Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 149

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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 149
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During this period, the primary topic of conversation among the ladies was the debutantes.
The role of senior ladies—those who could skillfully guide newly debuted young women into High Society—was crucial. Moreover, the number of requests a lady received to serve as a chaperone reflected her popularity and standing within High Society itself.
Following the grand birthday celebration that had caused quite the scandal, Duchess Orgo, who had hosted an afternoon tea under the pretext of shifting the atmosphere, casually broached the subject.
“The Third Daughter of Marquis Atlaine has already reached the age to debut in High Society, hasn’t she? It feels like only yesterday she was singing in the children’s choir.”
“Already? Time does fly, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. And the Second Daughter of Count Nora has also grown so much this year. Since both families are close acquaintances, I’m quite worried about which young lady to respond to first.”
The other ladies’ eyes narrowed slightly at Duchess Orgo’s subtle boasting.
‘So she’s already received two chaperone proposals, and the birthday celebration only just ended.’
Though her self-importance was painfully obvious, the ladies smiled and played along—after all, Duchess Orgo held the highest rank among those present. As this superficial conversation continued, one lady picked up a slice of cake adorned with red flowers and suddenly spoke up.
“This year’s Flower was Duke Visconti, wasn’t it?”
“A young man as this year’s Flower instead of a young lady. That was quite amusing, wasn’t it?”
“I simply cannot keep up with how young people think these days.”
Duchess Orgo muttered disapprovingly.
“Then what happens to Duke Visconti’s chaperone selection rights?”
“I heard that Duke Visconti transferred his Flower selection to Deborah Simour.”
….
An awkward silence fell over the table. One could not refuse an imperial decree, after all. Normally, the lady chosen by this year’s Flower would be the object of envy, but this time the atmosphere was decidedly unfavorable.
‘Deborah Simour’s temperament is….’
‘…not to be trifled with.’
“Which lady did the young lady choose as her chaperone?”
“There’s a rumor that it’s Countess Basslein.”
“Oh my.”
Duchess Orgo barely suppressed a laugh that threatened to burst forth.
‘Thank goodness the troublemaker went in that direction.’
Duchess Orgo, who resented that a mere countess—not even a duchess—was mentioned alongside herself as a notable figure of High Society, made a show of sympathy and concern.
“Even the virtuous Countess Basslein will find it difficult to maintain her composure this time. And if the young lady misbehaves, it won’t be easy for her to discipline her properly.”
“Indeed.”
“One wonders how spectacularly she’ll appear at her debut….”
“That sort of behavior would clash with Countess Basslein’s preference for modesty.”
“I can already see the friction forming.”
The other ladies also chimed in sympathetically, as if on cue. Likely, every lady present thought Countess Basslein deserved pity.
‘Getting entangled with her would only bring trouble.’
There were plenty of manageable and docile young ladies to choose from; no one wished to become the chaperone of a troublesome girl with powerful backing and invite such headaches.
However, public opinion shifted not long after. The rumor spread that Deborah Simour had made reservations for all of the rare jewelry pieces that were about to be released from 【Apelle】.
“【Apelle】? Surely not….”
“Yes! The young lady has monopolized all of Master Micheli’s jewels!”
Duchess Orgo’s expression hardened—she had been eyeing Master Micheli’s jewelry from 【Apelle】. 【Apelle】 had recently become the most popular jeweler among the ladies, for the craftsman Micheli created elegant pieces imbued with metaphor and philosophy.
Nobility harbored a contradictory standard: they wished to flaunt and boast of their wealth, yet they looked down upon overt extravagance and vanity. The secret was that Master Micheli’s work was expensive and recognizable to those in the know, yet appeared restrained at first glance—giving the impression of maintaining dignity rather than indulging in luxury. This was why his craftsmanship was so popular among the ladies.
Moreover, the quantity was limited. Since Master Micheli’s hands were slow and there was no telling when new pieces would arrive, the fact that the young noblewoman had claimed them all was infuriating!
There was a waiting list, and thinking of the noblewoman who would become the owner of those precious crafted pieces that people couldn’t obtain even if they wanted them, a subtle envy bloomed.
“I never knew Deborah Simour was the type to try to win someone’s favor.”
I’d only thought her arrogant and selfish.
“To think she’d boost her chaperone’s standing in such a way. It’s surprising.”
“…Well, we’ll have to wait and see. It could be another form of showing off. A gift offensive, no less. Isn’t that just so like Deborah Simour?”
Duchess Orgo spoke in a deliberately cynical tone.
‘I’m a bit envious, though.’
The other ladies suppressed the thoughts that quietly surfaced and agreed with Duchess Orgo’s words.
* * *
“Sigh….”
Countess Basslein’s reply to my gift and letter had arrived. The contents were concise—an invitation to her Town House.
‘I’m incredibly nervous.’
Holding the invitation, I swallowed my nervousness and stepped down before the Duke Basslein family’s Town House. The well-maintained garden, the grand fountain, and the clean white exterior of the mansion caught my eye.
Following the butler’s guidance into the Reception Room, the Countess soon appeared before me.
‘Wow… she’s magnificent.’
I was inwardly impressed by her appearance. True to her reputation as the flower of High Society in the past, she exuded elegant beauty and outstanding grace. With her platinum blonde hair swept up high, she regarded me with blue eyes that resembled Isidore’s.
“It’s an honor to meet you for the first time. I am Deborah Simour. I’m delighted to make your acquaintance this way.”
I greeted her as respectfully as possible.
“I’m pleased to meet you too, Deborah Simour.”
Her tone was plain and her expression composed, making her feelings utterly impossible to discern. My throat tightened as I took a seat across from her at the Reception Room table. Countess Basslein instructed the butler to bring tea, and I clenched my hands tightly to calm my nerves.
“Deborah Simour.”
“Yes, Countess.”
“I never expected to say something so uncomfortable upon our first meeting, but I don’t particularly like beating around the bush when it comes to my affairs….”
She retrieved the gift box I’d sent from her shawl.
“You have the publicly recognized status of this year’s flower, so I’m not refusing your request to become my chaperone. I couldn’t refuse even if I wanted to.”
“….”
“However, I’m returning these earrings and necklace you sent. They’re too much.”
Watching her return the jewelry box with cold, firm resolve, I swallowed a sigh.
‘She really won’t accept them.’
I’d hoped she might be tempted at least a little, but she proved far more stubborn than I’d anticipated.
“Didn’t Duke Visconti give you any hints about my character?”
“I absolutely didn’t think I could win the Countess’s favor with mere material things. I even considered that you might return the gifts like this.”
“….”
“However, I prepared these gifts because my reputation is so poor. I know what kind of gossip will circulate in High Society if you become my chaperone.”
“….”
“Nevertheless, I truly wanted to have Agate as my chaperone.”
“So you sent such gifts for that reason?”
“Yes. High Society is a place where everyone struggles beneath the surface to become an object of admiration and envy.”
“Hmm. Seeing you send such an enormous gift to intimidate the gossips, it seems like the rumors are true, yet it’s unexpected how honest and straightforward you are….”
“I feared that if I clumsily disguised my intentions or told a lie, you would see through it.”
Countess Basslein fluttered her fan lightly.
“I understand well enough what you’re hoping to accomplish, but I don’t wish to set a precedent of accepting such an expensive gift. It might burden the other young ladies who come after you.”
At her words, I felt genuine admiration. Now I understood why she was so widely praised for her virtue among the nobility.
“I hadn’t considered the ripple effects of my actions. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me.”
“Hmm.”
She let out a soft hum, her fingers toying idly with her fan.
“Still, you must have gone to considerable trouble to procure that gift. Aren’t you disappointed with me?”
“Not at all. I’m grateful that you spoke so honestly.”
Of course, there had been the matter of tracking down the reclusive Master Apelr and persuading him with a sum of money he could scarcely refuse, but I saw no reason to mention that.
“But I’m curious—why do you go to such lengths for me? I’m Knight Isidore’s aunt, certainly, but I have no desire to interfere in Duke Visconti’s personal affairs. I have no right to do so.”
“Because you are the person most precious to Knight Isidore.”
“….”
“And also because I wish for you to invite me to Ripples Estate.”

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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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