Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 157

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

10. Intersection Point
From who served as Miya Binoshu’s chaperone to which dress shop she’d commissioned multiple expensive gowns from—gossip about the debutante flowed endlessly through High Society’s drawing rooms.
“The name Miya Binoshu has been on everyone’s lips lately.”
The fact that Miya Binoshu’s chaperone was the Duchess Orgo—wife of a duke from a founding family—had become the season’s most sensational topic. The notoriously proud Duchess Orgo, who had only ever chaperoned debutantes from distinguished houses, had never before taken on a young lady from an obscure family.
“On the surface, the Duchess Orgo’s choice appears bold, but it’s actually quite calculated.”
Countess Basslein lifted her teacup with elegant grace and continued. She spoke to me with candid honesty about the intrigues unfolding in High Society and the true motivations of those involved.
“From the Duchess Orgo’s perspective, aligning herself with Miya Binoshu’s popularity among commoners while refreshing her own image is hardly a poor decision.”
“I see.”
“Beyond that, she likely wishes to appear as a special patron—almost like a saint’s benefactor.”
The Cardinal himself had been lavishing praise on Miya Binoshu at the Temple, calling her the incarnation of a saint. With the Duchess Orgo adding her own weight to this narrative, High Society was already speculating that Miya Binoshu might become the season’s most celebrated debutante.
“So I, the rogue’s chaperone, and the Duchess Orgo, the saint’s chaperone, stand at opposite poles.”
Countess Basslein laughed playfully. Of course, the rogue in question was myself.
“I hear you wield your fan quite effectively?”
Days earlier, I had crashed a party thrown by minor nobility and thoroughly thrashed Baron Marco with my fan, earning myself a modest reputation for mischief.
‘I’d struck him with full force—hard enough to knock his wig clean off.’
I hadn’t touched that wretch without cause. Baroness Marco was my etiquette instructor, a woman of unparalleled sincerity and responsibility.
‘That bastard Baron Marco deserved far worse—he could be beaten to dust on a rainy day and it would be justice.’
Baron Marco had not only dallied with a maid but had pushed his pregnant wife down the stairs. Watching Baroness Marco limp through my etiquette lessons despite her injuries—something inside me simply snapped.
“How could I let such a man go unpunished?”
“I couldn’t bear to see my husband laughing and making merry at the party. I wanted him humiliated.”
I was more than happy to oblige, humiliating the baron before all of High Society.
‘I’d been far too well-behaved lately. It felt good to act like a proper villainess for once.’
The Black Mages searching for a saint and their shadowy masters could never imagine that their quarry might be the woman who beats people with a fan in her previous life.
Of course, a mere baron, no matter how he gnashed his teeth and struggled, could inflict no real harm on me as a duchess’s daughter—which is precisely why I’d acted so freely.
‘Besides, what he did infuriated me.’
My etiquette instructor had come to realize that mental well-being mattered more than empty propriety, and she was now preparing for divorce. Recalling the events that had unfolded during my debutante preparations, I opened my mouth to address the Countess.
“My hand simply slipped. Baron Marco had accumulated so much grease on his face.”
“Haha. I’m not scolding you, Lady Deborah Simour. Being the chaperone to a distinctive and remarkable young lady like yourself brings me far more joy and pride.”
I’d expected some rebuke for conduct unbecoming a noblewoman, but her response surprised me. The Countess touched her fan with an amused smile.
“This debutante season will become a battle between rogue and angel.”
She seemed thoroughly entertained by this stark contrast that had emerged.
“A rogue… at least not a demon. I’m actually quite fond of that epithet.”
I smiled back at her with a smirk.
“You seem one way based on rumor, but when one looks closer, you’re quite different…”
“Isn’t it more interesting with a twist?”
“You speak well too.”
She remarked that my eloquence rivaled Knight Isidore’s, clicking her tongue in mock amazement.
‘It’s true that I’m becoming more like Isidore.’
There’s a saying that people who care for each other grow to resemble one another.
The Countess, still smiling faintly, added another spoonful of sugar to her tea and stirred it slowly.
“Oh, Arabelle was asking when you’d visit the Castle again. The Snowy Sea is absolutely enchanting, so do come stay at the Castle during the holidays.”
“Yes, madam.”
I spent the entire afternoon conversing with her on a wide range of topics before returning to the Town House.
“Lady Deborah.”
As I removed my coat and was tidying my hair, disheveled by the cold wind, a servant approached me.
“Duke Simour wishes to speak with you urgently.”
“What could have happened so suddenly?”
“He did not explain the reason, but instructed that you come directly to the Office upon your arrival.”
I entered the Office with a sense of bewilderment and found myself face to face with an unexpected person.
Orix Merkain.
The knight from the Anonymous Knight Order whom I had brought along through a slave contract during the jousting tournament. He now stood waiting for me, adorned with a silver badge bearing the emblem of the Twin-Headed Eagle and dressed in military uniform.
“I present my respects, the esteemed Lady of House Simour. I am Orix Merkain, who has been formally granted the rank of knight today.”
Duke Simour beside me chuckled and added his words.
“This knight’s loyalty toward you is truly remarkable.”
After bringing him to Simour and leaving him with the Knight Order without doing anything particularly special for him, I felt oddly flustered by his eyes brimming with devotion.
“His sincerity is admirable, and his skill is so exceptional that he became a Sword Expert in such a short time. I intend to appoint him as the commander of your personal knight order.”
Hmm? Did I mishear something just now?
“Are you saying you’ll establish a personal knight order for me?”
“Indeed. This is my debutante gift to you. I assure you it will be far more valuable than jewels. And it is also for the sake of your personal safety.”
Feeling the true class of House Simour deeply, I stood dumbfounded for a moment before positioning myself before Orix with the most dignified expression I could muster.
“Do well going forward.”
“Yes, Lady Deborah.”
His face was filled with profound emotion as he knelt before me, and I gently tapped his shoulder.
‘This is perfect timing. Orix has received his knighthood at just the right moment.’
The day before my debutante, I summoned Orix.
“There is something you must do for the first time.”
“I await your command, Lady Deborah.”
And I entrusted him with his first mission.

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