Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 151

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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 151
“A business interim report? Has Deborah Simour ever borrowed business funds from you?”
Beleck Simour asked in bewilderment, and Father, who had been languishing from shock, clutched his chest repeatedly at the mention of business.
“…What was I thinking? I was startled for nothing.”
“Father. Do you remember last winter when I mentioned a promising business opportunity and asked for your investment?”
“Yes, I remember. A pittance like that could be lost without consequence. It doesn’t matter. Don’t worry about it.”
“How much did you invest, sir?”
Beleck Simour asked casually.
“It’s not even half of what you squander on magical artifact testing costs.”
“Hmm? Your expression was so serious I thought you’d lost the value of an entire mansion.”
Why did these people always jump to conclusions before I could even speak?
“I haven’t lost it—it’s been growing quite well. Well enough that I’m considering business expansion.”
I withdrew my trading company license from the Imperial Court from the envelope and shared the details of my current business operations.
“Armand?”
“Yes. I’m the proprietor.”
Both of them stared at me simultaneously with wide eyes. Soon, a heavy silence descended upon the Office.
“…Good heavens.”
Beleck Simour, whose pupils had been trembling as he reviewed various property documents and sales receipts, broke the silence first.
“I can’t believe it even seeing it with my own eyes. You’re a trading company proprietor. Armand is famous enough that even I know of it.”
“Beyond coffee, I’ve been releasing seasonal beverages to expand the business rapidly. The fruit beverages made with the magical artifacts you created, Beleck, sold exceptionally well too.”
“Ah. So that’s why Armand has been using the magical artifacts I designed without any promotion.”
“Exactly.”
“Hmm. I recognized your talent for designing useful magical artifacts from the start. I knew you had an innate gift for multiplying wealth.”
‘Useful? He kept insisting they were torture devices, but now he’s caught the scent of money.’
I regarded Beleck Simour with a clouded gaze as he rapidly shifted his stance. He cleared his throat awkwardly, while Duke Simour silently reviewed the business plan I had prepared.
He slowly lifted his head with an expressionless face. Unable to discern the emotions in my father’s silver eyes, I swallowed dryly.
‘Perhaps he disapproves of me pursuing business instead of magical studies.’
“Deborah Simour.”
“Yes, Father.”
“All this time, you’ve been struggling tirelessly, attempting new ventures in places unseen. I have the most magnificent and remarkable daughter in the entire Empire.”
“…”
Commerce was not a field that nobility held in high regard, yet Father offered his praise without reservation, which surprised me inwardly. However, his lips remained firm as he spoke those kind words. His throat moved.
“But why have you been so desperately driven all this time? Could it be that your lack of mana sensitivity has burdened you with pressure to achieve results…?”
“No. It’s something I chose to do.”
I shook my head as I answered.
At first, I had planned the café business because I despised the arranged marriage and wanted to live freely, but that’s no longer the only reason. I had forgotten my original intention so often that each time I achieved results through my own efforts, I felt a profound sense of accomplishment.
Moreover, as I developed my ability to respond to crises, confidence blossomed within me.
‘Once I commit to something, I gain something in return.’
This was different from my previous life, where I had only studied what others told me to study.
However, the Duke seemed to have misunderstood that I had pursued business due to pressure regarding achievements, so I quickly and cunningly opened my mouth to clarify.
“Of course, I also wanted to show Father that I’m improving steadily.”
Silver eyes glisten with emotion, just as I intended.
“I’m truly proud of you. Continue doing whatever you wish. I’ll always be by your side, cheering you on and supporting you.”
Father’s sincerity touches my heart, and my nose tingles with warmth. But sentiment aside, I quickly seized the opportunity.
“Thank you for saying so. Actually, I was planning to submit an absence notice for business purposes and make a week-long business trip to Ripples Estate….”
“Hmm?”
Duke Simour’s eyes narrowed.
“To expand the stores according to the business plan, I need to first establish the distribution channels for coffee beans, our main product.”
“I see….”
Sensing his reluctance about my extended absence, I quickly took the initiative.
“Thank you for trusting and supporting me!”
* * *
When word spread that Deborah Simour, who had received the title of this year’s flower, had chosen Countess Basslein as her chaperone, most nobles expected the two to clash. Some even thought the young lady had made a poor move, given the rumors that the Countess had refused the gift.
But when news arrived that Deborah Simour had been suddenly invited to Ripples Estate, High Society erupted in speculation.
‘Damn it, this is exactly why Miya absolutely had to become this year’s flower!’
Meanwhile, the Fourth Empress felt her temples throb as her plans crumbled once more. Of all people, Deborah Simour had beaten her to securing Countess Basslein, the very person she’d been eyeing most closely.
Though Duke Basslein’s title wasn’t particularly distinguished, he commanded a formidable navy and maintained political neutrality. If she could have brought Countess Basslein to Miya’s side, she could have secured military backing for her son—a most unfortunate loss.
Moreover, according to Madam Ophelia’s investigation, Duke Visconti maintained a close relationship with Countess Basslein.
‘It could have been the perfect move to shake the bond between the Crown Prince and Duke Visconti!’
She’d wanted to eliminate Deborah Simour countless times—the girl was always an obstacle. But touching Simour was too risky, so she hesitated. And now, with the added complication of the “true saint,” her options were even more limited.
‘But why hasn’t the saint appeared yet? I’ve even gathered the Black Mages from the Southern Region and had them standing by in the Capital.’
Would she have to investigate every girl who attended the Purification Ceremony?
A headache was forming. At least there was one silver lining: recently, Miya had been gaining solid ground with the Cardinal’s full support.
‘The Temple has its pride, so even if the true saint appears, they won’t easily admit it and reverse course….’
For now, she had no choice but to find a suitable alternative to replace Duke Basslein.
‘Who would be good?’
The Fourth Empress’s gaze stopped on the name of Duchess Orgo, one of High Society’s most prominent figures, as she scanned the list.
‘Hmm. Yes, a Duchess from a founding family would be worth trying.’
* * *
Since this was my first time traveling far beyond the Capital, I tossed and turned all night without sleeping a wink. I’d begun to regret taking on such a large undertaking, but the moment I received Isidore’s letter this morning, my anxiety vanished completely.
I laughed softly as I looked at the letter with a heart drawn on it.
It seemed Isidore would be coming down to the Southern Region for a brief visit while I stayed at Ripples Estate. Since revealing himself as a Sword Master, he’d been called here and there, so we hadn’t had much time together. I couldn’t help but feel excited.
‘Taking a walk on the beach with my boyfriend—that’s been my dream.’
I pressed down my lips that kept trying to curve upward and traced over the heart with my fingertip, then gazed out the carriage window.
‘Father really does worry about everything. It’s just a week away, yet he made such a fuss.’
Many young ladies from families not on the Pangaea Academy roster live in dormitories anyway. Duke Simour had initially tried to follow me all the way to Ripples Estate but ultimately compromised, providing me with excellent guards and numerous attendants instead.
Soon after, the carriage procession came to a halt before the Ancient Gate. This massive long-distance teleportation gate, which incorporated the highest level of ancient magical technology, was installed like a station at key points throughout the Empire. The only drawback was its prohibitively expensive toll.
The carriage was soon sucked into the gate, and brilliant light burst forth from all directions.
‘That’s strange?’
Whenever I came into direct contact with mana, I always felt an unsettling sensation. In fact, when the ancient artifact Philaf had been holding went haywire and erupted with mana, I’d even lost consciousness from nausea and dizziness. But now, I felt nothing of the sort.
‘That power sealing my divine energy was also interfering with my mana sensitivity.’
I couldn’t fathom why my power had been blocked in the first place, and lost in these unanswerable thoughts, I drifted off to sleep.
‘That dream again.’
By now, I’d grown accustomed to witnessing grotesque monsters rampaging across the desert. Equally familiar was the sight of a golden-haired man bearing an uncanny resemblance to Isidore, wielding his sword with the grace of a god of war.
The man who claimed he’d never been injured since birth was truly formidable. Even high-rank monsters were cleaved in two in an instant before him.
“Heal me.”
“But you’re not injured.”
Despite sustaining no wounds, the man frequently demanded divine energy from Naila.
“When that white light touches me, it feels refreshing—like bathing.”
The fastidious man made a curt assessment before suddenly becoming presumptuous.
“Besides, you’re sharing water with me. Nothing in this world is free.”
“…I see.”
“Do you know what we call people who dispense divine energy without compensation, spouting nonsense about selfless service?”
“What?”
“A fool.”
The man never entrusted his water flask to Naila, instead making a show of pouring water into his gloved palm and forcing her to lick it from his hand. For someone claiming to be fastidious, he was peculiarly suspicious in such matters.
“That’s enough for today.”
As the man withdrew his gloved hand, the dream-version of me—Naila—gazed across the endless desert, tormented by an unrelenting thirst that refused to fade.
“There must be water somewhere, yes? I’ve heard someone once discovered something called an oasis.”
“There are places surrounded by water on all sides. If you’re adrift on the Vast Sea, you’ll long for land.”
“What is the sea like?”
“You’ve never been?”
“No. But someday, I truly wish to see it.”
In the dream, I yearned desperately for the sea. So when I opened my eyes and beheld the beautiful vista spread before me, I felt all the more moved.
“Deborah!”
As I stepped from the carriage, Isidore stood against the backdrop of the sea, beaming broadly as he waved his arm toward me. I ran swiftly toward him, and my impulsive action caused his eyes to widen in surprise.
“Wait, let me run to you.”
He quickly dashed toward me, swept me into his embrace, spun me around once, and gently set me down.
“You’ve worked hard to get here.”
“Yes.”
At last, my first day in the Southern Region had begun.

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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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