Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 117

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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 117
In the darkness, his pale blue gaze felt unusually sharp against my skin.
I flinched as though burned and hastily turned my head forward. I watched the actors bowing stiffly to the audience, their necks rigid as if in casts, and the moment the theater lights came up, I bolted from my seat.
“Let’s go.”
“Take my arm.”
Isidore extended his arm casually as if to escort me. I touched my fan awkwardly.
“I’m fine.”
“There are many stairs here. You could trip.”
The moment I stubbornly grasped his arm, feeling as though I alone was conscious of him, I noticed his bare white hand and tensed again.
‘What is this? Why didn’t I notice before?’
Why was it suddenly so vivid in my vision now?
‘He’s never removed his gloves in such a formal place before, so why now?’
Distracted by the pale hand catching the corner of my eye, I stumbled as Isidore had predicted, my shoe striking the low step.
“Be careful.”
He hastily caught me as I nearly fell forward, and my body pressed firmly against his arm.
“That was reckless….”
He reproached me in a low voice.
“Even if I fell, I’d only scrape my knees lightly. There’s nothing truly dangerous about it….”
“….”
Isidore slowly released me, his expression appearing complicated. The silence that continued as we walked felt awkward, so I cleared my throat and opened my mouth.
“I didn’t expect much since there weren’t many people, but the play was quite entertaining. The actors’ performances were excellent too, weren’t they?”
“I suppose. The plot lacked creativity overall, so it was disappointing. As for the actors’ performances… I was too focused on the female lead to watch properly.”
“What? Why? That actress was beautiful.”
Caught off guard by his unfiltered manner of speaking, I blurted out something random.
“…Did the female lead think the male actor was handsome?”
Isidore narrowed his brows slightly as he spoke.
“What?”
“I can’t even remember the actor’s face. Even if he had three eyes, I wouldn’t have noticed.”
Flustered by his blunt words, I deliberately changed the subject.
“…Well. Anyway, I’m hungry. Aren’t you?”
“Aren’t you deliberately changing the subject?”
“No. I only thought the actress was pretty. Compared to Knight Isidore’s appearance, the male actor was like the seventh leg of an octopus—nothing special….”
But why was I rambling such strange excuses?
Feeling bewildered belatedly, I walked toward a nearby Restaurant with Isidore, who seemed to be in better spirits.
Upon arrival, the manager came out personally and guided us to a space separated from the main hall. The moment I sat in a seat overlooking a beautifully landscaped Garden through the window, beverages and light refreshments appeared. It seemed he had requested that the food be prepared as quickly as possible since I had complained of hunger.
‘He’s remarkably thoughtful.’
In my previous life, my first blind date—someone I met only because a friend pushed me into it—was unprepared. We met in the middle of the Commercial District during rush hour, and there was no restaurant available. Eventually, after searching endlessly for an empty spot, it suddenly rained, and we parted ways awkwardly.
As memories surfaced and I stared at him, he suddenly narrowed his eyes like a fox.
‘What is he trying to say this time….’
“Is there any ingredient or spice you dislike? I’ll ask them to remove it.”
“Ah, not particularly.”
“Same here. I eat everything without being picky. What’s your favorite dish?”
“Steak….”
As we conversed in an unexpectedly ordinary manner, a waiter approached and served aperitifs and appetizers.
“Does the food suit your palate?”
“Yes. It’s good.”
“I’m glad.”
In truth, it was far better than merely good—accustomed as I had become to the Simour Family Estate’s cuisine, I found it genuinely delicious. Since I was hungry, I ate with the same composed elegance I displayed before my father.
“Try this as well.”
Each time our eyes met, he pushed another plate toward me, smiling with a sweetness that could melt stone. His table manners were impeccable besides.
“Let me cut it for you.”
The moment the steak arrived, he retrieved the utensils and plate as though he’d been waiting, swiftly slicing the meat with practiced precision before returning it to me.
‘What technique is he using to achieve such clean cuts?’
However he managed it, the steak he’d sliced retained its juices perfectly, and I couldn’t help but marvel.
“Knight colleagues do prove useful from time to time, it seems.”
Isidore murmured.
“What do you mean?”
“They mentioned that the most practical and worthwhile application of aura manipulation is cutting meat on dates, so I thought I’d practice just in case….”
“Pfft! Is that some Asteia knight humor?”
Watching me shake with laughter, Isidore blinked with a puzzled expression.
“I practiced with aura yesterday. It was rather tedious at first—I kept slicing through the plate too.”
I couldn’t quite tell if he was joking or serious, but I suppressed my laughter and took a sip of wine.
The multi-course meal stretched on for hours, and by the time we finished, darkness had settled over everything. Between watching an entertaining play, enjoying exquisite cuisine, and the various wines paired throughout the meal, my spirits had lifted considerably.
When I met his warm gaze brimming with amusement, the sweetness lingering at the corners of my lips deepened.
“Knight Isidore. I’m full—I’d like to take a walk.”
Reluctant to part ways just yet, I gestured toward the beautifully landscaped outdoor garden visible through the restaurant’s rear entrance. At my suggestion, he suddenly produced a scroll.
“What’s that for?”
“I know a lovely walking path.”
“Do you frequently squander teleportation scrolls? Didn’t you use one at the Auction House last time as well?”
I understood spatial displacement to be high-tier magic, yet here I was with two people in my vicinity who wielded teleportation as casually as breathing.
“When one has an abundance, why not indulge in a little excess?”
With a playful expression, Isidore led the way toward the restaurant’s rear exit and gently pulled me toward an empty area. The moment he tore the scroll, my vision flashed white, the scenery gradually shifted, and a long Stone Wall Path unfurled before us.
“How is it?”
I turned to take in my surroundings, releasing a soft exclamation.
The Stone Wall Path stretched long and winding, flanked by dense trees, with white wildflowers blooming in places where cool moonlight reflected mysteriously. A gentle breeze blew at just the right strength for a pleasant walk.
“This is wonderful.”
“You’re being quite generous with your praise today.”
“I’m simply being honest. You always take me to beautiful places.”
I walked slowly beside him, my gaze captivated by the view of Yones District visible beyond the wall and down the hillside.
“If you sit on top of the wall and look down from here, it’s even more spectacular.”
The stone wall was quite high, and I thought it would be difficult to climb up, when Isidore slowly knelt down and tapped his thigh.
“Step on me and climb up.”
“….”
“Hmm? Deborah. We should climb up to make this trip worthwhile.”
As I hesitated, he continued to encourage me, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
It was honestly an appealing proposition, so I eventually removed both shoes and slowly stepped onto his thigh. The firm muscle beneath my feet tensed noticeably, and I felt him brace himself. Embarrassed for no reason, I pushed hard with my arms and hastily hoisted myself onto the wall.
After helping me settle securely at the top, he nimbly jumped up beside me in one fluid motion. True to his profession as a knight, his athleticism was exceptional.
Isidore gazed downward, his long lashes lowered. The cityscape of Yones District spread before us in a single panoramic view, and beyond the distant river, I could even see Horun District. Watching my bare feet swing lightly back and forth, Isidore smiled softly.
“You didn’t need to take off your shoes. Why did you? Now you’ll have the hassle of putting them back on.”
“If you’d stepped on my heel, you wouldn’t be saying that.”
“You’re quite tender-hearted. Much more than I expected.”
“It’s strange hearing that from someone who’s genuinely kind and considerate.”
He’d sent flowers and asked me out politely, taken me to a play, to a fine restaurant, to a place with an incredible view. His refined perfection seemed suspicious, and I wanted to know more about him, but today I discovered only his strengths.
He planned his route meticulously, knew many excellent restaurants, and even carved his steak with skill. Anyone would call him kind and perfect. Everything flowed so naturally and flawlessly that it felt almost unreal—like a sweet dream that might vanish the moment I opened my eyes.
I gazed at his tender profile bathed in moonlight, etching it into my memory. With his golden lashes blinking as he looked down at the city, Isidore slowly turned his gaze to the crescent moon hanging in the sky and opened his mouth deliberately.
“Well. I’m not really that kind-hearted. This is actually the first time anyone’s told me I’m tender-hearted.”
“It sounds similar to a line from the play we just saw.”
At my murmur, Isidore’s brow furrowed slightly.
“That Northern Grand Duke or whoever said something like that? It feels like I’m imitating him. That’s unsettling.”
“It was an important scene. You said you remembered the plot.”
“I skimmed through the pamphlet, so yes.”
‘Did you really only look at my face?’
His tone wavered slightly, but I didn’t notice and continued speaking.
“I actually found today’s play quite entertaining.”
“…In what way?”
“There was tension throughout. The female lead fell in love with the male lead without really knowing him.”
“What do you think about that Grand Duke? The one with many secrets….”
I paused briefly at his question before speaking.

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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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