Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 185

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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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Side Story 2
“It may not be quite as grand as Simour, but I’ve put considerable effort into cultivating this garden as well.”
Isidore, who had been gently caressing my ear, took my hand again and spoke tenderly. Our footprints traced a parallel path along the garden’s narrow walkway, dusted with snow as thin as silk.
“Though I notice there are no trees in this particular area.”
“Ah, I’ve cleared it to build a new Rose Garden and glass conservatory. When spring arrives, I’m planning to bring in a plant hunter to develop it more actively.”
“A Rose Garden all of a sudden?”
“I heard that Deborah Simour enjoys viewing flowers.”
“There’s really no need to plant new flowers just for me….”
“Actually, you’re right. Why bother when you could simply gaze in the mirror each morning?”
“Hmm?”
“You shine thousands of times brighter than any flower.”
“Oh, stop it!”
Unable to bear my embarrassment any longer, I squeezed his hand tightly, and he fell silent.
“…Does it hurt?”
“No. I’m just so moved I can’t find words. Your grip keeps getting stronger, so it seems we’ll live together long and healthily from now on.”
Whether speaking in earnest or jest, Isidore naturally escorted me into the Town House.
“There are hardly any servants about today.”
“I gave most of them time off—it’s year-end, after all. Besides, we’ve attracted so many admirers that I wanted to avoid the disruption….”
He accepted my snow-dusted shawl while adding something quietly.
“When do you get to rest?”
“I’ll take an extended holiday at the start of the year. Since we’re on the subject, how about we travel together then?”
“I’d like that.”
I chuckled softly while removing my wool gloves, but noticed Isidore’s cheeks gradually flushing, so I tilted my head curiously.
“What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t realize you were wearing a ring.”
“I always wear it.”
“…I see. Always.”
For someone who was being so glib just moments ago, watching him grow flustered over a mere ring and nervously rub his crimson neck was endearing.
“Come this way.”
“All right.”
He led the way, his face still flushed.
We passed through a corridor adorned with ornate swords and arrived at the Reception Room with its large sofa, when something clattered loudly and bounded toward me. I scooped up Cookie, who was dangling from my skirt, and gently stroked her head.
“It’s been a while.”
“Hmph. That’s my spot.”
Isidore tapped Cookie’s pink nose lightly.
“Would you like some tea, my lady? Or juice?”
“I’ll have juice.”
I settled into the plush sofa and petted the grumbling Cookie while surveying the room.
Being winter, a thick carpet covered the floor, and a large fireplace crackled with stacked logs, filling the space with a distinct year-end atmosphere. Amid all this, something incongruous caught my eye.
“Isidore, are you studying geography lately? I suppose it would be quite useful during military training.”
I pointed to the Capital map with the red line marked on it. Isidore, who had set down his teacup, opened his mouth.
“It’s what we use when planning date routes.”
“Ah….”
“Here, let me—”
He cut a piece of mille-feuille and held it to my slack-jawed mouth.
“Wow? This really is delicious.”
“Come visit often. I’ll have plenty of delicious things prepared for you.”
“Mm.”
“Is the room temperature comfortable? You’re not cold, are you?”
“It’s perfect.”
Every time he attended to something with such care, my insides tingled and I felt embarrassed. It wasn’t our first time alone together like this, but when he drew close beside me and rested his head on my shoulder, I found myself swallowing hard without meaning to.
“…Is something bothering you?”
“Not exactly….”
“Then what?”
“The truth is, I’m a bit nervous. It’s been so long since we’ve been alone like this.”
Or perhaps it was because Isidore’s face seemed new to me every time I looked at it.
“Really? You seem composed.”
While it was true that my face rarely showed surprise or excitement, I felt a bit wronged that Isidore didn’t believe me at all.
“Look. My heart is racing like crazy.”
I pulled his hand forcefully toward my heart.
“Right?!”
“…Yes.”
The moment he withdrew his hand from my chest, he swept his hair back with an anxious expression for some reason.
“Your hair is messy.”
“Then fix it for me.”
Cookie watched in surprise as I stroked my master’s hair like a puppy, then descended to the floor. Isidore quickly filled the empty space, pulling me into a tight embrace with a slight smile.
“This is good….”
“Me too.”
“I really like this. So come see me often.”
He spoke with a voice that came from deep within his heart, and I found myself laughing genuinely in response.
* * *
“I’m not satisfied.”
“Pardon?”
“It means my desires keep growing.”
Isidore pressed his temples. Each moment of sending the young lady back to Simour was becoming increasingly difficult.
Spending time with her was peaceful and warm, yet it kept him perpetually exhilarated. When she offered him her warmth and sent him soft gazes and smiles, his heart would squeeze painfully before melting away. Isidore, who had been unable to truly connect with others until now, experienced for the first time through Deborah Simour these sensations that were simultaneously sweet, bittersweet, and tender.
At first, it was enough that their hearts understood each other, and he was so happy just having her accept his feelings that he felt like he might lose his mind. But after the betrothal, the desire to live together suddenly swelled within him, making him anxious.
“Should I look into venues….”
At Isidore’s bombshell statement, Miguel’s eyes widened like lanterns.
“Have you agreed with Duke Simour? I thought he would say it’s impossible before the Academy graduation, but this is unexpected….”
“There’s no harm in preparing in advance. Of course, I’ll need to move discreetly.”
“And if we’re discovered, what then, my lord?”
“…I was joking. Just joking.”
“Please refrain from such jests, my lord. You know well the temperament of the Simour bloodline from experience.”
Honestly, Miguel still couldn’t believe that Deborah Simour, with cold serpent’s blood flowing through her veins, was the incarnation of a saint. And there were moments when he felt a twinge of sympathy for his lord, who would have to contend with the formidable serpents behind the young lady for years to come.
“Father does have a sharp temperament, it’s true.”
“You’ve already decided to address him as ‘Father’?”
Scratch that sympathy comment. Anyone overhearing would think they were a couple ten years into marriage, not freshly betrothed.
“It’s not an officially agreed-upon form of address yet, but it will be soon enough.”
“Ah, yes…”
“I should bring a New Year’s gift when I visit Father. Once the new year arrives, I’ll be taking a full week’s vacation from the 1st through the 7th, so keep that in mind.”
‘So that’s why he’s been pulling all-nighters like a madman.’
“Yes, my lord!”
The master’s vacation meant his own vacation. And a full week at that!
His affection for the future mistress of the household rose another notch.
‘Still, to have a private audience with Duke Simour from the new year onward…’
Feeling anew that the saint’s companion couldn’t be just anyone, Miguel shook his head in wonder.
* * *
“Hmm. Coming to visit on New Year’s Day itself…”
Duke Simour scratched his chin repeatedly as he read Isidore’s letter.
In truth, for the people of the Asteia Empire, the first week of the new year was a holiday period spent gathered before the hearth with family, conversing intimately.
But the nobility, especially the direct Simour line, spent time in their private annexes, leaving no reason to gather cozily together. Moreover, new year or not, they’d long since grown accustomed to spending it preoccupied with their own affairs. Duke Simour in particular was busier than ever at the start of the year, needing to review the Magic Tower’s operational plans and the family’s new budget proposals.
‘So I’ve spent all that time absorbed in work without giving it much thought…’
He hadn’t attached any particular significance to this period, but when Isidore sent a letter saying he would visit from the new year, Duke Simour felt unexpectedly complicated emotions stirring.
‘Hmm…’
Truthfully, it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. Should I say Isidore is endearing, already showing concern for me as if I were family? He won’t hear much praise for coming, yet he’s willing to brave the inconvenience and check on an elder from the new year onward—there’s something promising about that.
‘In fact, there’s no suitable alternative to him.’
He’s grown presentable enough, but I couldn’t bear to see someone lacking in dignity standing beside my daughter.
‘He’s also someone I owe a debt of life to.’
Perhaps because they’d weathered that chaos together, Duke Simour found himself accepting Isidore gradually, like rain soaking cloth. Yet he found this change in himself strange.
“…In any case, have a formal dinner prepared. We should receive our guest properly.”
“Yes, Duke. How many servings should we prepare?”
At the question of how many portions to ready, Duke Simour paused.
“Ask my sons if they have time tomorrow evening.”
Though asking would likely be pointless given how busy they all were.
Once the new year arrived, the eldest was rarely at home, occupied with making connections at various social gatherings. The second son, an artifact developer, would be frantic drafting proposals to secure the newly allocated Magic Tower budget. Still, the youngest had drastically reduced his packed tutoring schedule, so he should have free time.
“It would be good to bring out strawberries early, despite the winter season.”
Duke Simour spoke, recalling Enrique, who always saved the strawberry atop the whipped cream cake for last.
“And… look into…”
“Yes? Look into what, sir?”
“And find out what Enrique wants to eat besides strawberries.”
My gruff and clumsy father added with a hint of embarrassment.

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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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