Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 100

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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 100
Soon, intricate hexagonal patterns reminiscent of a kaleidoscope emerged on my arm. They evoked the image of a tortoise shell.
It was “Form Transformation,” one of the signature abilities that Seongsoo possessed.
“You can already do something like this? Impressive.”
As I stroked my arm with praise, the hexagonal pattern responded by glowing faintly before fading away.
I had simply thought I would need to carry the small turtle in my pocket, but it possessed far more remarkable abilities than I had anticipated.
It was roughly five centimeters in size. As I examined the pattern closely—as if inscribed by a skilled tattoo artist—a servant informed me that Beleck Simour had arrived, and I rose from my seat.
He was waiting for me in the Reception Room, his long legs crossed, his expression one of melancholy rather than his usual sharp and fastidious demeanor.
He was quite the convincing pervert in appearance.
“What’s the matter?”
At my question, he regarded me with an odd expression.
“Sit down first. I’ve brought some fine tea—let’s talk while we drink.”
His voice was remarkably gentle, which only deepened my suspicion as I took the seat across from him.
“Deborah. You publicly announced at the Academic Conference that you’re collaborating with me.”
“Yes. It’s true. Did you come thinking I had coerced you somehow?”
“Well… let’s call it a collaboration. Father suddenly began praising me.”
He sipped his tea slowly before continuing.
“He seems to think that I had a hand in the magical artifact you presented at the Academic Conference.”
“I’m the designer, and my older brother is the actual developer, so it’s understandable he might think that way.”
“Hmm! So I told him I’m currently working with you. If I actually create that artifact for you, wouldn’t that benefit you as well?”
He cleared his throat, his face flushing slightly. It seemed he had eagerly seized this opportunity that had presented itself, forgetting himself in the moment. With Rozard returning to the Capital soon after concluding the war, he must have been all the more desperate for results.
According to the novel’s timeline, the Crown Prince and Rozard would be making their appearance soon.
“I didn’t create it for profit. I conceived it for Father’s sake.”
At my affected words, his eyes narrowed.
“What kind of magical artifact did you design that pleased Father so much? Let me see it first.”
The moment I brought out the massage device blueprint, Beleck Simour pressed his forehead and collapsed.
“What?! How am I supposed to implement this?! Why didn’t you consult with me before the presentation?”
“I didn’t design it with implementation in mind.”
I could only regard Beleck Simour with sympathy—a man whose daily routine consisted of digging his own grave and lying in it.
“Sigh, the blueprint is sketchy too. It would take more than half a year to properly design and implement this.”
Seeing him dejected, apparently eager to impress Father immediately, I had a servant bring writing materials.
“Let’s go with a foot massager. There’s no need to do the whole body.”
“…Would something like this suffice?”
When I sketched a relatively simpler magical artifact, he regarded me with a suspicious gaze.
“The purpose remains the same—to relieve muscle fatigue. Father walks through the Magic Tower with its labyrinthine stairs, so his feet must ache the most.”
I continued speaking as I drew several versions of the blueprint.
“And while you’re making it, you’ll be thinking of Father the entire time.”
“…”
“Perhaps that alone would be enough to make him happy.”
Suddenly, I felt Beleck Simour’s piercing gaze. He was regarding me with a peculiar expression.
“…Why?”
Beleck averted my gaze with a slight cough.
“You’re as affectionate toward Father as you are pretentious—no, I mean your filial piety runs deep, so I figured this part would be trustworthy.”
“I feel like I just heard a word that bothers me.”
“…It’s a misunderstanding. I’m just beginning to understand why Father cherishes you so much.”
Rather than complaining and grumbling, Beleck—who had been coaxing me with an unusually gentle tone—suddenly asked as the sketch neared completion.
“But Deborah, why are you helping me so readily? I’ve ignored you all this time. Of course, you’ve tormented me too.”
My newfound generosity toward Beleck stemmed partly from fellow-feeling as a fellow noble, and partly because Beleck was more manageable than Rozard. Just from the fact that Rozard hadn’t directly played matchmaker but merely leaked information about Louis Gazel from afar, I could tell Rozard was far more sinister than Beleck.
Besides, if I wielded nothing but the whip, temperamental slave number two might commit some reckless act, so I figured it was time to offer a carrot as well.
Well, I could even patent various artifacts.
‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world, Beleck.’
“It’s a collaborative relationship.”
I spoke while concealing my sinister intentions, but Beleck said something absurd again.
“I understand that, but how exactly are you blackmailing Prince Visconti? Could he also be under the stone slab…?”
“No.”
I muttered darkly, and Beleck’s mouth snapped shut.
‘I’m not actually blackmailing him.’
* * *
It would have been easier if I actually held leverage over Knight Isidore, like the rumors circulating through High Society suggested. Then I wouldn’t keep recalling his ambiguous words and actions.
‘He seemed to know something about me.’
So ultimately, I conducted some investigation.
I picked up the two documents Margaret had left before me. There was reason to suspect a connection between Knight Isidore and Master. I wanted to cross-reference the investigation results about Knight Isidore from another guild with Master’s investigation results.
First, the guild I’d asked Margaret to purchase information from was a Detective Agency and Information Guild that noble daughters frequented most often.
I’d heard this place was particularly skilled at catching unfaithful men.
‘Which means they’re good at surveillance too.’
Since Knight Isidore had so many admirers, information about him would be valuable. Given that noble daughters were the primary clientele, they likely had accumulated the most gossip and various information about Knight Isidore.
The second was an Information Guild that noblewomen frequently consulted to investigate the conduct of potential husband candidates for their daughters.
‘This one’s no joke either. In fact, it’s far more formidable.’
In the Asteia Empire, where age standards were lenient only toward men, Knight Isidore wasn’t in urgent need of marriage. However, precisely because he had no betrothed, inquiries about him would likely be numerous.
Purchasing existing information—a feasible investigation method since Knight Isidore was such a prominent figure.
‘It would be insane to hire informants and assign them to tail someone so accomplished that he became vice-commander at such a young age.’
But if I purchased information accumulated by the guild, as long as I complicated the delivery route, even Master would find it difficult to suspect.
If content found in such an ordinary Information Guild turned out to be omitted? My hypothesis that Knight Isidore and Master had some sort of relationship would become far more convincing.
‘Unusual information might just surface.’
I quickly broke the seal pressed onto the envelope. Then I began reading the information inside with full concentration.
* * *
“Lady Deborah Simour?”
“Hmm?”
At Master’s call, I snapped out of my daze.
“You seem tired today. Working hard is admirable, but wouldn’t it be better to go home and rest when you’re not in good condition?”
“I need to get to work. The second location is progressing faster than expected.”
I spoke while observing the current construction status. Since the building had originally been a dessert shop, the interior work for the second location seemed to be moving much faster and easier than the first.
‘I’ve saved quite a bit of money this way.’
Master had driven down the price of that prime piece of real estate—once the heart of Naria—to half its value. Watching him systematize Naria as though it were a den of crime, I could only shake my head in admiration.
He’d even spread rumors that he cultivated drug-laced herbs for slush funds. Since the Bruno Guild had purchased various herbs trying to replicate the fake ion drink recipe, the rumor carried all the more credibility.
In any case, having acquired the real estate at a bargain price, all that remained was to launder the image by dispelling the vicious rumors.
“What do you think of this?”
“Not bad at all.”
He chuckled softly.
This time too, I planned to donate the clock tower as a tax write-off. Unlike last time, I thought it would be nice to add an auxiliary function that rings sacred-sounding bells at a time synchronized with the Goddess’s birthday.
The idea came from memories of my past life’s obsession. My favorite idol’s birthday was September 14th, so I always made sure to celebrate at 9:14 every time.
‘I wonder if my favorite is doing well. Their dance lines were truly beautiful.’
“My lady.”
“Hmm?”
Noticing I wasn’t concentrating at all, he quickly wrapped up the meeting and used magic to bring the teapot and desserts to the table. I sipped the black tea he’d prepared, then pulled a small bottle from my pocket.
“Oh, and this tea. I’d like to sell it at Armand.”
I’d brought the tea that Isidore had gifted me, stored in a bottle.
“Knight Isidore gave it to me. It’s quite delicious.”
But something uncomfortable flickered across his face.
‘Something really is off.’
I recalled the investigation report on Isidore that I’d received from the Information Guild yesterday. Honestly, I was quite surprised.

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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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