A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 171

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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 10
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I barely managed to bring Edmund into my room, his entire body radiating a palpable killing intent.
I hadn’t anticipated that Fernando would confess to me right there on the spot, so I was quite flustered myself. He was a man who wouldn’t even leave a single note for Avian—there was no way I could simply stand by and watch that happen.
“Couldn’t you at least blow his head off for me?”
Edmund asked me hopefully, refusing to abandon his desire entirely.
“What if he develops amnesia and forgets all his memories of Kiana?”
“Are you joking?”
“There’s no way that would happen.”
His overly polite yet serious demeanor only made me sigh more deeply.
“Ed, you know perfectly well that there’s no need to go that far.”
“I know, but I’m angry.”
“You’re always so rational and composed—why are you like this?”
“I told you. You’re the only exception.”
The door slowly closed behind us. The moment we were alone in the enclosed space, a subtle gleam appeared in Edmund’s eyes. Truthfully, I’d brought him here knowing this was the fastest way to soothe him. And Edmund understood that purpose better than anyone.
“Look at you.”
The moment he entered the room, he pressed his lips against my nape and spoke.
“You’re already gasping and surrendering to my half-hearted seduction.”
“That’s… but Ed, you don’t have to do this the moment you walk in.”
“Kiana asked me to keep my distance today, so I’m starving right now.”
For this experiment, I had made only one request of Edmund: to stay away from me.
The reason was simple—as long as Edmund was by my side, Gisel wouldn’t dare treat me carelessly, and people wouldn’t openly take my side either. Melissa always moved about alone as well. That way, she’d be easier for me to torment, and simultaneously, more people would pay attention to her.
I had also instructed Piyak to “act like when you were with Melissa.” And she performed the old act flawlessly, repeating like a parrot rather than a lark: “I’ll endure. It’s fine.”
But seeing how Gisel boiled over with rage in less than a day, it seemed only natural that anger had accumulated within my younger self.
‘After all, Melissa was truly wicked.’
I thought with satisfaction.
‘I should send a letter to the Convent and tell them to be even harsher with her. The more I think about it, the more I realize she’s the truly evil one.’
Gisel felt the same way. She wished I had simply beaten and tormented her instead. That was exactly what I had done to Melissa back then. The truly vicious method that drove people to madness was the one Melissa had employed. In any case, I failed to maintain the image of “the youngest princess who grew up with such pure love and no hardship,” but I reached a very satisfying conclusion.
“It’s only been less than a day, Ed…”
I truly loved Edmund. Especially his leisurely nature, his cleverness, and the ease he sometimes displayed—all of it still made my heart race considerably. That languid yet perfectly commanding demeanor shone particularly brightly when he was among others.
To be honest, whenever I watched from a step away as he perfectly controlled those around him, my heart would sometimes flutter at the thought, “This man is mine.” But…
“I’ve held back quite a bit. Honestly, I’ve been going mad wanting to cling to you since this morning.”
When we were alone like this, I often thought he went a bit too far.
‘I don’t think other people could even imagine Edmund like this…’
As his desire pressed closer, I shrank back slightly while asking with feigned innocence.
“When I was at the Academy back then, how did you spend those years in the Levin Domain?”
A glimmer of shrewdness flashed across Edmund’s eyes as they met my jade-green gaze.
“Ah, did you get by well because there were so many women who adored you like Gisel does?”
Jealousy wasn’t something only Edmund could feel. Thinking of that woman who had held Edmund in her eyes all those years, my heart felt terribly uneasy as well.
“Are you jealous for me, Kiana?”
And Edmund’s eyes gleamed with delight.
“Tell me more.”
He held me close, speaking in a wheedling tone.
“Quickly. I want to hear everything—even the smallest things—about what’s bothering you.”
His expression looked so pleased that I was rather taken aback.
“You went into battle together, didn’t you? The fact that you did something with another woman who likes you instead of with me… well, it doesn’t sit right with me.”
“Ah, I see.”
Edmund nodded slowly.
“I feel terrible knowing you did that mentoring consultation program with Fernando. Really, it bothers me greatly.”
“…Are those the same thing?”
“What’s the difference?”
“Well, counseling is something you can do with anyone anytime, but combat is different in nature.”
“Ah… is that so?”
Edmund’s eyes suddenly brightened. Something felt ominous.
“Counseling can be done with anyone anytime… hmm…”
He fell silent in thought for a moment, then smiled slyly.
“Then right now, I could do it with you too.”
“Do what?”
“That counseling.”
“…”
“Let me be a junior receiving counseling from you, Senior Kiana.”
“It’s really nothing special. I gave it to hundreds of people while at the Academy.”
“Why can’t I receive what those hundreds received?”
There was no logical counterargument, but something about the flow of conversation felt strange.
“Well then, Senior.”
Edmund lifted me up and settled me onto his lap, burying his lips against my neck as he spoke playfully.
“I have a concern.”
“…Sigh…”
As his invasive touch made my toes curl, he whispered in a husky voice.
“My fiancée is so beautiful. Everyone keeps eyeing her. So I want to keep her locked away, wanting only to see me. What should I do? If I just keep biting and sucking like this forever?”
“That… that sounds like a crime… Please restrain yourself.”
“Yes.”
His slightly hoarse voice brushed against my skin.
“I will restrain myself for a lifetime.”
With each sweeping caress, my breath quickened. In the midst of this, he mischievously asked again.
“And… how can I legally deal with those fools who spout childish lines to my fiancée like ‘Come to me instead’?”
“Legally, there’s… well, no way… We’re not even married yet…”
“I see.”
Edmund whispered in my ear as if he’d been waiting for those words.
“So we really do need to get married.”
“Pardon?”
“There’s become a need to hurry things along. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Wait. This is….
“Perhaps marriage isn’t in your plans?”
“Ah, well…. Truth be told, there’s no real reason to rush at the moment.”
This man, truly. He must have wanted this answer from the very beginning. All that talk about counseling and whatnot was nothing but nonsense! It was clear he’d been eager ever since Count Levin brought up marriage.
“For the sake of my fiancée’s mental health and the peace of the Levin Domain, I would greatly appreciate your active consideration.”
Edmund whispered softly, his lips pressing together urgently.
“If things continue like this, I genuinely fear I might kill Fernando.”
That entire night, I had to keep soothing Edmund, counting it as having saved one man’s life. All to prevent the catastrophe of the Levin Domain’s heir changing hands twice.
* * *
Edmund and Kiana departed for the Capital again four days later. Count Levin was deeply reluctant, but there was nothing to be done since they said they had much to attend to in the Capital.
Indeed, considering how Edmund had once carefully tended to the Levin Domain, it was obvious he would handle his duties as Crown Prince with equal meticulousness. Even with the Emperor in good health, the Crown Prince had his own responsibilities to fulfill. And Kiana Prelai… that Princess was also busy with the Academy’s establishment, or so she had said.
“Well then.”
Count Levin spoke to his Adjutant with trembling hands.
“Fernando will soon come of age…. After that, I must prepare to pass down my title.”
“Yes. Fortunately, you’ve survived.”
“Sigh….”
Recalling the genuine killing intent Edmund had emanated, Count Levin’s spine grew cold.
“The two of them resolved quite a lot before departing.”
The Adjutant spoke cheerfully.
“Gisel Iloa’s reverence, Fernando’s first love, and even the straight support beam beneath the roof.”
“But we gained something too. Haven’t we all learned an enormous lesson?”
“Sir?”
“Not to judge people by their appearance alone.”
Count Levin murmured while stroking his beard.
“Heh… I truly thought she was frail and gentle, the typical lovely youngest Princess….”
After that garden party, Kiana revealed her true nature and no longer held her tongue. Four days later, they all implicitly agreed that Edmund and Fernando truly possessed rather peculiar tastes in the opposite sex.
“In any case, the Empire’s future looks bright.”
Count Levin shuddered, recalling Kiana’s wild eyes.
“Who on earth could possibly stand against those two?”
The Adjutant nodded vigorously in agreement. Not only Gisel, but all the other noble ladies of the Western Region had unanimously pledged, “Let’s not even dare approach the terrifying central social circles.”
And though they didn’t know it at the time, there was one more thing Kiana left behind in the Levin Domain. It was the checkered pattern trend that began circulating through the Western Clothing Stores starting the very next day.

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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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