A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 52

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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 52
The Espra flower was a rare species that bloomed in the Fifth Empress’s homeland, a plant imbued with tremendous magical power. However, due to the aftermath of prolonged warfare that had heavily contaminated the soil there, it had become difficult to obtain.
The Fifth Empress, who hailed from a now-defunct minor nation, had long since passed away, but the greenhouse she had tended as a hobby still remained. Seliet was currently managing it.
“The Espra flowers will soon enter their blooming season, won’t they? When they bloom, I would be grateful if you could send some to Prelai Manor.”
“O-of course! Naturally, naturally I must send them! You’re my, my benefactor after all!”
“…I’m sorry. It’s not that I’m asking you to find them without any compensation. The truth is, I came looking for you at tonight’s banquet specifically to ask for this favor.”
“W-what are you saying? P-please don’t say such things!”
Seliet shook her head. I smiled gently and agreed.
“Yes. I truly believe that results are what matter most.”
And with that, I turned to leave.
I was genuinely busy. It was time to meet Judith next. As I hurried away, I failed to hear Seliet murmuring behind me.
“N-now I have an excuse to see her again, so I-I should be grateful…”
I didn’t know then. There were virtually no rumors about Princess Seliet.
“O-oh, I shouldn’t wash my hands today…”
That Seliet harbored remarkable obsession with anything that captured her interest, and that in that moment, I had captured hers.
“Hehe…I didn’t know much about it…but there’s a reason why I’m Ed’s first love, right? So cool!”
* * *
“Father, Mother. Hurry.”
Judith pulled the hands of the Count and Countess of Purbis.
“I need your help again this time. You know, I’m not enough on my own. Kiana said she missed seeing you both too.”
Lord Rodrigo also pushed their backs from behind. He too had all his calculations in order.
“Go ahead. I’ll make my entrance after everything is finished.”
Judith eagerly walked forward with the Duke and Duchess of Purbis.
Thank you, Judith. I’ve been eagerly awaiting your contact.
In that regard, after the second dance ends, would you like to meet me in the Hydrangea Garden of the Imperial Palace? I want to catch up on all the time we’ve missed, but I’m a bit embarrassed to do so in a crowded place.
Now that I think about it, I’d like to see the Duke of Purbis and the Duchess as well. They gave me so much advice when I was young.
Coming to the Capital after so long brings back so many memories. I’ll gratefully accept the hair ornament then. See you later!
The Peony Garden of the Imperial Palace.
The banquet atmosphere was only about to reach its peak. So there was no one who would go there.
When Judith arrived at the Peony Garden, excitedly pulling her parents along, Kiana was sitting quietly on a bench in the empty garden, gazing at the peonies.
Upon seeing her, Judith swallowed dryly without anyone noticing.
‘Why is she so beautiful…’
Honestly, if she began to actively participate in society, it would be no small matter that she would receive more attention than herself. Just by conversing with a few noble ladies, they would all realize how she had belittled Kiana behind the scenes.
‘That’s why Kiana must remain confined to Prelai Manor as before. Clinging only to those strange formulas.’
And the Count and Countess of Purbis harbored similar thoughts.
Purbis had historically always been overshadowed by Prelai. Lisinis, always aware that she held the lowest rank among the ducal families, had no particular thoughts on the matter. But Purbis, standing before the most powerful family, was different.
‘Perhaps in this generation, we could overturn Prelai’s dominance.’
Once the old Scari passed from this world, Prelai would simply walk the path of decline. And if Kiana truly married Lord Rodrigo…
“Kiana!”
Judith grinned and rushed to Kiana’s side.
“That hair ornament suits you perfectly. I knew my eye for these things was impeccable.”
“Really? Honestly, I’m not that fond of it.”
“Huh? What? Hmm?”
Without paying much attention to Judith’s slight hesitation, Kiana rose to her feet.
“Duke Purbis, you’ve come as well. Oh, and the Duchess too. It’s been so long. How wonderful to see you.”
The Duke and Duchess of Purbis emerged subtly from behind Judith.
“Kiana, it’s been ages!”
The Duchess of Purbis approached with a warm smile, having already consumed quite a bit of wine—the scent clung heavily to her.
“My, my… you’ve grown up exactly as expected…”
Kiana nodded with a slightly darkened expression, her face distinctly uncomfortable. She seemed to be suppressing a gag reflex. Noticing this, the Duchess of Purbis continued with subtle intent.
“Everyone’s been saying in the back that it’s as if Enes has come back to life. But I must say, they have a point.”
There were many people whispering about Kiana behind her back—how beautifully she’d grown, how surprisingly sensible she seemed without Melissa around, how they’d heard rumors of her excellent performance at the Academy.
This was precisely why Judith was so adamant that Kiana should avoid further social engagements. Naturally, the Duke and Duchess of Purbis wanted to honor their daughter’s wishes.
“In any case, stories that people had long forgotten have been circulating here and there.”
The Duchess spoke in a pitying tone.
“Duke Prelai would be quite displeased if he learned of this.”
Kiana said nothing and lowered her head deeply, just as she had done as a child. Judith wrapped her arms around Kiana’s shoulders in comfort.
“It wasn’t like this when Melissa was around… Now that you’re here, everyone seems to miss Melissa even more. What can we do? Poor Kiana.”
And observing this scene, Duke Purbis added his own remark.
“Hmm, well, since Kiana has no summoned beast either, people can’t help but gossip about it. It seems Duke Prelai is also constantly aware of that fact.”
The old Kiana would have nodded dejectedly and replied, “Then perhaps it’s best I don’t come to such places.” But this time, there was no such reaction, so Duke Purbis continued subtly.
“Even if it’s painful, someone must say these things so that you don’t become an even greater laughingstock behind closed doors.”
At those words, Kiana finally opened her mouth quietly.
“That’s right, Duke. You, the Duchess, and Judith have all given me similar advice throughout my childhood.”
“Yes. You’re Judith’s close friend, so we speak to you sincerely. Who else would tell you the truth of your situation?”
“Yes… You’ve always made it clear to me that I’m not a true Prelai. Very kindly, every time I visited Purbis Manor.”
Kiana brushed back her hair and spoke with a sorrowful expression.
“I also remember the Duchess consistently and faithfully advising me that my family would be ashamed of me, even if they didn’t say it aloud.”
Though these were clearly painful words, they came out with precise clarity.
“And you, Judith—you said everyone would love Melissa instead of me, so we should torment her. Quite violent and unhealthy friendship, wasn’t it?”
But since everything Kiana said was true, the Duke and Duchess of Purbis and Judith didn’t particularly refute her. Instead, they answered with gentle smiles.
“Yes, that’s how it was. We did it all for you…”
“Bleeeeegh!”
Kiana, who had seemed unwell all along, finally gagged loudly. That was when it happened.
“What did you say?”
A white-haired, muscular elderly man burst through the fence directly.
“You damnable wretches, daring to speak to my Kiki like that! What are you going on about?”
With blazing red eyes, the old man who had invaded the garden in an instant looked like a gatekeeper risen from hell itself.
【Julius! Restrain yourself! You can’t kill them!】
“You’ve been saying such things to Kiki since she was little? You deserve to be beaten until your dying breath!”
“Julius! Think of your age!”
Despite the solemn voice of the summoned spirit, Julius burst into the garden and swung his axe.
“My age? Sixty-seven years young! The perfect age to whip these youngsters into shape!”
Along with a jumble of nonsensical words he didn’t even understand, the massive axe cleaved through the air with force. Duke Purbis, struck squarely in the waist by the enormous axe handle, collapsed with a thud.
“No, that’s not what I meant about dignity!”
Daram cried out, clinging to Julius’s beard.
“I meant think of your physical age!”
“Ugh!”
Just as Daram said, Julius, overwhelmed by his own excitement, clutched the back of his neck and collapsed.
“Julius!”
Kiana hurried to support him.
“Are you alright? Bleeeegh!”
“Good heavens, my dear Kiki must be so traumatized and shocked that she’s retching! What?”
The sudden commotion drew the knights guarding the garden, and they immediately rushed toward the collapsed elderly giant.
“Oh no, oh no! I’m dying! I’m a frail old man on his last legs, and now I’m really going to die!”
Julius’s groaning was overwhelmingly louder than Duke Purbis’s. Four knights swarmed him and hoisted his massive frame onto their shoulders. They cried out urgently.
“To the Imperial Palace physician! To the infirmary!”
And unnoticed by all, just as Duke Purbis, who had actually suffered a serious back injury, was about to cry out “Me too!”
“What… was that sound just now?”
A chilling aura, obscured by Julius’s overwhelming presence, cut through the air sharply. Even Kiana flinched, her body going rigid.
“…Grandfather?”
“How dare Purbis presume…”
Scari’s face was already filled with an eerie coldness, and his voice trembled with icy fury.
“To question my granddaughter’s right to the Prelai name?”
At that fierce aura, Judith and the Duchess Purbis collapsed where they stood.

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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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