A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 89

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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 89
“Would you like me to check on that?”
At Sezare’s question, Kiana let out a soft giggle.
“I didn’t even ask you to…”
“It’s become a habit before I knew it.”
Sezare spoke with an embarrassed smile, as if surprised at himself. Kiana regarded him gently and said, “My Lord, I fear I may have corrupted you. After today, you really don’t need to assist me anymore.”
“Your Grace, it seems I’ve ruined someone… With today being the last, I can finally stop working as an assistant now.”
“Stop? But why?”
“I can achieve similar results by simply replenishing stimulants, coffee, digestive aids, and glucose. Besides, the remaining research is now only your commission.”
At her words, Sezare cut her off sharply.
“That won’t do. I’d rather continue living like this.”
Kiana was somewhat taken aback, having offered what she considered extraordinary kindness, only to be flatly rejected.
“Then abandon the research instead.”
But Sezare remained resolute.
“The magical artifact we contracted for—I don’t need it anymore.”
Kiana blinked in disbelief. What? The very person who had been so passionate about developing that artifact before and after my regression—why on earth would he say that?
So she asked, somewhat incredulously.
“…But we’re just about to complete it? All this time, you’ve only assisted me with magical artifact creation based on my schedule, adjusting to my needs?”
“You can stop immediately.”
At his firm response, Kiana bit her lower lip slightly.
The only people who had ever told me to abandon my research were Grandfather and Joshua. They couldn’t bear to watch me damage my body so severely. Kiana was no fool, and she understood that their words stemmed from affection for me.
Kiana studied Sezare intently.
Logically, she knew that trash shouldn’t be repaired—it should be discarded.
But through all our research together, she had felt something. This was genuine care and concern. Having once been a graduate student herself, she understood well that this couldn’t simply be the mindset of a high-ranking nobleman trying to seduce her once.
In truth, on the day she had exposed Melissa’s secrets, when she saw him rush to the Tower out of worry… there was something she had wanted to ask him then.
Kiana looked at Sezare and suddenly spoke.
“My Lord.”
“Yes?”
“Actually, at the banquet… I thought you were trying to seduce me. I do have quite an impressive background, after all.”
“…Mm.”
Sezare’s expression showed slight surprise.
“You’re saying that so… directly? Here?”
“How else should I say it? Should I have said you were being flirtatious?”
“…”
He hesitated somewhat before answering.
“Only half of it was true.”
“Is that so?”
Kiana observed Sezare carefully.
There had been no shortage of people trying to seduce her. Even without looking far, Lord Rodrigo alone had tried to wield his masculine charm. But this… was truly different from that.
Kiana felt an unfamiliar emotion and asked in one breath.
“Do you perhaps care for me?”
Sezare responded to the question with a faint smile, seeming quite flustered.
“This again… asking me like this, here of all places.”
“Then how should I ask?”
“No, it’s a very fitting question for a Princess.”
Sezare gazed steadily into Kiana’s eyes as he spoke.
“To answer your question, yes.”
In that instant, Kiana’s ears flushed crimson.
Though she had anticipated it, an inexplicably flustered emotion washed over her. Her toes tingled even more intensely than when she had brazenly seduced him face-to-face.
“I do, Princess.”
Sezare chuckled softly, propping his chin on his hand.
“More than anything else in this world, by now.”
His gaze pierced through her. In that moment, Kiana read an immense desire in his eyes.
“Originally, I refrained from expressing it, fearing it might burden you.”
In an exceedingly courteous tone that carefully suppressed that raw desire, Sezare continued slowly.
“Since you’ve asked, I should naturally answer you in the most detailed manner I’m capable of.”
At his graceful yet mischievous words, Kiana’s cheeks flushed instantly.
They were pretending to be lovers, so naturally they sat close together affectionately.
“I’m confident in my ability to express it.”
Sezare casually tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. His fingertips traced from her ear down the nape of her neck, lightly brushing her collarbone before reluctantly withdrawing.
“So, Professor.”
With an unabashed gaze and composed features, he added playfully.
“If you desire it, tell me anytime. I’m always restraining myself, and your assistant always listens well to what the Professor says.”
This was also a response to Kiana’s earlier remark about wanting a stimulant rather than living as the Professor’s assistant.
Honey seemed to drip from Sezare’s eyes, and his voice was soft and sweet. Kiana’s reason screamed at her—this was dangerous, don’t listen further.
But Kiana’s instincts were crying out, ‘What are you saying? I’ve already fallen.’
That was when it happened.
“Kiana.”
Uninvited guests arrived at their table.
“You look well?”
It was Judith and Lord Rodrigo.
Kiana glanced at Judith, then shrugged and replied.
“Yeah, I’m good. You look bad though. Is life without money that hard? Your eyes look hollow—you seem to be struggling, girl.”
Kiana didn’t employ the indirect speech patterns of high society at all, so Judith was taken aback. She felt everyone’s gaze on the dark circles beneath her eyes, and her cheeks flushed.
In an instant, all eyes turned toward them.
Relations between Prelai and House Purbis had reached their worst, and rumors that Kiana was the cause had already spread. This was because Lorelai had already disseminated the matter between them.
Opinions had split precisely into two camps: those who said House Purbis hadn’t spoken falsely, and those who believed such words shouldn’t be directed at a child regardless.
“Princess.”
Lord Rodrigo spoke quietly, yet loud enough for many to hear.
“I hope you will not do anything shameful before others.”
“What are you talking about?”
Kiana tilted her head as she spoke.
“If you say things without any context like that, it’s rather confusing for me. How is anyone supposed to understand that?”
“It means you should promptly return things to their proper places.”
Lord Rodrigo’s words lacked any context. Kiana’s expression grew even more bewildered. She shot back irritably.
“Then perhaps you should return your own lost sense of propriety, sir. Or did you never have one to begin with?”
She turned her head away sharply, her expression making it clear she had no desire to continue the conversation.
“Well, all donations have been completed.”
Just then, the Announcer tapped a wine glass to draw everyone’s attention.
“Now, let us reveal today’s donated items!”
The curtain covering the table was drawn back. This was truly the highlight of the Cordiac Charity Meeting.
Many people eagerly approached the table. It was piled high with donated items. People began examining the objects and chatting amongst themselves.
“Wow, there’s even ‘Erolla’s Evening’? The colors are so beautiful to see in person.”
“This is genuinely high-quality bandaging material. The medical center would be thrilled to have it.”
“The first edition of the ‘Ethnin History’! Shouldn’t this be donated to a museum?”
Among them, there were items that received outright criticism.
“My goodness, who donated ink….”
“Ink? But it looks transparent….”
“Did they just fill an ink bottle with water and submit it? How could someone donate something like this….”
“Even if the donor remains anonymous, this is far too thoughtless.”
Yet even that failed to hold attention for long. Suddenly, the gathered crowd began to murmur.
“Wait. I could have sworn I saw ‘Edta’s Ring’ earlier?”
“That’s right. ‘Edta’s Ring’—I saw it too!”
“Oh dear… where did it go? I saw it as well.”
“I came back to the table specifically to see it again. Where is it?”
Testimonies from people who had seen ‘Edta’s Ring’ continued to pour in. Yet despite many searching through the table, ‘Edta’s Ring’ was nowhere to be found.

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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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