A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 26

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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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Chapter 26
“…I have many things I’d like to ask you, Miss.”
“Is it a math problem? If not, ask me later. I don’t have the energy to answer right now.”
Avian responded immediately to my words.
“Then would it be alright if I visited the Prelai Ducal Residence later to see you in person? I’ll send a letter first.”
“Now that I think about it, if it’s not about math, there’s no real need to meet later anyway. It’s a bit bothersome.”
“But I should properly express my gratitude to you, Miss…”
“Ah, you absolutely must repay this debt.”
I spoke with a serious expression.
“You became the captain of the guards, yet you blindly followed your superiors’ orders out of pointless loyalty, nearly spending your entire life unable to catch your enemy who was right before your eyes.”
“Y-yes, that’s true.”
So Avian was actually worrying about how to thank me… I kindly relieved him of that burden.
“I’ll collect the debt when the time is right, so wait with reverent anticipation, ready to work like an ox at whatever I command.”
“…Yes.”
Avian eventually nodded awkwardly.
“I understand. However…”
Avian rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, then wrapped it tightly around my right wrist like a bandage.
“You have a small wound. Please make sure to apply medicine when you get back.”
It was the wrist that the middle-aged man had grabbed earlier. Without my noticing, a tiny scrape had formed. When did I even see this minuscule wound?
I frowned and muttered seriously.
“How did that bastard manage to inflict such a vicious wound on my delicate wrist?”
“…”
Faced with my habitual exaggeration, Avian couldn’t even offer words of concern anymore. After wrapping the handkerchief around my wrist, he turned slightly to bow to Sezare.
“Then I entrust Miss to your care.”
It seemed like we were following some very formal procedure, but… strangely, it felt like I was being ushered out. That was entirely Sezare’s fault. He was emanating such a commanding atmosphere.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
And with that, Avian disappeared.
Of course, chaos was already breaking out everywhere. The employees, sensing the unusual atmosphere, began shoving valuable items into their pockets. Drunk people scrambled about, gathering scattered chips.
When the Capital Guard appeared, many screamed in panic and rushed toward the entrance. And in the distance, I could see the Spy Maid running over with a pouch of gold coins.
‘Success!’
Of course, money wasn’t the goal, but there was no reason to let the money following along slip away. I gave the Spy Maid the warmest expression I’d ever shown her. And she approached me with the most satisfied expression she’d ever worn. The bond I felt between us in that moment was incomparable to anything else.
“Miiiiiiss! I did it! I exchanged it for gold coins even in that chaos!”
“Well done, Spy Maid!”
I pulled the pouch of gold coins… no, the Spy Maid into a tight embrace. Piyak squeezed between us, squawking.
Sezare, watching us, smiled like a painting and slowly spoke.
“Well then, since the one we were waiting for has arrived, shall we depart?”
The background was truly a battlefield. Yet in the midst of it all, Sezare existed as if he belonged to another world entirely, so graceful.
“No, I can’t say something like ‘then I’ll take my leave.’ It’s dangerous to be alone here.”
I lightly took the hand he offered.
“Yes.”
At that moment, a man with a rough, imposing appearance and a massive frame approached from behind and whispered.
“You need to… leave quickly…”
The Spy Maid flinched upon seeing the burly man with the rugged features. He seemed to be one of Sezare’s associates, and as if accustomed to such reactions, he pressed his lips firmly together.
“Then let’s go at once.”
Sezare smiled deeply while maintaining a composed expression, and took my hand.
We ascended the stairs slowly that way. Amid the cacophony of noise, he moved with the leisurely grace of someone attending a grand ball. Walking beside him, I felt as though I were drifting through a dream.
“By the way, Duke Levin.”
As we climbed the stairs toward the entrance, I suddenly posed a question to him.
“Why did you acknowledge me in the first place?”
“…Pardon?”
“I mean, this isn’t exactly a respectable place… you could have simply walked past without recognizing me.”
“Well.”
Sezare laughed with ease. His dark brows curved in a gentle arc. His expression was like that of someone playing a mischievous prank.
“Perhaps I wanted to make a good impression.”
“Excuse me?”
“Because I have something I want from you.”
As expected of someone with ulterior motives—he didn’t even bother concealing his intentions. Now I could understand why he had acknowledged me at the General Store before. This clean give-and-take was exactly what I appreciated.
“You’re talking about the magical artifact commission, aren’t you?”
Sezare’s brows lifted slightly. I continued eagerly.
“You’ve always been submitting magical artifact research requests to the Academy. Since nearly all of the Academy’s papers pass through my hands, you must want to commission me directly, yes?”
“Ah.”
Sezare smiled and spoke.
“You’re quite perceptive, aren’t you? To discern my intentions so quickly upon our first meeting.”
“I’ve simply seen your name on commission forms countless times.”
For a moment, we exchanged businesslike smiles. I glanced at him subtly and changed the subject.
“However, claiming to have some acquaintance with me wasn’t a wise statement. Since I have no one I’m close to, this will instantly become a scandal.”
He responded with leisurely laughter, entirely unbothered by my rather serious concern.
“Is that so?”
His answer carried an almost delighted tone. It was a response that suggested no situation could truly faze him—somewhat arrogant, one might say. Yet that careless arrogance suited him so remarkably well that it actually came across as charming.
I added my words with feigned worry.
“Moreover, I’ve heard that Duke Levin doesn’t participate in the Capital’s social circles. If malicious rumors spread, you’d be defenseless against them.”
“For you to be so earnestly concerned about my reputation…”
He carefully guided my hand while responding with unhurried grace.
“How truly honorable.”
“Well, I wasn’t earnestly concerned to that degree, but…”
“In any case, I’m fine with it, miss.”
His tone suggested he didn’t care even a whit. Hmm, truly the demeanor of a man who had shown no interest whatsoever in Melissa, who could seduce any man with merely a brush of her sleeve.
“…Are you truly certain?”
“Yes.”
Sezare answered peacefully, as though all worldly matters were mere trifles that could never affect him.
“I really don’t care about that.”
The staircase ascending before us was steep. Yet Sezare’s footsteps never faltered once.
“It seems Marquis Levin is truly interested only in magical artifact development.”
My voice trembled with emotion as I received his affirmation that he didn’t care.
“So you’re a shortsighted and foolish person who pays no attention to anything else. That’s perfect.”
“…Pardon?”
I pressed on urgently.
“Then would you perhaps like to date me?”
“…”
Even in the darkness, Sezare’s foot—which had been climbing the stairs with elegant grace—stumbled in that moment.
“Oh, are you alright?”
And Piyak, perched atop my head, cried out in a pitiful voice.
【My goodness, he seems to dislike it! I didn’t think he was that much of a fool! Kiana’s scheme has failed!】
Piyak had maintained silence until now, but it seemed she could no longer contain herself.
【Even if he lives a mess of a life frequenting the Club House, it doesn’t seem he’s careless enough to date Kiana, does it?】
I steadied Sezare’s wavering form. Then I quickly corrected myself with disappointment.
“I-if you dislike it, would a contractual relationship work instead?”
【Ugh! What’s that! Backing down so quickly makes you look pathetic, Kiana!】
“O-or if you dislike that too, would pretending to date work?”
【Goodness! Backing down even further makes you look shabby, Kiana!】
Sezare had no opportunity to interject. Even he, who had remained composed amid the chaos of the Club House, suddenly cried out with a flustered expression.
“W-wait a moment!”
Piyak and I fell silent at once, and Sezare, staggering slightly, barely managed to speak.
“Let’s go to my residence and discuss this calmly for a moment.”

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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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