Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 159

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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 159
“Everyone said that divine power was remarkable. I’d like to see it once myself—whoa!”
Before Thierry could finish his casual remark, a black monster bristling with hundreds of teeth crashed to the ground with a wet, sickening sound. Miya stumbled backward, her face drained of color, and Thierry was taken aback by her passive response—so different from the rumors he’d heard.
“Hey! Why aren’t you doing anything?!”
Seeing Miya too flustered to offer excuses, Thierry cursed under his breath and turned his attention to the roaring creature.
Kiieeek—!
In that brief moment, Orix had already shoved his long spear into the monster’s gaping maw. The creature, now skewered like meat on a spit, shrieked in agony.
“Good grief. I can’t tell who the real monster is here.”
So Deborah Simour had such a terrifying knight in her service.
‘I absolutely cannot provoke him.’
Everyone present fell silent as Orix wielded his heavy spear with effortless grace, toying with the creature. The moment the presumed leader became a corpse, the remaining monsters lost all cohesion and began rampaging throughout the forest, destroying everything in their path.
‘Hah. That woman just stands there doing nothing. Unbelievable.’
Still, the monsters emerging from this rift seemed far less formidable than the rumors suggested. Thierry swiftly dispatched the smaller creatures with his blade, swallowing curses, but his eyes narrowed as he spotted the Knight Order appearing beyond the distant hill.
“What are they doing here?”
‘Why is Habier only showing up now?’
The reinforcements promised by the Fourth Empress arrived a step too late, and I bit my lip savagely.
‘That woman Deborah has ruined everything again.’
To be precise, it wasn’t Deborah herself but her knight who had arrived first to rescue them, disrupting the plan—yet I found myself consumed by inexplicable rage, grinding my teeth.
Meanwhile, as more people began to claim a share of the feast Orix had prepared, Thierry’s expression grew increasingly sour.
“Your Highness, the Third Prince. I need accomplishments to advance in the Knight Order next year. Please, rest for now.”
Thierry shouted as he drove his blade into the head of the most vulnerable-looking monster. The Third Prince, Habier, looked around in bewilderment, his eyes reflecting shock at a scene entirely unlike what he’d anticipated.
‘Where is the Duchess? This is nothing like Mother described.’
What should have been chaos was being swiftly resolved by the massive man. The Fourth Empress’s plan—to have her son rescue Duchess Orgo from danger and thereby force House Orgo into debt—had crumbled to dust.
Meanwhile, Orix, who had given hope to Unknown Knights as this year’s star of the jousting tournament, had now achieved the distinction of rescuing the Duchess and defeating the monsters, marking a brilliant debut as a knight.
* * *
Though there had been quite a commotion in Sky Forest, the debutante ball proceeded as scheduled without incident. The people of the Empire had grown numb to the phenomenon of rifts, and with no casualties reported, the Imperial Court seemed determined to press forward with the Thanksgiving festivities.
‘Well, canceling the event would only unsettle the people unnecessarily.’
The Palace of the Sun, where the ball was being held, was far more magnificent than what I’d glimpsed in my fragmented memories. Treasures sent from various nations and ancient relics were displayed throughout, and the crystal chandeliers were blindingly brilliant.
Yet no matter how splendid the Imperial Palace’s interior was, it couldn’t compare to Isidore standing beside me.
‘Has he received special grooming?’
His skin was as smooth as a pearl—I wanted to touch it. The black formal coat flowing across his elegant frame, contrasting with his pale complexion, emphasized his broad shoulders and narrow waist, making him appear even more alluring than usual.
‘…He really put in the effort.’
His pomaded hairstyle made his refined features and sharp eyes stand out all the more.
“Whose lover are you? You’re quite handsome.”
As I found myself captivated without realizing it, Isidore asked with a smile in his eyes.
“Yours, actually.”
I laughed despite myself, and he spoke tenderly.
“You’re smiling now, at least.”
He must have noticed how frozen I’d become before the debutante ball. Isidore had clearly arrived here earlier than the ball’s start time to ease my tension.
“I have many enemies, so I suppose I was worried after all.”
“Sometimes I find myself wishing that I were the only person standing beside you in this world. Is that terribly selfish of me?”
Isidore spoke in a confessional tone, sweet as honey, before his gaze drifted toward a distant sculpture and his brow furrowed slightly.
“Knight Thierry, why have you been lingering around us since earlier, abandoning your partner?”
“Duke Visconti’s expression has grown rather possessive today. Of course, Deborah Simour is as lovely as a single rose….”
Isidore cut him off immediately.
“My beloved has limited time before meeting my aunt, so we mustn’t waste it.”
“Right, right. I’ll get to the point then. I came to thank Deborah Simour. My mother just sent word that she’s arrived home safely.”
“Arrived home? I was under the impression that Duchess Orgo was to serve as chaperone for Miya at tonight’s ball.”
“The shock of encountering that monster must have been severe. She’s apparently bedridden with body aches and muscle soreness.”
‘Then who will serve as Miya’s chaperone?’
As I pondered this, my eyes met Thierry’s dark gaze.
“In any case, thanks to the young lady’s knight, my mother was spared. I swear by the honor of House Orgo that I shall repay this debt without fail.”
The moment Thierry leaned toward my hand to place a kiss upon it, Isidore swiftly blocked his lips.
“Do you have a death wish?”
“Mmph!”
“I’ll make sure that mouth never flaps again.”
As I watched the two handsome men engage in their comedic struggle, Countess Basslein—who had briefly excused herself to greet members of the Imperial Family—reappeared with a disapproving click of her tongue.
“Deborah Simour. Shall we go inside?”
“Yes, Countess.”
As we ascended the crimson-carpeted staircase, we arrived at the Powder Room where debutantes awaited their presentations. Inside, young ladies and noblewomen gathered in small clusters, anticipating the ball’s commencement.
‘Is the atmosphere always this subdued?’
Surely it’s not because of me?
When the young ladies’ eyes met mine, they quickly averted their gazes and feigned indifference, though they stole admiring glances at Countess Basslein. She commanded the respect befitting the most esteemed lady in High Society.
‘Even I feel my shoulders tensing unnecessarily.’
“It’s rather peaceful, isn’t it?”
Countess Basslein gracefully brought me a glass. I accepted the drink she offered and settled into a chair.
“Today, you will likely be introduced to more nobility than at any other point in your life, Deborah Simour.”
She began speaking gently as she adjusted my collar with affection.
“I have always counseled young ladies to practice the virtue of modesty. Of course, approaching matters with humility and without pretension is tremendously important, but I won’t offer you such commonplace advice.”
“….”
“I’m certain you’ll manage splendidly in your own way.”
“At the very least, I shall ensure I don’t tarnish Agate’s reputation.”
At my words, she laughed, fanning herself with her fan.
“All that’s left for me is to gild my own name. The response to the venture you proposed has been explosive. The Duke’s lips have been curled in a smile ever since.”
“How wonderful.”
As I conversed with her, a familiar face approached.
“Deborah Simour.”
“Your Highness.”
The arrival of Princess Vivienne, the most popular among the debutantes, sent a ripple through the Powder Room.
“We agreed to call each other by our names. Are you upset with me, Deborah?”
“Princess Vivienne. You’ve arrived?”
“Yes.”
She handed me a sapphire bracelet that matched the color of her hair and smiled brightly.
“This is my debutante gift.”
“Thank you.”
The moment I fastened it around my wrist, she wrinkled her nose sheepishly and gave my shoulder a light pat.
“You look beautiful today too. See you later.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The instant Princess Vivienne left, the Countess made an odd sound.
“The young lady grows more popular the more one sees her. Now I understand why my nephew is so nervous….”
“Knight Isidore is quite popular himself, wouldn’t you say?”
“Hmm. He’s rather oblivious to such things. Anyway, time is nearly up, young lady.”
As the debutante hour approached, the Powder Room grew increasingly chaotic. Some young ladies were perspiring heavily, anxious about their imminent debut into High Society, while others had visibly paled.
I was no less nervous than they were, yet my reflection in the mirror remained unchanged from usual.
‘Every time I see it, this face truly is the best.’
After tidying my appearance, I emerged into the corridor with Countess Basslein. Moments later, I spotted Miya Binoshu stepping out from the Powder Room across the way, accompanied by a distinguished older noblewoman.
‘Who is that noblewoman?’
“It appears Lady Aaron is serving as chaperone in place of Duchess Orgo.”
Though the Temple has been backing her recently and she enjoys Marquis Francois’s patronage, finding a replacement so quickly was suspicious….
As I observed her carefully, my gaze met Miya’s blue eyes directly. She immediately turned away and descended the stairs, and I watched her slender retreating figure in silence before lowering my eyes past the bannister to survey the hall below.
Nobles invited to the debutante ball were streaming into the Ballroom one after another. And they seemed to show considerable interest in Miya, whose long pink hair cascaded like a goddess. People were approaching her vicinity and engaging her in conversation quite frequently.
Counts and Marquises entered the Ballroom in turn to fill the hall, and soon Dukes and their immediate families began appearing one by one. I too descended the stairs with Countess Basslein.
That was when it happened.
Before I could even step on the final stair, the men of Simour surged toward me in a rush, and I broke into a cold sweat despite myself.

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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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