Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 220
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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 – Episode 3
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“I knew Enrique was learning swordplay from you, but I never expected his skill to be that exceptional.”
That night.
I recounted to Isidore, who had just returned from military training, what had transpired at the Academy that day, and he smiled with unmistakable pride in his eyes.
“As his mentor, I’m quite proud of him.”
“But Enrique isn’t naturally gifted like you—born with a demonic swordsman’s constitution. Won’t training in both magic and swordplay be overwhelmingly difficult for him?”
“My student possesses an exceptional talent for condensing and controlling magical power. When that ability reaches its peak, it’s fundamentally no different from a Sword Master who launches blade aura.”
“So when swordplay and magic reach their pinnacle, they ultimately become one.”
I nodded thoughtfully at this revelation, then stopped mid-gesture.
Isidore, still dressed in his deep navy military uniform, had begun loosening his shoulder boards and buttons as if preparing to wash up.
‘Honestly, the redesigned Knight Order uniform looks absolutely stunning on him.’
The belt accentuated his waist just enough to emphasize his lean, athletic build, while the intricately patterned buttons and gold accents highlighted the aristocratic, refined aura he naturally possessed.
‘…What a shame.’
Though I disliked him being away for military training, I found myself reluctant to let go of this uniformed version of Isidore, so I stared intently as if committing the image to memory—until he tilted his head.
“…Is there something you want to tell me? From my experience, it feels like you’re hiding something I’d find rather troublesome to hear.”
“Huh? Ah, no?”
His sharp observation made me react nervously, like a thief caught red-handed, and I fumbled through an unconvincing excuse.
“It’s just… the military training must have been really grueling.”
“Do I smell of sweat? I should have washed up beforehand.”
“No, that’s not it. It just seemed like the training period was longer this time than last winter.”
“Yes. To effectively counter high-ranking Demons, our existing military training alone is insufficient. We extended the period to experiment with various formations and tactics.”
“…I see.”
Feeling perspiration gathering at the nape of my neck, I fanned myself with my hand—when Isidore suddenly drew close.
He began stroking my ear with his warm hand, and I swallowed hard.
“Did you miss me? I nearly went mad missing you.”
“…Even though you kept appearing via teleportation magic in between…”
As he gazed at me with such intensity, as if trying to commit me to memory, I felt inexplicably embarrassed and grumbled while looking away.
In truth, every time Isidore appeared during training breaks via teleportation, he would kiss me more roughly than usual before vanishing in an instant.
“Do you have any idea how much I suffered, afraid of being arrested for desertion, unable to see you freely?”
The image of Duke Visconti as a deserter struck me as absurdly funny, and I burst out laughing—whereupon he suddenly pulled me into his embrace and captured my lips with the hunger of a starved beast.
“…Mmph!”
The kiss was so intense and overwhelming that my vision spun.
As my breath caught in my throat and my mind threatened to dissolve, he gently bit my lower lip before lifting my body effortlessly.
My back soon found itself pressed against the plush bed, and he settled above me, breathing slowly.
“…Deborah, I still go mad when you smile.”
I gazed up at him in a daze, then felt a sudden thirst and swallowed.
“So do I.”
“….”
“Isidore, because of you, my heart always races far too fast.”
I reached out and gently caressed his sharp cheekbones, then slowly traced my fingertips along the contours of his eyes, the bridge of his nose, and his jawline.
As time passed, Isidore’s beautiful face grew increasingly mature and captivating, stealing my gaze with every passing moment.
But what truly ensnared my attention and seized my heart was the unwavering affection that gleamed in those emerald eyes.
“…Hold me. Isidore.”
As I pulled him close by the neck, Isidore’s brow furrowed slightly in apparent embarrassment, and he smiled ambiguously.
“If you say things like that, it’s hard for me to restrain myself.”
“You don’t have to.”
He drew a sharp breath and reached urgently to unfasten the remaining buttons of his uniform, but I impulsively caught his hand.
“That….”
“?”
“…You don’t have to take that off either….”
“Ah.”
Isidore’s eyes suddenly gleamed with understanding, his gaze turning predatory like a fox.
“I should have paid closer attention to my wife’s preferences. I’ve been rather dull, haven’t I?”
“…It’s just… there seemed to be so many buttons. It’s troublesome, that’s all.”
“There are only four buttons remaining, but if that’s what you prefer…”
As he feigned generosity, I felt a petulant surge and yanked his black leather belt sharply, biting my lower lip the way he had done moments before.
“Only four, you say? It seems you still have composure to spare.”
“….”
At my words, the laughter that had lingered in his eyes faded slightly.
“Composure? When it comes to you, I don’t recall ever having a single moment of it.”
Isidore whispered the confession softly against my ear, and my fingertips trembled involuntarily.
Soon, his warm lips found my neck, and as a melting heat began to consume my body, I felt dizzy and gripped his firm shoulders tightly.
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Snow had fallen throughout the night, and beyond the window bathed in the pale blue light of dawn, the landscape was painted white like blank parchment.
As I gazed out with half-closed eyes, a firm arm wrapped around my waist.
Isidore’s warm body heat gradually awakened my drowsy consciousness.
“Did you sleep well?”
He asked softly as he placed a gentle kiss on my neck.
Unlike me, who was utterly exhausted, Isidore’s skin gleamed with vitality and his face was radiant with satisfaction.
‘I’m worn out to my very bones.’
“I’m still sleepy…. Because of someone who kept me awake until late.”
Feeling petulant, I tugged at his tousled golden hair above his forehead and pouted, causing his eyes to curve lazily.
“If I recall correctly, it was my fearless wife who provoked me first and kept insisting.”
“How can the Duke, who must maintain cool judgment in all matters, keep succumbing so easily to provocation?”
“How can I maintain cool judgment when you’re so beautiful and adorable? I can’t. I’d sooner relinquish my title.”
He whined dramatically and nuzzled his hair against my shoulder.
Like a large beast seeking affection, I gently stroked his head, but drowsiness crept over me again and I let out a soft yawn.
“I’ll sing you a lullaby. Sleep more.”
He whispered tenderly and offered his arm as a pillow, and I drifted back to sleep with my head resting against his firm chest.
I opened my eyes after a deep sleep, and immediately found myself staring into emerald eyes fixed intently on me.
Defying the overcast weather, Isidore’s self-luminous face triggered a surge of serotonin through my veins.
Still half-asleep, I gazed blankly at his face with foolish thoughts swirling in my mind, when Isidore gently brushed the corners of my eyes and spoke.
“You’ve slept quite long. Aren’t you hungry?”
As if responding to his words, my stomach growled audibly, and I felt a flush of embarrassment as I bit my lip.
“I knew it. You’re always hungry at this hour.”
Isidore chuckled and pulled the bell cord. Shortly after, a servant entered the room carrying a meal.
“Come now, say ‘ah.'”
Isidore spread butter on a piece of bread and tried to feed it to me, and by now accustomed to this, I accepted it without resistance.
The day after completing arduous duties, Isidore had a peculiar habit of staying glued to my side, attending to my every need and spending time with me.
After finishing the meal and taking a light bath, Isidore appeared as if he’d been waiting, producing a brush and beginning to comb my hair slowly.
Through the mirror, Isidore’s face looked utterly delighted, like someone savoring a cherished hobby.
“Nothing in this world is as soft as your hair, except perhaps your skin.”
Isidore murmured those embarrassingly sweet words, applied a floral-scented oil to the ends of my violet locks, and after briefly nuzzling his nose against the silken strands, released them.
No one who saw him like this would ever imagine he possessed obsessive tendencies.
“Let me do it for you.”
When I attempted to comb his golden hair in turn, Isidore’s expression stiffened slightly.
While he enjoyed attending to me meticulously, when I tried to reciprocate his care, he displayed an uncharacteristic tension.
His hair was short, so it didn’t take long, yet as I combed, his nape and scalp grew warm to the touch.
As I caressed his flushed nape, I impulsively pulled him into a tight embrace from behind, and he swallowed a short breath.
“…Ah. You’re provoking me again.”
“Duke Visconti, if you lose your composure like that every time, what will you do?”
“Deborah, I’m seriously considering stepping down from this title…”
“Just hold on until the children make their debut.”
“…Once the children are all grown, I’m abandoning every troublesome duty and staying by your side all day, so be prepared.”
Isidore issued his threat in a grave voice that somehow didn’t sound threatening at all, and I smiled deeply while pulling him closer by the waist.
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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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