Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 160

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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 160
* * *
‘There.’
‘Deborah Simour….’
From the moment Deborah Simour descended the staircase with the fluid grace of a serpent preparing to strike, every noble in the hall had their attention riveted upon her. Curiosity bloomed—what jewels would she wear this time, what audacious spectacle would she orchestrate?
The vantage point from above lent her an even more commanding presence. Her slender frame, revealed by the mermaid-cut gown, made her appear taller still, while the elaborate flared hem adorning only the lower skirt created the illusion of a resplendent viper in motion.
The most beautiful creatures, they say, are those that carry poison. Though she wore no grand jewelry today, her sharp, striking features became all the more pronounced, and she seized the gaze of every aristocrat present.
Soon, Duke Simour and the twin heirs renowned for their genius approached her. When individuals with such cold, flawless beauty gathered in one place, they emanated an atmosphere both untouchable and intensely commanding.
Though Duke Simour had cast no ice magic, the space where they stood seemed as frigid as the heart of a frozen wasteland.
‘Those people must have blue blood running through their veins.’
‘Regardless, what an impressive assembly of talent.’
‘Indeed. Lord Rozard’s accomplishments speak for themselves, and Beleck is counted among the top three researchers at the Magic Tower….’
‘Yet they stand there with such cold expressions—what on earth are they discussing?’
Amid the waves of reverence and apprehension washing through the hall, Duke Simour gazed upon his daughter, who had blossomed into such magnificence.
“Deborah. So you’ve finally entered High Society. When did you grow so tall?”
“Not a trace of nervousness, and I don’t know whose sister she is, but she’s truly remarkable.”
Beleck offered his subtle praise, while Rozard lifted his thin lips and added tersely.
“You’re the most beautiful here.”
“That’s obvious.”
“Brothers. Surely you’ve run out of flattery by now?”
“You’re the most striking one here—what can we do about that?”
“Beleck. For once you’ve spoken sense. Whose daughter is she—truly dazzling. So don’t be nervous.”
As they carelessly scattered such effusive remarks, the Imperial Family entered the hall. At last, the curtain rose on the debutante ball that the newly-come-of-age young ladies had so eagerly anticipated.
* * *
“Your Majesty, the Second Empress.”
The first person I was introduced to was the Second Empress, who was, strictly speaking, the highest-ranking lady in the Imperial Court with both the Empress Dowager and Empress positions vacant.
Countess Basslein had forewarned me that though she lacked interest in power—perhaps because she had no son who could be pushed as the next Emperor—she possessed sincere faith in the divine.
“Delighted to meet you, my lady. You bloom like a rose, true to your House of Simour.”
I paused briefly at the Second Empress’s rather perfunctory greeting before speaking.
“A rose’s meaning varies greatly depending on the color it bears.”
“…Hmm. True enough. If I must say, you are a red rose, my lady.”
“Upon meeting Your Majesty in person, I find myself thinking that a pure white rose suits you far better than anyone else.”
A flicker of interest crossed the Second Empress’s previously bored eyes. She not only loved flowers but had once been so skilled in their arrangement that she adorned her hair with fresh blooms in her youth.
‘Most noble ladies wear jeweled ornaments, but that distinction is what made the Second Empress stand out.’
When the Pope, who had temporarily sought refuge in the Imperial Palace due to internal strife within the Temple, arrived, the Second Empress had welcomed him with white roses—a gesture laden with respect—and there was a well-known anecdote of how deeply moved the Pope had been.
“I can only imagine how greatly Your Majesty’s pure white roses comforted the Pope, whose spirit had been worn weary by the power struggles within the Temple.”
As I reminded her of her past accomplishments, the Second Empress seemed pleased, her eyes crinkling as she waved her fan.
“It’s such an ancient matter that many young ladies of the nobility know nothing of it, yet you’ve studied so thoroughly, my lady. I confess I knew little of you until now….”
“I myself have much to learn. I should very much like to hear more of those times.”
“Hehe. In my day, you see….”
‘There’s no getting past the old guard.’
The Second Empress, who had seemed bored at first, became remarkably talkative once she warmed to me. She even introduced me to the Imperial Princesses and mentioned inviting me to a tea party later.
“You made an excellent start, my dear. I’m truly proud of you.”
As the Second Empress released me from her grasp, her nostalgic reminiscence fading, Countess Basslein spoke with evident satisfaction.
“The Countess taught me so much.”
Whenever she had a moment, she would share with me various incidents intertwined with noble houses and their members. Beyond understanding the importance of a mentor, I finally grasped why Agate was such a sought-after chaperone.
“I’ve never seen the Second Empress look so delighted before.”
“I am honored to meet you, Marquis Lemong. I heard that Sir Patrice Mislo was promoted to Vice-Commander of the Red Knight Order this year. My congratulations.”
After my successful conversation with the Second Empress, I exchanged pleasantries with collateral members of the Imperial Family nearby.
“Oh, the young lady of Simour has keen observation and an excellent memory.”
“Indeed. It’s remarkable. Now I understand why the Second Empress wouldn’t let you go.”
‘Hmm?’
They stirred with surprise when I recognized them before they’d even introduced themselves, and I even mentioned their house’s recent news. Though they were collateral branches, they still carried Imperial blood and normally required formal introductions through intermediaries—so my sparing them that inconvenience earned their gratitude.
‘What is this…? I thought it was natural to memorize everything.’
Come to think of it, there couldn’t be many young ladies who collected all their portraits and painstakingly committed names and houses to memory through sheer rote memorization. Realizing the toll of Korea’s rote-learning education system—where memorization was treated as the pinnacle of study—I swallowed back tears no one could see.
‘At least it wasn’t completely pointless.’
By stuffing my head with the latest information about most of the nobility and their houses, I could navigate conversations smoothly without awkward pauses or missteps.
But that reprieve was short-lived. From somewhere, I caught snatches of a conversation that seemed aimed directly at me.
“Though the debutante has made considerable preparations, a truly refined lady would never strike someone of lower station with a fan, nor would she damage the reputation of her host at a gathering.”
Duke Selig, one of the Senate faction’s leaders, cut me down with a sneering tone.
Duke Selig was Emmanuel’s father, and I’d heard he harbored a grudge against me for publicly humiliating his daughter before. So it was that he subtly reminded the nobility of the incident where I had crashed a common aristocrat’s party and struck Baron Marco across the face.
‘I was wondering when this would come up.’
Having thoroughly shamed his daughter Emmanuel in public, there was no way Duke Selig could harbor any goodwill toward me. But even if that incident hadn’t occurred, he would have seized upon Deborah’s past conduct.
“Whether at grand affairs like a debutante ball or intimate gatherings, a lady must remain consistent everywhere to truly possess the virtue of humility.”
He continued speaking, indifferent to my approach.
“I am honored to meet you, Duke Selig.”
I regarded him with a cool gaze and lifted my blood-red fan, toying with it deliberately. When I reminded him of the incident where I’d struck the baron with that very fan, his lips twitched slightly.
“I deeply agree with what you’ve said, Duke Selig.”
“Hmm?”
“Which is precisely why I couldn’t tolerate Baron Marco—a man who poses as an upright official in public while committing infidelity behind closed doors.”
“B-but still, to strike someone with a fan? That’s hardly refined.”
“Are you defending an adulterer?”
When I spoke loudly enough for the surrounding noblewomen to hear, Duke Selig’s expression crumpled.
“Y-young lady! What kind of language is that?”
“I apologize—my voice rose without my realizing it, shocked that you would shield such a contemptible man.”
“When did I ever—”
“Deborah Simour, surely that wasn’t Duke Selig’s intention? You’re making a leap. Simply, all matters have their limits and boundaries, and the issue is that you fail to observe them.”
Marquis Lemong interjected then, and I tilted my head with feigned innocence.
“So punishing someone for being two-faced crossed the line, but William Lemong plagiarizing a classmate’s thesis observed proper boundaries?”
“Y-young lady!”
The more I engaged them in conversation, the more their weaknesses surfaced, and as the situation deteriorated, their expressions hardened while I bowed with perfect courtesy.
“Thank you for the lesson to live with unwavering consistency. I shall treasure it deeply in my heart.”
I spoke with deliberate formality, embedding the meaning that I would continue living as an unprincipled madwoman with perfect consistency—and my eyes met Isidore’s, who was struggling to suppress his laughter nearby.
Isidore had placed the weaknesses of the family heads, their wives, and their children from houses whose interests clashed with Simour directly into my hands like weapons. Since our relationship would remain parallel regardless, there was no need to wear a mask and grovel just to appear favorable.
‘This is Deborah’s way.’
People inevitably move according to their interests, advantageously in each moment. From their perspective, diminishing me—the daughter of the Emperor’s faction and the Magic Tower’s master—served their interests, so they would never change their attitude even if I behaved kindly and respectfully.
‘In that case, it’s far more effective to demonstrate that I possess information as a weapon.’
I needed to keep teaching them that touching a viper results in it striking without restraint. That way, they wouldn’t dare prattle on so carelessly again.
‘But what interest could Miya Binoshu possibly have that makes her dispense holy power while playing the saint?’
As I observed Miya smiling among the nobility, I absently toyed with the fan adorned with the twin-headed serpent.
Whatever her purpose, it was only natural that I move in the direction that would yield me the greatest gain. And this gathering of the wealthy and powerful was the perfect stage to expand my enterprises.
I walked slowly toward Countess Devion, my prey.

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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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