gathering, so I came to check. I saw the House of Prelai’s carriage and rushed over. I was worried the Princess might have been hurt.”
Avian lowered his brows and smiled with relief.
“But seeing you’re unharmed, that’s good.”
Kiana offered no response, her eyes still distant and thoughtful. No matter how one looked at it, she didn’t seem to pity King Enoch—rather, her expression was troubled in various ways.
“But where are you headed? Isn’t the Prelai Ducal Residence in the opposite direction?”
“Ah…”
Snapped back to attention by Avian’s question, Kiana answered quickly.
“I’m going to Levin Manor. To see the Count.”
“…”
Avian blinked slowly, hesitated, and then spoke.
“It would be wise not to trust Count Levin too much, Princess. That man is deeply duplicitous.”
“You’re right. There’s probably no one more two-faced than Count Levin. I agree. You have good instincts.”
“…”
Avian was momentarily at a loss for words at Kiana’s response, which seemed utterly unaffected.
And just then, the situation surrounding King Enoch’s attack was gradually being brought under control, and the road began to open up. Seeing the Coachman preparing to depart, Avian called out urgently.
“The movements of the soldiers in Levin Domain are highly suspicious. I witnessed them while passing nearby.”
It was true that he cared for Kiana, but… he wanted to warn her. This man called Sezare was far too strange and ominous.
“And the barbarian armies stationed there will likely not obey orders from the Imperial Family or the Guards. Moreover, seeing how systematic their movements are and how they’ve established a path leading all the way to the Capital…”
Kiana cut off Avian’s rambling words.
“Your Highness, I don’t usually listen to others. But since I’m good at giving advice to people, I’ll offer you some as well.”
“Yes?”
“Abandoning a dream is just as difficult as achieving one.”
Avian’s eyes widened at Kiana’s calm words.
“You still haven’t let go of your attachment to the Guards, Your Highness.”
“…”
“I understand that you care for me, but it seems there’s something you care for even more. Think about it carefully.”
Kiana patted Avian’s shoulder and then ordered the Coachman to head to Levin Manor at once.
She understood why Sezare had left without even saying goodbye. In the midst of feeling betrayed by his mother, he probably lacked the confidence to care for her properly. He had always looked after her so carefully.
Kiana understood better than anyone how sorrowful it felt to be abandoned by one’s own parents. So she decided that when she returned to Prelai Manor, she would not brush past the situation with a casual letter like “Why did you leave first yesterday?” by tomorrow. Just thinking about what Sezare’s heart must have felt like when he refused his biological mother’s request and immediately dealt with his uncle made her feel desolate.
‘This time…’
Six years ago, she had turned away from him. She hadn’t understood the situation and hadn’t known him well.
‘I’ll be by your side.’
Today would be different. Because she understood the situation now, and she understood him.

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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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