A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 173

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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 12
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The townhouse of the Countess of Ekillar.
A small tea party unfolded among those gathered for an art auction.
“To be honest, I don’t think this is right.”
Middle-aged ladies of considerable age conversed in worried tones.
“Princess Kiana Prelai as the next Empress?”
“Honestly, is there anyone in the capital who doesn’t know about the terrible way she treated her cousin?”
Everyone sighed and shook their heads. Then each added their own comment.
“I’ve heard that Melissa Prelai made many mistakes. But still, to openly torment her so rudely and prevent her from eating—where did she learn such manners?”
“Hmm, it’s probably her father and older brothers. Honestly, their personalities are similar.”
Of course, no matter how much they criticized, no one said, “How did such a princess come from the House of Prelai?”
“Let’s say that princess has made various contributions to the Empire.”
The Countess of Ekillar, who was leading the gathering, set down her teacup with elegance and spoke.
“But that doesn’t mean she’s suited for the position of Empress.”
She was also the cousin of the Second Imperial Consort, who hailed from the Kingdom of Teriana, and was a major figure in the capital’s social circles. She had lived quietly while overshadowed by Dolores, the Third Queen, but after Edmund’s return, she had quickly taken control of society.
“An Empress who knows nothing of imperial affairs and is ignorant of social matters….”
The Countess of Ekillar tilted her chin up and laughed with a sneer.
“We can’t have two such Empresses, can we?”
This was also mockery of the current Empress holding her position. Those present flinched inwardly but pretended to be amused and laughed. No matter how much it was behind closed doors, gossip about the future Crown Princess and gossip about the Empress could not be the same.
But the current Empress truly did nothing. Despite her own son Edmund’s return, she stepped forward even less than before. Outwardly, Edmund treated the Empress with perfect courtesy, but the Empress withdrew and disappeared of her own accord.
“Because the Empress is like a puppet and can’t do anything, the Empire has become this chaotic. She can’t even protect her own child.”
The Countess of Ekillar folded her arms and openly scoffed.
“Honestly, because the Empress can’t even back up her future daughter-in-law, she doesn’t even come to social gatherings like this. And she hasn’t made a good impression on the other imperial ladies either. To put it bluntly, her influence is less than that of the Second Imperial Consort.”
Those present exchanged awkward laughs and glances.
Indeed, the Second Imperial Consort had no children, but she had quietly managed imperial internal affairs from behind for a long time. While the Third Queen focused on external politics and appearances, making noise outside, the Second Imperial Consort was a woman who had firmly secured her domain within the imperial household. Since the Empress barely fulfilled her role, the Second and Third Consorts divided the work between them, inside and out.
“Let’s say that puppet-like Empress sits in the same position. Then what would we do about all those tasks the Second Imperial Consort handles?”
The Countess of Ekillar raised her eyebrows and spoke.
The Second Imperial Consort wasn’t particularly attached to the Emperor’s favor, and she did her work well without selfish desires. She occasionally appeared at internal affairs meetings, and her work was so clean that she earned the trust of many.
“If the Second Imperial Consort says she’s tired and wants to stop now, would she have the ability to take on all of that?”
As the Countess of Ekillar scoffed and spoke confidently, a Countess sitting in one corner of the table muttered quietly.
“But… the Crown Prince and the Emperor care so much for Lady Kiana… Especially, doesn’t the Crown Prince love the Lady excessively?”
As if waiting for those words, the Countess of Ekillar smiled slyly.
“Then we just need to abolish the system of multiple imperial consorts.”
At those words, everyone’s eyes widened.
“Just have Lady Kiana become the Empress. And have her diligently run the Magical Engineering Academy. The Crown Prince can marry Lady Kiana anyway, so what’s the problem?”
“Ah….”
“And someone needs to do the work like the Second Imperial Consort does. Of course, while sitting in the Empress’s seat. Actually, all the work the Second Imperial Consort is handling should be done by the Empress.”
The nobles she had planted as her wind-catchers began saying things like, “Oh, that’s right.”
The Countess of Ekillar laughed with a sneer. If she created public opinion this way, she might be able to maintain the system of multiple imperial consorts. And ultimately, she intended to push her own daughter into that position. Now, if she bowed and entered saying, “I won’t interfere between the two at all and will just work behind the scenes like the Second Imperial Consort,” her daughter could sit in the Empress’s seat.
She possessed knowledge of the Second Imperial Consort’s weakness that no one else knew. As long as she held this secret, neither the Second Imperial Consort nor the imperial household could ignore her opinions. And if she added the right public sentiment to the mix….
‘I’ve endured this for so long, waiting for this very moment.’
She’d discovered the Second Imperial Consort’s weakness long ago. But she’d kept silent all this time, waiting for the one decisive moment when she could truly blackmail the imperial household.
“By the way.”
The Countess of Ekillar lifted her teacup with satisfaction, then tilted her head curiously.
“Why hasn’t Count Lezar appeared? I’m certain I sent him an invitation.”
Count Lezar was one of those who cursed Kiana behind her back. I’d heard he’d once made improper advances toward her and suffered great humiliation as a result. He was a young man with excellent manners and sharp instincts who was quite active in imperial society—it was puzzling why he hadn’t come to such a gathering.
A noblewoman blinked in response to her words.
“But the Second Imperial Consort didn’t come this time either…. She always attends the meetings, so I’m not sure why she avoids these social gatherings.”
“Her Imperial Consort has been in poor health. She’s been finding it increasingly burdensome to handle her duties lately.”
The Countess of Ekillar quickly cleared her throat and laughed.
“In any case, that’s precisely why Princess Kiana cannot become the Crown Prince’s consort. She’ll be far too busy until the Academy is properly established.”
Many nobles nodded cautiously, already burdened by how much the Prelai family’s power had grown. The Countess of Ekillar laughed quietly behind her fan.
* * *
That evening, as crimson sunset descended upon the capital’s streets.
Joshua and Hyde got along exceptionally well. Inside the carriage filled with shopping bags, they chattered enthusiastically about things like “Your new hat looks quite nice” and “The logo on this jacket turned out beautifully.”
However, even such pleasant conversation had its limits. When Hyde casually brought up the matter of a successor, Joshua’s expression hardened instantly.
“Ah, I don’t like that.”
Joshua’s answer came quickly.
“A successor? I’m already incredibly busy. Do you think running 「Lorelai」 is a joke?”
He even waved both hands at Hyde as if to say never to bring it up again.
“And I’m really busy. Between shopping and reading, ten bodies wouldn’t be enough.”
At those words, Hyde’s face brightened and he clapped his hands.
“Reading? ×× Great! What kind of books might our son like? When I was your age, I read books on statecraft and management, and….”
“I only read romance novels, you know?”
“…Romance?”
“Ah, you don’t know about it. I left a copy in the carriage—would you like to borrow it? It’s a bestseller, so it’s quite good for beginners.”
“Really? Well, if it’s your choice, Joshua, I ×× trust you completely. Go ahead and ×× lend it to me.”
The title of the book Joshua handed over was 【The Princess’s Secret Visit】. Hyde frowned and tilted his head.
“Hmm? The title is a bit…?”
“Trust me. Oh, while we’re at it, would you like to stop by our house and borrow a few more copies?”
“Well… sure.”
And so the two of them headed together to Joshua’s residence.
On the way to his home, Joshua spoke with an embarrassed expression.
“Anyway, Father, give up on choosing a successor from among the three of us.”
“So you’re telling me I should die as the last Duke of Prelai, ××?”
“No, that’s not it… wait, for a moment I thought you were Alex and almost ran away. Anyway, what I meant was that you’re too young to worry about a successor. You married quite early, after all.”
Joshua suddenly hid in the corner of the carriage, then straightened his shoulders and continued.
“You can pass the matter of a successor to your grandchildren. We had our childhoods ruined, so we’re hopeless, but grandchildren raised normally might actually turn out normal, right?”
【Gureng, that actually sounds pretty good.】
Lea, who was wrapped around Joshua’s arm, chimed in agreement.
【Originally, Scari was planning to pass the succession to one of these three anyway. He sacrificed one generation and pinned his hopes on their children, working like a madman. Compared to those days, the situation is a million times better.】
“Hmm….”
Hyde furrowed his brow and nodded.
“That might indeed be better…. I’m still young enough….”
“As expected, this household won’t function without me.”
Joshua smirked with satisfaction at his own brilliant solution.
“I’m not particularly keen on it either, but honestly, among us, only Kiana will marry, so let’s make the cutest of her children the next successor.”
“Hm? What about you?”
“I have poor relations with my family and deep distrust of domestic life, so I’m a committed bachelor.”
At Joshua’s answer, Kiki, who had been sitting on Hyde’s lap, yawned and retorted.
【The situation has changed, so update your values already. This young fellow understands himself slower than Hyde does.】
And Hyde, as if the situation pained him, tore at his hair in despair.
“…I can’t marry off Kiki…. I really can’t do this. ×× Absolutely not. How could the first child I marry off be Kiki?”
Of course, neither Joshua nor Hyde broached the subject of marrying off Alex.
“I’m worried about Kiki too. The fact that nothing has happened in society all this time makes me even more anxious. I genuinely think that’s far more ominous and frightening.”
And it was when they arrived together at Joshua’s residence.
“Huh…?”
They all froze identically upon seeing a guest who had entered Joshua’s home without any prior notice.
“Greetings, Lord.”
Beautiful silver hair cascading in waves, a slender frame with elongated limbs, and feline eyes tilted upward—Princess Seliet was waiting in the drawing room.
Joshua was bewildered by this inexplicable situation, but he quickly composed himself and offered proper courtesy.
“It is an honor to receive the Empire’s jewel, Your Highness. Um, Princess Seliet, what brings you all the way here….”
From Joshua’s perspective, this was truly baffling. After all, both Joshua and Seliet were people who rarely attended social gatherings, and thus had no particular acquaintance beyond names and faces.
“Ah, well, the thing is.”
She whispered quietly, her blue eyes gleaming.
“I came here because I needed to meet with you in secret.”
Hyde was so startled that he dropped the 【Princess’s secret visit】 he had been holding in his arms with a thud.

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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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