A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 69

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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 69
Joshua stared intently at Kiana, whose mood was clearly deteriorating. She was visibly irritated—ever since the moment she laid eyes on Melissa again.
Kiana openly tormenting Melissa like she had in childhood benefited neither of them. It certainly wasn’t helping Kiana either.
“Kiana.”
Joshua spoke, his gaze fixed on her.
“How would you feel about staying at my house?”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“I thought it would be better than living here, seeing Melissa’s face every single day.”
Six years ago, even when Joshua and Alex were causing trouble together, Kiana’s torment of Melissa never went unnoticed. But now he was suggesting leaving only Melissa, Kiana, and Scari at the Ducal Residence?
For the first time in his life, Joshua felt the urge to show filial piety toward Scari.
“There’s no need for you to stay at the Ducal Residence, is there? My house has plenty of rooms. I’ll fill the dressing rooms to the brim for you. If you want, you can even bring your spy along.”
“Stop spouting nonsense. What crime did I commit that I should flee and avoid Melissa?”
“What crime did I commit to branch off from the family? I left home because I couldn’t stand the sight of Alex either. Ah, don’t misunderstand. It wasn’t because I found him repulsive—I was afraid of him.”
“…”
Kiana regarded Joshua with a look of contempt before asking quietly.
“Why? Are you worried about me?”
“Yes. I’m worried sick. Melissa will scratch you subtly, and you’ll throw a fit for all to see, making it obvious you’re the final aggressor. How is Grandfather supposed to handle you two alone?”
“Then come by every day. Or just stay here permanently. Things would be better if I at least had an older brother around.”
“What difference would my presence make? No matter how much they say this household won’t function without me…”
“Yes, it would make a difference.”
Kiana laughed with a sly grin.
“If you grant me one request.”
Joshua was venting his irritation freely when he suddenly caught sight of Kiana’s expression and flinched. Her face bore the unmistakable look of someone scheming—smug and eyes gleaming with something wild.
“Joshua.”
“Y-yes?”
“Promise me. Can you act according to my instructions for a while?”
And when Joshua heard Kiana’s instructions, his eyes widened. Even Lea, who had been quietly observing the situation, gasped in surprise.
“…Are you serious?”
Are you insane? Really? Did I mishear something?
Kiana nodded with confident laughter.
“Yes. I’m serious. It’s not difficult, is it? You can do it, right?”
“Hmm…”
“Surely you won’t refuse the request of a younger sister who suffered miserably throughout childhood at the hands of House of Purbis and the family physician in secret? You’re trash, but you’re not so thoroughly disposable that you’d refuse this.”
“…What on earth are you thinking, you…”
In the end, Joshua had no choice but to nod reluctantly.
“Fine. I understand.”
* * *
That night.
Kailon sat in prison, his appearance utterly disheveled. He had revealed everything he had hidden away. It hadn’t been particularly helpful since he knew nothing substantial about the mastermind.
‘I always knew a day like this would come.’
Kailon trembled as he recalled the moment when he had spoken of Enes’s time of death.
‘…I have no regrets. I protected my family.’
In any case, his family had survived until now.
‘And I am a selfish person.’
Kailon had no intention of denying his sins. He had simply chosen the people who mattered more to him.
Then, with a soft pattering sound, light footsteps reached his ears. Kailon barely opened his eyes and saw who had come to find him.
“…Your Highness?”
“Yes, Kailon. It’s me.”
Though the exact time was unclear, it was the middle of the night. Kiana stood before him without hesitation, dressed in a checkered indoor robe.
The image of young Kiana was vivid. She kept crying, saying she had dreams where her mother claimed to be wronged.
However, even Kailon did not believe that dream about losing her summoned creature to Melissa. He had served as the Prelai Family’s personal physician for a long time. Historically, such a thing had never happened even once. Moreover, it was unreasonable to believe every dream Kiana had simply because she dreamed it.
“In fact, that dream about the summoned creature is fundamentally different from the other dreams. A dream that occurs when one fails to summon a summoned creature in time is a snapshot of the past. That dream where Enes cried out in injustice was probably her appearance just before death.”
Kailon had been honest with Scari.
“But the summoned creature cried out saying ‘Originally, I was yours’? Piyak has never done such a thing. That is… not something that actually happened in the past, so it is reasonable to interpret it as merely Your Highness’s desire.”
Scari only wore a mysterious expression and left without answering. Indeed, he too must have been confused.
And now. Kiana, whose height had not grown much since childhood and possessed a small frame, gazed at him quietly.
Her delicate features bore a docile expression, but… Kailon knew Kiana well. She was someone who should never be underestimated.
He had prepared himself to hear whatever criticism she might level at him.
“I came because I have something to ask.”
Kiana’s tone was calm.
“I’ve already told the Duke everything….”
“No, not that. Something else.”
“…Yes?”
“Grandfather, your health isn’t good, is it?”
Kailon was momentarily stunned. It was as if this place were not a prison at all.
“I’m asking while the effects of Insight still linger. Grandfather must have told me not to reveal this.”
With such a casual and unbothered tone, even the events of today felt like a dream.
“At this rate, your health will deteriorate rapidly within a year… Where exactly is the problem and how severe is it?”
“That is….”
Because the effects of Insight still lingered, Kailon found himself answering faithfully without realizing it.
“It is merely the ailments of old age compounded by overwork. It is a condition brought on by excessive stress, so he must cease his duties immediately.”
“Will his health improve if he simply stops working?”
“Yes. In truth, given his advanced age…. In fact, the Duke sleeps only about three hours each day. That is why his health continues to deteriorate.”
Kiana sighed deeply with a troubled expression.
“Then I cannot simply pass the ducal title to someone else… There is no one else who has received successor training besides my father.”
The designation of a successor in House of Prelai was an extremely important matter. This was because it determined the main line and cadet branches, which subsequently connected to the summoning of summoned creatures. That was why Scari could not simply tell his grandsons “Just accept it!” in a casual manner regarding successor training.
Kailon nodded, contemplating the bleak future of House of Prelai.
“I acknowledge that the Duke is a cold person….”
He found himself voicing his own thoughts without realizing it.
“Yet he has borne that great burden without complaint for so long while respecting his grandsons’ freedom as much as possible. I hope you will not resent him too much.”
Then I suddenly froze. This wasn’t the atmosphere to be having such a conversation with Kiana, was it?
“Anyway, I understand. The treatment is quite simple, so that’s fortunate. I just need to bring Father here.”
Kiana nodded once and immediately turned to leave. Kailon was momentarily stunned.
How was he supposed to bring Hyde, whom no one could retrieve? Moreover, she was leaving just like that? Without expressing any anger whatsoever?
In the end, Kailon found himself asking, watching the back of Kiana, who was practically his granddaughter.
“…Are you leaving? Is that all?”
“Yes.”
Kiana answered without even turning around.
“I got the answer I was curious about, so there’s nothing more to see.”
“…Are you not angry with me?”
“What would change if I got angry with you now? It’s already done.”
“….”
“Grandfather has already arranged everything ruthlessly, so there’s no need for me to waste energy on this too.”
“….”
“I understand well enough. I know the real culprit is someone else.”
“….”
“That said, I have no intention of forgiving you. You understand that much, don’t you?”
“…Please do not forgive me.”
At his sincere words, Kiana answered dismissively.
“How presumptuous. That’s not a decision you get to make.”
Kiana tossed out the words carelessly.
That was truly the end of it. Kiana moved forward without any change in expression.
Clever and indifferent, arrogant and aloof. Kailon could only laugh bitterly. It wasn’t mercy or consideration. It was an attitude of ‘I don’t even have the energy to care about someone like you.’ In the game she was playing, Kailon was merely an insignificant chess piece.
Watching her, Kailon impulsively cried out.
“…Your Highness! Wait a moment…. I have something to tell you!”

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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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