A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 70

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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 70
“What is it?”
Kiana turned around with an expression of utmost annoyance.
“Don’t you dare waste my time spouting unnecessary sentimentality for your own peace of mind. My time is precious.”
“It’s not sentimental talk.”
Kailon spoke while meeting Kiana’s gaze.
“I have been researching the Prelai for a long time.”
“Is there anyone here who doesn’t know that? Cut the useless words and just tell me the conclusion.”
“The dream about Piyak is… likely not real. It didn’t happen in the past.”
Kiana responded with an unsurprised expression, her tone flat.
“I already knew that much. That’s why I’m not claiming Piyak was originally mine in the first place.”
Her eyes held no particular emotion.
“Officially, even Grandfather couldn’t say Piyak is mine. Dreams with different qualities cannot serve as evidence, and I’ve never heard of anyone unable to summon their creature.”
“Y-yes, that’s true.”
“Daram’s opinion is merely a ‘feeling,’ so it’s not appropriate as objective proof either.”
“You certainly understand well….”
Kailon answered awkwardly, then spoke with gravity.
“However… if Piyak truly is the Princess’s summoned creature… the power that has been sealed all this time might be released all at once. Very, extraordinarily powerful.”
“When?”
“… Perhaps when a true summoning takes place… I suspect. Beyond that, I’m not certain either.”
“I understand.”
The response was short and concise.
“It’s not immediately helpful, but I’ll keep it in mind regardless.”
“Yes….”
“You’re not going to ask for leniency just because you told me this, are you?”
“Absolutely not.”
“At least you have some shame.”
And Kiana moved forward without hesitation. Her light footsteps gradually faded away.
Kailon closed his eyes. He thought of that vague presence—the vast, damp, and malevolent force behind it all. He had stayed long at the Prelai Ducal Residence and observed the Prelai people. He believed Scari, Alex, and Joshua could not face the one behind this.
But….
‘Will the Princess be able to avenge Enes?’
* * *
The next morning at dawn.
As soon as the sun broke, Julius, who had finished preparations for departure, embraced me tightly at the manor gates. With the Northern Region unable to remain vacant for long, Julius had no further reason to stay at the manor.
“Kiki.”
I nestled into Julius’s embrace. Not particularly reliable, but always a source of strength from afar.
“If things go wrong, I’ll come running anytime and kill them all. Bwahahaha!”
Well, that doesn’t seem very reassuring either….
“Those Purbs bastards’ heating stones—I’ll dispose of them all as soon as we arrive….”
“Dispose of them?! What a waste! The items aren’t at fault! They’re separate!”
I cried out in alarm.
“Please don’t discard it—use every last bit! And I’ll send you instructions on making hand warmers from Pebble powder by letter soon.”
【Yes. Leave the handling to me.】
Daram spoke solemnly, and only then did I feel reassured.
“Our clever Kiki…. If you hadn’t seen through our physician Kailon, we would still know nothing.”
Julius stroked my head as he spoke.
“Enes will be delighted in heaven, knowing she gave birth to such a brilliant daughter.”
“That’s not quite right yet.”
I shook my head with a slight smile.
“Nothing’s been revealed yet, so hearing such things makes me a bit embarrassed.”
“Come visit the Northern Region when you have time.”
Julius extended his large pinky finger as he spoke.
“I wanted to call for you, but I was cautious, worried you might think poorly of me. Now I can invite you without any hesitation.”
His rough words carried genuine sincerity. All this time, Julius had refrained from inviting me because he feared I might think, “Does Julius also believe I’m unworthy of staying at the Prelai Ducal Residence?” That was because only direct descendants could officially reside at the Prelai Ducal Residence in the Capital.
Melissa had come to the Ducal Residence for upbringing when she was a minor, and even after reaching adulthood, she’d simply continued living there with the vague excuse of “I’ll be married soon anyway.” But now that Mother’s innocence had been revealed, even I no longer questioned my own origins.
And so Julius left without even greeting Grandfather, meeting only me before departing. Grandfather and Julius’s entire farewell the previous night had been nothing but grumbling, “See you in ten years. Stay alive.” The history of the Prelai family seemed to be nothing but chaos itself.
Of course, Grandfather didn’t forget to add that “you can be at ease there because I, the acting head, maintain proper order.”
“Oh…. Kiana.”
After seeing Julius off and returning to the garden within the Ducal Residence, I encountered Melissa standing on the dew-covered grass with a dispirited expression. She looked completely different from the disheveled state of last night. With her lustrous blonde hair neatly groomed and dressed in an elegant gown, she appeared like a different person entirely.
She blinked her eyes and rose up on her tiptoes.
“Julius has left? I’ve never even seen Julius before…. You’re coming back from greeting him, Kiana. Ah, I wanted to pay my respects too….”
Ten years ago, when Julius visited, it happened to be before Melissa arrived. So Melissa had never encountered Julius. I shrugged and assured her there was no need to regret missing the farewell.
“What greeting is needed between people who’ve never met? Julius cares for me greatly, but he can’t even remember your name. Are we in the same position?”
In fact, I could bet a hundred gold that Julius doesn’t remember Melissa’s name. He sometimes even confuses the names of Alex and Joshua.
Melissa hung her head and muttered.
“Ah, I see….”
And all the servants cleaning the garden witnessed this moment.
“That’s right. I’m… definitely different from the direct line…. Sorry, Kiana. I presumed to consider myself equal to you without knowing my place.”
Melissa’s face looked dejected, unable to finish her words. So I, with deep consideration, spoke the words she seemed to want to say.
“Melissa, why don’t you just be honest? Say that it’s infuriating how a direct descendant can’t even summon a creature. Stop beating around the bush with all this talk of ‘direct line’ this and ‘direct line’ that.”
“K-Kiana! How can you say such things so carelessly?”
“I wasn’t careless with my words. I’m using my vocal cords perfectly normally right now.”
That’s when I heard it—a soft fluttering sound: flutter-flutter-flutter.
‘Oh!’
I startled and turned around. Sure enough, Piyak was returning.
‘Why, why so fast? Last time it took just under a full day…. I thought it would arrive before lunch.’
The travel time had definitely become much faster than before. I hadn’t overlooked the possibility of variables, but this timing was truly unexpected.
【Kiana! I came back because I left a note…..】
Piyak flew toward me excitedly but stopped upon spotting Melissa. The usually confident Piyak’s eyes wavered slightly.
【…M-Melissa?】
“Piyak!”
Melissa reached out her hand with a radiant smile.
“It’s been so long, Piyak! I missed you so much! Really, really so much!”
【Uh… Um… Melissa, what’s going on here…?】
Piyak stood right between me and Melissa, wearing an expression of utter bewilderment.
“Piyak, I’ve come back.”
【What?】
“I’m quitting being a Priestess. I’m returning as Melissa Prelai again.”
Piyak looked between me and Melissa with confused eyes. Of course, I was just as bewildered by this situation.
【Melissa is no longer Prelai. Summoned creatures don’t pledge loyalty to those who aren’t Prelai. Even if she were cruel, it would be right for her to go to another Prelai instead.】
Right after my regression, Piyak had said such things and come to me. But now Melissa had returned saying, ‘I’m going to be Prelai again!’

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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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