A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 14

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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 14
【Hou.】
The black hawk Hou spoke bluntly without even opening his eyes. It seemed he was treating me as merely a maid who had wandered in by mistake.
I gazed quietly at Hou. His pitiful state—unable to move even a single wingbeat—tugged at my heart.
In my memories, this black hawk was a magnificent summoned creature that soared majestically above the Prelai Ducal Residence, his golden eyes gleaming brilliantly. Around the time I was six years old, I had earnestly wished, “I hope I can meet a bird-type summoned creature like that too.” There had been a genuine feeling back then—some vague premonition that my own summoned creature would also be avian in nature.
Yet that once-magnificent summoned creature now hung limply, lacking even the strength to lift his eyelids. Watching him in this state weighed on my heart, and I couldn’t even begin to imagine how my grandfather must be feeling.
I smiled kindly and introduced myself.
“How dare you order the youngest princess of Prelai out of here?”
Then I confidently rolled up my sleeves and declared,
“I’ll fix you. Just cooperate with me a little.”
【Nonsense.】
Hou’s indifferent voice held not a shred of hope.
【Medicine has nothing to do with summoned creatures. Stop bothering me and leave.】
“I’m not a doctor, though?”
Hou didn’t even respond, simply closing his mouth and shutting his eyes. His entire expression screamed annoyance.
I gestured with my hand, and the Spy Maid quickly began unpacking my belongings. I retrieved my coffee first, took a sip, and settled into a seat.
“Spy Maid.”
I looked directly into the Spy Maid’s eyes and spoke.
“Two hours from now.”
The Spy Maid had been restless ever since entering the Greenhouse. Still, she didn’t disobey my orders. She swallowed hard as she met my serious gaze.
I gave my command firmly.
“For the next two hours, don’t let anyone else enter the Greenhouse. It breaks my concentration.”
Then I put on my glasses and unrolled a piece of parchment.
* * *
In Scari’s office at the Prelai Ducal Residence.
“So… she left this morning?”
Scari had woken up long ago. He had just received the unfortunate news that the maid who had attempted assassination yesterday had committed suicide during interrogation, along with information about Kiana’s whereabouts.
The Spy Maid assigned to watch Kiana still hadn’t returned, remaining at Kiana’s side, and the Head Maid had come to report in person. Of course, all the Head Maid could convey was the fragmentary information that Kiana had gone out this morning.
In truth, Scari had expected Kiana to seek him out immediately. Yet Kiana had deliberately left early this morning and still hadn’t returned.
“Is the Prelai Ducal Residence really such an uncomfortable place?”
“…Pardon?”
“Whether it’s Kiana, Melissa, Joshua, or anyone else… they all seem desperate to leave.”
Scari pressed his forehead lightly as if troubled. The Head Maid sighed with a sympathetic expression.
Even after Kiana had departed for the Academy, the Ducal Residence had not been particularly peaceful. The more troublesome Joshua was still there, after all.
“Unless something’s wrong with my head, I’m never setting foot in this suffocating place again.”
The determination in those parting steps when he had branched off was so resolute that no one at the Ducal Residence could have stopped him.
The silhouette of him wearing a jacket bearing a famous designer’s logo remained vivid in Scari’s mind. He hadn’t looked back even once… It must have been dire indeed, for the Butler later muttered, “I wonder if Lord Julius will only return for his own funeral…” Scari himself thought he wouldn’t be seeing Joshua’s face for quite some time.
He pressed his tired eyes and groaned painfully.
“Only those who have raised rebellious adolescents could possibly understand me.”
The Head Maid bowed deeply, then hesitated before carefully opening her mouth.
“Hmm… I’ve experienced my own children’s adolescence, so I understand to some degree.”
Scari looked at the Head Maid as if urging her to continue.
The Head Maid spoke calmly.
“I believe that feelings left unexpressed are never truly conveyed. Even if you think ‘surely they understand by now,’ the human heart is such that people never fully comprehend one another.”
“Hmm.”
“Perhaps, despite the embarrassment, this would be a good opportunity for you to clearly express to the Duke how much you care for your granddaughter?”
At the Head Maid’s sincere words, Scari slowly stroked his chin, lost in thought.
“…I suppose you’re right.”
True, I’d heard many times that I was overly taciturn. Perhaps that’s why my feelings never reached them properly. Come to think of it, I’d only wanted my grandchildren to change, never once considering that I myself might need to change.
In that sense, the Head Maid’s advice pleased me greatly.
“Yes. I suppose I need to… change a bit myself.”
The Head Maid continued carefully, as if wishing to comfort Scari.
“Lady Kiana returned suddenly one day. Perhaps Young Master Joshua will also return unexpectedly after all this time, as if by miracle.”
That was when an urgent knock sounded, and the Butler entered.
“My Lord!”
He reported urgently.
“Young Master Joshua has just arrived at the Prelai Manor!”
Silence fell over the study.
Even the Head Maid, who had just said “Young Master Joshua will surely return someday,” stood with her mouth agape. A moment later, Scari let out a snort of laughter. Then he muttered as if bewildered.
“It seems my second grandson’s head broke down far faster than I expected.”
Scari, who usually maintained his composure, suddenly recalled the Head Maid’s advice.
She’d said to express how much I cared for my family. Express, express… I nodded firmly with a stern face.
“…Actually, this works out well. I should practice on Joshua first.”
* * *
In Scari’s study, Joshua sat with an extremely awkward expression.
“What brings you here?”
Scari asked, looking at Joshua’s face with a sardonic tone.
“You didn’t leave quietly like Kiana did, but made such a spectacle storming out—what audacity brings you crawling back here?”
“That is…”
“You didn’t leave to study like Kiana, but bought an estate right under my nose and advertised throughout the Capital, ‘I’m a child cast out by the Prelai Family.'”
“Well, that…”
“I’ve always tried to treat you well. That hasn’t changed. I even kept your room in the Prelai Manor exactly as it was and have been allocating your stipend without fail!”
“…G-Grandfather?”
“You’ve always been a thoroughly wretched grandson, thinking only of what your parents failed to give you, never once considering your grandfather’s aching heart! Yet I treated you fairly regardless!”
Joshua’s eyes widened in utter bewilderment.
“Grandfather, why are you suddenly speaking so much… and bringing up things you never mentioned before…”
“It’s not boasting—it’s an expression of my heart!”
“…”
Joshua sighed once and spoke.
“In any case, I came because something seems wrong with Kiana.”
“That’s a relief.”
Scari replied curtly.
“If it seems normal to your eyes, that’s the real problem.”
“Well, it’s not exactly normal. Still….”
Joshua answered with a serious expression.
“She’s far too thin. Any designer shop would be horrified.”
At those words, Scari immediately nodded.
“That much is true.”
“Her complexion is also far too pallid. She doesn’t look healthy at all.”
The two, who had been discussing Kiana’s condition, fell silent again.
After a moment, Scari asked gruffly.
“But did you really come just for that? Since when have you been worried about her….”
“Grandfather, you’re the one who’s only been rejected by Kiana, aren’t you? Why would you pick a fight with me?”
It was then that the Butler suddenly rushed into the study as if he’d received an urgent report.
“My Lord!”
He came running breathlessly, looked at Joshua, and muttered in surprise.
“Goodness, Young Master Joshua…. Is your head, I mean, are you alright? Were you badly injured?”
“…Just state your business.”
“Right! That, that’s it!”
The Butler’s expression grew urgent again as he cried out hastily.
“Young Lady Kiana has entered the Greenhouse! We were slow to notice, and quite some time has already passed!”
“The Greenhouse? Why on earth would she…!”
Bewilderment flashed across Scari’s expression, which had been as weighty and immovable as a great mountain. He lost his composure and shouted.
“What about the Maid assigned to her!”
“It appears they were in league with her—she reported nothing!”
Joshua stared at Scari with a bewildered expression. If his Grandfather was agitated to this degree, whatever the reason, it was no ordinary matter.
‘Is there some hidden treasure in the Greenhouse?’
But to see his Grandfather lose his composure and panic like this…. Joshua instinctively felt he needed to be involved in this.
“W-worse still, the door is locked from the inside right now… it’s said to be a very troubling situation!”
At the Butler’s continued words, Scari shot to his feet.
In the Greenhouse was his Summoned Beast, Hou, whose condition worsened with each passing day. He couldn’t fathom why Kiana had gone to the Greenhouse and locked the door from within. So he had no choice but to panic in that moment.
‘Hou!’
Six years ago, Hou had absorbed a terrible poison and had been in a considerably weakened state ever since. Yet he harbored no resentment toward his master, saying it was his master’s command. They had always been close, but since six years ago, Hou had become an even greater presence to Scari.
“Grandfather! Please regain your composure!”
“Could you remain calm if it were your Summoned Beast?”
“Of course not.”
Joshua answered immediately.
“It’s easy to say that since it’s not my concern. If it were me, I’d already be running. Actually, I’m rather surprised you have the leisure to look at my face here.”
At Joshua’s words, Scari kicked off from his seat and ran toward the Greenhouse. He didn’t think Kiana would do anything reckless, but he couldn’t remain idle regardless. Joshua immediately followed after 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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