A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 175

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————

Side Story 14
Lea, who had been hanging from Joshua’s shoulder, blinked blankly as well.
【What on earth? This is so persistent and tedious… Do we really need to go this far for Kiana’s sake?】
“I find this incredibly enjoyable. It’s my aptitude.”
Seliet spoke with flushed cheeks.
“Because of Hitten and Dolores, I was confined to the Imperial Palace in the past and couldn’t do things like this… But after gaining freedom, everything became possible. It’s all thanks to Lady Kiana.”
Joshua, being someone who dealt with information himself, understood just how much persistence such investigations required. He clicked his tongue in exasperation.
“No, this is… more like study or research than investigation.”
“How did you know? When I was confined to the Imperial Palace, I loved history. It’s quite similar.”
Seliet answered with a shy smile, though to Joshua’s eyes, even that seemed somewhat frightening.
“If history is inferring the stories of past figures through evidence of the past, then this is simply shifting the background to the present.”
【Hmm. This feels like stalking of the masses, doesn’t it….】
“Anyway, that’s not the important part.”
Seliet cleared her throat and met Joshua’s eyes.
Joshua flinched and swallowed dryly. He was genuinely frightened. He had already acknowledged internally that Seliet was superior to him. From the perspective of someone who dealt with information… she was a step above him.
‘This woman enjoys stalking, or rather information itself… Her energy expenditure is different from mine, which has many hobbies.’
In the meantime, Seliet continued speaking with an extraordinarily beautiful face.
“Please share the guest list for the Betez VVIP event. If there’s no document, even just whoever you remember. It’s all for Lady Kiana.”
Among all this, there was a phrase that struck Joshua like magic.
“For Kiana?”
“Yes.”
Seliet nodded firmly.
“Lady Kiana was the only person who extended a helping hand to me when no one else would, who rescued me directly and prevented that beggar Ben from approaching me.”
“…Hmm….”
“In a way, we grew up in similar environments. No friends, loving solitary study, shutting ourselves away in our rooms… I feel an intense spiritual pull toward Lady Kiana.”
【Right. Both lack social skills and are a bit odd. They both display mad talent in their respective fields too.】
“Anyway, I plan to use this opportunity to deduce and eliminate the closest associates of the Countess of Ekillar. I need to act on accurate information—I can’t let innocent people get hurt for nothing.”
Joshua, with his arms crossed, asked quietly.
“…Will everything end if I just provide that?”
“What? Of course not. This is important work—I need to gather much more material.”
Seliet continued, blinking her eyes.
“Since the Countess of Ekillar knows the Second Imperial Consort’s weaknesses, the Imperial Family can’t touch her directly. So even though it’s tedious, I have no choice but to eliminate all her limbs like this… But I’m in such a hurry. Time is running out. I’m so worried I might miss the timing.”
Joshua fell into thought for a moment.
Whether he liked it or not that Kiana was Edmund’s fiancée, he couldn’t simply leave alone those who were so desperate to tear her down.
‘She said she’s in a hurry… Then maybe I should help a bit. After all, it’s for Kiana’s sake.’
After taking a deep breath, Joshua looked at Seliet and smiled gently. Then he made a soft suggestion.
“Actually, I’m quite close with Lea Clona, the editor-in-chief of Lorelai. We’re almost business partners, so if you tell me what information you need, I’ll try to ask her. You’ll be able to obtain more, and faster.”
At those words, Seliet jumped with joy.
“Oh my, I’m a fan of Lorelai! I’ve been a regular subscriber since the beginning! It’s a dirty gossip magazine that’s so stimulating and trashy—I absolutely love it. I can quietly enjoy others’ secrets in a dark way, all alone in my room corner.”
And she added excitedly.
“Could I ask you for a favor then?”
* * *
The next day, I arranged to meet the Second Imperial Consort alongside Edmund.
“You agreed so readily despite such short notice—I’m grateful.”
Before meeting the Second Imperial Consort, I stopped by the Crown Prince’s Palace for an early lunch with Ed.
“Is there anything I should know beforehand before meeting the Second Imperial Consort?”
“Hmm.”
Edmund ladled stew onto my plate before answering slowly.
“As I mentioned before, she handles the various administrative matters of the Imperial Palace. These are duties the Empress should technically be performing.”
According to his explanation, the Second Imperial Consort had been meticulous and capable since before the current Empress was formally appointed, managing all related affairs. When the Empress officially took office, the duties were transferred to her, but she made frequent mistakes and missed deadlines so often that many found it inconvenient. Eventually, within less than two months, the Emperor, Empress, and Second Imperial Consort reached an immediate agreement, and the Second Imperial Consort resumed handling the work.
“She rarely appears at noble council meetings, but occasionally attends Imperial household management meetings when presenting objective data.”
Edmund explained with a gentle smile.
“In fact, within the Imperial household, she likely wields far more power than my mother. Father also respects the Second Imperial Consort as a work partner.”
It made sense that the Emperor would favor someone who quietly worked like a shadow without building her own faction within the Empire.
“Now that Kiana will become part of the Imperial family, meeting her wouldn’t be a bad idea. Paradoxically, she’s currently the most influential adult in the Imperial household besides Tailizes.”
The Second Imperial Consort had simply done her work with determination, yet somehow she’d become an elder figure of the Imperial household. Well, it wasn’t anything unusual—it was a phenomenon that frequently occurred in organizations.
“That’s true. She’ll be the one handing over her duties to me later.”
At my words, Edmund frowned slightly and asked slowly.
“Hand over… her duties?”
“Yes. You said these are the Empress’s responsibilities.”
I spoke casually while eating my stew. Indeed, since Edmund had recovered his sense of taste, my meals had subtly improved as well. It would be more accurate to say they were tailored more precisely to my preferences rather than pharmaceutical considerations.
“Of course, I’ll have to do them eventually.”
At my words, Edmund looked momentarily flustered before hurriedly responding.
“…Well, you don’t necessarily have to do it. My mother didn’t either, and we can simply have the Imperial household find an appropriate person to handle it…”
“But you said this is what every Empress has done.”
“Yes, but still, such tedious work doesn’t seem suited to your temperament…”
A flicker of anxiety crossed Edmund’s usually composed eyes. It seemed my previous declaration that “being Empress isn’t suited to me” was bothering him.
“Of course, if I’d married a different man, these would be duties I wouldn’t have to perform. It’s clearly not my temperament.”
So I gently agreed with his words.
“In a way, these are just tedious tasks that come along simply because I married you.”
“So I can have someone else handle them, or I can just do it all myself so you don’t have to…”
“But if I don’t fulfill my obligations, I have no right to claim my privileges either.”
I smiled at the stammering Edmund. His eyes widened.
“Don’t you see me eagerly spending the Imperial budget right now? It’s irresponsible to work so diligently at things I want to do while putting off things I don’t want to do by claiming they don’t suit my temperament.”
“…Kiana, but there are quite a lot of tedious matters. For now, don’t think of them as your responsibility.”
Edmund sighed deeply and began to candidly reveal what he’d been worried about all this time.
“The truth is, the Second Imperial Consort’s condition is… you’ll understand better when you see her today, but it’s not very good.”
I frowned. Though I didn’t yet know the situation, it was clear there was definitely some serious problem.
“I’m pointing out that a proper handover might not happen at the right time. Unless the Second Imperial Consort teaches you step by step, even reading the documents could be difficult.”
“If it’s difficult, I’ll work through it. Until I can do it skillfully. Hard work solves everything.”
I spoke calmly while chewing my salad thoroughly.
Edmund wasn’t overprotecting me out of excessive caution. He was simply anxious—afraid that I might regret staying by his side while doing something I didn’t want to do. He had promised with his own lips to make the Empress position perfectly suited to my nature, and he was desperately trying to keep that promise.
“Ed.”
So I looked directly into his eyes and spoke.
“I know I’m lacking in many ways, but at least I take responsibility for my own duties.”
“I know. That’s precisely why I’m more worried. I’m afraid that by having you recognize this as the Empress’s duty now, Kiana might end up suffering….”
“That’s why I’ll take responsibility for my love as well.”
Edmund’s eyes, which had been pouting, widened. I let out a soft laugh and added.
“My taking on the role of Empress means I love you. Don’t dismiss my love.”
Edmund’s expression went blank for a moment. His eyes slightly unfocused and his lips parted slightly—a face I rarely saw from him.
“Kiana, I… um… ah….”
After remaining like that for a while, Edmund laughed somewhat helplessly. Then he spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.
“…I think I’m being moved right now.”
His expression was truly very complicated. After rubbing his eyes for a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.
“I’m not sure how to express this… The truth is, I had no expectations of Kiana at all. But the fact that it’s none other than my mother’s position, the role of Empress, is somehow… peculiar….”
His somewhat incoherent rambling seemed to have genuinely touched his emotions. As I quietly observed Edmund’s flustered face, he murmured awkwardly.
“I don’t know how to express this floating sensation.”
“Um….”
I felt sorry for him, so while holding his hand firmly, I answered with sincere effort to ease his troubled mind.
“Buoyancy?”
“….”
Edmund’s trembling eyes immediately settled. He quickly regained his composure and spoke with a faint smile.
“…Shall we go see the Second Imperial Consort right after we finish our meal?”

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————