A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 186

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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 25
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“Tell me everything, Ed.”
Walking down a street lined with streetlamps one night, I spoke with a melancholy I couldn’t quite explain.
“All those yearnings from back then—tell me everything. I want to see it all. It feels like I’m reliving a childhood I never knew, experiencing it all over again.”
And after that, I came to regret it somewhat, because Edmund ensured I toured the Imperial Palace almost daily, visiting all the once-famous social venues of old—right up until the day before he had to attend to provincial affairs. Not a single day was skipped.
Moving so regularly and frequently, I—who had spent every day locked in my room avoiding sunlight and doing nothing but research—was becoming far too healthy.
“This is the Imperial Palace Library… Do you remember when they renovated it and replaced all the shelves with lower ones?”
“Oh, that’s right… I used to come here sometimes searching for rare magical engineering books. I was fourteen, I think, when they replaced all the shelves to match my height. Did Ed do that too?”
“Of course.”
It struck me that despite my childhood self having visited so few places, he had watched over them all so carefully.
“Since Kiana was short, you used to ask the librarian to fetch books for you every day.”
“Ah… you did that out of consideration for me? Actually, since the librarian would fetch them for me, it wasn’t really inconvenient.”
“The librarian was rather handsome, and I didn’t like how you kept talking to him.”
“Pardon?”
“He resembled Lord Rodrigo somewhat… But I couldn’t very well take away his job, so I came up with another solution. It created employment, after all.”
“…”
As the Crown Prince, Edmund could have simply dismissed the librarian outright, but he was quite a virtuous Crown Prince. Of course, instead of firing one person, he had all those bookshelves cut down…
‘In a different sense, wasn’t he already abnormal from back then?’
In any case, after spending a few days that way, Count Levin’s residence no longer felt like something I’d miss. For Edmund, there were simply too many places filled with memories of unrequited love.
And after learning of all that time… I made one decision.
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Evening, as dusk settled in.
【This is only natural, after all.】
In front of the Prelai Ducal Residence’s courtyard, the Summoners gathered and chatted away cozily.
【We all knew from the start that we had to know when to step back at the right moment.】
Lea spoke, wearing a jeweled tiara on her head and several ornate ring bracelets strung along her tail.
【If the Owner is no longer alone, then of course we must seek our freedom now.】
Lea had been spending far less time attached to Joshua lately. Especially at night, she frequently visited the Prelai Ducal Residence. She certainly didn’t look lonely about it. Rather, she was earning the envy of the other Summoners.
【I get to see Joshua’s baby now. Jealous? Jealous?】
Among the Summoners, meeting the Owner’s baby was a joyful occasion. Like grandparents longing for grandchildren, all the Summoners secretly hoped for a baby, and whenever a suitable pairing seemed to form, they would gracefully step back with warm hearts.
This period was typically called the “Summoners’ Golden Age,” because they could enjoy freedom without suffering the guilt of leaving their Owner alone. So with all of the Prelai household’s Summoners gathered, Lea wagged her tail triumphantly and boasted openly.
【I thought it was a bit much at first… but really, an opportunity like this came. It’s like a miracle. Just a little longer and I’ll get to meet them.】
Everyone looked at Lea with envious eyes. Wolf especially sighed and drooped dejectedly.
【×× I’m so jealous… But since Joshua’s getting a baby too, can we have some hope for Alex as well?】
【Hmm, well…】
Lea tilted her head as she answered.
【To give you hope… there’s Daram’s case. Sigh, they’ve been raising a child for decades now without it ending.】
Wolf wrapped his front paws around his forehead in distress. For any Summoner, Daram’s situation was something you couldn’t hear about without tears.
【Anyway, we’re all so excited waiting for the baby. Joshua even shut down Lorelai.】
After Seliet became pregnant, Joshua immediately shut down “Lorelai.” The reason was that the publication had been reporting far too enthusiastically about their marriage being a transaction.
“What if our baby sees this later and gets hurt? I should correct it as misinformation and shut down the publication to take responsibility.”
【So now people won’t be investigated anymore?】
“Well… Father said he’d take over the Prelai Ducal Residence’s intelligence organization now.”
【Huh?】
“Since I don’t really hate Prelai anymore anyway… I’m just transferring jobs, so to speak.”
【….】
“Honestly, Prelai really can’t function without me. This household doesn’t run properly without my involvement!”
In any case, it was a happy ending. If Joshua and Seliet took direct control of the Prelai Ducal Residence’s intelligence organization, it was obvious that the Prelai family would gain truly formidable information capabilities.
And Hyde was equally delighted. If they raised the baby properly and made him the heir, the future of the Prelai Ducal Residence seemed bright.
【Everything’s coming full circle. Joshua’s nearly twenty-year absence from home is finally coming to an end. Along with the baby.】
The last one was bragging again. That’s when it happened.
【Ahem!】
Piyak proudly puffed out his chest and interjected.
【Well, I suspect it’ll probably be Piyak who sees the next baby first. I’m tactful enough not to follow along on dates. And when Edgar comes, I make myself scarce.】
【Hmph, but you still sleep with Kiana every single night.】
Lea shook her head and delivered a pointed remark as if it were still far off.
【Once you’re married, you need to sleep separately. Besides, Kiana will probably get pregnant before marriage anyway. Right?】
Then Kitty giggled and spoke up.
【I’m not sure that marriage will go so smoothly. Hyde really doesn’t want Kiana to get married. These days he keeps looking toward the Imperial Palace and muttering things like ‘Fight! Punish! Annihilate!’ under his breath.】
All the Summoners knew that Hyde was spewing excessively aggressive words. Everyone was shaking their heads, and Kitty added with a satisfied smile.
【Still, it’s really fun watching the children grow up. Even though they all turned out to be troublemakers, they were all so cute when they were little—it’s a shame. Especially Alex was so innocent that I thought I could raise ten babies like that…】
Kitty trailed off and deliberately didn’t add anything more. A brief silence fell among the Summoners.
【Anyway, Kiana’s marriage will be difficult. She doesn’t seem to be thinking much about it right now anyway, does she? As a fiancée, she can already do pretty much anything she wants.】
【W-well, that’s true, but…!】
Piyak’s words faltered.
Though Piyak had once briefly seen the future baby through Daram’s power, he had no idea when that baby would actually arrive.
【B-but one thing is certain. Piyak will raise that child really well.】
【Huh? You’re going to raise them? Kiana and Edgar will take good care of them.】
【That won’t do.】
Piyak trembled once and muttered seriously.
【Since magical engineering hasn’t collapsed yet, I need to be there and raise them properly.】
【What are you talking about? What does magical engineering have to do with that?】
Lea tilted her head in confusion, and Hou, who had been listening quietly until now, chuckled and spoke up.
【But Kitty’s right anyway. Kiana’s marriage won’t be easy. Even Scari keeps muttering every day that he wants to keep Kiana by his side for life.】
That’s when someone’s footsteps could be heard trudging into the garden. And the moment Piyak heard those footsteps, he fluttered his wings and flew up.
【Kiana’s here! She must have come to pick up Piyak!】
Sure enough, Kiana soon peeked her head in. And with a grin, she spoke.
“Piyak, were you playing here? If you’re done talking, should we head out?”
【Are you all done playing with Edgar, Kiana?】
“Yeah.”
Piyak fluttered softly through the air and perched upon my shoulder.
After bidding farewell to the Summoners, Piyak and I strolled through the garden together. We spoke of the various happenings of the day as we always did. Though we bickered back and forth for the most part, we both seemed to be enjoying ourselves nonetheless.
And it was just as we neared my room.
“Piyak.”
I broached the subject with unusual gravity.
“You see, I think I really need to….”
I hesitated slightly, uncharacteristic of myself. Even as I slowly entered my room and closed the door behind us, I remained somewhat uncertain.
Finally, Piyak fluttered his wings impatiently.
【Yes? What is it? Tell me quickly.】
I took a deep breath. Then I declared with resolve.
“…I think I really need to propose.”

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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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