A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 167

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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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Side Story – Episode 6
“Please, help me.”
A maid with enormous muscular build ascended like lightning. Gisel’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Allow me to assist you.”
With a crack, the wooden log that Gisel had been struggling to remove came free effortlessly.
Gisel stood dazed for a moment before remembering that this maid was Kiana’s personal attendant.
“What should I help with next?”
The maid rolled up her sleeves and grinned widely.
‘This isn’t a maid… she’s a bodyguard.’
Gisel’s eyes swept from the maid’s head to her feet, then she took a deep breath. Her response came out sharp.
“No, never mind.”
And she leaped down, landing on the ground below.
Indeed, below stood Kiana with her Yellow Warbler summon, leisurely holding a checkered parasol over her head.
Her petite frame bore not a trace of muscle, her fair skin showed no sign of sun exposure, and her elegant attire was impeccably arranged. Thinking of Sezare, who had always taken the initiative to solve even the most grueling tasks, inexplicable irritation welled up inside her. The audacity of sitting comfortably while sending servants to do the work.
‘She must have lived such a sheltered life doing nothing, then seized the Crown Princess position through her status.’
Her words came out harsh without intention. Gisel greeted her curtly.
“I greet you, Princess of Prelai. I am Gisel of House of Iloa Baron.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Gisel. I’m Kiana.”
Kiana replied lightly. Since Edmund was nowhere to be seen, she appeared to be taking a walk alone with her maid.
‘She is indeed beautiful up close.’
Gisel’s eyes narrowed as she observed Kiana’s delicate features. Her gentle, cute face resembled the Yellow Warbler she carried.
‘But she’s not Sezare’s type. Sezare likes strong, capable people. There’s no way he would favor such a weak woman lacking in resolve.’
The more Gisel looked at her, the harder it became to accept her as Edmund’s match. Meanwhile, Kiana looked up at the roof with an innocent expression and asked.
“Is the work finished? It seems like there’s still more to do.”
Gisel let out an internal scoff at Kiana, whose height barely reached her nose. After confirming no one was nearby, she spoke with a sharp edge.
“Don’t meddle in our affairs.”
Kiana’s already round eyes grew even rounder.
Only then did Gisel remember that the woman before her was a Princess of tremendous status and the Crown Prince’s fiancée. She felt a twinge of guilt for her rudeness, but thinking no one was watching, she lifted her chin and spoke boldly.
“I was a comrade who stood beside His Highness when he struggled to build his power here. Surely you won’t call that disrespectful.”
And as she spoke, Kiana became even more irritating to her. She wished Kiana would at least not boast about being some great helper to Edmund in this place. Gisel’s eyes narrowed as she continued.
“We greatly respect and are loyal to His Highness, but don’t expect the same from us toward you. We didn’t subjugate barbarians together, nor did we solve castle matters together.”
“Ah… I was just trying to help…”
“Stop pretending to be kind. You can’t actually help directly anyway, can you?”
She lifted her chin and added with a mocking tone.
“Ah, if the Crown Prince, my long-time comrade, were here, he would have done it himself. Would you like to try doing it yourself? Not sending a maid, but actually doing it? That was the culture of our Knight Order that His Highness led.”
Just looking at her expensive dress and slender wrists made it obvious she couldn’t even climb onto the roof.
‘Will she cry and run away now? Or will she throw a tantrum claiming disrespect?’
If she tried to slap her, Gisel could simply grab her wrist. Gisel was smirking confidently when—
【Be patient, Kiana.】
The Yellow Warbler perched on Kiana’s shoulder spoke.
“You must endure to win. Eventually, I will come to understand all of Kiana’s true heart. I apologize and step back, Kiana.”
Kiana nodded slightly and murmured quietly.
“A comrade-in-arms….”
Strangely, something flickered in Kiana’s eyes. The faint madness that crossed her otherwise composed face was unsettling enough to make Gisel flinch.
“Yes, a comrade-in-arms.”
Kiana spoke with a face that somehow looked sorrowful.
“I am certainly different from a comrade-in-arms, aren’t I? I’m sorry, Miss Gisel. Someone who isn’t even a comrade-in-arms showed goodwill first to those I once rolled around with in the Levin Domain without knowing my place.”
Her words continued, melancholic yet eloquent.
“In the Capital, I did more for Ed, but we didn’t fight battles together. Of course, since that battle was against barbarians, it didn’t directly help with the restoration, but still.”
“….”
It seemed like what she was saying made sense, but the way Kiana kept using the word “comrade-in-arms” so excessively made me feel subtly uncomfortable. It also seemed to imply, ‘After all, you didn’t even fight the Empire yourself, did you?’….
“I didn’t realize I would be rejected simply for not being a comrade-in-arms. It seems one must be at least a comrade-in-arms to be recognized as Ed’s person….”
That was when it happened.
“Gisel! What on earth are you saying!”
Though it seemed no one had been there moments before, Count Levin came walking around the bend, leaning on his cane.
“Do you understand how greatly you have been disrespectful to the Princess?”
And suddenly Kiana turned to the Count with an even more pitiful expression and spoke.
“No, Count. It’s fine. You’re in a position where you have no choice but to take Miss Gisel’s side since she is a comrade-in-arms, so please stop. I showed goodwill as if I were a comrade-in-arms when I’m not even one.”
I couldn’t even count how many times the word “comrade-in-arms” appeared in that sentence. It wasn’t mockery, but Gisel’s mood had become thoroughly foul.
“…Anyone hearing this would think the Crown Prince’s throne was usurped by force.”
Count Levin spoke in a low voice.
“Does anyone not know that it was Prelai who returned the throne to His Highness? It is even more ridiculous that the people of Levin boast about being ‘comrades-in-arms.'”
Only then did Gisel understand why she had felt so uncomfortable with Kiana’s use of the word “comrade-in-arms.” When she said it herself, it was fine, but when the other person kept saying it excessively, it felt like mockery.
“No. The word comrade-in-arms carries great meaning. I too wish I could have been by Ed’s side, playing that great role of comrade-in-arms back then….”
Kiana spoke pitifully. It was when Gisel began to feel as though something was being done to her.
“What are you saying, Gisel!”
The person who suddenly appeared from behind the tree was Fernando. The young man with ears flushed red blocked Kiana’s path and flared up in anger.
“What’s so great about being a comrade-in-arms… Are you dismissing someone’s goodwill like that?”
“…Young Count?”
Gisel was momentarily stunned by Fernando’s intense reaction. Just moments ago, the two of them had been on good terms. Fernando glared at Gisel with a snort.
“Don’t you ever treat the Princess carelessly again! Understood?”
Fernando, who had intimidated her, turned back to Kiana and shouted urgently.
“You… Why are you just listening to this ridiculous harassment?”
“Hm?”
Kiana tilted her head as if finding this reaction utterly absurd. Fernando breathed heavily and continued in a voice that seemed somehow desperate.
“I’m sorry for hurting you in the Levin Domain… But… why aren’t you saying anything?”
Even Count Levin was bewildered by Fernando’s passionate outburst, thinking, ‘What on earth is wrong with him?’
Fernando poured out his words with a flushed face.
“Did the Crown Prince order you to act this kindly from now on? Hm? That’s not who you normally are, senior!”
Kiana’s brow furrowed in an instant.
“…Hm? Wait a moment. What did you say?”
It seemed to be due to the shocking title of ‘senior.’ As Kiana blinked and took a step closer to Fernando, that was when it happened.
“Gisel, don’t you ever do that to the Princess again. As the young lord of this domain, I won’t stand for it!”
With his ears flushed crimson, Fernando dashed away once more and vanished in an instant.

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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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