A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 194

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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 33
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“Ah.”
After the meeting at the Imperial Palace concluded, Edmund received word that Kiana had left the Academy early and was heading to the Prelai Ducal Residence.
“Then I’ll head to the Prelai Ducal Residence as well.”
Even though he would return to the Imperial Palace before evening, Edmund made a point of picking Kiana up every time—whether she was at the Academy or the Prelai Ducal Residence.
Edmund wanted nothing more than to be with her whenever possible. Though they occasionally spent time apart out of respect for the weight of their respective positions, he always felt the absence keenly. He had received the most magnificent proposal in the world, married for love, and had been living a honeymoon that felt like a dream for over two years now.
So the moment the meeting ended, he rushed off to find Kiana and made his way to the Prelai Ducal Residence.
Kiana was playing in the garden with her nephew Isaac. The scene was like a painting, so Edmund quietly remained hidden and watched them without making a sound.
“Aunt Kiki! Aunt Kiki!”
Isaac toddled forward adorably, his cheeks flushed red from the crisp air, yet he showed no desire to go inside. Kiana felt the same way, for despite wearing a pale yellow scarf wrapped snugly around her, her expression was infinitely bright.
Edmund gazed quietly at the scene. If a child were born between Kiana and himself, would he be able to witness moments like this every day? The sight was so endearing that even intruding felt presumptuous.
“Isaac likes red.”
Isaac chattered incessantly as he and Kiana stepped on fallen leaves. Kiana laughed brightly and placed a crimson autumn leaf in Isaac’s hand.
“Then you must like this leaf too?”
“Like red leaf. Thank you!”
Isaac asked with a beaming smile.
“Why are leaves red?”
Piyak quickly interjected.
【Because leaves like red just like Isaac does!】
“Why are leaves and Isaac the same?”
【Because leaves like Isaac!】
“Why do leaves like Isaac?”
【Because Isaac is cute!】
“Why is Isaac cute?”
Hmm.
Edmund suppressed a laugh internally. He had witnessed this before during his time in the Levin Domain—how children of that age would bombard people with “why” questions until they ran out of answers.
As Piyak fell silent, Kiana stepped in front of Isaac again and met his eyes.
“Isaac. Leaves turn red because autumn has arrived.”
“Why does autumn arrive?”
“Because the weather becomes cold and dry.”
Kiana answered with a gentle smile. The Wet Nurse and Piyak’s expressions darkened. Edmund tilted his head slightly in puzzlement.
Isaac’s questions continued.
“Why does the weather become cold and dry?”
“When the weather becomes cold and dry, chlorophyll breaks down.”
“Why does chlorophyll break down?”
“Chlorophyll performs photosynthesis, and photosynthesis requires water.”
“Why does chloro….”
“Chlorophyll. It’s chlorophyll, not chloro.”
Kiana pronounced each syllable carefully.
“And because of chlorophyll, leaves were originally green.”
“….”
“Of course, you can’t understand it yet. But that’s still the truth.”
“….”
“Questioning natural phenomena is a very good attitude, Isaac.”
“….”
Silence fell over the garden. Piyak let out a deep sigh.
Edmund cleared his throat with a soft cough. The moment he appeared, smiles bloomed brightly across Kiana’s and Isaac’s faces.
“Your Highness Ed!”
Since Isaac was also Edmund’s nephew, Edmund scooped up the child rushing toward him and spun him around in a circle. The boy laughed with delight.
“Is it fun?”
Edmund pressed his forehead against the child’s as he asked. Isaac shrieked with giggles.
“It’s fun! Why is it fun?”
Kiana approached with a happy expression and answered.
“Because of centrifugal force.”
“….”
The Wet Nurse, watching from a distance, thought that Isaac’s “why disease” seemed likely to be cured today.
* * *
After playing with Isaac to his heart’s content, they were in the carriage heading back from the Prelai Manor.
They spoke leisurely about the day’s events—what matters had been discussed at the Imperial Palace conference, what incidents had occurred at the Academy.
As they exchanged such trivial, intimate conversation, the window of the carriage framed a sunset as red as a flower blooming over the magnificent Capital. The crimson light settling upon the ornate cityscape was breathtaking. When that warm, reddish glow descended upon Edmund’s and Kiana’s cheeks, she spoke.
“Ed, there’s something…”
Kiana hesitated slightly before carefully broaching the subject.
“Mm….”
Watching her hesitant expression, Edmund smiled faintly. His face suggested he already knew what she was about to say.
“Kiana.”
Edmund caressed the hand he was holding and spoke softly.
“Just as I always have, I’ve been waiting for a long time.”
“Ed?”
“Just as I waited for you, I’ve been waiting for our child as well.”
Kiana blinked her large eyes as she gazed at Edmund.
It felt like a dream. The thought of welcoming a child with this man—in that instant, that thought transformed into absolute certainty.
“Shall we raise them with lots of love?”
Edmund smiled deeply and pressed his lips to the back of Kiana’s hand. Kiana felt an inexplicable surge of emotion and nodded her head vigorously.
“Yes.”
Kiana spoke with a slightly trembling voice.
“Watching Isaac grow up has been so fascinating… and I thought it would be wonderful to see our child every single day.”
It was a desire that had quietly emerged as her life gained more breathing room.
“The child’s questions as they come to understand the world one by one are truly precious… and being able to see nature again through a child’s eyes, something I’d forgotten for so long, is so beautiful.”
And Piyak, riding quietly in that same carriage, silently made a solemn vow.
‘From now on, I must read extensively and cultivate a more beautiful, lyrical way of expressing myself.’
When Isaac had asked earlier why the leaves were red, I’d been at a loss for words and ended up letting Kiana steal the spotlight.
‘If this continues, Kiana’s children will grow up as magical engineering prodigies. That simply won’t do.’
Seliet had mentioned that even after making her decision, she still had nine months ahead of her.
‘So I have plenty of time to prepare for welcoming a child as well.’
Piyak gazed at the violet twilight sky that had begun to gently embrace the Capital, steeling my resolve.
‘As long as magical engineering doesn’t collapse, I will absolutely surpass Kiana in childcare.’
Though the future Daram had shown me long ago was somewhat bleak, effort could overcome anything.
‘I’ll do my best, Piyak. Effort will see me through. After all, Daram read books every day, determined not to be assimilated into Julius’s ways. If I make the effort, I can do this too.’
Unaware that I had already been influenced by Kiana’s belief that effort conquers all, I continued my silent vow—quietly, alone, between Edmund and Kiana as they exchanged beautiful promises of becoming good parents.
* * *
Winter in the Northern Region was bitterly cold. Alex had remained in the Northern Prelai Duchy throughout. With so much inexplicable rage burning within him, his body ran hot enough that the frigid landscape suited him perfectly.
At first, beating people felt different from slaying monsters—somewhat hollow—but he found that killing ten monsters balanced out the satisfaction of beating one person. When he still felt unsatisfied, he would descend underground to vent his frustrations on Dolores and Hitten, which made for a perfect way to end the day.
“After all… Kiana was right.”
Alex smiled contentedly and unfolded the note in his pocket once more.
It was a note Kiana had written with her own hand three years ago on the day of the Hunting Competition, as he departed for the Northern Region. This time, he kept it on him always so he wouldn’t lose it again.
There had been one close call—when he’d ridden Wolf frantically to reach Kiana’s wedding. He’d ridden so violently that the note had nearly slipped from his pocket. Fortunately, he’d noticed in time; had he continued riding, he truly would have lost it on the street.
With a contented expression, Alex carefully tucked the note back into his breast and only after entering his room did he learn the new developments.
“What?”
Alex’s hands trembled as he received the letter from the Capital.
“Kiana is… Kiana is pregnant?”
He closed his eyes for a moment.
‘Kiana’s baby….’
The age difference between him and Kiana was five years. Faint memories of Kiana’s childhood surfaced. When three-year-old Kiana had wrapped her tiny hand around his finger, he’d thought her absolutely precious.
And now… a baby born of that precious Kiana.
“I must leave for the Capital at once.”
Alex muttered breathlessly.
“I cannot miss a single moment.”
Just as Alex was about to rush out, he retrieved Kiana’s note from his breast.
“Ah, this note is precious, so I should leave it here…. I mustn’t lose it again by riding recklessly like before.”
He placed it carefully in the desk drawer, left without informing Julius, and rode Wolf like the wind toward the Capital.

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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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