Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 152

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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 152
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Basslein Castle stood upon a coastline lined with vessels, its impressively tall blue roofs catching the eye. Shortly after, the entourage I had brought crossed the drawbridge and passed through the castle gates, where Duke Basslein, his wife, and their daughter came to greet me.
Duke Basslein offered a warm smile.
“Welcome, Lady Deborah Simour. I hear you’ve already established a Trading Company at such a young age. Not only that, but you’ve even developed the formulas used by combat mages. Your accomplishments are truly remarkable.”
“You’re too kind.”
“Please make yourself at home during your stay.”
“Thank you for the invitation.”
I presented Duke Basslein with a box of high-quality mana stones as a token of my gratitude for his hospitality. Since superior mana stones were a resource useful everywhere, the Duke was absolutely delighted.
“By the way, our dear cousin-in-law is supposedly the legendary Sword Mage we’ve only heard tales of? To think you’ve been hiding such a fact all this time.”
Duke Basslein, a warrior with a competitive spirit, seemed to feel a deep sense of betrayal that Knight Isidore had been concealing his true abilities.
“We should have a deeper conversation about this.”
Knight Isidore was dragged away by the Duke, whose expression had turned grim, while the Duchess led me deeper into the castle.
“This way, please. I’ll show you to the guest pavilion where visitors stay.”
‘Oh? That outfit is quite unusual.’
As I followed her, my gaze was drawn to a couple strolling through the garden in clothing unlike anything I’d ever seen before. The man appeared to be from the Empire, while the woman had an exotic appearance suggesting she was from abroad.
As I looked at them, the Duchess whispered to me.
“Baslein Territory has a large harbor where ships dock, so we receive guests from various regions year-round. That couple are merchants who travel between Ferdin and the Empire.”
She continued.
“And all the guests staying here are planning to attend the formal dinner being held at Basslein on Friday evening.”
‘So she deliberately invited me during this period.’
“That gathering might help you gain information about Ferdin Duchy and build relevant connections.”
“Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.”
I spoke with genuine sincerity.
“I’m grateful too, for you coming all this way. I wanted Arabelle, who will be entering the Academy soon, to see you working so actively.”
When our eyes met, the child who had been clinging to her mother’s side swallowed nervously, and I smiled warmly at her.
“Thank you for inviting me, Arabelle.”
“Yes! Please make yourself comfortable during your stay, Lady Simour.”
She bowed to me with flushed cheeks, and the Duchess smiled softly.
“You must be tired from using the gate. Rest well today and recover from your journey.”
The room the Duchess provided was pleasant, and above all, the vast sea visible beyond the window and the ships lined up along the shore were striking. As I leaned out the window enjoying the cool sea breeze, I spotted Knight Isidore freed from the Duke’s clutches and quickly descended the stairs.
I had remembered what he said earlier.
“There’s a beach nearby famous for its pure white sand. If you have time, let’s go together.”
Since I’d come to such a beautiful coastal city, I thought I might as well work and sightsee.
In my previous life, I’d been so consumed with grades and part-time work that I never took a proper trip during my university years. Even a casual trip to Jeju Island felt like a distant dream. Perhaps that’s why I felt a little excited, as if I were on a backpacking adventure.
“How about we go to that white sand beach right now?”
“I have plenty of energy since I came from the Territory, but aren’t you tired, my lady?”
“I’m full of energy.”
Whether because I’d slept soundly the entire time using the gate or because of my holy power, I felt no fatigue whatsoever.
“The sunset is most beautiful at this hour.”
Isidore spoke tenderly while gently clasping my hand. I squeezed his warm, large hand firmly in return.
“It’s quite a distance. Shall we walk, or would you prefer a carriage?”
“I’d rather walk if we can. There’s so much to see.”
As we left the castle and headed toward the White Sand Beach, a thriving commercial district came into view, lined with numerous street stalls. We paused at various vendors along the way, sampling snacks and browsing trinkets.
After walking for some time along the gently curved coastline, the coarse, rough sand gradually transformed into pristine white, as fine as snow. I found myself captivated by the ethereal beauty of the landscape.
I removed my shoes to wade into the sea, and Isidore immediately picked them up for me. As I walked barefoot across the white sand, my feet sank unexpectedly into the soft ground beneath, causing me to stumble.
“Shall I carry you?”
Without waiting for my answer, he laughed playfully and lifted me effortlessly like a princess. He began running swiftly toward the water, and I tapped his firm shoulder in protest.
“If you drop me, I’ll really be angry!”
“I’d like to see you truly angry, you know?”
“Don’t you dare!”
Though he had seemed ready to toss me into the sea, he surprisingly set me down gently at the water’s edge.
Fine sand churned up by the waves sifted between my toes in a peculiar sensation. I walked across the shallow waves, leaving footprints in the sand, before finally settling down on the beach to watch the sunset. I gazed endlessly at the sky, which shifted in color as fluffy clouds drifted across it.
I had a feeling this sky would remain etched in my memory for a long time.
“It’s beautiful.”
….
“It’s as if someone is continuously painting the sky with a brush.”
I watched the sunset stain the white sand, exclaiming in wonder multiple times with an excited voice. Then, at some moment, I caught sight of his face drawing near and swallowed hard.
“When I watched fireworks before, I thought the young lady watching them was far more beautiful.”
He slowly traced my lower lip with his thumb. His face, so close to mine, was breathtakingly beautiful. As I slowly closed my eyes, he pulled my chin toward him and captured my lips.
That was when it happened.
Splash—
While I was lost in the soft sensation he offered, a large wave surged forward, and we were suddenly drenched by the spray.
‘Ugh, salt!’
As I rubbed my stinging eyes, Isidore suddenly turned his head away, his ears flushing red. My wet skirt clung to my body, outlining my silhouette.
I had dressed as lightly as possible for the long journey, and since this place was warmer than the Capital, I hadn’t even worn a vest. Isidore, too, had no outer coat to drape over me.
“…Let’s head back to the castle for now.”
As I muttered while shivering in my wet clothes, he quickly stopped me.
“Dry off inside there. I’ll bring you clothes.”
He pointed to the villa visible before us.
“Is it alright to just enter a place like that?”
“I acquired that villa from Duke Basslein last year.”
‘So it’s private property. No wonder it’s such a lovely place with no one around.’
With belated understanding, I hastily slipped on my shoes and walked toward the villa.
The villa was well-maintained but devoid of any signs of habitation, and the air inside felt cold. As the sun set, the temperature dropped rapidly, and I shivered as I wrung out my wet clothes.
Shortly after, Isidore appeared, breathing heavily, carrying a cloak that looked hastily purchased from a nearby street vendor.
“Are you very cold?”
As I trembled, he asked with concern.
“You look terribly cold yourself.”
“There’s quite a bit of wind outside.”
He dragged over a chair and used flame magic to ignite the fireplace in the villa’s living room.
“So let’s dry off a bit before we head out.”
I quickly moved to sit in front of the fireplace.
‘It’s warm.’
As I dried my clothes, the absurdity of the situation struck me as oddly amusing, and I let out a quiet laugh. Isidore also released a stifled cough, as if suppressing his own laughter.
“What a ridiculous sight this is. We look like drowned rats.”
“We certainly do.”
“Who could have predicted the waves would crash in so violently all of a sudden?”
“But why won’t you wear this? I went back and forth to the market stalls several times just to buy it.”
He kept insisting I wear the red cloak—the sort a young lady of noble birth might don.
“Wearing it over wet clothes would only make me more uncomfortable.”
“That’s not really the issue….”
His words trailed off as he kept his gaze fixed on the flickering fireplace, continuing to peel away the white shirt clinging to his firm, muscular frame.
Isidore, who typically displayed such practiced ease and composure, revealed an awkwardness in this particular moment. His discomfort spread to me as well, and I found myself acutely aware of the damp fabric clinging to my skin.
“….”
The silence stretched taut like a rubber band being pulled. My heart pounded erratically with tension, and my ears felt muffled. The warmth from the fireplace had become almost scorching. I felt my throat grow dry.
“…After all, we’re already in a relationship anyway.”
I parted my lips and murmured the words barely audibly. He, who had been staring intently at the kindling, turned his gaze toward me. His emerald eyes flickered with the firelight, trembling with intensity.
I continued slowly.
“It shouldn’t matter….”
“It does matter.”
He swept back his wet hair with a sharp, almost impatient gesture, as if suppressing something. Water droplets traced down his golden strands and fell softly onto the rug below.
“If you knew what I was thinking right now, you wouldn’t say such things.”
“Sometimes you underestimate me, Knight Isidore.”
Watching his trembling eyelashes, I provoked him as if under some spell. After all, the debutante presentation was merely a formality—my true age as a Magic Department student was that of an adult in my previous life.
He narrowed his eyes. The slight curve beneath his eyes seemed to form a seductive smile.
“…Would you stay here a little longer? I’ll heat some water for you.”
At his question, I held my breath for a moment, then nodded slowly.

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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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