Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 156

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 156
* * *
A debutante ball was the official first social debut of noble young ladies who had come of age, and it also marked the opening of the Thanksgiving season festivities.
When Thanksgiving arrived, the Imperial Court held grand balls and hunting competitions, drawing attendees from provincial lords to dignitaries across all ranks. The debutantes were introduced to each of them individually, and the connections forged at that time continued to influence their futures.
For young ladies hoping to integrate successfully into noble society, there was no better stage than this—but in my case, there were simply too many family names to memorize, and my head felt ready to burst.
“Ugh….”
That wasn’t all. What was with all this tedious ceremony? I shuddered as I studied the etiquette manual, which detailed everything from the precise angle of a curtsy to the exact motion of lifting one’s skirt.
‘Being a noble isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.’
I was wrapping my head around the complex Imperial family tree when word came that the Dance Teacher had arrived, and I sprang from my seat.
Duke Simour had invited a distinguished noblewoman renowned for her mastery of High Society etiquette and a teacher famous for social dancing to prepare me for the debutante ball. While noble young ladies already knew how to dance, the problem was that many eyes would be watching at the debutante ball.
‘Including nobles searching for suitable matches for their children.’
Before the debutante ball, young ladies intensively honed their dancing skills while checking for any bad habits in their movements.
‘Still, dancing is more enjoyable than memorizing that complicated Imperial family tree.’
With my natural gift for physical movement, I mimicked the Dance Teacher’s steps like a photocopier.
“Your steps are truly perfect, Miss Deborah Simour.”
The Dance Teacher showered me with flattery while clapping until his palms grew dry and worn.
“Among all the students I’ve taught, you are by far the most… Eek!”
Just as I was in the middle of learning to dance in the Annex Practice Room, Duke Simour suddenly appeared.
“Don’t mind me—continue with the lesson.”
He stood against one wall with his arms crossed, looking every bit the intimidating figure. The Dance Teacher, clearly unnerved, continued the lesson while perspiring profusely.
“Not just because she’s my daughter, but she truly dances beautifully.”
“Miss Deborah Simour dances with the grace and elegance of a swan. If you practice with a real partner in preparation for the actual event, I can assure you that you will be the most admired in the ballroom.”
“A real partner?”
“Since social dancing requires a partner, practicing with one would greatly improve your skills.”
“She dances well enough as it is—what more practice is needed?”
“O-of course, Your Grace.”
“…This is troublesome. I can hardly take up dancing again myself.”
Duke Simour muttered something under his breath with a displeased expression, but as soon as the lesson ended, he approached me.
“Let’s take a walk in the garden to get some fresh air.”
“Yes.”
I walked alongside him out of the Annex Building and into the garden.
“Deborah, did you get what you wanted during your time at the Basslein Marquisate?”
“Yes, Father.”
“Countess Basslein is an excellent noblewoman with impeccable character to serve as your chaperone. And… she’s also a cousin of Duke Visconti, I hear.”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“What a coincidence that the timing of your invitation to the castle overlapped. Remarkable….”
Though I felt guilty about much, I spoke with deliberate composure.
“The Marquis was preparing for his voyage, so there were many guests at the castle besides Knight Isidore and myself.”
“I see.”
“By the way, it’s grown so cold that the flowers have nearly all withered.”
I hastily changed the subject.
“Time flies like an arrow loosed from a bow. You’re already approaching your debutante season. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to tell me.”
“Yes.”
I thought our conversation had concluded on such a warm note, but….
That very evening, Knight Isidore was summoned to the Simour Town House without warning, and I nearly spat out the juice I’d been drinking.
* * *
Duke Simour polished a serpentine platinum stamp embedded with the finest mana stone with a desolate expression.
“I trust you’ve been well.”
Knight Isidore greeted him with a gentle smile. Most young men of that age would cower before him, their tails between their legs, but this one was clearly no ordinary fellow.
“Sit there.”
Having failed to intimidate Knight Isidore, Duke Simour cleared his throat once, then ordered a servant to bring tea. Isidore, seated across from him, withdrew a document from his bag.
“This is the investigation material on Miya Binoshu.”
He had come to the Simour Town House today specifically to deliver this information.
‘And incidentally, to catch a glimpse of that lovely young lady’s face.’
Duke Simour’s eyes narrowed as Knight Isidore’s true intentions became transparent to him.
‘This bastard. Does he think I’ve never experienced love?’
“You’ve done well. Be sure to pass the material along to my daughter. Thank you for stopping by despite your busy schedule, Knight Isidore.”
Despite his petulance, Knight Isidore smiled with genuine warmth.
“The tea has a lovely fragrance. I apologize for always receiving your hospitality, so I’ve brought some late-night refreshments—confections that are perfect for those burning the midnight oil.”
Late-night work was the fate of any household head, and in that moment, an unspoken understanding formed between them. Duke Simour regarded Knight Isidore’s accommodating manner quietly, then retrieved and reviewed the documents concerning Miya.
“Hmm. The young lady of a fallen house. It must be difficult for her to fend for herself, yet she devotes herself to serving the common people. Her philanthropic spirit is quite remarkable.”
Her conduct was unusual, but as long as she hadn’t falsely claimed Deborah Simour’s accomplishments as her own, there was nothing particularly suspicious about this young lady. Duke Simour twisted his thin lips slightly.
“…Her guardian is Francois Marquis.”
The Francois family belonged to the Senate and, while their history was brief, they possessed considerable wealth.
“Miya Binoshu is also approaching her debutante season this year, much like my daughter, and from what I hear, Francois Marquis has even hired a private tutor and is actively supporting her.”
Knight Isidore set down his teacup and continued slowly.
“While he has the plausible pretext of patronizing a young lady devoted to charitable service, the Francois Marquis I know is far removed from someone motivated by pure benevolence. And he certainly isn’t the type to concern himself with the sentiments of the common people.”
Moreover, the Temple only began promoting Miya after the perfume ceremony, whereas Francois Marquis had been supporting her before that. The benefits he might gain from sponsoring Miya Binoshu weren’t immediately apparent, and the more I considered it, the more puzzling it became.
Knight Isidore had already assigned a new informant to monitor Francois Marquis.
“I’ll continue the investigation.”
“Good. But you….”
Duke Simour’s eyes suddenly gleamed like a serpent’s, and Knight Isidore flinched.
“…Yes?”
“What class are you? Tell me just between us.”
Now that I thought about it, Duke Simour was regarding him with a warmth he’d never shown before. Knight Isidore regretted not revealing his status as a mage sooner.
“Actually… I’m not entirely certain myself.”
“You’re not certain?”
“My mana circle and aura are intertwined in a spiral pattern, making it difficult to measure my class by conventional standards.”
“Perhaps being a Sword Mage has given you a unique constitution. Have you tested what level of magic you’re capable of casting?”
“In the field of spatial magic, which I’ve studied extensively, I can cast spells at the 7th class level. However, to master the highest-class spells of other disciplines, I require a longer period of training than ordinary mages. I would need to completely revise my formations to suit my unique constitution.”
“Space magic is notoriously difficult to refine. Are you saying you’ve improved upon it?”
“Yes.”
Since childhood, Isidore had dreamed of possessing his own private space where he could accumulate gold without limit. It was this desire that led him to master space magic and teleportation magic first.
Duke Simour’s eyes flickered with intrigue as he observed Isidore.
“Ah, speaking of which, it’s getting late. Shall we have dinner before you go?”
“Yes. Father-in-law… or rather, Duke Simour.”
* * *
Francois Marquis had been hiding in a cargo wagon entering the Marquis Castle when Albert appeared like a ghost at the witching hour, causing him considerable alarm.
“What brings you here so suddenly?”
“It seems we’ve been caught.”
“Caught?”
“All the young girls we were collecting as resources have returned to their original places. Only Ravi, who was searching for infants with holy power, has vanished without a trace.”
Faced with this unexpected turn of events, Francois Marquis asked quietly, his indignation barely contained.
“Who could have done such a thing?”
“If we start investigating to find out who’s behind this, we risk escalating the situation. We need to leave it as the personal transgression of a single Black Mage.”
“In any case, Ravi is a loyal servant who pledged his soul to the Demon Lord, so he wouldn’t have revealed our backing.”
“Damn it! Ravi was one of our most clever assets. If Miya keeps squandering holy blood like this and we lose the people supplying us with resources, we’ll be in serious trouble.”
“I’ve instructed Miya to cease her service for the time being. She’s currently learning the etiquette and protocols of noble society.”
“How is she progressing?”
“Quite well. It appears Deborah Simour has become her motivation. To compensate for missing this year’s most celebrated debutante, she must work that much harder.”
“Have you any news of the saint the Demon Lord has prophesied?”
“She expended far too much power during the incense ceremony, so it will be difficult for her to receive the Demon Lord’s revelations for some time.”
“Sigh.”
Albert exhaled a long, weary breath, his face etched with concern.
“For now, please focus your efforts as the Demon Lord has commanded—spreading rumors and shaping public opinion to discredit the Crown Prince.”
“Understood.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————