Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 188

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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 5
* * *
Except for New Year’s Day and the second day, Isidore spent the entire holiday break showing me around the Capital. Following the meticulously planned dating itinerary—as precisely mapped as a military operation—I could vividly imprint the famous landmarks of the Capital into my memory, places I’d only known intellectually or passed by without notice.
‘It’s definitely a date, but it’s so perfectly orchestrated that it feels like a packaged tour of Asteia Capital.’
Though the guide was none other than Isidore himself—an ultra-luxury, eye-candy, premium package deal.
“Wow.”
Today was the final day of the package—or rather, the final day of the holiday break. We sat in a carriage, watching the Sheep Ranch blur past the window.
“I had no idea there was such a large and magnificent Sheep Ranch in the Capital.”
Shepherd dogs scurried about herding the flock, and the sight of white sheep climbing snow-covered hills in clusters was quite a spectacle.
“Isidore, there’s a lamb over there too.”
As I pressed my face against the window, Isidore’s eyes narrowed and he gently pulled my arm toward him.
“Would you like to get out and see it up close?”
“Yes.”
“And look, there’s a Log Cabin halfway up that hill. The view from there is even better.”
He suddenly wrapped me in his arms and cast a teleportation spell, bringing us close to the Sheep Ranch in an instant. The altitude made the wind bitterly cold against my ears, and Isidore’s arms pulled me closer, shielding me from the gusts.
“You must be cold?”
His large frame blocked the wind, and warmth radiated from where our bodies pressed together.
“Your ears are already turning red.”
He pressed his lips repeatedly against my ear.
“Why are you always so warm?”
“I’ll show you every day once we’re married.”
“Seriously!”
I grumbled at what sounded like a suggestive joke, but then I spotted something and slipped from his embrace.
“My lady, where are you going so suddenly? Is this a game of catch?”
“Ugh!”
I ran toward a small white object wedged between the fence posts in the distance, but my foot caught on a stone buried in the snow, and I stumbled.
“Are you all right?”
Isidore rushed after me, his face turning pale. I had lost my balance and scraped my calf against the corner of the fence. The sting brought tears to my eyes, and my embarrassment deepened when I realized the small white object wasn’t a poor trapped lamb at all, but just a clump of wool.
How mortifying. What was I thinking?
“You’re hurt.”
Isidore’s expression went rigid as he lifted my skirt, looking as though he’d witnessed something unspeakable. I bit my lip in dismay. Normally, a wound like this would heal instantly, but in my current state, I couldn’t recover as quickly as before.
“Is there a problem with your holy power? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Faced with his eyes clouded by worry, self-reproach, and shock, I offered an explanation.
“It’s not that the power itself is damaged—it just hasn’t fully recovered yet. I used it so recklessly that there’s nothing left to draw from. But it’s gradually recharging.”
“Could there be a health issue? Aftereffects from the mana poisoning perhaps?”
His voice trembled with anxiety as he asked, his Adam’s apple bobbing. I suspected he was especially shaken because he’d seen Saint Naila in his dreams—the one who’d been addicted to mana and died living a limited lifespan.
“There’s really nothing like that. I just didn’t want you to worry unnecessarily.”
His body seemed to lose all strength as he sank down, exhaling a long breath.
“This must hurt.”
Kneeling down, Isidore examined the wound carefully, then suddenly lifted me into his arms and began to run.
The destination he arrived at was a log cabin located behind the Ranch.
“Is it really okay to just break into someone’s residence like this?”
“The Ranch is my private property.”
He spoke with the casual indifference of a K-drama conglomerate heir as he retrieved a first aid kit from a drawer.
“Oof.”
He suddenly grabbed my leg and pulled it up onto his thigh, leaving me no choice but to make an odd sound.
“It’s medicine made at the Temple, so it should heal quickly.”
He opened my torn stockings and began treating the wound on my calf.
“Wait, apply it gently.”
“No. I’m angry.”
Despite his curt words, he moved the cotton swab far more carefully than before.
“…Are you angry because I didn’t tell you?”
“You were carrying the problem alone, and what if something unsavory had happened? And what’s wrong with me worrying about you? Isn’t it natural for lovers to share everything with each other?”
He spilled out the words like machine-gun fire, and when his emotions didn’t seem to settle, he clenched his teeth firmly.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not like I’m asking for an apology.”
Isidore suddenly bit my ankle.
“Fine. From now on, I’ll tell you everything without hiding anything! But why are you doing that?! Gross!”
He began nibbling at my ankle bone, so I thrashed my leg.
“You said you’d show me after we’re married.”
“I’m barely restraining myself by biting here instead. If you want to keep getting your ankle bitten in the future, just keep making secrets.”
Seriously, what kind of animal was he?
But when he looked ready to lick my entire foot next, I yelped in alarm and repeatedly swore I would never hide anything again.
“Drink this.”
“Really, you’re something else—giving me the disease and then the cure.”
I was still a bit sulky from his dog-like punishment, but my heart melted instantly when he handed me the warm cocoa he’d made himself.
I was naturally easy to please. Besides, Isidore was even easier than me, so it was fine.
“This is absolutely stunning…”
“I know.”
“The view here is really incredible.”
…
The scenery visible from this log cabin was among the most beautiful I’d ever seen. Sipping sweet cocoa with marshmallows floating on top, I gazed mesmerized at the sky dotted with fluffy clouds, and occasionally played footsies with him beneath the table.
“Isidore, is this the last stop of our holiday date?”
As I asked while watching the sky gradually turn blue in the gathering dusk, Isidore cleared his throat with a soft hum.
“The Night Market is opening nearby.”
“Pffft!”
“Why are you laughing all of a sudden? Give me some warning. You’re making my heart race.”
He clutched his chest dramatically.
“I just think it’s so thorough and well-planned. The whole holiday has been so much fun. I had no idea the Capital had so many wonderful places.”
“I’ve only managed to complete half of my list of things I want to do with you. What are you talking about?”
“I’m curious about that list.”
“Every time I work late and want to see your face, about twenty new items get added. If you want to see it before the final version, you can.”
“I’ll be able to do everything eventually.”
“….”
“Once we’re married, we’ll have more time together.”
“…I suppose so.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly, gently capturing my lips before rubbing the sharp tip of his nose against my cheek with a soft smile.
“Then, shall we head to the Night Market before it gets too late?”
“I’d like that.”
* * *
“Now that I think about it, this isn’t our first time coming to the Night Market together.”
“During the Spring Flower Festival, we didn’t get to properly look around like this.”
“True. The goal was to pretend I’d lost a jewel.”
Back then, I never dreamed it would lead to marriage with Blanche Master.
Isidore seemed to share the same thought, gripping my hand more firmly as we moved through the crowd. Our interlaced fingers burned so intensely that I had no time to feel the cold.
The Night Market, held at the Horun District Central Gate to welcome the new year, was teeming with people. We walked through the less crowded areas with our hoods pulled down low.
As darkness deepened around us, the lanterns hanging in the air glowed brighter, and the varied street food vendors enticed with delicious aromas. Performers juggling and engaging in exaggerated theatrical acts caught our attention, and Isidore couldn’t help but furrow his brow slightly at the spectacle.
“Really now. If you’re going to imitate, do it properly.”
The performers happened to be wearing purple wigs and mimicking me, which left me utterly bewildered.
“Come one, come all! Figurines of the Saint Naila who defeated the Demon—just 40 copper!”
“We also have Saint Naila keychains!”
Seeing merchandise being sold right next to them, I scratched my chin with an awkward feeling.
“This is rather embarrassing. But who on earth would actually buy such things… Oh, Isidore is.”
Isidore had already gone to the stall and was sweeping up all the merchandise.
“Is this all of it?”
“Pardon?”
“There’s nothing else?”
“No, sir! No, sir! I’ve given you everything I have.”
He even checked whether items were sold out.
“Now that you have money left over, you’re doing all sorts of things.”
“When I think about some stern fellow carrying around my fiancée’s keychain, it suddenly irritates me.”
“….”
“I’m worried her popularity will become unnecessarily inflated.”
‘As if you’re one to talk.’

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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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