A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 147

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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 147
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The Physician gave his assessment that I was in perfectly good health, and only then did he release a long sigh of relief.
“Please get some rest. You still need stability, so I’ll allow visitors starting in one hour.”
Either way, I had been granted an hour of respite.
After the Physician left, I sat on the bed and sank into contemplation.
【Kiana, why don’t you lie down and rest?】
Piyak, who had remained with me, tilted his head as he spoke.
【Why do you already look so troubled?】
“There’s just a lot piling up that needs resolving.”
I sighed as I spoke.
“Looking at Sezare’s condition, something clearly hasn’t gone according to plan…”
【What? What hasn’t gone according to plan?】
“…Isn’t some kind of problem that’s causing the Prelai Ducal Residence to be protecting him in secret?”
That was the only conclusion I could draw from the situation. His hair color remained unchanged, but his complexion was far too gaunt, and most importantly, why was he at the Ducal Residence now? If things had gone well, he should naturally be handling the accumulated work at the Imperial Palace. Since Prelai had always been a house that protected the Tailizes imperial family, it made perfect sense that we would be protecting him.
I wondered what exactly had gone wrong at the last moment, but since I’d confirmed his limbs were intact, there was no immediate urgency.
“Come to think of it, this isn’t the time to rest. I have so many questions, so let me just call someone—”
【There’s no need to call anyone, Kiana.】
Piyak proudly puffed out his chest with his wings.
【I’m here.】
“Hm?”
【I’m your summoned creature now, so I can share memories just like the other summoned creatures! And I awakened a few days before you, so I understand the situation better!】
Piyak hopped onto my hand. Instinctively, I knew what to do. I held Piyak close and closed my eyes.
When I first met Piyak, he could only convey memories he’d seen beside Melissa in text form. But this time was distinctly different.
Vivid memories of what Piyak had witnessed and experienced began flooding into my mind—memories I wanted to share with me. They were memories of how an ordinary day at the Ducal Residence had unfolded after I burst into the conference hall and collapsed.
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9 AM.
In noble families, this was typically the standard for “forgive the intrusion, but I shall visit early in the morning.” Edmund arrived at the Ducal Residence with a blank expression.
“My goodness, he’s here again today.”
“At this rate, he should receive a perfect attendance award on behalf of our daughter who attends the junior Academy.”
The gatekeepers exchanged knowing glances as they murmured.
The Crown Prince had surrounded the Capital with his army, thrown Hitten and Dolores into prison, and seized control of the Imperial Palace in an instant. No gatekeeper, no matter how bold, could stand against such a man.
The gatekeepers quietly opened the gate. And the moment Edmund stepped inside the Ducal Residence, someone attacked him from behind the shrubbery like lightning. It was Alex.
“How dare you, a noble, make advances toward our youngest troublemaker Kiana!”
That mangled declaration was something Scari had taught him.
At first, it had been a torrent of curses. Scari, unable to bear it, had corrected it to this precarious line that wouldn’t result in charges of insulting the royal family.
When Alex first growled like a dog in protest, Edmund had answered with leisurely laughter: “If you can stop me within the Tulip Garden, I shall withdraw cleanly.” Alex immediately agreed to that “Tulip Garden agreement.” He wasn’t the type to miss an opportunity to legally wield his sword.
So Alex had been grinding his teeth every morning, waiting to ambush Edmund in the Tulip Garden that appeared first upon opening the Ducal Residence’s main gate.
“Good morning. A fine day to you, my lord.”
And Edmund nonchalantly dodged Alex’s attack while greeting him leisurely. The grass where Edmund had been standing moments before was gouged out in a mess.
“Your left leg’s movements are more pronounced than usual today.”
“××, really, or rather, is it really, ××?”
“It seems to be from holding the same posture for too long. Since I always arrive at exactly nine o’clock, there’s no need to hide beforehand.”
“Thank you for your consideration, ××? ××?”
Dodging the relentless barrage of attacks with ease, Edmund never once drew his dagger.
Without increasing his speed, passing through the tulip garden as if taking a leisurely stroll, Edmund gracefully tipped the gardener waiting at the garden’s end—and Alex’s assault came to an end. Ironically, the “Tulip Garden Agreement” prevented Alex from continuing his attacks. Despite being a ruffian, he respected laws and treaties well.
Beyond the tulip garden lay the fountain garden directly before the Prelai Manor. The moment Edmund entered the fountain garden, Hyde, dressed in designer clothes, came charging with an axe raised high.
“Graaaaaaah!”
It was absolutely not the kind of battle cry nobles used during sword practice. Of course, Edmund had seen plenty of similar barbarians during his time in Levin territory, so he wasn’t startled in the slightest.
“Good morning, Duke.”
In the meantime, Hyde had inherited Scari’s position and become a duke. The physician had diagnosed that Scari’s health was poor and required immediate rest. Fortunately, his intellect hadn’t deteriorated, so Hyde was smoothly receiving the handover from Scari.
And similar to Alex, he had agreed to the “Fountain Garden Agreement” with Edmund.
“Kuaaaagh! Graaaah! Judgment! Struggle! Mortality!”
Hyde swung his axe while spouting excessive words.
Despite the onslaught of attacks, Edmund remained composed. Thus, he leisurely evaded the continuing assault and passed through the fountain garden as well.
“Kuaaaaagh!”
【That was a good duel, meow.】
Kitty, the summoned dog, offered a gentlemanly assessment near the roaring Hyde. After passing through the fountain garden completely, Edmund spoke leisurely while watching Hyde, who had stopped attacking and was breathing heavily.
“Duke, do be careful with your shoulder. You’re bearing too much weight. A mithril axe I specially commissioned arrives tomorrow—I’d like to gift it to you. It should help alleviate the excessive strain on your shoulder.”
At those words, Hyde rotated his shoulder and replied.
“Graaaah! I’ll have the handle replaced. Our second son’s favorite designer should be able to create an excellent design if I request a special order.”
【Take care, meow. See you tomorrow, meow.】
Kitty said, elegantly swishing her tail.
Edmund smiled at Kitty, then gracefully tipped the servant standing respectfully at the fountain garden’s end. The servant who received the tip quickly began cleaning the dirt splashed from the fountain.
Only then could Edmund finally enter the Prelai Manor.
The moment he opened the manor’s door, Scari was heaving heavy sighs.
“That Hyde fellow… he picked up only the worst traits from Alex and Joshua… No, I’m certain I raised him well, but after living as he pleased for seventeen years, his instincts have awakened.”
【And you resemble Kiana. Must you always take credit for raising her well?】
Edmund deliberately refrained from pointing out Scari and Hou’s muddled way of speaking about “predecessors resembling successors.” Instead, he smiled gently and offered a respectful greeting.
“Good morning, former Duke.”
“Ahem, I greet the Crown Prince.”
Scari, the most levelheaded person in this household, spoke while stroking his beard.
“I hear you’re tremendously busy with much to organize, yet you make the effort to visit here. And every single day at that.”
It was elegant social etiquette, but carried an unspoken pressure: “Why do you come so often?”
“One might think this place is an Academy with strict attendance requirements.”
Scari didn’t charge at him with a sword because he was the only Sword Master in the Prelai family. Because he was a Sword Master, he could see at a glance the difference in realm between himself and his opponent.
“We never heard from Kiana about her romantic relationship. However, we are certain they have parted ways.”
“It was a separation from Count Sezare Levin, and Count Levin no longer exists.”
Edmund spoke matter-of-factly despite having the exact same appearance as “Sezare Levin.”
“When Kiana awakens, she’ll hear it directly from her own lips—that I have the right to visit my beloved while she’s ill.”
At the word “lover,” Scari felt a sudden tension grip the back of his head. Yet Edmund’s demeanor was so impeccable that he couldn’t very well drive him away.
“Former Duke, you know me well enough. You’ve watched over me since childhood. Do you truly believe I would presume to speak Kiana’s name without permission?”
“….”
“Moreover, you’re well aware that I’m not foolish enough to fabricate lies that would be exposed the moment Kiana awakens.”
If only Alex were as crude and vulgar, then Scari could have taken issue with his conduct. But Edmund was as smooth-tongued as a serpent, and even as he evaded every attack in the garden without throwing a single punch, maintaining perfect courtesy throughout, Scari’s frustration burned hotter and hotter.

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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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