Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 120

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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 120
The Goddess Fountain at the Academy West Gate was a landmark of Horun District, always teeming with foot traffic. Moreover, with the Goddess’s birthday celebration coming next month, the surrounding area had grown even more bustling. Pilgrims from other regions had flocked here for their sacred journeys.
‘The timing for opening was perfect.’
Thanks to this, Armand Branch 2 was crowded with people despite doing nothing to promote itself.
The moment Isidore stepped inside, people began trickling in behind him, and I once again felt the weight of his popularity. To verify that Branch 2’s menu was being properly maintained, I ordered tea and dessert.
As soon as we finished our light tea time and stepped outside, Isidore approached the Goddess Fountain.
At the center of the fountain stood a statue of Goddess Naila, flanked on both sides by angel statues. At the very top of the fountain, a statue of Terra, the chief deity, gazed downward.
During this season, people from Asteia would toss coins into the fountain and make wishes. The fountain’s basin was filled with silver and copper coins, but Isidore, true to his nature as a third-generation heir, dropped a handful of gold coins.
‘The Temple that collects the money will be delighted.’
I watched Isidore make his wish with genuine sincerity while entertaining such materialistic thoughts. His beautifully shaped lips pressed firmly together as his golden eyelashes trembled delicately.
‘He’s praying earnestly.’
If I were a god, I would grant his wish without question, regardless of what it was.
“Would you like to make a wish too, Deborah?”
Isidore opened his eyes slowly and tried to hand me a gold coin as I stood motionless.
“No. I plan to pay my debt later once things go well.”
On the day I achieve ten billion, when I become the head of the household, I intended to donate generously. At my words, he laughed as if amused before speaking.
“Actually, I only put down a deposit myself.”
“A deposit? Does that mean you’ll donate more than before if your wish comes true, Knight?”
“That’s right.”
“What wish did you make?”
“If you want to know….”
Isidore continued speaking, but suddenly the area grew loud as crowds surged in from all directions.
“Knight Isidore, what did you just say? I couldn’t hear you well.”
As I furrowed my brow, his beautiful face suddenly drew close. He spoke near my ear, and fine hairs rose on my skin. I swallowed dryly and stepped back, clearing my throat awkwardly.
“Did you hear me clearly just now?”
“Yes.”
“…Aren’t you curious about my wish?”
“It’s too expensive.”
He gazed at me quietly as I fidgeted with my flushed ears, then looked up at the goddess statue and repeatedly brushed his hair back.
Even his simple gestures drew attention, and people around us continued to glance at Isidore under the pretense of making wishes. Somehow, the number of people watching him kept increasing.
“Deborah, this place is rather noisy. Would you like to move somewhere else? I know a good restaurant nearby.”
‘My ears must be completely red.’
I rubbed my burning ears and opened my mouth.
“Actually, I don’t have much time today. I promised to have dinner with my younger brother and then play a game of chess.”
“You seem close with your brother.”
“Yes. He’s incredibly adorable. I’d like to introduce him to you.”
“Please introduce us someday. Though I’m not sure if your brother will like me….”
His expression carried a melancholic light for some reason.
“Enjoy your time with your brother today. I’ll have you escorted to your carriage.”
Isidore took out another gold coin and flicked it lightly. The coin he tossed fell precisely into the urn held by the angel statue.
“Right into the basket. You throw well.”
“I flip coins often. Whenever I’ve been troubled or found it hard to decide, I’ve settled things quickly with a coin toss….”
“The way you say it now, it sounds like you don’t anymore?”
“There are exceptions.”
He spoke in a thin, sighing voice.
“True enough. It’s not easy to leave truly important matters to chance. Though agonizing over them until your head splits doesn’t guarantee an answer either.”
As we talked, I walked toward the Academy where the carriage waited.
“Knight Isidore. Well then, I should be going. I enjoyed today. The coffee was lovely too.”
He suddenly grasped the carriage door with both hands and asked.
“Could you make time Saturday evening? A popular opera is premiering that day, and I’ve secured tickets. There’s something serious I’d like to discuss as well.”
“Saturday evening? I’m afraid I have a prior engagement then.”
He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“It’s nice seeing you spend time closely with your family. I’m an only child, so I find myself envious.”
“Family?”
“Aren’t you spending it with your family?”
“Well….”
A glacial light flickered in Isidore’s eyes before vanishing without a trace.
“They must be quite close to you, to claim such precious weekend evening time. I’m curious who they are?”
He asked with a smile as sweet as honey on his lips.
‘No, not honey—saccharine. Artificially sweet.’
“…Why does it sound like you’re interrogating me?”
“Why would it sound that way? It’s merely a simple question.”
“….”
“A friend?”
He had a persistent streak.
“Not exactly a friend… but honestly, you seem awfully keen to know every little detail about me? It’s nothing important, so there’s no need to worry about it.”
“How could I not worry when it concerns you….”
Just then, a gust of wind swept through so forcefully that the fallen leaves rolling across the ground scattered to pieces. The cold air cut into the carriage, and as I shivered slightly, he exhaled a sigh.
“The weather’s grown quite cold. Be careful not to catch a chill, and go inside safely. Feel free to contact me anytime if you’re bored.”
“Yes. I will.”
I gave him a light wave.
“See you again soon.”
* * *
After parting with Deborah Simour, Isidore’s expression grew quite grave.
Most people in the Empire spent their weekends with lovers or important family, and weekday evenings were suited for friends. So the prior engagement on Saturday weighed on his mind all the more.
‘Who could it be? Not family, and is there another person of concern I don’t know about?’
Could it possibly be Thierry…?
The face that suddenly came to mind spurred Isidore to rush to the White Knight Order, where he woke Thierry sleeping face-down in the office and began pressing him for answers.
“Isidore, why won’t you believe me? I really have no plans this weekend!”
Thierry raised his voice indignantly, his face full of grievance.
“Really?”
“Yes. I swear on a knight’s honor.”
“What honor do you have as a knight?”
“That’s harsh. Do you really need me to stake the most important thing to a man to feel satisfied?”
“…All right, I understand.”
“Understand? I’m telling you it’s true!”
Isidore left the White Knights Order Barracks, leaving Thierry jumping about behind him.
‘If not Thierry, then who could it be?’
Unable to fathom it, Isidore furrowed his brow slightly.
Unable to determine who the promised party was with only the information he possessed about Deborah Simour, he arrived at Saturday afternoon. Cookie tapped her tail disapprovingly as she watched Isidore pacing anxiously around the Blanche Office.
‘What should I do.’
Isidore fell into thought before finally summoning the vice-guild master.
“Master. What is it?”
“Bring me the informants I trust.”
Since the incident in the Subspace, the security around Deborah Simour had been strengthened, so he planned to deploy informants who were skilled at concealing their presence and moving quickly.
The princess had a distinctive appearance, so he would likely find her quickly. He didn’t know who the promised party was, but the meeting place would probably be either Yones or Horun District.
‘Honestly, it’s a petty method….’
When he had asked, Deborah Simour had given off an air of wanting to hide who she was meeting, so he couldn’t help but be more curious about today’s promised party.
‘It could even be someone dangerous.’
Deborah Simour seemed competent, but her perception was rather dull.
‘And yet she didn’t notice even though I made it so obvious.’
As Isidore rationalized his surveillance, a bell chimed in the office, signaling the informants’ arrival.
“Come in.”
At the Master’s command, the hinges creaked and the massive arched door swung open. He flipped through documents with his characteristic doll-like expressionless face before looking straight ahead.
“…!”
Soon, cracks appeared on the Master’s mineral-white face. Standing before him was not the informant he had summoned, but an unexpected person.
“Hello.”
Deborah Simour slowly narrowed the distance as she pulled down her hood.
“Surprised?”
“….”
Her sharp eyes closed slowly like crescent moons.
“You didn’t have any information that I was your promised party, did you, Isidore.”

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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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