A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 184

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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 23
“It’s really fascinating. That’s why whenever I’m at the Imperial Palace, I always take that route. I hate all those crowded events, but sometimes I really miss those automatic motion-sensor street lamps that only exist in the Imperial Palace.”
After finishing her theoretical explanation, Kiana smiled brightly and spoke.
“Once the mana battery runs out completely, they won’t work anymore. So I try to visit as often as I can while they’re still functioning. Of course, in autumn it’s a bit… the path isn’t very pleasant.”
“Ah.”
Edmund immediately understood why the path wasn’t pleasant in autumn. Since ginkgo trees were planted there, the ginkgo fruits would fall in autumn and create a foul smell. He found himself muttering without thinking.
“It’s because of the ginkgo fruit smell, isn’t it? Hmm… I suppose the Imperial Palace should never plant ginkgo trees in the future.”
Kiana laughed softly at his words and answered.
“Why bother? Just plant male trees. Ginkgo trees have both male and female varieties, and only the female trees produce the fruit.”
Edmund’s mouth fell open at this unexpected solution, but Kiana stood up with a grunt. Then she tapped her lower back several times with her fists.
Edmund stared up at her blankly, only then realizing that she had been taking up the entire space beneath the statue where he could lean his back. The rabbit costume was larger than expected, and as he had turned his body toward her, he had gradually pushed her away. At some point, Kiana had nowhere to lean and had been sitting upright by herself.
Edmund stood up in alarm and said.
“Oh? If you had nowhere to lean because of me, you should have said something earlier… When exactly did I take up this much space?”
Kiana tapped her lower back and answered kindly.
“You kept pushing me away steadily and faithfully. But it’s fine.”
As Edmund flustered, she glanced back at the theater behind her with slightly melancholic eyes and spoke.
“Anyway, it seems like it’s really time for this naughty child to go home now.”
“…You’re leaving?”
“Yes. You meddlesome rabbit.”
Kiana lightly tapped the costume’s face with her small hand and smiled gently. The moment Edmund saw her ordinary smile up close, he felt as though the world had stopped.
Ah. I really do like you.
While Edmund’s heart pounded, Kiana narrowed her eyes into crescents and continued speaking.
“I know magical engineering talk isn’t very interesting. But thank you so much for listening so intently. You’re truly a wonderful rabbit for this sad child.”
“No, I really did find it interesting…”
“So now come to your senses and go back. And next time, take on a better role and appear in acts two and three as well. An actor who immerses themselves in a role this much will definitely have great success.”
“…”
“Thanks to you listening to my story so well, I’m not sad anymore. Once I walk back down the automatic motion-sensor street lamp path, I think I’ll feel completely happy.”
Kiana coolly waved her hand and turned around. She limped slightly on one foot as if her legs had gone numb.
‘What is this.’
Even after her figure disappeared, Edmund stared in that direction for quite a long time.
‘She’s not even that naughty of a child.’
Inside the damp rabbit costume, for a very long while indeed.
And that day, no one wondered about Edmund’s whereabouts after he disappeared following the first act. Everyone agreed that ‘we saw him spill some carbonated drink, so he must have gone back to bathe.’
* * *
Edmund told me about those days as we took a walk toward the Imperial Palace Theater.
“It was here, I think.”
Edmund pointed to the statue behind the Imperial Palace Theater and smiled softly.
“Do you still remember that meddlesome rabbit from back then?”
“Ah…”
I sighed quietly and murmured.
“Actually… I only remember grabbing the actor in the rabbit costume and talking about magical engineering….”
Right… Well, it did seem like something like that happened.
Edmund seemed to remember everything about our conversation except the magical engineering content, while I only remembered the magical engineering part. But to think that rabbit I’d been holding onto was Edmund!
“Good heavens.”
I was moved, but also terribly sorry.
“…You… wore a mask someone else had worn? Good heavens….”
Edmund was the type to immediately discard gloves that had touched Lord Rodrigo’s hair. Knowing his fastidiousness, he’d actually worn that costume mask?
“The dust and sweat smell were overwhelming. I do remember that.”
“Wow, that’s true love right there….”
I clapped in admiration. At least Sezare could have cleaned the research lab himself… but the costume mask was truly remarkable just to think about.
“But if I hadn’t worn the mask, would Kiana have even spoken to me?”
Edmund said playfully.
“Well, I understand. I was quite plump back then.”
“That wasn’t the problem at all.”
I straightened my expression and waved my hand. Edmund kissed my cheek once and whispered mischievously.
“So now I exercise more. To make sure I never go back to that.”
Paradoxically, after regaining his sense of taste, Edmund’s physique had become even better than before, thanks to increased exercise.
“So Kiana needs to become stronger too. Lately I’ve been holding back more than before. My stamina is increasing faster than yours.”
“Sigh….”
I let out a deep sigh.
The touching, pure-hearted story of a young boy I’d heard since morning had ended up turning into crude banter… Where on earth could I find my innocent Ed?
Edmund kissed my lips once more as I sighed, then chuckled softly.
“Did you enjoy it, Kiana?”
“Yes.”
I answered immediately.
“It was so fun hearing about us from a time I didn’t know, Ed. I’m quite sorry about it, but there’s nothing I can really do for young you from back then.”
“You could comfort me. In an adult way.”
“….”
I looked at him with an expression of helplessness. Then I gently pulled Edmund’s hand toward that place under the statue from before.
He didn’t resist and simply sat beside me, leaning against the back of the statue. Just like that night long ago when I sat with the mysterious rabbit-masked figure. Now that we were adults, our legs were much longer than they used to be. The statue that had felt quite large back then and comfortable to lean against didn’t seem so big anymore.
Yet sitting beside him now felt new and wonderful all over again. I cleared my throat with a soft sound and looked at his face.
“Meddlesome rabbit.”
It was a bit embarrassing and awkward, but I was so moved that this person had been there for me during my childhood.
“Thank you for not leaving young me alone.”
Edmund looked at me with a very amused expression. I cleared my throat once more before speaking coyly.
“This is… my answer to your pure heart back then, though it’s very late.”
I gently embraced his neck and kissed his cheek. Seeing my lips make a soft friction sound as they touched and parted, Edmund let out another low chuckle.
“What should I do.”
And he whispered playfully, his arms around my waist.
“So much time has passed, the interest has accumulated quite a bit.”
In an instant, our lips met, and just like before, his body pressed steadily into mine with deliberate intensity.
“If this is how it will be, then I suppose I must hear such things slowly, every single day.”
Edmund whispered in a husky voice.
“Come to the Crown Prince’s Palace tomorrow as well, Kiana.”
With my waist firmly supported as I gasped for breath, just as before, he whispered seductively.
“Are you not curious about what became of that Ginkgo Tree Path?”
Ah, that’s right… that path. I had loved it so much in childhood, but after going to Riloni Academy, I had completely forgotten about it.
And the very next day, I was able to hear the story connected to that path.

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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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