A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 50

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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 50
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While the banquet was just beginning, at Joshua’s Mansion.
“No way, I absolutely cannot attend some banquet for the sake of my dignity.”
Joshua paced restlessly through the Drawing Room.
“It’s been far too long since I set foot in such a place. That’s my principle.”
Through his investigations of people, Joshua had learned something: banquets were where all manner of unseemly affairs unfolded.
Infidelity was a profound trauma for him. That’s why he preferred to hear such information from his sources rather than visit such places himself. No matter how much the nobility accepted it as standard practice in their arranged marriages, Joshua found it utterly repulsive. He simply couldn’t accept it.
A single act of infidelity was enough to shatter the bonds between all members of a once-happy family. The memory of those excessively joyful times with his relatives made it even more unbearable.
“But… but that idiot will be alone, won’t she?”
Joshua muttered while picking at his nails.
“And Alex won’t be there either. Even Melissa won’t be… wait, is that actually good? There’s no cousin around to grab me by the hair?”
Then Lea, the green Snake Summoner coiled around his arm, tilted her head and asked.
【Why is it a problem that the girl who likes right angles is going alone? She has a partner with a great body and incredibly handsome looks.】
“He may be handsome, but can he properly support Kiana?”
【Since when does a partner mean someone who supports? And does Kiana seem like someone who needs support at a banquet?】
“Of course she does! What if she gets stepped on in a crowded place? Her personality may be terrible, but her body is genuinely frail.”
【I’d be relieved if she doesn’t step on anyone… well, anyway, go if you want to. I like banquets.】
“I don’t want to go! Why would I attend some banquet? I hate such places more than anything in the world!”
He began selecting an ornate jeweled tiara befitting Lea while snapping irritably.
“Besides, Julius will be going soon anyway!”
When Scari had asked Kiana what she wanted in return for treating Hou, Joshua had received her answer through his informants.
Kiana had said she wanted to meet Julius at the banquet. She’d even specified the time and place. Julius’s scheduled arrival happened to coincide with the Imperial Banquet.
Julius, who was Enes’s godfather, had been very kind to Kiana ten years ago. Though not to Alex and Joshua.
“What’s with this pretty-faced thief Hyde! How dare he take Enes away, that bastard Prelai…”
“…Julius, I’m also a Prelai, and you’re also a Prelai, aren’t you?”
“Oh right, that’s true. I’m a Prelai too. I forgot. Ahahaha!”
And right in front of them, he’d casually said, “Enes isn’t that kind of person. There must have been some misunderstanding.” Of course, since everyone knew Julius’s intelligence was seriously lacking, no one paid much attention to it.
In any case, it seemed Kiana still held Julius close in her heart.
“Wait a moment.”
Joshua suddenly exclaimed as if remembering something while rummaging through his wardrobe.
“If she’s calling for Julius after ten years of not seeing him, it means our Kiana doesn’t want to be alone at the banquet! Since it’s obvious Grandfather and I won’t attend, she couldn’t ask directly!”
【…Is that so? She doesn’t seem like the type to be that considerate though.】
Joshua angrily declared while swiftly selecting clothes covered in designer logos.
“Besides, I have information to deliver to Kiana!”
【That’s not urgent, is it? You could tell her tomorrow.】
“The future changes with even small factors. If I deliver it today, something wonderful might happen.”
【Or it might not.】
“Anyway, I think I should go too. That idiot definitely hopes her family will come to the banquet!”
【Or not?】
“Either you do or you don’t!”
Lea didn’t press Joshua further on his confusing words. Instead, she quietly pointed her tail at the large emerald tiara, making it clear that she wanted to wear it.
【I’m so excited for the banquet. Put some jewels on my tail too. Something big and pretty, please.】
With that, Joshua jumped to his feet and belatedly began preparing for the banquet.
* * *
I glanced at the clock and slipped out of the Banquet Hall. It was still quite early compared to the time I’d arranged to meet Judith.
I had something to do before that.
‘There’s still some time before that incident occurs… but I can’t afford to be late.’
My footsteps quickened as an uneasy feeling settled over me.
‘A large fountain in a secluded place… I think it was near the daisy garden?’
According to the original story, a rather significant incident happens at this banquet.
‘…There it is!’
And soon I spotted the garden where daisy flowers were in full bloom.
A young woman sat quietly before a large fountain, gazing up at the stars. Silver hair cascading to her waist, a proud, cat-like face, and an elegant dress. Even from a distance, it was clearly Princess Seliet. The princess born of the Fifth Empress, forgotten by everyone.
I’d heard the Emperor wasn’t on bad terms with her, but the problem was that the Emperor was consolidating power. The Fifth Empress came from a minor nation and was already dead. So Seliet had no backing whatsoever. Like me, she rarely showed her face in society.
‘I need to hurry! I’m not too late yet!’
According to Melissa’s memories, “that incident” happened when the third dance began. And her memory was accurate. Soon I saw a man approaching Seliet.
“Your Highness.”
Seliet had been gazing blankly at the stars when she flinched in surprise, her body stiffening.
“So you were here.”
His voice was sinister just to hear.
“W-w-where’s Mari? Where is Mari?”
“I sent her away. Along with the Imperial Guards.”
Seliet hurriedly looked for her maid, but the man who approached her smiled wickedly and spoke.
“Have you forgotten? All the imperial servants obey my orders.”
At those words, Seliet immediately stood up. Without meeting the man’s eyes, she spoke urgently.
“I-I-I should go. Well then, good night.”
“Your Highness.”
The man leisurely blocked her path.
“Tonight.”
“W-what?”
“Tonight, Your Highness will spend the evening with me. Nobles who slip out during the banquet will see us together.”
The man spoke in a damp, sinister voice.
“Fearing further scandal, Prince Hitten will have you marry me.”
“W-what are you…”
“We were long-time lovers, and Prince Hitten will say he blesses us despite the difference in status.”
“That doesn’t even make sense…”
“Does it make sense for a servant of the princess to obey the orders of a mere attendant of the Crown Prince’s palace?”
He took a step closer to Seliet.
“So don’t resist, unless you want to become even more pitiful.”
Seliet stumbled backward until the fountain blocked her path, leaving her nowhere left to retreat.
“Don’t be upset, Your Highness. My father is a nobleman. I’m merely a bastard, not a complete commoner.”
“T-that’s not… that’s not the important part…”
“You know, don’t you? Your position, and mine.”
“Y-you’re being… insolent. Ben, you’re just…”
“Just what?”
The man sneered as if amused.
“Do you think Prince Hitten doesn’t know about this?”
“…”
“Even if Your Highness screams right now, no one will come. If you’d like to verify that, go ahead and try.”
Then he grasped Seliet’s wrist and let out a sinister laugh.
“A mere attendant dares to seize the princess’s wrist.”
I couldn’t stand to watch this any longer. I rushed out, my eyes blazing as I delivered my warning.
“Seize? I’ll be seizing your lifeline instead, so go ahead and scream all you want, you perverted bastard.”
And with that, I pressed a magical artifact against the man’s neck.
It was one of many magical artifacts I’d created during my doctoral studies. At this point in time, it hadn’t been commercialized yet. I’d tentatively named it the “Mana Shock Device”…
“Krrrraaaaaaagh!”
The man convulsed and began screaming as if dying.
‘It shouldn’t hurt that much, yet look at him exaggerating…’
In any case, with my opponent defenseless, it was incredibly easy. I spoke calmly without changing my expression.
“Get lost, you madman.”
“Aaaaaaagh! Do you know who I am…”
“Why would I care? You’re beneath me anyway.”
I kindly introduced myself.
“Whoever you are, surely you’re not foolish enough to claim your status outranks Kiana Prelai?”
The man tumbled away from the Mana Shock Device, rolling across the grass. Even so, he stared at me in disbelief.
“T-the villainess of Prelai… why are you here?”
Oh, that was actually a decent title. Usually I was called “Prelai’s disgrace” or “the fake Prelai.”
“I came to catch a criminal like you, that’s why.”

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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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