A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 192

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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 31
Edmund typically maintained a composed and serene expression, projecting an air of absolute control over any situation. Yet upon hearing my words, his voice wavered slightly as he repeated after me.
“Kiana.”
He complied as instructed, though his bewildered expression betrayed his complete confusion. Like a parrot, he finished reciting what I had said.
“I shall speak my wish.”
The moment his words ended, I mouthed the next phrase deliberately, ensuring only he could see, and continued.
“‘Right this instant.'”
“Yes… right this instant.”
“‘Please propose to me.'”
The instant I finished, Edmund’s eyes widened dramatically.
A soft sound escaped his throat. I felt a surge of joy realizing that I alone possessed the power to shatter his composure. This face—stripped of its habitual mask, revealing the difficulty he had in containing his emotions—surely only I would ever witness it.
His voice slightly trembling, Edmund took a deep breath and repeated my words.
“Please.”
His golden eyes held me completely. His gaze—persistent and consuming—made me feel as though I might dissolve. Surrounded by so many people, he looked only at me with meticulous attention, enunciating each final word with deliberate precision.
“Propose to me.”
The spectators, who had been watching us with bored expressions, suddenly stirred. My Father and Grandfather both leaped to their feet simultaneously.
“××! What did you say? You shameless ××!”
“Hyde, please! Even if you saved the Crown Prince and the Emperor’s lives, even if your heart is perfectly aligned with mine, there are still boundaries to maintain! Please!”
Of course, I had anticipated their resistance. The Spy Maid swiftly intercepted them both and gave the signal to proceed. Though she wouldn’t be able to hold them back for long due to their status, a few moments would suffice.
I nodded slowly, ensuring everyone could hear me, and spoke with cool composure.
“Well, of course.”
In that instant, my Father and Grandfather began thrashing about desperately, crying out ‘Absolutely not!’ I ignored their protests and opened my mouth.
“Ed, honestly, I’m someone who can live well on my own. But…”
Edmund’s breathing had become uneven. I smiled softly and continued.
“With you, my world becomes more beautiful.”
At that moment, the crowd gasped in wonder. My Father and Grandfather, startled, ceased their commotion. Multiple rainbows began arcing across the sky of the Forest of Spirits. Piyak, who had been invisible until then, soared into the air and signaled approval with his wings.
This was an artificial rainbow created by a magical artifact that dispersed light using water from the Pond of the Forest of Spirits. It required some assistance from the spirits, but I had believed it possible. Since the angle needed precise adjustment, I had personally entered the forest to install it. That was why I had gone into the forest under the pretense of hunting earlier.
I smiled brightly and continued.
“Because of you, my world becomes more complete.”
Simultaneously, grand orchestral music began resonating from behind the podium. The crowd murmured in astonishment.
“What, what is this?”
“A symphony orchestra couldn’t possibly reach here?”
Indeed, the refined melody was impossible to hear in such a forest setting. Seliet signaled approval with her hand from behind the podium.
This music was… actually a recording. I had previously created a recording magical artifact with Seliet’s assistance, and this was its reuse. Of course, I couldn’t record for extended periods. No matter how much I improved it, it was only about twenty seconds. However, I could repeat those twenty seconds continuously, so the grand yet pleasant background music kept repeating endlessly.
While the crowd stood bewildered, I smiled brightly and continued.
“Your presence has made my world more fragrant.”
Simultaneously, a subtle floral fragrance began permeating the entire Forest of Spirits. Far in the distance, Ranaq raised both arms to signal approval. He had been tasked with lighting a massive scented candle inside a magical artifact designed to disperse air, timing it perfectly with my words.
By simultaneously stimulating sight, sound, and smell, the crowd’s atmosphere softened instantly. When planning, I had wished to satisfy all five senses, including taste and touch. However, the scale became too grand, and the limitations of available personnel made it impossible to execute that far.
Of course, everyone was utterly dumbfounded. From the spectators’ perspective, Edmund had simply suddenly said ‘propose to me right now.’ Yet I had launched into such a brilliantly extravagant proposal that bewilderment was inevitable.
“No! No! ×× I said no, absolutely not!”
And there was someone who dampened this beautiful moment—my Father. My Grandfather could have stopped him, yet he was deliberately pretending to be helpless.
“Absolutely not! Even if dirt enters my eyes, my Kiki…!”
That was when Seliet staggered and cried out, “Oh my, the baby, the baby!” Joshua panicked, asking “Why, why is that! Why!” and both my Grandfather and Father rushed toward Seliet in alarm.
And the moment Seliet diverted their attention, she grinned and whispered.
“The baby is so much fun and so lovely.”
She didn’t forget to murmur with sparkling eyes.
“I do hope a cousin arrives soon. Preferably without too much of an age gap.”
In any case, our family’s true nature was appropriately wrapped up by Seliet. No matter how I thought about it, Seliet was… truly remarkable.
In any case, with the final variable resolved, it was time to drive in the final nail. I gazed into Edmund’s eyes and smiled gently.
“I’ll gather all these useless things and entrust them to you.”
In truth, my life never needed rainbows, music, or fragrance. I lived well without such things. I could have lived well without Edmund’s background, status, power, or wealth. But precisely because I asked nothing of him, I was all the more confident in my love.
“Back then, I was truly a useful young man.”
Edmund had once spoken of the reason he’d liked me so much in that place.
“So everyone flocked to me, but there was a young woman who showed no interest in me whatsoever, absorbed in useless things. Like the principles of the Clock Tower and such.”
I had listened quietly from his back to those words. About the light within me that he’d recognized during a time when I thought no one cared for me.
Now it was time to respond to his heart with the light he’d recognized in me.
“At that time, I didn’t think deeply about it, but it seems I was instinctively drawn to that sight. You are someone who can love even useless things purely.”
It was exactly one year since I’d heard those words. Back then, it was a feeling I’d heard in secret, in a place no one knew, but today it was a sentiment I expressed boldly before everyone.
Though the word “useless” might seem like an odd choice of vocabulary to someone else, for us it was an expression with our own narrative. It was also my sincere declaration that I love you, whether you are the Crown Prince or not, whether you can give me anything or not.
With a somewhat choked heart, I smiled as calmly as I could.
“With the heart of that child gazing at the Clock Tower, I will love you for a lifetime.”
Though I was always confident, my heart strangely fluttered. I would surely never forget this moment.
After taking a deep breath, I spoke in one breath.
“Marry me, Ed. If you’re going to accept, kiss me right now.”
I spoke while looking into Edmund’s eyes, which rippled with emotion and joy.
“If you’re going to refuse, reconsider and kiss me with the heart of acceptance.”
Honestly, it was a proposal where I already knew the answer.
Edmund pulled me into a tight embrace and kissed me right there. Passionate whispers poured ceaselessly onto my lips.
I love you, Kiana. I love you.
Really, I love you so much.
From the slight tremor alone in the arms that held my waist, I could tell how deeply moved he was. Well, it seemed I’d satisfied all five senses—at least for Edmund.
The Emperor swung both fists in jubilation, and Seliet too laughed with satisfaction. Of course, the Spirit was satisfied as well.

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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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