Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 153

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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 153
After exchanging permission in hushed tones, I felt the air tighten around me until my toes curled inward. Even breathing became acutely conscious—each inhale and exhale stung with awareness. My heart thundered wildly, my head spun, and I couldn’t fathom why I’d even bothered bathing in the first place.
‘I’m trembling.’
Yet I was the one who provoked this.
After hesitating for a long moment and taking deep breaths, I clutched the large towel wrapped around my body and moved slowly down the corridor.
The bedroom door handle clicked as light spilled through, and his large hand slowly pulled my wrist, drawing me inside where his muscular frame came into sharp focus. His body was flawless and beautiful, carved with a sculptor’s precision, yet simultaneously imposing—a subtle fear seeped through me.
“I would never do anything you dislike.”
As I froze, Isidore pressed his lips only to my fingertips, his voice low.
His lips and hand trembled faintly where they touched, and his firm chest rose and fell irregularly. His skin conveyed that he was just as tense as I was. He guided my palm to his lips, then moved it to his cheek.
“You’re the only one allowed to touch me like this.”
He whispered seductively, igniting the flame once more.
The words—that I was the only one—awakened a possessiveness I didn’t know I harbored, and my heart ached with exhilaration. Like one enchanted, I slowly caressed his sharp jawline.
“It feels good when you touch me…”
As I traced his long, fragrant neck, he exhaled sharply.
“Do more.”
Watching him like a purring, obedient beast, I slowly traced the hollow of his collarbone before sliding my hand down to his waist.
“Mmph!”
Our lips collided urgently, teeth nearly clicking together. A kiss devoid of restraint poured forth, and the towel loosely wrapped around me slipped downward.
“I love you.”
He whispered while gently biting my earlobe.
“I love you so much that sometimes I feel like I’m going mad. You never leave my mind, not for a single day.”
“Me too… I do.”
I breathed heavily as I gripped his broad shoulders.
* * *
Light filtering through my eyelids stirred me awake.
Pale dawn light streamed through the large window, and a muscular, well-built back came into view. I jolted in surprise and sat up abruptly.
‘Oh, yesterday…’
Memories of bare skin and intimacy flashed mercilessly through my mind, and heat rose to my face. I fanned myself frantically with my hand. His lips had left no part of me untouched. There were even reddened marks along the inside of my arms—evidence of everything that had transpired.
‘But when did I even fall asleep?’
Perhaps mindful that I hadn’t yet had my debutante ball, Isidore had focused entirely on pleasuring me without taking things to their ultimate conclusion. I had melted helplessly in the gentle warmth he provided.
Though impulsive and unpredictable at times, I was newly reminded that Isidore was the older one.
‘He looks like a painting.’
Was this how Psyche felt upon discovering Eros? Golden lashes stretched long, a prominent nose, a refined face with skin so flawless it seemed untouched…
I was gazing at Isidore sleeping like an angel when he suddenly shifted, and I startled like a child caught stealing honey.
“You’re awake?”
Isidore asked with a drowsy, half-asleep expression. I gently rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
“Sleep more.”
“You woke me with your brightness. I’m usually not good at waking early at dawn.”
He murmured in a sleepy voice, then rose and pressed his lips softly to my chin, smiling vulnerably.
“Why are you so beautiful?”
He posed a playful question before pulling me into his arms and getting out of bed.
‘…He’s quite vigorous. Well, he’s in his prime, after all.’
I rubbed the back of my neck, which had flushed with embarrassment at such a mature thought.
When I had nearly finished preparing to leave, Isidore appeared behind me with a comb.
“Let me comb your hair.”
My hair was prone to frizz, tangled easily, and was so long that it was difficult to manage.
“You’re skilled. Is there anything you can’t do?”
As I unconsciously murmured at his delicate touch, I felt Isidore’s shoulders shake with laughter behind me. He soon poured fragrant oil into his palm and applied it to my hair—the same scent that had lingered on his neck and hair yesterday.
His hand, which had been gently arranging the ends of my hair, withdrew, and something warm and soft touched the back of my neck. The soft sound of suction made me realize in an instant that it was his lips.
“Consider it compensation for my labor.”
“How stingy. Is there nothing free in Duke Visconti’s dictionary?”
“Let me show you what true stinginess really is.”
“That tickles!”
“I noticed this spot is particularly sensitive for you.”
He chuckled and peppered kisses between my neck and ear. Remembering how he had spoken to me on the bed last night, I had been shrinking my shoulders when a sudden thought struck me, and I pushed him away.
“The Duchess asked me to have tea with her today.”
“My aunt typically enjoys tea in the afternoon, so we can stay at the villa a bit longer.”
“Still, she might come looking for me early….”
“…The Visconti Territory should have been adjacent to Ferdin. I can’t even occupy my uncle’s estate.”
I rose to my feet, leaving Isidore to his nonsensical musing, and opened my mouth as a sudden thought occurred to me.
“Come to think of it, couldn’t I have dried my wet clothes with wind magic?!”
Realizing belatedly, his eyes widened slightly.
“That’s true, but perhaps… I wasn’t able to control the wind pressure well.”
“So you’re weak with wind magic. Well, no one can be good at everything.”
“…It’s troublesome that I lack such self-awareness.”
I crossed the pristine white sand beach at dawn while exchanging somewhat awkward conversation with him.
* * *
The second day at Ripples Estate passed without incident, uneventfully. Duke Basslein had been occupied with military training schedules. In the afternoon, the three of us—the Duchess, Arabelle, and I—enjoyed dessert together, and in the evening, I surveyed the surroundings of the estate once more to gauge the atmosphere.
And today was the Friday that the Duchess had hinted at, when a formal banquet would be held for the castle’s guests.
‘What are they discussing?’
After dressing in formal attire to attend the banquet, I descended to the first floor of the Annex Building and discovered Isidore engaged in cheerful conversation with the merchant couple I had witnessed on the first day.
Shortly after, he finished his conversation and approached me.
“What were you discussing with those people?”
“I casually asked about the purpose of their stay here. I was also gathering information about coffee.”
True to his position as the head of the Information Guild, Isidore was naturally collecting information about those around him. Unlike me, it seemed others easily lowered their guard and showed favor toward his gentle smile and fluent eloquence.
“From what I hear, they’ve made quite a fortune cultivating spices. They’re looking for new investment opportunities to grow that wealth. However….”
“However?”
“Ferdin Duchy has been in turmoil due to recent civil strife, so they’ve turned their attention to the Empire. But they say it’s unfortunate that fishing and trade here have also contracted due to the Barrier.”
“Do Barriers occur frequently in the Southern Region as well?”
“The frequency is relatively low compared to other regions, but since they occur over the sea, the damage to nearby Busez County has been severe. Unlike on land, accidents at sea result in total loss of life.”
“True enough. If monsters attack the ship, there would be no countermeasures.”
“Yet fishermen and merchants cannot simply abandon their livelihoods, so anxiety only deepens.”
“….”
“Duke Basslein wishes to sell the surplus copper in this region to that merchant couple, but the transaction may not proceed smoothly.”
“….”
The cursed Barrier cracks were occurring throughout Asteia, ceaselessly stimulating people’s fear. And typically, a protagonist emerges amid crisis and chaos.
‘In the novel, Miya was the protagonist.’
For someone like me who wanted to spend money freely and live peacefully, this was truly vexing.
‘Wait….’
A sudden thought flashed through my mind.
‘…Could this work?’
“I love it most when you have that look in your eyes, my lady.”
Isidore spoke suddenly.
“What look?”
“I cannot explain it precisely… but it sparkles just like a ruby.”
Emboldened by his words, I touched the lucky coin he had given me and entered the banquet hall.
The interior had a moderately relaxed atmosphere. Round tables were arranged here and there, and people stood with champagne glasses, exchanging greetings. As Isidore and I entered together, every eye in the banquet hall turned toward us.
“This way, please.”
The Duchess guided Isidore and me to the seats of honor. By coincidence, the merchant couple I had been targeting sat nearby, and we exchanged introductions.
“I am Kev Blancan. It is an honor to meet the princess of the great Simour. I conduct trade between Ferdin and the Empire.”
“Please, speak freely. I have also come here for business purposes.”
As I smiled with practiced grace and spoke, Kev shook my hand with a surprised expression. His wife, Parima, seemed unfamiliar with the Imperial language and spoke through her husband.
Shortly after, when Duke Basslein appeared with a large wine barrel, the atmosphere grew increasingly warm. The elaborate feast of fresh seafood was exquisite.
“It is delicious.”
Even the fermented seafood, which could be divisive, I consumed without leaving a trace, and Duke Basslein was thoroughly delighted.
“Princess Deborah, you are quite different from the rumors. Spirited and truly courageous. By the way, I heard you had a request for me.”
“Before that, I would like to present a different proposal.”
“What is it?”
“I have heard that due to the recent Barrier cracks, sailors are anxious and trade has been declining.”
“Unfortunately, the princess is correct. Pirates have also become more rampant.”
Duke Basslein nodded, stroking his beard with a deepened frown.
“The more unstable the people’s hearts, the more profitable ventures emerge.”
I cast my bait loudly enough for the merchant couple beside me to hear.

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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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