Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 132

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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 132
As the coachman opened the grand carriage door, the assembly fell silent with anticipation. Various nobles had attended to receive titles, but today’s true star was undoubtedly the Duke of Visconti.
Soon, the Empire’s youngest duke revealed himself. Despite being male, he was said to be the flower of the year—I wondered what level of beauty that truly meant, yet it was a visage that ordinary people’s meager imagination could scarcely conjure.
Those who had imagined a delicate, fair-faced beauty because of the “flower” title were inwardly startled by the Duke of Visconti’s imposing frame and commanding presence. Many had expected his youth to make the ducal title seem somewhat unearned, but they were mistaken.
‘Anyone standing beside such a magnificent man would pale in comparison.’
Presently, he extended his hand with utmost courtesy to escort his partner from the carriage. The moment a woman with a frost-like countenance descended, the assembly drew a sharp breath and fell silent in an entirely different sense.
There had been rumors of their closeness, but surely not—yet the Duke of Visconti’s partner was indeed Deborah Simour.
‘He actually brought her as his partner to this event.’
‘So the rumors that Simour and House of Visconti have had some connection for ages are true.’
‘I heard she had leverage over him.’
But the moment the Duke of Visconti smiled softly while gazing at the princess, everyone present realized how utterly baseless the circulating rumors were, and how simple the truth actually was.
As the saying goes, a cough and love cannot be hidden—anyone could see the Duke of Visconti was utterly smitten with the princess.
When she placed her hand on his arm with an aloof gaze, the young duke laughed shyly, then carefully adjusted her slightly askew bracelet for her.
‘He’s completely head over heels.’
Especially among men, they understood it well—such an expression could never be feigned. He had appeared dignified and cold just moments ago, yet now he seemed like a fresh-faced youth of his actual years.
Then Isidore suddenly brought his face close to her pale cheek, and a brief cry escaped from those nearby. It was an inadvertent sound from the young ladies who had been peering over their fans. I wondered why they were standing so close, but they were merely whispering to each other.
Yet despite the Duke of Visconti’s tender attentiveness, Deborah Simour appeared displeased. She narrowed her brows slightly and fluttered her fan.
In truth, her rigid expression was merely the result of tension from her fear of being the center of attention, and she was fanning herself because she was overheated enough to break into a cold sweat—but the crowd once again descended into a pit of misunderstanding.
‘It seems the Duke of Visconti likes her even more?’
‘So I wasn’t the only one who saw it that way. For a moment I thought my eyes were deceiving me.’
‘What charm could she possibly possess….’
‘Honestly, she’s beautiful.’
‘As far as appearance goes, she’s more aristocratic than anyone.’
Combined with the ill reputation she had accumulated over a long period, and her recent shocking conduct, her beauty had remained somewhat unknown. Yet because their respective auras were so contrasting, standing beside the Duke of Visconti, she lost no presence whatsoever—instead, they both shone with striking intensity.
‘They complement each other beautifully. Her bearing is impeccable as well.’
A certain noblewoman murmured.
‘Young ladies are naturally nervous at such gatherings, but the princess truly lives up to her direct lineage from Simour—her confidence is remarkable.’
‘Her gown is formal yet refined.’
The ornamentation was not excessive, but the silk she wore was extraordinarily distinctive. The mermaid-line dress appeared blue at first glance, yet gradually shifted to purple toward the hem, emphasizing her tall stature and complementing her complexion beautifully.
Most striking of all was the brilliant blue diamond that sparkled at her pale throat.
‘That jewel… isn’t that the blue diamond that was recently mined? The one called the teardrop diamond because it evokes a mermaid’s tears….’
Of course, it was Isidore’s doing.
‘Following the pink diamond, Deborah Simour is the first to debut this rare gem.’
The Duke of Visconti and Deborah Simour were guided to their seats in the front row by an Imperial attendant, and the nobles who saw the necklace up close as they passed could not conceal their astonishment.
‘Did you see the intricate script engraved at the base?’
‘I heard mineral engraving is fashionable these days.’
‘There was definitely a name inscribed! And tiny diamonds were set within those grooves!’
‘Goodness, even if this were lost in the Black Market, no one else could dare wear it.’
‘Indeed. How could anyone wear a necklace engraved with Deborah Simour’s name? They’d be fortunate if they merely lost their head.’
Though the Emperor and the Imperial family made their entrance, the nobility’s attention remained fixed upon the Empire’s youngest duke and Simour’s princess.
And there was a gaze looking down at Deborah Simour with cold eyes.
* * *
‘I never expected an event of this magnitude.’
I had anticipated that attention would focus on Isidore, but I hadn’t expected to be seated so close to the front that I could see the Emperor’s blue hair streaked with gray.
‘Blinded by jealousy… what on earth have I done.’
That young lady—Cyril or whoever she was—certainly had audacity. To think she would sit before the Emperor.
I remained rigid as I watched the provincial lords receive their titles. The Emperor personally bestowed titles from Count and above, and since Isidore held the highest rank here, his turn was pushed to the very end. It seemed every venue saved the highlight for last.
‘If I were to purchase a title, Baron would be appropriate.’
At this rate, I could afford it within two years.
While I mentally calculated and stared blankly ahead, my eyes suddenly met those of the Fifth Princess seated in the royal section. She winked at me with a playful expression and made a gesture suggesting we drink together.
“Did you perhaps agree to drink with the Princess?”
Isidore whispered softly to me, and my ear tickled so much my shoulders flinched slightly.
“No.”
“…It seems neither of you can let your guard down.”
‘What is he talking about?’
“My father is the same way.”
Isidore quickly pulled his face away from my ear, muttering incessantly that he had nearly died just now.
‘This is truly tiresome.’
As the repetitive pattern continued, I became so bored that I bit my lips to suppress a yawn. The atmosphere grew increasingly heavy, and even the Emperor, reciting similar words, seemed exhausted.
After nearly three to four hours of the Count title ceremony concluded, a brief refreshment period began, and the surroundings became chaotic.
“Deborah Simour. How unusual to see you in a place like this. And you look even more beautiful today.”
“Your Highness. I hope you have been well.”
“Indeed, I have.”
The Fifth Princess approached with a delighted expression, accompanied by her entourage. The one who appeared with her was none other than the Crown Prince.
‘Now that I think about it, the Fifth Princess was the Crown Prince’s only sister.’
Since the Empress had passed away early, the two full siblings likely depended on each other deeply within the Imperial Court.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince lightly clasped hands with Isidore and bumped shoulders—the kind of gesture close friends would make. And watching the Crown Prince being completely deceived by this scoundrel, I felt an odd sense of kinship.
‘Your Majesty, this bastard is Blanche Master.’
But since my lover’s life is precious, I kept my mouth shut.
“I suppose I should call you Duke Visconti now.”
“Please, feel free to address me casually, Your Majesty.”
“Ha ha. Yes, Duke Visconti.”
After the greeting ended, the Crown Prince stared at me with curious eyes.
“…This is Deborah Simour.”
Since royalty does not initiate introductions, Isidore introduced me to the Crown Prince with a somewhat reluctant air. The Crown Prince let out a short laugh.
“I never knew you had such a side to you, Isidore.”
“….”
“My sister has mentioned your name several times, Deborah Simour. Vivienne speaks very highly of you. She says you have exceptional talent in magical theory?”
“You are too kind.”
“Modest, aren’t you. You contributed greatly to Lord Rozard’s success in the war, and I’ve been hearing your name mentioned here and there lately, so I wanted to have this conversation with you.”
“….”
He continued speaking, his lips twitching with barely suppressed amusement.
“But I’m curious—when did you become so close with Knight Isidore? That fellow has never shown the slightest interest in such matters. It wouldn’t be strange if he suddenly announced one day that he was entering a convent.”
“Brother. Surely such a question would put Deborah Simour in an awkward position? Besides, the lady and I are far closer. Isn’t that right, Deborah Simour?”
The Fifth Princess linked her arm through mine with triumphant pride, as if to prove a point to Isidore.
“We share profound knowledge and commune on a spiritual level—a dimension far too elevated for mere knights to comprehend.”
‘But Isidore is a Sword Master, not a knight.’
As Isidore’s expression stiffened slightly and his brows rose, the Crown Prince pressed his temples with a weary hand and muttered under his breath.
“Vivienne. Please, I’m begging you—can we talk about marriage law some other time?”
‘What on earth is he talking about?’
I stood there bewildered, unable to grasp more than half of what seemed to be a conversation about me. Then I felt a piercing gaze from somewhere, and I turned my head.
‘What is this?’
I found myself making sudden eye contact with a strikingly beautiful middle-aged woman whose long black hair was gathered in a half-knot.
‘…I think I know who she is.’
Given her exotic features and the fact that she had been seated near the Emperor earlier, she could only be the Fourth Empress as described in the novel—the mother of the Third Prince, who played quite an important role in the latter half of the serialization.
‘But why… does she seem to be glaring at me?’

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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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