A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 88

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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 88
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There were several days before the Kodiak Charity Gala. During that time, Sezare and I crafted several magical artifacts. Among them was a recording artifact that used Espra flower petals that Seliet had sent.
In the meantime, Piyak delivered my letters and brought back replies as well. He complained about not wanting to work, but the time was definitely getting shorter. The first time he brought back a reply, it seemed to take just under a week, but this time it took barely three days.
The reply began with a sentence that seemed somewhat flustered.
What are you talking about? Before the regression, I watched you go all the way to the gallows without lifting a finger… I let out a scoff, but my eyes widened at the next sentence that followed.
‘Fireworks?’
There weren’t many people in the Riloni Duchy Academy with the wealth to purchase fireworks. Besides, it was true that I had wanted to see fireworks even once during that time….
A memory naturally came to mind.
“Those fireworks were prepared for the Crown Prince’s seventeenth birthday celebration. It’s said that he personally instructed their preparation because he wanted to show them to someone.”
I swallowed dryly. I also knew the price directly, having looked it up myself—fireworks were extremely expensive and not something just anyone could buy. The past me had a history of buying fireworks for someone I knew? This was as good as directly revealing my identity.
The protagonist of Room 1135 was indeed the Crown Prince, as I had suspected. The possibility that he was a secret figure on the Crown Prince’s side rather than the person himself had vanished. And the fact that he revealed his identity so blatantly….
To nail it down so firmly with “that’s a misunderstanding”… But that’s what actually happened.
‘What’s going on? The way he’s saying this, it doesn’t seem like he’s someone who would pretend not to know about my execution….’
But since it was now in the past, I couldn’t ask even if I wanted to. I simply felt strange and stared at the letter for a while. It was because I remembered the glittering fireworks I had seen from the carriage on Hiton’s birthday celebration.
‘Those fireworks were for me?’
Suddenly, I remembered young me looking at the Riloni Academy’s professor—or rather, merchant—and saying, “I wish I could see fireworks.”
‘There were many children my age around at that time, including the Crown Prince….’
So the Crown Prince heard my words back then and purchased the fireworks?
Until then, I had been scribbling replies carelessly, but now that my heart felt unsettled, I became confused about what to write.
“Piyak, rest for a while. There’s nothing urgent I need to convey right now anyway….”
So I gave Piyak a brief vacation.
“Instead, I’ll take you somewhere fun to see during that time.”
【Huh? What is it? Are we going to some disreputable place like a club house to see handsome men again?】
“No, that’s not it….”
I slowly folded the letter as I spoke.
“The Kodiak Charity Gala—it’s where you went with Melissa before the regression.”
Piyak blinked. His expression suggested nothing good had happened there.
“But you shouldn’t come from the beginning. You need to arrive in the middle. Understand?”
【But… well, that place… right now, Kiana’s enemies are literally everywhere…..】
“It’s fine. Something quite interesting will happen this time.”
I laughed with confidence.
* * *
The Kodiak Charity Gala was an event that high-ranking nobles, key officials, and members of the imperial family attended every year. Although called a charity gala, it was strictly an event for them alone. Guards and maids were not permitted to attend.
There was naturally a reason for this.
Those who participated in the Kodiak Charity Gala donated one precious item each for society. People placed their items anonymously on a massive table surrounded by curtains. Then, at the end of the event, when the Captain of the Guard selected “the finest donation for society,” the identity of the donor would be revealed.
The person selected as the donor received a plaque of gratitude, which was considerable honor. Thus, the table was always piled with valuable items. To prevent theft during this process, personal guards or maids were not permitted to attend.
So the maids of the host, the Imperial Consort, would circulate and serve only wine at the tables.
“Princess Kiana Prelai enters!”
“Count Sezare Levin enters!”
And at an appropriate time, Kiana entered with her lover. In her vibrant checkered dress, Kiana immediately drew everyone’s attention.
“My goodness. She’s brought the most dazzling accessory with her.”
“Yes. That accessory’s name is Sezare Levin, I believe?”
The sculpted man clinging to Kiana’s side had the effect of making everything about her shine. Though strangely difficult to remember, it was undeniable that upon meeting him, one felt breathless at his beauty.
“I’ve decided. I’m buying that checkered dress today. It won’t seem like I’m just copying her, will it?”
“It’s fine. I’m buying one too. Let’s just pretend it’s a trend.”
“Aren’t you still afraid of inviting us to your tea party? I feel like she’ll get angry, asking why someone like you would invite her…”
“In the end, even Princess Melissa—or rather, the Saint—returned to the convent. She couldn’t endure it…”
While the timid young ladies whispered among themselves, Kiana sat at the table without a care.
“Hmm…”
But everyone watching the process swallowed hard. Sezare, Kiana’s lover, pulled out her chair and quickly served finger foods with the practiced ease of a skilled servant.
“What is this? It must be difficult to attend to someone with such refined grace.”
“He moves with such aristocratic bearing while performing the duties of an excellent servant.”
“Perhaps because he’s of commoner origin? The way he attends to the Princess’s every comfort seems to be ingrained in his very nature.”
“I’ve only seen that kind of thing at the academy in the Riloni Kingdom. Like a graduate student attending to a professor…”
In any case, Kiana looked around with an indifferent expression. Then, without delay, she went to the table hidden behind curtains and left her donation. Those who had been watching her as if entranced began gossiping again.
“Oh, did you see that? Someone left ‘Edta’s Ring.'”
“My goodness, that’s right! I nearly fainted.”
“‘Edta’s Ring’… my goodness… who could have possessed such a thing?”
“We just need to wait an hour. Naturally, that person will be the star of this charity event!”
Though no one knew who had left it, the donation table certainly held a jewel that captured everyone’s gaze. It was ‘Edta’s Ring’—a massive sapphire ring that had been traded for 20.23 million telso at an auction house.
20.23 million telso was enough to cover a small merchant company’s annual operating expenses. For such an enormous treasure to be donated to a charity event, it was obvious that whoever the donor was would become the star, without question.
Amid this gossip, Kiana and Sezare remained seated at their own table, separate from the others. Then one of the Third Empress’s maids approached them with a wine bottle.
“Good evening, Princess Kiana Prelai and Count Sezare Levin. Welcome to the charity event.”
The woman, who introduced herself as the Countess of Alcyone, skillfully poured wine directly for Kiana.
“It’s an honor to meet you in person. Please enjoy yourselves.”
She, one of the maids of Third Empress Dolores, offered her greeting with hollow politeness before gracefully withdrawing.
“Did you see?”
At that moment, Kiana spoke casually. Sezare slowly nodded.
“Yes. Did you also see it, Princess?”
Sezare likewise asked in a low voice.
“Yes. I handled that part well too.”

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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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