A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 134

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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 134
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Prelai Ducal Residence.
The Butler trembled as he delivered his reports to Alex.
“So in ten days there will be a noble assembly, and you must attend as our representative….”
“You’re not seriously asking me to march into that cesspool, are you?”
Alex spoke coldly while polishing his sword.
“You want me to sit there for hours listening to a bunch of fools I couldn’t care less about spouting whatever nonsense comes to mind?”
“But the taxes collected under the pretext of war preparations were significantly higher than usual. We must lodge a formal protest. Many noble families will likely protest as well….”
“Protest?”
Alex’s tone brightened as if he’d found a word he liked.
“Can I really protest?”
“Yes. However, you must protest with words. You cannot protest with a sword.”
At the Butler’s warning, Alex’s eyes immediately dimmed. He asked seriously.
“You really think I can do that?”
Alex had no interest in managing the family affairs, so he didn’t even know how much higher the taxes had been this time. The Butler lamented Scari’s absence more than ever. He missed Scari, who despite his advanced age always handled matters perfectly. Of course, Scari’s health was deteriorating with each passing day.
“Anyway, even if I go there, I can’t do anything for Prelai.”
Alex declared confidently.
“Since there’s nothing to gain anyway, why should I endure such tedious boredom?”
“But the Prelai Family, as representatives of the high nobility, has always attended without fail….”
“Grandfather went every time, didn’t he? If I just mention he’s absent, everyone will understand.”
The Butler immediately shook his hand in denial.
“That’s not the case. At the last noble assembly, Lady Kiana attended.”
“What?”
At those words, Alex’s eyes, which had been listless, suddenly widened.
“…Kiana went?”
Alex was still struggling with how to continue a conversation with Kiana. This was because he had never had a casual, friendly conversation with anyone before.
Originally, he had planned to bring up the kindness he’d shown her at the Academy to break the ice. But somehow too much time had passed. Moreover, according to his subordinates’ reports, Kiana had even stopped by the Academy on her way north. So somehow it didn’t seem like it would make for good conversation material.
“Kiana, I handled all the Academy matters just as you instructed.”
“Yeah, I confirmed it myself. But are you trying to show off and fish for thanks right now?”
And so the Academy topic was abandoned.
When he asked those around him, they said, “Find common interests.” But there was no way he and Kiana could have common interests. In fact, that would make things worse.
But would attending this noble assembly create some kind of neutral conversation topic to ease the atmosphere? Alex decided quickly.
“Then I’ll go too.”
He didn’t forget to add hastily before the Butler could show his moved expression.
“Get me a good pair of earmuffs. If I notice someone dragging out the assembly, I might draw my sword because I can’t stand looking at that fool’s mouth.”
“…Yes. And this is a report sent from the ‘Black Moon’.”
The ‘Black Moon’ was the intelligence network the Prelai Family employed. All high-ranking nobles gathered information this way.
Of course, Joshua from Lorelai could gather information faster and more accurately than the ‘Black Moon’. But Joshua had closed Lorelai temporarily and departed north with them.
Alex’s brow furrowed as he read the ‘Black Moon’ report.
“What…? The Levin Domain’s army is on the move? And in such a manner?”
Alex’s eyes gleamed with intrigue as he continued reading.
“No, when did they grow to such a scale? Impressive. Everyone in circles as well-informed as ours must be astounded.”
“And Count Levin has apparently requested to attend this noble assembly…”
Count Levin, originally a border noble, had never been summoned to the Capital’s noble assemblies. Yet he had deliberately expressed his desire to attend and even received permission to do so.
“This should prove entertaining.”
Alex stroked his chin with evident amusement. The wolf lounging lazily at his feet tilted its head.
【What’s so entertaining about it? Unless swords start flying, there’s nothing for you to enjoy at a meeting.】
“That’s exactly why—I think swords will fly.”
Alex chuckled with delight.
“What else would he say, marching in with an army and suddenly crashing a meeting? Nothing but threats. I’m curious what that bastard intends to extort from the Imperial Family.”
【I thought you had no interest in others’ affairs.】
“Of course I don’t.”
By now, Alex had remained in the Capital for quite some time and heard all the recent rumors. Thus, he had also been briefed on everything that had transpired between Kiana and Sezare.
Certainly, if Kiana and Sezare had still been in a relationship, even a false one, he might have taken interest. But breakup rumors had already spread, and upon returning to the Capital, the servants of the Prelai Residence had subtly informed him, “Ah, that was just a crude deception.”
Alex spoke with casual composure.
“Still, if something interesting happens and becomes a topic of conversation with Kiana, that would be nice. I do hope that bastard puts on quite a show with his blade.”
* * *
Ten days had passed since Julius’s rescue party departed.
Naturally, even ascending the Lookout Tower revealed nothing more to see. Yet Scari climbed to the tower whenever time permitted, gazing endlessly toward that distant place where firelight had once flickered.
“Do you miss Father so much?”
Joshua asked casually from beside him.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Scari flared up in irritation.
“I’m waiting for Hou! That fool crawled all the way out there without even discussing it with Father—why would I? I’m simply watching so I can run out and embrace him the moment he returns!”
“Wow.”
Joshua whispered to the green serpent coiled around his arm.
“Really, you only need to hear his last sentence, right?”
The green serpent, Lea, hissed in response.
【Yep. Your way of speaking is exactly the same. You really do take after your grandfather.】
Both Joshua and Scari glared at the green serpent simultaneously. Both looked considerably insulted.
【Why the look?】
Lea tilted her head, speaking as if aggrieved.
【You two are definitely more alike than Kiana, who won’t even set foot in the Lookout Tower.】
Lea was right. Kiana had not returned to the Lookout Tower since the first day. She remained confined to the Underground Library.
Though the servants had said, “This place has not been touched by human feet for a very long time,” Kiana was obstinate. Joshua, who had grown quite bored, attempted to follow her once, but the dust was so overwhelming that he fled in alarm from the entrance. He could not allow such ancient dust to soil his expensive and exquisite garments.
【Kiana really is cold-hearted.】
Lea swished her tail as she spoke.
【She planned everything herself, yet hasn’t come even once.】
It was then.
“At one point, huff, I, huff, considered it.”
A sharp voice made Lea, Joshua, and Scari turn around.
“Because, huff. If I did….”
It was Kiana, who had just climbed up to the Lookout Tower. She was glaring at Lea with an expression that suggested she desperately wanted to say something.
【Ahahaha, but Kiana lacks exercise! She’s in such a state climbing these stairs that she can’t even curse right now!】
Piyak giggled from atop Kiana’s head.
【Hurry and say what you need to say now! Everyone!】
So Joshua spoke up immediately.
“Kiana, actually, when I left the Capital, I placed an order for your clothes with my favorite designer. Your plain outfits simply didn’t match my aesthetic standards.”
“What… huff, huff, nonsense… huff, huff.”
It was when Kiana’s eyes widened in anger at those words.
“Of course, I did ask him to add a checkered pattern.”
Only then did Kiana’s mood soften slightly as she nodded once and caught her breath. After drinking some water that Scari offered her, she finally calmed down and spoke to Lea.
“I simply haven’t come because I wouldn’t be able to see anything anyway. The efficiency would be poor.”
【Kiana! It’s rude to say such things in front of people who come here daily despite the poor efficiency. You’re essentially saying you’ve been doing pointless work!】
While Piyak giggled, Kiana narrowed her eyes and gazed into the distance. And not long after, a faint light began rising into the sky from far away.
“Ah.”
Only then did Kiana show a slight look of relief.
“Things seem to be going well.”
Scari and Joshua finally understood why Kiana had come up now.
Today marked exactly ten days since Julius had departed. In other words, it was the day Hyde could send a location signal again. And the signal shot up by Hyde’s summoned creature was much closer to the castle than it had been ten days ago.
“It means they’ve met the rescue party and are heading toward the castle.”
Kiana said matter-of-factly.
“It seems the rescue was successful. We just need to wait a bit longer. And if I roughly estimate the speed based on the distance traveled….”
Kiana, who had hesitated slightly, added clearly.
“I can roughly figure out the day they’ll arrive.”

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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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