A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 87

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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 87
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After Piyak left, several letters arrived.
The first was from Seliet.
And the package enclosed with it was filled to the brim with Espra flower petals.
‘Perfect!’
Now I had the materials to create the next magical artifact.
The next letter came from Joshua. He had immediately begun gathering intelligence and started sharing it with me right away.
The Third Queen… Hitten’s biological mother and the true power behind the current political faction, Dolores.
‘A private tea time together… This is the level of appeal that suggests considerable intimacy to the public?’
But Julius had clearly said that Dolores had disrespected my mother.
‘Julius may lack some intelligence, but he certainly doesn’t lack the ability to read people.’
Rather, because he didn’t complicate various situations, he was capable of grasping relationships accurately.
‘Even being generous a hundred times over, I could hypothesize that it was thoughtless behavior from childhood and they grew close again…’
I furrowed my brow, lost in thought.
‘But she didn’t seem like the type of person whose character would mature.’
It was true in the original work, and judging by how she treated Seliet now as well. In any case, since the Third Queen was also Hitten’s biological mother and something felt off, I decided I should investigate.
‘But the problem is that I have no connections in high society. How can I assess anything without having a reason to meet…’
I furrowed my brow in thought.
‘I wish she would approach me first.’
And remarkably, that wish was granted immediately. The next letter was an invitation to the Cordiac Charity from the Third Queen herself.
‘This…’
Until now, Dolores and I had no particular points of contact. Yet she sent an invitation directly.
‘And this invitation… it’s in the original work. Melissa received it during this period.’
In the original work, the Empress had viewed Melissa with disdain and deliberately sent an invitation written in red letters. The people of the Empire didn’t know, but in Dolores’s homeland of Luchia Duchy, there was a superstition that red letters conveyed misfortune. I had no idea either, and in the original work, Melissa only learned this fact much later.
And the invitation that came to me was also written in red letters.
I let out a dry laugh and slowly stood up. Dolores had undoubtedly judged me to be an irritating presence.
‘This is fate.’
I was already racking my brain trying to get entangled with her, so this was like good fortune.
‘But what bothers me is just one thing—that she ignored Hitten’s opinion. She’s being troublesome over something so trivial. What’s going on with this massive ego?’
Fortune was fortune, but my mood was sour. No matter how I thought about it, Julius’s words about her disrespecting my mother in childhood seemed correct. And it appeared she had grown up with that same character intact.
“Spy Maid!”
“Yes?”
The Spy Maid came running in a panic. I spoke with a determined expression.
“Let’s go to Levin Manor.”
If Dolores was truly laying a trap for me, I couldn’t just sit back and take it.
‘These provincial fools of the Empire don’t understand the power of science.’
Until now, I had only used my creations sparingly for family and those close to me, so no one in the Empire knew what extraordinary magical artifacts I was making. That made it an incredible strategic tool for me.
All the magical artifacts I intended to use this time were already complete in design. So there was no time needed for research—I just had to manufacture them.
That morning, I went to the Manor and spoke.
“Count, starting today I’m planning to create the magical artifacts you desire.”
“Yes.”
“I have magical artifacts I need for the Cordiac Charity, so… after my usual research hours end, would it be alright if I used the Research Lab a bit longer?”
I’d expected an obvious yes. After all, I was simply asking to spend extra time on additional creations by myself.
I hadn’t mentioned it to Sezare, but I already had the manufacturing method for the magical artifact he wanted memorized, so I could make it quickly. The only issue was that I’d created it when I was very young, and I wanted to refine it based on my current knowledge.
“…The Cordiac Charity.”
Sezare murmured without much surprise. His expression made it clear he already knew I’d received an invitation.
‘Well, the Cordiac Charity is such a grand event that it’s natural for invitation lists to circulate everywhere, I suppose?’
It was called a charity, but in reality it was a large social gathering.
“It seems a place like that would require an escort—a lover’s escort, that is.”
He spoke slowly, his eyes fixed on mine.
“Wouldn’t you say?”
So he wanted to go together. I shrugged my shoulders and offered sincere advice.
“You’d be better off not coming. The odds of witnessing something unpleasant are quite high.”
And Sezare responded without hesitation.
“Witnessing unpleasant things is actually my hobby. I see pleasant things every day in the mirror, after all.”
So I smiled warmly and readily gave my permission.
“Well, despite my genuine advice, if you insist on coming to witness something unpleasant, do as you wish.”
In fact, just days ago while I was grappling with Melissa, a bill passed that would impose immediate imprisonment for anyone smuggling military supplies abroad.
‘As expected, she’s targeting the Empress now.’
In the previous timeline, Dolores had also passed this bill around this time. And using it, she’d actually brought down the Empress.
‘The Third Queen is entangled in far more affairs than I thought.’
It bothered me that she was smoothly handling so many matters to simply be dismissed as Hitten’s biological mother.
“Princess.”
Sezare spoke quietly, his gaze fixed on me.
“I’ve heard that the Third Queen possesses such a petty nature that she forgets even the smallest grievances.”
His tone suddenly became serious.
“As you said, it would be better if you didn’t attend. To be honest, I wanted to advise against your attendance rather than offer to escort you.”
Hmm, the accuracy of rumors that Sezare picked up from wherever he wandered was quite high. Because of that, I abandoned any hope that the Crown Prince might have a son. It seemed Sezare’s information would likely be accurate.
“It’s fine. I’m equally petty.”
I answered calmly.
“Whatever she plans, I’ll return it in kind. I’m someone who calculates precisely.”
“…In that case, I’ll accompany you regardless. I heard that even Guards or Maids cannot attend that charity.”
Sezare spoke in a low voice.
“Even if something happens there, the Princess will certainly be fine, so don’t worry.”
Just from his eyes alone, he looked ready to protect me even at the world’s end. So I responded to Sezare with genuine gratitude.
“You’re not very trustworthy, boasting like that when you couldn’t even break through a slum crowd, but I am grateful nonetheless.”
“….”
“If I need protection, I can just ask Prince Avian. He’ll probably be attending anyway.”
I shrugged my shoulders and spoke.
“However, if the Count insists on coming, then by all means—come and assist.”
In truth, that wasn’t really meant as “just be my assistant.” To be honest, it was a provocation with the intent of “are you really willing to follow me even after this?” I was petty enough to worry that Sezare might find Dolores as grating as I did, and deep down, I hoped he wouldn’t come. I was already marked, but I didn’t want the damage to extend to him.
Yet Sezare chuckled softly and nodded.
“Yes. If not an escort, then an assistant will do.”
At his surprisingly willing agreement, I stared at him, and he responded as if asking what the problem was.
“I’m a pushover, Princess.”
No, but when someone with such a fierce face says something like that with such ease, the contrast is far too jarring….
He curled the corners of his mouth upward and added languidly.
“I believe I mentioned it before.”
But still… was “pushover” really such an intimidating yet sweet word?
“And though it’s late, regarding your earlier question—you cannot use the Research Lab for additional time.”
“Pardon?”
Caught completely off guard by this refusal, I asked in surprise.
“Wait, you just said you’re a pushover? But I can’t use the Research Lab for just one more hour?”
“You cannot. You already retire quite late as it is, Princess.”
Sezare spoke with finality.
“Truth be told, even sending you off this late already weighs on my conscience because of my own selfish desires. Please don’t make me into more of a scoundrel than I already am.”
What is this—why does he say such sweet things with such a resolute expression? My ears felt like they were burning in an instant.
“My commission can be postponed. It’s not particularly urgent anyway.”
“What? No, you’re postponing it again?”
“Let’s prioritize the magical tools research needed for the Cordiac Charity first. We’ll begin my commission after the Cordiac Charity is complete.”
“No, I mean… you’re making me feel terrible….”
“Isn’t adjusting the schedule part of an assistant’s duties?”
Sezare spoke with fluid smoothness. And as if to forestall further argument, he changed the subject.
“So then….”
His deep smile was so beautiful that I found myself blinking for a moment.
“What sort of remarkable magical tool will you be creating this time, Princess?”
Sezare’s expression carried a subtle note of anticipation.
“I’m quite honored to be the first to see it.”
Faced with his genuine eagerness for the magical tools meant for the Cordiac Charity, I could only nod in agreement.

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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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