Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 213

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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 10
* * *
‘Why must one person necessarily bear the responsibility for both the Simour family and the Magic Tower, these two colossal institutions….’
Meanwhile, Duke Simour, lost in deep contemplation, caught sight of his youngest rushing toward him and allowed a faint smile to grace his lips.
‘Come to think of it, there’s also this one.’
He had decided to keep all possibilities open regarding the matter of succession and deliberate upon it slowly.
People change, and circumstances are never constant, so there was no necessity to make the same decision as in the past.
And in the process of deliberation, he intended to engage in extensive conversations with the twins and listen to his two sons’ opinions and thoughts as much as possible.
“At this age, there are truly many difficult things.”
Duke Simour, who had been briefly lamenting while stroking Enrique’s hair, paused his hand.
His youngest’s head was positioned slightly higher than usual.
“Enrique, you’ve grown taller recently.”
“Yes! I’ve been practicing sword techniques diligently to show my teacher!”
After learning the sword, Enrique had begun calling Isidore his teacher. At first, he had regarded him with the wariness of a cat spotting a dog.
“That rascal will eventually prefer the sword to magic.”
“Hmm. Actually, I like both. It’s difficult to say which is superior.”
“Then you should master both.”
“Yes! I can become skilled at both!”
Enrique answered with sparkling eyes.
Indeed, Enrique would later reach the pinnacle in both magic and swordsmanship through innate talent and bone-grinding effort.
“The peace that my sister worked so hard to protect must be well-maintained. And… I want to create a world where children can live happily.”
Furthermore, Enrique would serve as commander of the newly established Demon Slayer Corps, earning the respect of the Empire’s people and the admiration of countless ladies—but that is a tale of the distant future.
The child who had been chattering away about the day’s events while sitting on his father’s lap soon brightened at the news that Deborah and his teacher had arrived.
“Sister—!”
“Enrique, how have you been?”
“Great!”
“What have you brought with you this time?”
Duke Simour clicked his tongue upon seeing the carriage laden with gifts.
“There were simply too many new products that would suit Father. Since you’re so handsome, after all.”
“Hmm.”
To be called handsome by someone with such a face. Since it didn’t displease him, Duke Simour cleared his throat unnecessarily.
“In any case, you’re quite the character. Come in for now. I acquired some fine tea leaves recently, and I’m sure you’ll appreciate them.”
Duke Simour drank tea with Isidore before subtly producing a chessboard.
Playing chess with Isidore, who tactfully conceded moves, proved more enjoyable than playing with his youngest, who competed fairly and squarely, or with Deborah.
While the two spent time drinking tea, Deborah ascended to the Annex Building where she had been staying. The Study remained exactly as it had been when she lived in Simour.
She briefly fiddled with the pink fountain pen she always carried at the Academy, then retrieved a poetry collection she had once rapidly consumed, savoring it word by word before falling asleep as if suddenly losing consciousness.
* * *
It was a field where pure white flowers bloomed in profusion.
Where was this place?
Her bewilderment was brief; she found herself naturally grasping a familiar hand and approaching the place where two children stood.
-Mom! Dad!
A blonde girl with a wooden sword at her waist waved her arms wildly. Her ruby-red eyes gleamed as she bounced, and when a gentle breeze passed, she let out a delighted laugh. Her smiling face was endearing, reminiscent of a baby fox.
Beside her stood a boy with purple hair and a cold expression, shyly clutching a flower.
-I didn’t break it. It had already fallen, and it was so clean….
-So you’re giving it to mom? Thank you.
-Me too!
As I drew closer, the children rushed into my embrace.
It was lovely and warm. A sensation that brought an involuntary smile to my face—pure happiness.
* * *
‘I seemed to have had a pleasant dream, but I can’t remember a thing about it.’
I rubbed my eyes, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss.
When I woke, thick darkness enveloped everything around me.
I had been sleeping uncomfortably on the sofa with a poetry collection on my face, but it seemed Isidore had moved me—my body now lay gracefully on the bed.
‘I really did sleep for a long time.’
After checking the clock and clicking my tongue, I felt hunger and stepped outside. Isidore, who had been sitting in the reception room near my chambers, rose to his feet.
“Did you sleep well?”
“As you can see, I slept like the dead.”
“You must be hungry. Shall we go eat?”
My sleep had become irregular lately, and my meal times were often chaotic, but he never let me eat alone.
“Oh? Father hasn’t eaten yet either?”
Isidore’s attentiveness was one thing, but the fact that Father was waiting for me too made me feel oddly embarrassed.
“I didn’t wake him….”
“He ate quite a bit of dessert this afternoon, so his appetite is just returning now. Let’s go in.”
As food began to be placed on the long table, I stirred the pumpkin soup and my eyes rolled with anticipation.
‘I need to tell them soon.’
In truth, I had come here today to make an important announcement.
A few days ago.
“Congratulations, Duchess.”
Though I had already sensed the result, the doctor’s confirmation made my heart sink. I couldn’t quite believe that another life was breathing inside my body.
A child who would resemble both Isidore and me in equal measure—born into this world.
I stood dazed, unable to comprehend it, when he gently pulled me into his embrace. His heart was pounding so fiercely that I could feel his chest trembling against mine.
“From now on, I’ll do even better. I will.”
“You’re already doing well.”
“Still, I want to. I always want to be a better person for you.”
After that day, Isidore began searching for and gathering things said to be good for expectant mothers, even stockpiling fruits in preparation for winter.
Watching him study prenatal care books stacked like academic papers, I briefly thought he would be quite excellent at raising children.
“They say listening to music is so beneficial for prenatal care. Shall I show off my skills for once?”
As he stretched his fingers, I spoke without thinking.
“Piano would be… nice.”
“….”
“I’m joking. You know I love you, right?”
“….”
“Huh!? Did you just hear that?”
“…Hear what?”
“Our baby wants to hear daddy play the piano.”
“Hmm. I was thinking of singing instead, but perhaps the piano would be better after all.”
“Singing!? You should have said so earlier.”
I perked up immediately. Surely he wasn’t actually tone-deaf?
“I want to hear it. Sing for me.”
I had secretly hoped to witness an adorably ruined performance, but he sang quite beautifully.
It wasn’t exceptional vocal prowess, but his timbre was so lovely that applause came naturally. The kind of voice that would absolutely kill it at a karaoke bar.
For the first time, I listened to Isidore sing, and as I envisioned a future with our child, I spent those thrilling moments in perfect contentment.
All that remained was to inform my family of the news. Rather than send word by letter, I wanted to tell them in person, so I visited the Townhouse.
“Deborah, you wouldn’t happen to be….”
But before I could even speak, Father seemed to have sensed something.
“Yes?”
“…Hmm. No, never mind.”
It certainly seemed like he had figured it out.
“Actually, I think you’re right.”
“Y-you are!?”
“Yes. I have wonderful news! We’re going to have a child.”
“I knew it!”
Father congratulated me with tremendous joy.
“But how did you know?”
“When your mother was carrying twins, she ate tart salads like you did today—lots of them. That woman who normally picks only meat suddenly changed her habits. And you’ve never been one to touch vegetables either.”
“…That’s true.”
“And I had a feeling about it. That dream I had before the wedding… it must have been a prophetic dream after all.”
“You had a prophetic dream?”
Instead of answering, Father laughed like gentle ripples on water—the way someone recalls a tender memory.

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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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