Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 141

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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 141
I was aware that my presence had altered the original story’s trajectory quite significantly.
‘But the Barrier’s fracture—isn’t that an independent event, separate from my involvement in the narrative?’
Wondering if I’d overlooked something, after parting ways with Isidore, I asked Margaret whether the Barrier had shown any abnormalities over the past two weeks.
“I haven’t heard any reports of such incidents occurring recently.”
‘So I wasn’t the only one left in the dark.’
If things continued this way, Miya would likely fail to draw much attention even at the upcoming ‘Fragrant Flower’ ceremony. Without demon-related casualties, there would be no stage for Miya to shine as the heroine.
‘Regardless, that defective coin has vanished without a trace no matter how hard I search.’
It had been such a lovely piece.
While nursing this lingering unease, servants approached bearing a jewel-encrusted gown and elaborate accessories. It was for the evening banquet being held at the Mansion tonight.
In addition to the direct line of House Simour, the heads of the collateral branches had also been invited to the Fragrant Flower ceremony and were currently staying in the Capital. Before the final event concluded and the collateral relatives departed, Father intended to host a dinner in their honor.
‘Deborah despised the collateral branches.’
Among all the direct and collateral lines, Deborah was the only one without mana sensitivity, a fact that constantly triggered her inferiority complex compared to them. Perhaps because of this, whenever the collateral branches visited, she would dress ostentatiously as if to show off, then regard them with disdain while fanning herself. Yet that very display would have appeared laughable—a transparent manifestation of her complex.
Such behavior only made her insecurity more apparent.
“This isn’t a ball. Such an ornate gown is excessive. Bring me something dignified and formal.”
“Yes, my lady.”
I descended the staircase in an elegant evening gown that exuded sophistication. At the landing, I found Beleck and Enrique standing face-to-face unexpectedly.
“You’re barely taller than a bell on a mouse’s tail—how do you plan to escort anyone?”
“I am not a bell on a mouse’s tail!”
Enrique clenched his small fists and huffed indignantly, while Beleck offered me his arm with a smirk.
“What’s this sudden gesture?”
Take it. I’ll escort you to the banquet hall.
“I’m going with Enrique instead. Will you escort me?”
“Sister….”
As I extended my arm to Enrique, his eyes sparkled with emotion and he grasped it firmly.
“I was just trying to boost your spirits since you clearly dislike those collateral relatives.”
Beleck withdrew his arm with a grumble.
“My spirits are fine. I’m doing well these days, aren’t I?”
“True enough. You’re even coercing the heir—I worried for nothing.”
Though he laughed it off, Beleck matched my pace, and the three of us arrived at the banquet hall together. The moment the three direct-line members entered, all eyes turned toward us. Father greeted us with a gentle smile.
“You’ve all come together. Please, be seated.”
“Yes, Father.”
Under the gaze of the collateral family heads and their attendants, I took my seat at the front of the table.
‘But where has Lord Rozard gone?’
“It seems Lord Rozard is unable to attend due to pressing matters.”
Someone voiced the same thought I’d had.
“Indeed, as a hero who has eliminated those treacherous dark mages and protected the Territory’s people, the Imperial Court must be calling upon Lord Rozard frequently.”
Duke Simour spoke, his gaze lingering on the empty seat of his eldest son.
“The Imperial Court didn’t summon him. He expressed his intention to attend, but something urgent came up that he needed to verify, so he’ll be running late, I’m told.”
‘I don’t know what he’s verifying, but the eldest son of this household is perpetually occupied.’
As I was clicking my tongue, an aperitif was served, and light conversation flowed across the table. Since this was a gathering of relatives, the family heads were exchanging pleasantries while subtly bragging about their children. It seemed people were the same everywhere.
“My daughter achieved Fourth Class this year. Hehe.”
“Oh my, I’ve heard that Anna has exceptional mana sensitivity.”
“Yes, she’s scheduled to enter the Magic Tower’s Fifth Floor as a researcher next year.”
“Straight to the Fifth Floor? I understand she’s making her debutante appearance this year—quite impressive for her age.”
Deborah Simour couldn’t manage her expression at this conversation, but since I felt no particular inferiority, I simply sipped water while waiting for the meal to arrive.
“Enrique is Third Circle. Is reaching Fourth Circle at that age really something worth making such a fuss over…?”
Just then, Beleck Simour unexpectedly wiped his hands with a handkerchief and sneered, while Enrique nodded vigorously in agreement.
‘They were glaring at each other just moments ago, and now they’re suddenly united.’
“Ahem! My daughter graduated top of her Academy class.”
I nearly spat out the water I’d been holding when Father joined the conversation—I hadn’t expected the usually indifferent Duke Simour to brag so unexpectedly. The collateral family heads also looked momentarily flustered before speaking up.
“Following Lord Rozard and Lord Beleck, this is already the third top graduate.”
“The academic achievements my daughter accomplished this year are truly remarkable.”
“Indeed.”
“It would have been even better if the formulas she personally developed could have been practically applied by the princess.”
True enough, I lacked mana sensitivity, so I was in the ironic position of being unable to actually use the formulas I’d refined in real situations. Because of this, it seemed some people viewed me as incomplete.
“Instead, my daughter can force anyone she dislikes to be unable to use her formulas.”
“Ha ha. Yes, well, that’s true.”
The collateral family head’s face paled at Duke Simour’s chilling remark, and he clamped his mouth shut.
Soon, silence fell over the room. While fear kept them from speaking, their expressions weren’t particularly pleasant—likely due to the arrogant attitude and dismissive remarks I’d shown toward the collateral relatives. They seemed bewildered by how different the atmosphere was from last year.
As the air in the room grew awkward, amuse-bouche and freshly baked bread were served to each place at the table.
‘Every time I experience it, the Simour Family’s cuisine is truly delicious.’
Such an atmosphere couldn’t dampen my appetite. I focused on the elaborate two-hour formal dinner and cleanly finished even the dessert. Meanwhile, the family heads wore worried expressions as they discussed concerns about the Empire’s future.
“With the Fragrance Ceremony approaching, public sentiment is not favorable, and I’m concerned.”
“But hasn’t the Barrier been stable recently?”
“If cracks appear again and cause significant casualties, the people will view the Imperial Court and nobility as incompetent.”
“A small drop of water can split a rock, and we still haven’t identified the cause of these cracks…”
Just as the serious discussion was underway, Rozard arrived. He seemed parched, for he emptied a glass of wine immediately upon sitting down.
“Rozard. What business made you suddenly leave?”
“Cassius Elder said an unexplained earthquake had occurred, so I went to investigate with him.”
Cassius Elder was also a combat mage—I knew this because he always invited me to visit the combat training grounds whenever he lectured at the Magic Tower—and since Rozard was knowledgeable about terrain, he must have been selected as an investigator.
“And?”
“I wondered if something had gone wrong with the Barrier, but when we visited the Yucri Temple, there was nothing amiss, so we returned empty-handed.”
“We were already anxious about the Barrier, so it’s fortunate there’s no serious problem.”
“Indeed.”
While the overall mood was one of relief, I felt something was off and narrowed my eyes.
“Something seems strange.”
As I murmured this, the family heads’ curious gazes turned toward me.
“What exactly seems strange to you?”
Rozard also fixed me with a sharp stare and pressed for an answer.
“Isn’t Yucri Temple relatively close to the Capital?”
I had memorized the locations of all the major temples for the written examination.
“But that’s why I found it strange that there were no aftershocks at all.”
An earthquake doesn’t produce just a single tremor when it occurs—it brings a series of continuous smaller aftershocks.
“Earthquakes aren’t localized phenomena, yet no vibrations were felt in the Yones District adjacent to the temple, which seems odd. Besides, the Capital isn’t even a region where earthquakes are frequently reported, unlike coastal areas. There’s no volcano nearby either.”
At that moment, an elderly patriarch from a cadet branch nodded in agreement with my words, his expression surprised.
“You’re absolutely right, Lady Deborah. My territory is near a volcano, so earthquakes happen frequently there, and there are always aftershocks following them.”
“Then you’re saying this wasn’t a natural earthquake phenomenon? It seems no one in this place felt any tremors today.”
Everyone nodded in agreement with Duke Simour’s words, and I fell into contemplation.
‘Could the incident Miya handled be connected to this earthquake?’
Based on the novel’s timeline, I’m certain it’s related to monsters. And suddenly, the image of a centipede-like creature that had burst forth from the desolate desert flashed through my mind.
“What if the rift didn’t occur in empty space, but beneath the ground?”
At my words, Rozard suddenly sprang to his feet.
“And if that monster is still underground, wouldn’t this earthquake phenomenon be explained more convincingly?”

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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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