A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 58

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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 58
Sezare didn’t respond to my words, instead letting out a faint sigh. Yet that tremor—as if he were restraining something—only made my body tense further.
This wouldn’t do. We’d be meeting frequently for magical artifact research going forward, and if every encounter felt like this, it would be problematic.
“Well, anyway… The Marquis lives such a trashy life that it’s difficult to take him seriously as a real lover. I’m going to clarify things properly this time.”
So I stated it plainly. It was better to establish such things clearly from the beginning.
“Of course, at first it was nice just looking at him. He’s handsome, after all. Truth be told, I even considered drifting into a casual romance. But….”
“But?”
“I could overlook frequenting the Club House, I suppose. But planning loan-sharking operations against the poor districts and lurking around places like Olford Port—I simply cannot….”
Sezare stared at me intently. Oddly, there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
He asked in a composed voice.
“Then, if I hadn’t done such things, would it have been acceptable?”
“Well… I don’t really entertain ‘what-ifs,’ but perhaps?”
“Even if I were a sinister person with many secrets?”
“I’m sorry, but that’s exactly what I am.”
When I answered seriously, Sezare finally let out a small laugh. That boyishly mischievous, low chuckle was more pleasant than I expected, and I was startled. Was I actually thinking that someone’s laughter was nice to hear?
“Thank you.”
And why was this person offering such gratitude?
While I was flustered, Sezare politely helped me up and seated me again. As the warmth of his touch faded, I felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
Silence settled briefly in the carriage.
I quickly tried to think of other things to avoid dwelling on Sezare. Serious thoughts… grave thoughts…. And those serious, grave thoughts weren’t far away. They lay in the incident that had unfolded today.
“In any case, if the Crown Prince is alive….”
I suddenly turned my head to gaze toward the Imperial Palace.
Would the Emperor know that Hiton’s banquet had descended into chaos? He was probably caught between consciousness and unconsciousness, consumed by agony.
The image of the Emperor praying earnestly to the Tailyze Tree came to mind, and I spoke impulsively.
“I wish the Emperor could at least be informed of his survival. His Majesty’s health is already poor, and he’s been worrying so much about the Crown Prince….”
Sezare looked at me quietly. The heated moment from before seemed like nothing as he sat with composed posture. That orderliness, as if nothing had happened, felt strangely unfamiliar.
Sezare, who had been observing me silently, slowly opened his mouth.
“Well, they’re likely being cautious above all else. There may be other reasons why the survival cannot be revealed.”
“That would make sense.”
“In any case, secretly informing of survival would be difficult while hiding his identity.”
Sezare spoke indifferently.
“Since His Majesty is quite ill, even high-ranking nobles find it difficult to enter and exit the Imperial Palace. The royal family doesn’t receive many visitors.”
“Hmm.”
“I myself find it nearly impossible to have an audience with the royal family.”
Hmm, that was true. I had only been able to meet the Emperor face-to-face because he came to the Prelai Ducal Residence.
Not just the Emperor. The Empress, the Imperial Concubines, and the Imperial Princes—they rarely met with outsiders privately. It was only at official banquets like today’s that the nobility gathered. It was understood as the royal family exercising restraint in social activities due to the Emperor’s serious illness.
Suddenly, a brilliant idea occurred to me. I looked at Sezare and asked casually.
“Would you perhaps like to meet the royal family?”
“Pardon?”
Seeing his bewildered expression, I felt like I’d reverted to being a professor recruiting graduate students. Perhaps because of that, my tongue moved more freely than usual.
“Born a commoner, rolling through the fields, yet I’ve risen to become a Marquis. Shouldn’t someone of the Empire’s royal blood see me at least once? Then when I die, I might think, ‘Ah, I lived a good life,’ don’t you think?”
“…What….”
Sezare tilted his head with a skeptical expression.
“…Is that so?”
“Then please proceed with the Pebble ore mine transaction, Marquis.”
And when such ambiguous attitudes emerged, one had to drive the wedge home.
“I’ll arrange for you to meet the imperial family.”
I possessed the right of imperial audience, granted to me after fulfilling the Emperor’s request.
“Pebble ore can be sold to anyone, but an opportunity like this—only I can provide it.”
Sezare’s eyes gleamed for a moment. Then he smiled and spoke.
“It seems our transaction will be concluded this time as well.”
Caught him, the Academy’s fool!
* * *
When we arrived at the Prelai Ducal Residence, darkness had already settled over the streets. As I stepped down from the carriage, Sezare personally escorted me, helping me descend.
“Then, Marquis, I’ll discuss the mine matter with my family and send a formal letter regarding the transaction.”
I spoke respectfully, looking up at Sezare.
“Thanks to you, I arrived comfortably. It seems the Prelai carriage hasn’t arrived yet.”
It was obvious they were stuck somewhere in the dense crowds near the main gate. In any case, thanks to Sezare, I had arrived faster than expected.
And now it was time to think about my next steps. For that, I needed to research several magical artifacts….
When autumn came soon, Seliet would send me Espra flower petals, so I could create recording magical artifacts. When I was researching recording magical artifacts at the Academy, I had regressed while stuck because I couldn’t obtain Espra flower petals. Yet to think it would be resolved like this.
“By the way, is the research laboratory at the Marquis’ Mansion well-equipped? I hope it’s implemented similarly to the Academy.”
“As you instructed last time, I’ve placed all the latest experimental equipment and various basic items. Please come and verify, and if you need anything else, please let me know.”
At those words, I subtly glanced back. Then, after catching sight of the Spy Maid with watchful eyes, I stood on my tiptoes and whispered solemnly into Sezare’s ear.
“First, please prepare plenty of premium coffee. That coffee was absolutely delicious.”
“…Yes. Of course coffee, and I’ll also prepare meals well for you.”
“My.”
In that moment, I thought that Sezare’s idea of “well-prepared meals” would be extraordinary. Unlike me, who thought merely supplying glucose to the brain was sufficient, he was someone who genuinely cared about food.
“You seem to need to gain a bit more weight. When I held you just now….”
Sezare, who had been speaking carelessly, suddenly stopped, embarrassed. Wait, he was acting like a seasoned player just moments ago—why is he acting like a young man now? Though it was dark night, I could see his ears turning red.
It wasn’t good. I felt embarrassed too. Despite having clearly drawn a line, the atmosphere hadn’t cooled at all. Come to think of it, I seemed to be dreaming a little myself.
I took a step back to create some distance, then spoke.
“Then I’ll come by tomorrow afternoon. If nothing comes up, I’ll visit every day.”
“Shall I send a carriage for you?”
“Is that necessary? My family has a carriage too.”
I pointed at the magnificent Prelai Ducal Residence with a bewildered expression. Sezare spoke with an embarrassed look.
“It’s just… anyway, since you’re researching for me, I don’t feel right just waiting idly with my hands folded….”
“Am I running a charity?”
I deliberately spoke loudly to erase the strange feeling.
“It’s all a transaction. In exchange for you officially being my fake lover and helping me avoid marriage to Lord Rodrigo….”
“Wait a moment.”
It was at that moment when Sezare Levin cut me off mid-sentence. His brow furrowed as he spun around sharply. Behind him, a man came galloping frantically on horseback.

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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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