Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 175

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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 175
11. The Conclusion
“Deborah, now that I think about it, your birthday is approaching rather soon.”
Duke Simour, seated across from me, remarked this suddenly while studying the chessboard, and I nodded while placing my Queen down with a decisive tap.
“What if we celebrate this year quietly with only immediate family, without inviting guests? Given that we still haven’t identified who is behind the threat to you….”
I had not yet shared the clues I discovered in the diary with my father.
‘I’ve deduced who is behind this, but I lack the decisive evidence needed to investigate and confront the Imperial Family.’
That the Fourth Empress, the Emperor’s most favored consort, was targeting me—it was subtly troublesome, giving me a headache.
Lost in thought, instead of answering Father’s suggestion, I picked up the black Bishop, swept it across the chessboard, and toppled a pristine pawn into enemy territory. Father, watching the black Bishop advance boldly into the opposing ranks, slowly stroked his chin.
“A bold move. Very much like you.”
Like me?
His assessment struck me with an unexpected sense of generational disconnect. I had always thought of myself as timid and quiet, yet somehow I had become this.
‘That’s right. If there were a next life, I swore with blood-curdling resolve never to live as a fool again….’
Recalling that fierce determination, I picked up the Knight. Several exchanges of moves followed, and eventually Father’s King found itself surrounded by my Queen and Knight, utterly immobilized.
“Checkmate.”
He deliberated for a while, moving his pieces this way and that, before finally conceding defeat.
“I deliberately sacrificed my Bishop to draw the King toward the edge. Neither Enrique nor you ever go easy on your old father.”
He muttered this lament while leaning back into the plush chair.
As the game progressed, dusk had fallen without my notice; the sky darkened to pitch black, and fine snow scattered through the shadows. Silence filled the Office as Duke Simour’s silver eyes grew cold and steely, sinking into the gloom.
He showed no outward sign before me, but since I was attacked at the Royal Library, he had been burning with fierce hostility. To such a degree that he mobilized private soldiers to sweep through even social circles unconnected to dark magic as one might brush dust on a rainy day, and he clung to Francois Marquis over tax evasion charges, cutting off the funding channels to Miya’s side.
Yet the Duke surely already knew that severing the tail rather than the head or body would ultimately prove futile.
“Father.”
“Yes. Speak.”
“This year, I shall celebrate my birthday in a manner befitting the young lady of House Simour—more spectacularly than anyone else. I’ve held the most successful debutante ball in the Empire and become the hunting tournament queen; it would be tedious to let it pass quietly, wouldn’t it?”
“….”
“Of course, I have no intention of conventionally inviting guests to the Town House here.”
I whispered as though sharing a secret.
“I shall hold a soirée aboard a ship.”
“…A soirée aboard a ship?”
He, who had been listening to me impassively, raised his eyebrows sharply.
“Yes. I received a magnificent vessel as a gift.”
The person who sent such a jaw-droppingly lavish gift was Isidore, the patriarch of the Southern Region with its great harbor and possessor of dozens of ships.
‘It’s actually possible to transport such a massive vessel all the way to the Capital.’
Upon hearing my plan to float the gifted ship on the Rene River flowing around the Horun District and hold the party aboard, astonishment and bewilderment flickered across the Duke’s eyes.
“My word….”
He clicked his tongue and narrowed his brow slightly. I expected him to point out my vanity and extravagance, but his words proved unexpected.
“Even I, your father, have yet to decide on your gift, and here someone has prepared a ship as a present. Who on earth conceived of such an ingenious idea?”
“….”
“I thought jewels were becoming somewhat tiresome. My goodness! How did they come up with such a notion….”
“I was surprised myself that Isidore would readily send an entire ship.”
The Duke suddenly fixed me with a grave and solemn expression, seeking my opinion.
“…Deborah. What do you think of the ruby mines?”
“Truly, it’s quite remarkable. My heart nearly stopped just now.”
“The mines are better than a ship, aren’t they?”
“Hmm. Indeed, for someone from the Eastern Region, land is the greatest treasure.”
Since he was offering something expensive as a gift, I had no reason to refuse, so I answered readily. Only then did the Duke’s stern expression soften, and he smiled faintly while stroking my hair with his large hand.
“That’s right. Now you’re truly my daughter.”
“….”
It was ambiguous whether it was praise or criticism, but since Father seemed genuinely pleased for once, I smiled back at him warmly.
* * *
“What on earth is that?”
At the Lower Rene River Dock, people gasped in astonishment upon witnessing a sleek, two-story modern vessel moored there.
The pristine white ship, which appeared to be five times the size of a yacht or small boat, immediately captured the attention of passersby the moment it arrived. It was impossible to simply walk past without noticing.
And soon enough, people learned who the owner of this magnificent vessel was.
“I heard that Duke Visconti gifted the ship to Deborah Simour.”
“To give such a beautiful white ship as a gift. How utterly romantic.”
It was no wonder that blond-haired southern lords had recently become fashionable in romance novels.
“Wouldn’t it be absolutely wonderful to have a date on that ship while watching the sunset and the night scenery?”
“I heard the ship was named ‘Debbie’ after the young lady’s nickname.”
While everyone envied the special birthday gift Deborah Simour had received, word spread through High Society that a lavender-tinted diamond had appeared at the Auction House.
Unlike pink diamonds, of which approximately three pieces had been secured initially, the lavender-tinted diamond was rumored to be utterly unique.
“For a lavender diamond to appear at this timing. It seems deliberately orchestrated.”
“Hmm… Indeed. Purple, you say. Her face immediately comes to mind.”
“I think everyone knows who it is without being told. She’s the most discussed person in High Society right now.”
“The gem merchant’s business acumen is truly exceptional.”
“They say once you see it, you cannot tear your eyes away from the mystique the jewel possesses.”
A lavender diamond imbued with the mystery of dawn light.
It seemed as though the jewel had emerged precisely for Deborah Simour, and all those deliberating over what gift to present before her birthday were arriving at the same conclusion.
“That purple diamond…. It wouldn’t be a bad birthday gift for my sister, would it?”
Beleck Simour snapped his fingers decisively.
“Who in the Empire could wear a purple jewel as beautifully as she does? Secure that item at auction immediately.”
Duke Visconti had already gifted the new ship, and Father had gifted the mines, so they were out of contention. This was certainly worth attempting.
“However, Lord Beleck….”
His retainer spoke carefully.
“What is it?”
“Lord Rozard has also expressed his intention to participate in the jewel auction. Before you submit your bid, it would be wise to ascertain what price range he is considering.”
“Damn it! Why does that bastard always think the same way I do?!”
It wasn’t only Rozard. House Basslein, which had profited greatly from the Insurance Business, was also participating in the auction, and news that even the Fifth Princess had entered the competition sent ripples through High Society.
“Your Highness. How much will you bid?”
Thierry asked with curiosity, and the Fifth Princess narrowed her eyes slightly.
“You scheming spy. Do you think I’m unaware of your designs on the young lady? You’re hoping to outbid me by a modest margin if the price seems reasonable enough?”
“I have no money.”
Thierry spoke with confidence.
It was true that I had not a single coin to my name. Yet this time, I thought I might be able to borrow funds from my mother. After all, Deborah Simour was my benefactor—she had rescued my mother from the rift that had opened in the Sky Forest.
“Hmm. I was worrying needlessly.”
The Fifth Princess muttered the price she had written down to secure the bid, her expression one of disdain. The sum was so absurd that Thierry had to suppress a bitter laugh.
“As planned, I shall present Deborah Simour with a rare breed of horse from the Ranch.”
“A magnificent steed. That’s not a bad gift at all.”
“It’s far too splendid—I dare not even compare my offering to it.”
“Even I cannot be certain whether I’ll win the bid. The Simour twins are driving up the price competitively.”
What was clear was that the behind-the-scenes competition was far more fierce now than it had been over the pink diamond.
* * *
‘Currently, the Simour twins have submitted the highest bid, and they’re even tied.’
Meanwhile, Isidore—the owner of the colored diamonds and operator of Diana—sipped his tea leisurely as he reviewed the current bidding prices and the list of participants.
‘Everyone is quite enthusiastic.’
Though truthfully, the person who would win the jewel had been decided from the very beginning.
‘Why does everyone assume my gift consists of merely a single ship?’
…Do I really appear so stingy?
As Isidore entertained a thought that would astonish others, he flipped through the list of those hoping to win the jewel, then his hand froze.

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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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