Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 212

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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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Special Side Story 9
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The Duchess’s welcome reception was held two months later than scheduled. Duke Visconti and the Duchess had been summoned to the Capital due to a Demon that appeared in Isnis Territory.
The Imperial Court commended the couple for their service in protecting the Southern Region and bestowed upon them a medal of honor.
It was called the Medal of Peace.
After the emergence of a Grand Demon, the Imperial Court newly established this medal while declaring war against dark magic, and the Duchess of Visconti became the first to receive the Medal of Peace.
Houses that received the Medal of Peace were granted special honors at state functions. And to think that the first holder of the highest-ranking medal in the entire Empire was their liege!
The pride of the Southern Region’s retainers seemed to pierce the heavens.
“So many people have been sending inquiries about how they might meet the Duchess. It’s become quite bothersome.”
“We’ve been too busy to properly pay our respects ourselves, so we should maintain proper order.”
“Look, she’s coming down!”
“They truly make a wonderful pair.”
Even though expectations were already sky-high, as the reception progressed, the retainers felt their loyalty to the Duchess growing ever deeper.
“Sir Chase, I heard you recently adopted a stray dog with an injured leg.”
“Yes! His name is Charles, and he’s adjusting well. I thought he’d be quiet, but he’s quite the troublemaker.”
She remembered not only the names of all her retainers but also knew the small details of their recent lives.
Normally, conversation would be awkward and stilted since lower-ranking nobles hesitate to broach topics first, but with the Duchess, dialogue flowed as naturally as water.
And the person most moved at this reception was undoubtedly Count Morgan.
“Just as you mentioned, my lady, the atmosphere around the Hot Spring has been unusual of late.”
Count Morgan, who oversaw the practical operations of the Hot Spring development project underway in Visconti, spoke to Deborah with a flushed face.
He had been preoccupied with how to make the completed Hot Spring a success, and the Duchess had appeared as his savior.
It was rare to see him, a man of grave and quiet temperament, show such excitement, so the retainers glanced toward where he stood.
“We’ve already received letters from over dozens of customers wanting to use the completed Hot Spring. And it’s not even the cold winter yet.”
“It will grow far more. So proceed with that project at a faster pace.”
“Yes! I shall proceed thoroughly without any delays.”
The moment the Duchess moved to another spot, the retainers approached Count Morgan.
“What were you discussing with the lady?”
“Yes, don’t keep it to yourself—tell us too.”
“The Duchess has been offering various pieces of advice regarding the Hot Spring business.”
“What sort of advice?”
“She instructed us to actively utilize the ruins of an ancient Spirit King that she discovered in promoting the Hot Spring.”
“How?”
“By saying it’s only about an hour’s journey away by horse….”
“Is it really only an hour away?”
“Yes. The ruins of the ancient Spirit King and the Hot Spring that the Duke is developing are geographically quite close.”
Count Morgan continued rapidly.
“And she instructed us to regularly station horses and carriages traveling between the Ignis Lava Cave and the Hot Spring, making it convenient not only for Spirit Practitioners but also for tourists.”
It was obvious as day that all Spirit Practitioners and tourists from across the nation would gather around the ruins of the ancient Spirit King.
However, the Lava Cave was infested with monsters and had treacherous terrain—suitable for training but not for rest.
By promoting the nearby Hot Spring to them and positioning horses and carriages like a shuttle service, I thought we could receive guests stably not just during the peak winter season, but year-round.
“We’re not the only ones profiting from this venture. Your wife advised Baron Ignis to charge admission for the Ignis Lava Cave, didn’t she? It was a poor region originally, but with the admission fees collected so far, they’ve already renovated the castle.”
“Impressive! Your business acumen is truly remarkable.”
“But here’s the thing….”
Count Morgan lowered his voice and began speaking in hushed tones.
“But what?”
“Before we even finished promoting it, word of ‘that rumor’ spread, and now reservations are pouring in like a flood. It’s absolute chaos.”
“That rumor?”
“Ahem! The natural hot spring water from the Ignis Volcano, infused with the power of the Fire Spirit King, is said to be… excellent for virility.”
The hot spring region being developed by Visconti happened to border the Igneus Volcanic Region.
How could fortune smile so consistently?
Count Morgan could only marvel at the Duke and Duchess’s uncanny financial luck.
“…Is it true?”
“Well, with fire essence, it would naturally benefit men.”
“Make a reservation for me too. What’s this about vitality?”
The area around Count Morgan grew increasingly boisterous, while Deborah listened to their conversation with glazed eyes.
‘It’s always about that.’
It really does work everywhere, doesn’t it?
‘Well, the lithium compounds in sulfur springs do genuinely benefit virility, so it’s not false advertising.’
Absolutely true.
“But why reveal the virility benefits so early? What’s everyone’s problem?”
At that moment, Isidore’s puzzled murmur from beside her made Deborah cough awkwardly. It wasn’t pretense—that beast genuinely didn’t understand, which was why he said such things.
Her throat suddenly parched, she glanced around the table, and Isidore promptly handed her a non-alcoholic champagne and a chocolate mousse topped with rose decoration.
There wasn’t a single alcoholic beverage in this banquet hall. It was clear how eager Isidore was to send the retainers home quickly.
‘We’re newlyweds. Everyone should leave at a reasonable hour.’
As he surveyed the banquet hall with a murderous gaze, Deborah beside him brightened her crimson eyes.
“This chocolate mousse is truly delicious. The decoration is so beautiful too.”
Isidore’s eyes lit up immediately. He was pleased he’d brought the Capital’s most renowned chocolatier all the way to the Southern Region.
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
“Such desserts are rare. The guests at the banquet must be enjoying them too.”
“The guests can eat anything… no, it doesn’t matter what they eat… I prepared this because you love chocolate the most.”
“…Me?”
Originally, she ate desserts without preference, enjoying them all equally.
But now that she thought about it, recently she’d been reaching for chocolate desserts quite frequently. She’d attributed it to craving something sweet and rich because someone kept draining her vitality at night….
A peculiar feeling suddenly crossed her mind, and she began counting her menstrual cycle.
‘By the calendar, it should be this week, but it has been late.’
Moreover, she’d been napping more than usual lately. She’d thought that was also because of someone draining her energy at night….
“I should see a physician tomorrow.”
“Are you unwell?”
“…My appetite seems to have changed slightly, and there are some things that concern me.”
“!”
Watching Isidore’s emerald eyes fill with a torrent of emotions, Deborah hastily added another thought.
“It might not be true. Since we can’t be certain, let’s keep our hearts open for now.”
He nodded, but from that moment on, he couldn’t focus on the banquet at all, his mind drifting elsewhere.
“Isidore.”
“?”
“Your left arm and left leg have been moving in sync since earlier.”
“…Oh.”
Deborah had never seen him in such a dazed state before. The Isidore who would employ every handsome man at his disposal once night fell, now lying quietly with only his own hand clasped tightly—this was the first time she’d witnessed such a sight since their marriage.
“But… aren’t you sleeping?”
“I’m going to sleep soon. I’ll follow shortly.”
“Follow where?”
“To protect you if you have nightmares.”
Honestly, in his current dazed state, he seemed vulnerable even to lesser demons, but I didn’t bother pointing it out.
‘My palms are sweating, though.’
Isidore’s hand felt warmer than usual today. But somehow, I sensed he’d be hurt if I pulled away, so I squeezed his hand more firmly and nestled into his embrace.
The next day.
They summoned a physician and even brought an ancient artifact capable of confirming pregnancy. And the result was….
* * *
Before the state council convened, the family heads gathered for tea time regarded Duke Simour with unmistakable envy.
‘He even excels at raising children….’
‘And he’s secured such an excellent son-in-law~!’
Recently, the Ignis Volcano Hot Spring in the Southern Region had become the most coveted retreat among the nobility.
All the accommodations surrounding the hot spring were already fully booked.
Yet rumors circulated that his son-in-law was none other than the owner of that lucrative hot spring, and had even constructed a private hot spring bath and villa exclusively for his father-in-law.
“Duke Simour, we’ve been hearing wonderful news from the Southern Region lately.”
“I hear you even received a peace commendation for vanquishing a demon.”
“Well, my daughter is such an exceptional child that good news never seems to stop coming.”
Duke Simour took a long sip of tea to conceal the smirk tugging at his lips.
He was in exceptionally high spirits today. Not because he’d been gifted a hot spring renowned for its vitality-enhancing properties, but because his daughter and son-in-law were visiting the Townhouse.
‘I wish I could leave for home right now.’
But there was business to attend to first. That was precisely why he’d made the effort to attend the state council in person today.
‘I can’t have my busy daughter stepping forward every time a demon appears. She’s done more than enough.’
Duke Simour proposed that effective countermeasures against demons and damage prevention required new military training methods and reinforced weaponry, then rose from his seat.
“Duke, when you say new methods, what specific training regimen are you referring to?”
When several officers and family heads approached him as he left the conference room, Duke Simour gave a response entirely unlike his usual manner.
“Lord Rozard would be better versed in the specifics of military training and tactics. As for new weapon development, Beleck is spearheading that initiative, so direct your inquiries to the Magic Tower.”
The unexpected response left the remaining attendees bewildered, murmuring among themselves.
“A succession already?”
“This is the first time I’ve heard Duke Simour speak this way. He’s always personally handled matters significant enough to be discussed in the state council.”
“Could he be considering retirement?”
“Not quite retirement, but it is time to make a decision in my heart. Both twins have come of age for marriage now….”
“Then, who will become the next head of House Simour?”
“Lord Rozard, who strategizes and commands armies, seems like the strong candidate, doesn’t he? After all, the most important ability for a house leader is the capacity to command people.”
“I see it differently. Simour is a house of magic, is it not? I believe Knight Beleck, who is counted among the Magic Tower’s finest researchers, has the greater potential….”
The more we exchanged opinions, the deeper I sank into a labyrinth of uncertainty.
Both possessed such exceptional abilities and comparable achievements that I couldn’t even hazard a guess as to who would become the head of House Simour. And Duke Simour’s true intentions remained utterly inscrutable.

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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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