A Strange But Effective Villainess Life - Chapter 96

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 96
“What business could the Crown Prince’s Palace attendant possibly have with me?”
As the conversation was about to begin, I regarded him with a disinterested expression.
“Speak quickly and get out. I’m in a foul mood right now.”
“Pardon? But why would you be in such a foul mood….”
“Obviously because I have to look at your ugly face.”
“….”
“You’re merely an attendant, and I am the Princess of Prelai. You shouldn’t dare show a dissatisfied expression. If I lose my patience, you might lose your head.”
Ben hastily forced his lips upward, though his facial muscles trembled visibly.
“I’m… terribly sorry for my ugly face, Princess.”
“Good. From now on, live apologizing to everyone who sees your face.”
“Yes, I will do so.”
“Attach ‘I apologize’ to every word you speak.”
“Yes, I will do so. I apologize.”
Ben forced a laugh. I could see in his eyes that he was thinking, ‘I knew she was wicked, but is she really this bad?’
In truth, he wasn’t that ugly, but I simply wanted to criticize him. Remembering how he had been presumptuous with the Princess, I felt even more inclined to suppress him with my status. Still, since he had come to find me, I decided to graciously ask what business had brought him here.
“In any case, since you have such an unpleasant face I’d rather not see, state your business and leave. Why did you come?”
“That is….”
Ben trailed off, apparently forgetting my instruction to append ‘I apologize’ to his words. Well, people could forget. Still, since we lived in a hierarchical society, rules had to be maintained, so I kindly pointed out his mistake.
“That is? Have you lost your mind? Are you ignoring my orders? Your neck might get cut off if you interrupt me like that.”
“Oh, no! I apologize! That is… I apologize!”
Ben startled and added ‘I apologize’ before glancing around nervously. Then he approached me and spoke in a hushed whisper.
“I heard that… the Princess is secretly selling something. I apologize.”
And at that very whisper, Sezare’s eyes gleamed as he issued a low warning.
“Step back immediately.”
“Yes, yes?”
“Step back.”
Sezare stared at Ben with clear displeasure as he spoke.
“Don’t look at the Princess’s face any more than necessary. Understood?”
Ben’s lips twisted as if to say ‘His jealousy is no joke,’ but he said nothing. He was intimidated by the atmosphere Sezare exuded. Of course, contempt flickered in his eyes as if he were thinking, ‘And he’s of commoner birth at that.’
In any case, Ben accepted Sezare’s warning and quickly stepped back. Seeing that pathetic display, I nodded arrogantly as if I understood perfectly.
“Ah, so that’s what you came for.”
After that, I sent out all the guards except the Spy Maid. Of course, the Spy Maid had expressed her opinion that ‘you’re fine without guards’ by delivering a kick that sent a flying insect soaring through the air before she caught it.
Watching Ben flinch, I asked with the composure of someone who had conducted many such transactions.
“There are many types. What do you want?”
“Could I obtain a Mana Shock Device? I apologize.”
People are truly predictable, so predictable. So predictable that he fell right into my trap.
Sezare wore an amused expression, while I asked with the face of someone who knew nothing.
“A Mana Shock Device? Why would you need that?”
“As you know, the Crown Prince’s Palace is not currently empty. I apologize.”
Ben spoke smoothly.
“That’s why other palace members keep sneaking in to cause trouble, and I can’t stop them alone…. I apologize.”
“I see.”
“Everyone says the Crown Prince has passed away, but I want to protect the Crown Prince’s Palace to the very end. That’s why I want to drive out those who come and go from the Crown Prince’s Palace. I apologize.”
At those words, Sezare chuckled with a smirk.
“Truly remarkable loyalty.”
I too shrugged my shoulders in agreement.
“Wow, that’s really touching devotion.”
Even his fabricated excuse was pathetic. Looking at him, it seemed he was the one most eager to do something improper.
I spoke without any change in expression.
“Well, if you want it, I’ll sell it. Though I’m not sure where you heard about it, I’d appreciate it if you’d be more careful with your words.”
“Careful with my words…. I apologize.”
“I want to run my business discreetly.”
“B-but why exactly? I apologize.”
“If people start saying I need to commercialize it for public benefit and all that nonsense, it becomes tiresome. Do I look like someone who acts for the public good?”
“No, sir! I apologize.”
His answer came far too quickly. I’m the one who just received an award from the Charity….
In any case, Ben seemed so delighted at my mention of selling the magical shock device that he simply bowed his head.
“I won’t tell anyone! I’ll absolutely never become a blemish on the Princess’s misdeeds! So the price would be…. I apologize.”
“Hey.”
I rested my chin on my hand and asked with amusement.
“Did you really just bring up pricing in front of the Princess of Prelai?”
As expected, the timid Ben flinched at my tone and atmosphere. I smiled and added that he didn’t need to worry about money.
“If you have eyes, take a look around the Ducal Residence. Do you think I’m doing this kind of business because I lack money?”
“Ah, no, of course not…. The Princess would never lack for funds…. I apologize.”
“Right.”
I spoke expressionlessly.
“I’m not selling it for money.”
“Then….”
“Do me a favor that only you can do. That’s the price of the magical device.”
“A favor, you say?”
“Yes. It might actually be much easier for you than paying a large sum of money.”
Speaking lightly, I called the Spy Maid and had her bring a box from my room. Inside that box was a magical shock device with the exact same appearance as the one I had used on Ben.
Ben’s eyes sparkled when he saw the magical shock device.
“It’s very simple to use. This is the output control button, and you just press it and apply it to the back of someone’s neck.”
When I pressed the power button, a crackling sound rang out, and Ben instinctively shrank back.
“The power is tremendous.”
“Yes.”
Ben nodded as if entranced. His expression suggested that with this alone, he could survive against the Crown Prince.
I held the magical shock device in front of Ben’s eyes and waved it gently. His eyes moved frantically, following my movements. As I leisurely held and waved the magical shock device, Ben’s body grew restless and he asked eagerly.
“What sort of favor would you like me to do for you? Yes?”
“Ah.”
I let out a long, drawn-out yawn before speaking.
“It’s very simple.”
And watching Ben, whose entire body was now wiggling with excitement, I smirked.
“Deliver a letter of mine to Princess Seliet.”
“To Her Highness…?”
“She sent me flowers from her Greenhouse before. Since I have no interest in horticulture, it was a rather useless gift. But thinking about it now, I suppose I should reciprocate her kindness.”
Ben’s expression soured the moment Seliet’s name was mentioned. I pretended not to notice and spoke with confidence.
“However, I’d prefer if you did this discreetly. The letter contains sensitive information.”
“Yes.”
Ben nodded immediately, as if he understood.
I was an outsider to the Imperial Palace, and sending correspondence to the Princess would normally leave an official record. But what I was asking now was to send it secretly, without leaving any such official trace.
“Understood.”
Ben grinned as if this were the easiest task in the world. Still, I made one more request to him, who seemed so confident.
“Then I’m counting on you. If you breathe a word about this letter, I’ll bury you.”
I summoned the Spy Maid on the spot and ordered her to bring writing paper. Then I casually began composing the letter right in front of Ben.
To Princess Seliet,
It’s been a while, Your Highness. I’ll say it now—we’re both equally dark and unsociable! So let’s not meet again from now on. Don’t bother replying either.
And stop sending flowers. Who cares about the reproductive organs of plants anyway?
With this letter, I could escape any suspicion that “Seliet sent flowers to Kiana—could there be some connection between them?” After all, the fact that Seliet had sent me flowers would have already reached Dolores and Hitten.
‘This letter won’t reach Seliet anyway.’
That’s why I could write such crude language without restraint.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————