A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 187

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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 26
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The next morning.
Edmund had left the Capital at dawn to attend a provincial festival in person. Meanwhile, a secret meeting took place in my Research Lab. The attendees were myself, Piyak, the Spy Maid, and Ranaq, who had injured his leg recently and couldn’t accompany Edmund.
“Alright.”
I declared solemnly with my arms crossed.
“I’m now commencing the strategy meeting for Kiana Prelai’s marriage proposal operation.”
“Wow!”
“Woooow!”
【Woooow!】
Piyak, the Spy Maid, and Ranaq all cheered and applauded. Then, tilting their heads, they asked in succession.
【But… do we really need to hold a meeting with this specific group for this?】
“From what I can see, if Lady Kiana merely mentions the word ‘marriage’ to the Crown Prince, she could receive a proposal that lasts three days and four nights straight.”
“Three days and four nights is putting it mildly. I’d say a week to ten days.”
I agreed with their assessment as well. The fact that Edmund was desperate to marry me was something everyone knew. However, the House of Prelai’s stubbornness was still too extreme, and I myself maintained an attitude of “what’s the rush?” so I wasn’t pushing the matter. Besides, Edmund still couldn’t press the issue forcefully because of what I’d said before—that being Crown Princess didn’t suit me. Of course, every so often he would subtly hint, “I think it would be nice if we got married.”
【Piyak guarantees that accepting Ed’s proposal right now would be the easiest thing in the world for Kiana.】
“Well, that’s probably true.”
I nodded calmly in response.
“But I want to be the one to propose.”
Having been dragged along by Edmund all this time, I’d learned the entire history of his unrequited love from various places—a tale so tragic it could make one weep. I felt sorry for all the time I didn’t know, grateful for that sorrow, and wanted to repay that gratitude.
“Hmm.”
Ranaq immediately raised his hand to request the floor and spoke confidently.
“Then it seems like the Princess could simply say ‘let’s get married!’ If even that feels bothersome, I could relay the message for you. Just doing that much would make the Crown Prince the happiest person in the world.”
“Ranaq.”
I opened my eyes wide in response.
“If I wanted such an efficient, rational, and cost-effective method, would I have called you all here in the first place?”
“…My apologies.”
Then the Spy Maid whispered to Ranaq, “Just stay quiet and you’ll at least get a passing grade.” I continued with my arms crossed.
“First condition. I need to propose in front of our family. That way, Father, Grandfather, and my brothers will all be able to accept it.”
【Wow. This is really going to be a spectacle. Everyone’s going to lose their minds.】
“That’s why I have to do it. I’m the only one who can push through with the marriage without getting caught up in the chaos.”
The Spy Maid and Ranaq nodded respectfully. Their understanding of my situation was truly excellent.
Of course, every family had parents who grumbled about not being able to marry off their youngest child. But the House of Prelai was an extreme family in every way, so the degree was quite excessive. Honestly, outsiders would wonder why they acted that way, but since the entire family was like that in every aspect, people had stopped criticizing them.
“Only I can push this through. Even if it becomes a complete mess, I still have to do it.”
【Wow.】
Piyak spread his wings wide and laughed with anticipation.
【This is going to be seriously intense.】
The Spy Maid brought out parchment and a pen, speaking with determination.
“We’ll definitely need a meticulous plan. First, we should select a location so we can understand how the Prelai men will move and map out their movements.”
“You’re right, we’ll definitely need a detailed plan. First, we need to select a location so we can figure out how the male members of Frelai will move and understand their routes.”
“I’ve already decided on the location.”
I chuckled and began sketching a bird’s-eye view with the pen the Spy Maid had given me.
“We’re doing it here.”
The eyes of the Spy Maid, Ranaq, and Piyak widened as they confirmed the location.
【Hmm.】
After a long silence, Piyak spoke.
【This will certainly be a proposal none of us will forget for the rest of our lives… It will be quite entertaining, but… hmm…】
The Spy Maid and Ranaq maintained their silence as if they needed more mental preparation, then carefully expressed their opinions.
“…Well… um… I’m not sure. Do we really need to go this far…?”
“The Crown Prince would be so moved he’d faint if Lady Kiana simply said ‘We’re getting married’ during a family meal…”
I nodded slowly as I looked at them. Since they seemed to be rambling a bit, I clarified the main point.
“You’re saying that investing just 1 would yield 99.9 results, so why bother investing 100 to get 100 results? In other words, the cost-effectiveness is terrible, right?”
【Wow. She’s interpreting ‘you don’t need to do this’ in such a way.】
“But I want to give Ed even that 0.1…”
That’s when it happened. There was an urgent knock, followed by the Butler’s voice.
“Lady Kiana? Are you here?”
My eyes widened instantly. It was rare for the Butler to come all the way to the Research Lab to find me. Usually Edmund or my family came directly, and until now, there had been no reason for anyone other than Edmund and my family to seek me out.
“May I come in for a moment? An important guest has arrived unexpectedly.”
I had no appointments today. In fact, Edmund was away on a business trip to the provinces. The Spy Maid jumped up and opened the door like lightning.
The Butler looked quite troubled as he spoke to me.
“The thing is…”
“What is it? Who came that you’re being so coy about it?”
I also sensed something unusual about the situation and got to my feet. The Butler rolled his eyes once and reported.
“Her Majesty the Empress has arrived. The Duke is currently entertaining her in the Drawing Room, but she wishes to see you.”
Everyone’s eyes widened. The Empress came directly to the Prelai Ducal Residence without even making an appointment, and she wants to see me right now?
“Ranaq, you wait here for now.”
The first person to come to her senses was the Spy Maid.
“Lady Kiana, let’s go to your room right away. I’ll get you ready as quickly as possible. We can’t have you meet Her Majesty the Empress like this.”
“Right, um… yes.”
I nodded once and followed the Spy Maid. Piyak tagged along, saying “Piyak wants to know too!”
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When I finished preparing and went to the Drawing Room, Father and the Empress were drinking tea with awkward expressions on their faces.
“Kiki! Come here quickly!”
Hmm… or was it just the Empress who looked awkward? Father was sitting with his legs spread wide, already on his fifth cup of tea, gulping it down.
“Her Majesty the Empress brought such delicious tea leaves! Come have a cup right away!”
Tea is normally supposed to be sipped elegantly, but… Father was gulping it down before crunching on cookies as a tea food.
“I apologize, Princess.”
The Empress stood up flustered and offered me a seat.
I swallowed a sigh inwardly. No, there’s no need for you to stand… She was already acting so hesitant that she seemed more like my subordinate than the Empress.
“I know it’s impolite to come without an appointment… but I have something I really must tell you. It’s something I wanted to discuss privately, so I had no choice.”
The Empress’s face, which I hadn’t seen in some time, had grown quite gaunt. I knew that since Edmund’s return, she had been confined to the Palace without moving an inch, but it seemed her mental anguish during that period had been considerable.
As I took my seat with proper courtesy, Father wiped his mouth and asked with an ominous tone.
“But ××, surely what you wanted to tell Kiki so badly wasn’t marriage pressure, was it, Your Majesty?”
“…Father….”
I offered serious counsel from beside Father.
“If you were going to say such things, you shouldn’t have enjoyed the tea so deliciously….”
“That’s one thing, but ××, this is another!”
Kitty sighed deeply from Father’s lap. Then she muttered quietly.
【Hyde, please let’s go. Honestly, this hospitality is worse than doing nothing at all.】
It seemed Kitty had been serving as the host until I arrived, but as Kitty said, it wasn’t particularly excellent hospitality.
“No! I’m not leaving! How dare you come here to say such terrible things to our Kiki!”
I didn’t know what the Empress had come to say to me, but I also didn’t want Father present for this conversation. So I grasped both of Father’s hands, met his eyes, and spoke with a bright smile.
“Father.”
“Uh, yes?”
“Look at my face, and think carefully and objectively about my personality as your daughter and this situation. When you’re alone together, consider who should be more worried.”
Father took a deep breath. Once he had assessed the situation objectively, he turned to the Spy Maid and spoke.
“If Kiana goes too far, stop her however you can. Don’t leave your post. Understood?”
“I’m a person with some sense of propriety. Don’t worry and just go ahead.”
At my words, Father sighed deeply and rose from his seat.
“Your Majesty the Empress… I enjoyed the tea. Well, I apologize for leaving you two alone.”
…It was the Empress who came here of her own accord wanting to speak privately. In any case, Father drained every last drop of tea remaining in his cup and then walked out unsteadily while carrying Kitty.
Kitty was gesturing frantically to Piyak, saying ‘Listen carefully and tell me later!’ Piyak had a very proud expression, as if saying through his eyes, ‘There are always interesting things to see when you’re beside Kiana.’
Thus, the Drawing Room was left with only me, the Empress, and the guards and maids.

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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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