A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 90

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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 90
“What is the meaning of this?”
As the commotion failed to settle after a considerable time, Third Empress Dolores, who had been observing from the seat of honor, slowly rose to her feet. She had her crimson hair swept up high and wore an elaborate gown. Yet the moment Dolores stood, Seliet shrank back into herself.
A sharp voice flowed from Dolores’s lips.
“So then.”
Dolores was essentially the organizer of this charity event. Therefore, the instant she spoke, everyone fell silent.
“Someone’s donated ‘Edta’s Ring’ has gone missing?”
“Y-yes, it appears so, Your Majesty.”
The participants could only access the curtained table individually. This meant it was structured in a way that allowed one to steal small items while pretending to make a donation. Such incidents had never occurred before, but ‘Edta’s Ring’ was an exceptionally valuable piece.
Dolores furrowed her brow as she spoke.
“That ring was my donation.”
At those words, everyone began to murmur.
So it truly was no ordinary object—it had been the Empress’s donation after all. Yet for a treasure donated by the Empress at a charity event to be stolen… what an absurd incident this was.
“The Cordiac Charity has never experienced such an occurrence.”
It was only natural that such unseemly incidents had never happened when only high-ranking nobles participated.
“To have such a shameful incident occur at a gathering meant to do good works.”
Dolores continued with a solemn expression.
“I will conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. Should the thief be identified…”
She took a deep breath and made her declaration.
“They will face strict punishment according to law.”
At those words, everyone began to stir nervously.
While Imperial law was indeed strict, nobles were often let off with mere bail payments. To truly follow the law rigorously would constitute considerably severe punishment.
“Loyte, Acting Captain of the Guard?”
At Dolores’s words, Loyte, who had been standing in tension, stepped forward.
Loyte was a dignified elderly man with white hair, and he was the retired Head of the Guard. However, since the current Head of the Guard, Nix, was unable to fulfill his duties due to injury, Loyte had temporarily taken his place.
The Head of the Guard had traditionally held the role of selecting the “protagonist” at this charity event. The reasoning was that they would judge with objective eyes which items truly benefited society. Of course, typically the most expensive item was selected.
“Fortunate that there are guards present. Conduct the investigation yourself and make the arrest.”
That was when it happened.
“Acting Captain of the Guard.”
Someone raised their hand with a trembling voice and stepped forward.
“I have something to report.”
It was Lord Rodrigo with a solemn expression. Drawing all eyes upon himself, Rodrigo spoke with determination.
“Search Lady Kiana’s person first.”
Everyone gasped and turned to look at Kiana. Kiana herself, however, remained perfectly composed, merely shrugging her shoulders once while holding her wine glass.
Rodrigo continued, rolling his eyes.
“My sister and I approached the Lady’s side earlier, and when we drew near, I saw ‘Edta’s Ring’ hidden in the folds of her dress.”
Everyone let out gasps and sighs. No one was unaware that Judith and Rodrigo had approached Kiana earlier. Now that he mentioned it, it seemed Rodrigo had said something like “do not do things shameful before others.”
“Really?”
The moment Rodrigo finished speaking, Judith rushed toward Kiana.
“Let me see!”
Then I grabbed her wrist and yanked her to her feet.
“Hey.”
With both wrists seized, I fixed Judith with a low warning.
“That hurts.”
My voice was completely unexcited, yet somehow unsettling enough to make everyone flinch.
“If my wrist gets damaged, are you going to take responsibility? Can you really bear such an enormous loss to humanity?”
Judith paid no mind and pulled me forward. The force of her grip made me stumble.
Soon, something tumbled out from between my swaying skirts with a soft thud. It was unmistakably “Edta’s Ring.” Everyone gasped and opened their mouths in shock.
“Good heavens!”
“It really is Edta’s Ring!”
“Lady Kiana… then…”
Judith cried out triumphantly while still gripping my wrist.
“So it was you who stole it after all, Kiana?”
Lord Rodrigo chimed in.
“There have been no theft incidents at the Cordiac Charity until now. The moment Lady Kiana attended, this happened. And as you know… Lady Kiana is…”
Lord Rodrigo’s words trailed off, but everyone could fill in the rest.
My reputation was utterly ruined. I had no close friends, and my lover was a provincial noble of commoner birth with no backing in the Capital. There was no other Prelai here to take my side. Even Sezare, who came with me, was simply observing the situation without concern.
“I… I really tried to hide even this aspect of you.”
Judith spoke with tears glistening in her eyes.
“But for you to do this… to slander us and drive a wedge between our houses. Now I have no choice, Kiana. Wrong is wrong. And bad people must be punished.”
To that, I answered calmly.
“Yeah, that’s right. I think so too. Finally, something of value comes out of that mouth that spouts nothing but nonsense. Bad people deserve punishment.”
It was a composure that even the onlookers found bewildering. There was something about it that felt like watching someone who had truly lost their mind… The unified checkered outfit from head to toe only amplified the atmosphere that she should not be touched.
Judith flinched slightly, but continued with an even more dramatic tone.
“You’ve always been the type to covet what belongs to others. You even insisted that Melissa’s summoned beast was yours.”
Everyone knew that story. Six years ago at some event, I had pushed Melissa and openly shouted that “your summoned beast was originally mine.”
“And that habit of yours hasn’t gone away, has it?”
Judith sighed deeply and released both my wrists. She was about to pick up “Edta’s Ring” that had fallen to the ground and was rolling across the grass.
That’s when I gave a low command.
“Stop.”
The tone was so accustomed to commanding that even the other onlookers, not just Judith, momentarily held their breath.
“I appreciate your enthusiasm to tear me down in every way possible, but could you preserve the crime scene for now, Judith?”
I smiled darkly.
My goodness. Kiana, always expressionless, was smiling. It was terrifying. Even Dolores, sitting arrogantly in the distance, was seized by vague unease.
“…What?”
Judith herself unconsciously took a step back. I smiled faintly and spoke.
“Because I need to catch the real culprit.”

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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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