A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 148

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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 148
Ultimately, Scari took a deep breath and changed the subject.
“Our Kiana falls far short of the qualifications to be Crown Princess.”
Scari’s eyes gleamed as he continued.
“Should His Highness the Crown Prince ascend to the throne and take an Empress, our Kiana will burn with fury and torment her viciously every single day. So wouldn’t it be wise to carefully select someone with a disposition similar to the current Empress and place her in that position?”
“It is Kiana who lacks the qualifications to be Crown Princess, former Duke.”
Edmund replied with unhurried composure.
“That she would torment an Empress viciously every day is also a joy to me. Isn’t that all born from jealousy? My mother did not love the Emperor, so she harbored no jealousy.”
Yet Edmund’s golden eyes meeting Scari’s gaze held a formidable intensity.
“I suspect I would eliminate anyone who dared take Kiana as a husband. No, I wouldn’t tolerate even the slightest impropriety toward her.”
Scari swallowed hard as he watched Edmund’s leisurely smile.
‘Now I truly cannot say he’s become soft and weak…’
Though the gently smiling face seemed to overlap with the plump young Crown Prince Edmund of the past, the atmosphere itself was entirely different.
“But in any case, what crime would that Empress have committed? So wouldn’t it be better if the position of Empress itself were to disappear?”
Edmund spoke with courtesy and gentleness, as naturally as flowing water, yet each word carried tremendous pressure.
“I also agree with your assessment that Kiana and the imperial household are quite incompatible. That is precisely why I am working diligently to reform the system. So please do not worry.”
In fact, Edmund had been working through the night and had come directly to Prelai Manor. While organizing the various matters that had been under Hitten’s control, he was simultaneously revising the laws governing the position of Empress, keeping him extraordinarily busy.
Deep shadows lay across his face from his near-sleepless state, his skin was far paler than usual, and bloodshot veins marked the corners of his eyes. Yet that sharp, cool, and austere aura suited Edmund all the more, emanating a subtly sensual quality like a blade honed to its keenest edge.
“And former Duke.”
Edmund added with a cool smile.
“Kiana is a far more excellent person than my mother could ever be. So I would appreciate it if you refrained from speaking of her as inferior to my mother in the future.”
When it came to Kiana, he let not a single word pass unchallenged.
“Then I shall see you again this evening. Please take care of your health. Though it may not appear so, Kiana was quite worried. I shall instruct that medicinal herbs beneficial for restoring vitality be sent as a gift.”
And Edmund entered Kiana’s chamber without hesitation.
Piyak and the Spy Maid were keeping vigil at Kiana’s side with concern. Edmund’s usually composed face crumbled entirely.
“…Good morning.”
Edmund took Kiana’s hand and greeted her softly.
“Regarding what happened at the noble assembly last night…”
He briefly recounted his recent circumstances. Since he had visited yesterday, this was ultimately what had transpired last night.
“So please, wake up.”
Edmund released a shallow sigh, conveying the emotions he had been suppressing.
“I have missed you so much, Kiana.”
The Spy Maid was watching with sharp eyes, so Edmund could not attempt further contact. Yet he remained seated beside Kiana, who lay there as though lifeless, occasionally speaking to her and brushing her hair while reviewing the documents he had brought.
After that, family members gathered around Kiana. In particular, Alex, Joshua, Hyde, and Scari continued to come and go. With Kailon stepping back, the newly appointed Young Physician shook his head, saying, “It doesn’t seem to be today either. But for now, there are no particular physical abnormalities.”
And so evening arrived.
Nine in the evening. This is typically the time that serves as the standard for “I apologize for staying so late” in noble households.
Edmund continued to keep vigil at Kiana’s side before returning to the imperial palace, where work had accumulated in mountains. The Emperor had not yet awakened, so Edmund had to shoulder all responsibilities himself. He trusted no noble house, and even the Prelai family, having just replaced their heir with someone of wild origins, was not in a position to offer reliable assistance.
“Then I hope you will carefully review my report.”
Previously, Edmund had submitted a report to the Prelai family. The report was titled 【Health Status Report on Kiana Prelai】, and it included a log of his care for Kiana while conducting research with him at the Marquis’s residence. It was an analysis of how he had corrected her poor habits through advice, how he had ensured she consumed all three major nutrients evenly, and how her weight and complexion had changed accordingly.
“This is…”
The Spy Maid was the first to acknowledge the report.
“…This is truly something no one else can do….”
“××, why can’t I do it? I can keep my mouth shut and do everything you ask, and I can put all sorts of things in my mouth too!”
When Alex asked with wild eyes, the Spy Maid lowered her head and answered.
“Simply being able to assist continuously while you’re researching means… you need to have quite extensive knowledge of magical engineering as a foundation….”
In the end, all family members, including Alex, were disqualified.
Thus one day passed, and as dawn broke anew, Alex hid himself in the shrubbery of the tulip garden, preparing for an ambush. With Kiana motionless beside him, these days repeated endlessly.
* * *
I received the memory that Piyak had conveyed and laughed in bewilderment. So… the reason Sezare, or rather Edmund, had looked so gaunt and aged was due to overwork. He had to handle both caregiving and duties while cutting back on sleep….
It was strange, though. The textual memories that had been floating around in my mind—what I had called the “original work”—had now disappeared. Only Piyak’s vivid memories remained. I realized this was what true summoning truly meant.
【Now that Kiana has returned, I understand too.】
Piyak fluttered his wings and spoke.
【My true ability is spatio-temporal movement. In the current time period, I can move objects using the otherworld, and I can also move Kiana to different time periods without affecting the past.】
These were all abilities I had experienced myself. I’d even had her deliver letters, and I’d actually gone to the past myself. But now I could finally grasp the exact scope of Piyak’s abilities. It was somewhat different from relying solely on what Piyak had said before.
For now, unlike before, she could move heavy objects too. The heavier they are, the more time it takes.
“By the way, you can’t go to the future, right?”
【When Daram helped me last time, I could only see it very briefly, and I can’t do it alone.】
Piyak answered seriously.
【I can only go to time periods I’m aware of. This is also a common manifestation condition for spatio-temporal movement.】
“Right. So that’s why Otson didn’t know about the future where his heart would be torn apart and kept running his mouth like that.”
【Still, it’s truly an amazing ability. Among direct descendants, it’s said to be an incredibly rare one.】
Piyak shrugged as she spoke. She seemed genuinely proud. So I shared in that pride as well.
“Then we should get to work.”
【…Pardon?】
“We’re not done yet. There’s one more target we need to deal with.”
Otson’s heart, which contained Roki’s soul. Until now, because the stone tablet was with Arun, we hadn’t found a suitable body, so that heart had been contentedly wandering through the past. But now, if we could just find a body that was similarly greedy and maddened by inferiority complex, it would probably be completely resurrected. Father would naturally have brought that stone tablet to the capital.
“The people who made our family like this….”
Recalling the happy times I had witnessed in the past, my teeth ground even more.
“I can’t end it like this.”
I grabbed Piyak and spoke with gleaming eyes.
“Let’s try it, Piyak.”
【Y-yes? B-but….】
“Give it your best effort. You’ll be able to do it.”
As I explained to Piyak what I would need to do going forward, she made a distant expression before muttering reluctantly.
【Piyak… well… had imagined a far more touching reunion than this… When Kiana was summoned and light surged in like waves, did you truly feel nothing?】
“Well, for now….”
Since Piyak spoke as if disappointed, I pondered her words carefully. And then I slowly shared my thoughts.
“If you’re talking about light, ‘wave’ would suit better than ‘surge.'”
【…I hope magical engineering fails.】
Piyak puffed out her beak, but then, thinking she should do as instructed, she flew off with a flutter.

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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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