Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 23

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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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Chapter 23
“You’re being too much!”
Perhaps interpreting my gesture of patting his head as mockery, Enrique’s ears flushed crimson all the way to his nape as he violently shook his head side to side.
The moment I hastily withdrew my hand, the boy who had been glaring sharply and huffing suddenly bolted toward the entrance with a clatter of footsteps.
“The book! I need to take it!”
But Enrique had already vanished without a trace.
‘He’s incredibly quick. Like some sort of squirrel.’
I stood there bewildered before returning the book to its empty spot on the shelf.
I had approached with good intentions, never expecting him to misinterpret my actions so thoroughly. Given the complicated history between Deborah and Enrique, it was only natural—yet I couldn’t help but feel a bitter taste lingering on my tongue.
‘Everything is unfolding in the exact opposite direction of my intentions.’
Still, if there are dukes out there calling four thousand people “considerate,” Enrique is relatively well-adjusted.
“Sigh.”
Here I am, having died and been reborn to live this new life, yet nothing seems to unfold according to my plans—a sigh escaped my lips unbidden.
‘Well, I suppose having even this much is a blessing.’
The moment I saw Blanche Master’s note tucked inside the dessert box, I began preparing to go out.
* * *
After pushing Deborah away, Enrique had bolted from the Library at full speed, now rubbing his cheeks—which burned as though scorched by flame—as he caught his breath.
“Because you’re adorable.”
Recalling his older sister’s words, spoken with barely concealed amusement, the boy’s ears grew even more crimson.
His ill-tempered sister had surely been mocking his underdeveloped physique compared to his peers. Yet the way her eyes curved softly like crescents and the gentleness of her voice had thoroughly unsettled his mind. The warmth of her careful hand as she gently stroked his hair was equally distracting.
His heart kept racing uncontrollably.
“Get a hold of yourself!”
Confused by his sister’s unfamiliar expression and behavior, Enrique slapped both his cheeks repeatedly to regain his composure.
Though her exterior was as brilliant and beautiful as a rose, Enrique reminded himself multiple times that a vicious viper lurked within her. Besides, there was no way his sister had truly been stroking his head out of genuine affection.
He was a child born at the cost of his mother’s life, after all.
Suddenly, all strength drained from his body. Whenever he recalled that his birthday coincided with his mother’s death anniversary, he felt himself sinking endlessly into fathomless depths of sorrow.
“Ever since the Duchess passed away, the Duke has thrown himself entirely into his work. It’s truly lamentable. That is why you must conduct yourself with maturity, young master. You must not incur the Duke’s displeasure….”
And simultaneously, his Nanny’s whispers echoed in his ears.
With a darkened expression, Enrique wandered through the Mansion wherever his feet carried him, until he stopped before the Rose Garden, which was currently undergoing renovation. The garden, which had always maintained its identical form through preservation magic, had suddenly vanished without a trace.
‘What possessed Father to do this? I understood this garden was the one Mother cherished most.’
Whenever he saw the roses preserved in their eternal state, an inexplicable heaviness would weigh upon his heart—yet now, that oppressive feeling had lifted somewhat.
After watching the laborers overturn the ash-covered earth with shovels and plant new saplings upon it for quite some time, Enrique’s legs began to ache, so he entered the Annex Building.
His Nanny, who had been pacing anxiously before Enrique’s room, hurried toward him.
“Young master! It’s time for your tutoring session—where on earth have you been?”
“…The Library.”
“I’ve told you countless times to keep track of the hour. Fortunately, your tutor is still waiting for you. I’ve prepared the teaching materials. Now hurry along.”
Enrique’s silver eyes darkened. His palms, beaded with perspiration, clenched into fists as the boy bit down hard on his pale lips.
* * *
“Welcome, Lady Deborah.”
Upon arriving at Maison D, a woman who appeared to be the proprietress came to greet me immediately.
Fear lingered unmistakably across her face. No doubt it stemmed from the incident on the Terrace when she’d overturned the table and shattered the furnishings.
“The Master conveyed that you would come searching for the cake, my lady.”
“Lead the way.”
The woman entered a secret passage that branched off behind the storage room where various inventory was stacked. Maison D, like Diana, possessed a space inscribed with spatial magic circles where one could make direct contact with the Master.
‘Are spatial magic circles really this common?’
“My lady, if you step over here, we’ll transport you immediately.”
“Wait. What’s the maximum weight this teleportation magic circle can move?”
A look of bewilderment crossed the woman’s face, as if questioning why I’d ask such a thing.
“I’ve witnessed five adults transported at once, but I’m uncertain of the absolute maximum capacity.”
“I see.”
Since inquiring of Blanche Master always came with a price, I’d attempted to satisfy my curiosity for free through her, and I found myself disappointed as I clicked my tongue.
‘Still, if five people can be transported at once, that means at least 250 kilograms can move in a single transfer.’
As I was considering this not unfavorable figure, the magic circle and mana stone began emitting an intense radiance.
“Master, Miss Deborah Simour has arrived.”
-A distinguished guest has come.
As the oppressive voice resonated through the corridor, a sudden tension seized me.
‘Don’t lose your nerve.’
I hardened my expression and walked into the Office, only to start in surprise as a gleaming golden mass came bounding toward me.
“Pant, pant!”
The mass’s identity was Cookie, whom the Master kept.
As Cookie drew near, he circled around my side where the catnip pouch hung, then dragged his rough tongue across the back of my hand. When I rubbed his fluffy chin, he purred and narrowed his eyes to slits like a fox.
“Cookie. Come here.”
Blanche Master spoke in an deliberately stern voice. Yet Cookie whimpered and remained at my side.
In the original story, this creature would snarl ferociously whenever the Master showed displeasure, creating a sinister atmosphere. The power of catnip truly is formidable.
“Sigh, what on earth is wrong with him. At any rate, do sit down.”
The Master sighed lightly and magically displaced a chair from across the room.
The moment I sat, Cookie rolled his golden eyes side to side, then subtly positioned himself close to me. He even rested his head upon my thigh.
The Master exhaled a short sigh, as if half-resigned.
“Hmph.”
At the sound of his sigh, Cookie’s ears perked up as he glanced between me and the Master. His owner looked fierce enough to bite, yet now he was gauging the situation—it was rather endearing.
A small laugh escaped me before I could help it.
“Cookie is adorable, isn’t he?”
I quickly composed myself and steered the conversation.
“Ahem! So, I hear you’ve completed the magic pouch commission.”
“Getting straight to business, are we? How ruthless of you.”
Since I’d caused an incident at the shop he operated, I felt a pang of guilt at his reproachful tone.
“You already knew I was this sort of person, yet you feign surprise now. Surely you’ve heard the rumors about me, given that you deal in information.”
“Of course, I’ve heard them well enough….”
He trailed off in a way uncharacteristic of him.
Sensing he’d struck a nerve, I felt an uneasy chill as I gazed into his crystalline eyes.
“But we’re hardly in a position to exchange pleasantries, are we?”
As I redirected the conversation, Master shrugged his shoulders.
“We could be, starting from now.”
“Why would I want that?”
“Because once we’re on such terms, discounts become possible.”
“A merchant through and through—now you’re resorting to flattery? How the mighty have fallen.”
Master chuckled softly.
“I hadn’t realized you possessed such insight. Well then, let’s improve our relationship over time, and for now, shall we get down to business?”
He handed me the slush fund pouch I’d commissioned. At first glance, it appeared ordinary, but when I loosened the drawstring and opened it, the interior was pitch black, as if painted with ink.
I began testing the pouch’s function by inserting the items I’d brought with me.
‘This is genuinely remarkable.’
Objects vanished into the small opening like a black hole consuming them. While I was absorbed in examining the pouch, the man suddenly extended his hand toward me.
“My lady.”
“What?”
“Your hand, please.”
What was this sudden situation?
“I’m not a dog, so why should I give you my hand? How presumptuous.”
“To summon it again if you lose it, I need to set the coordinates on your hand.”
“Ah.”
“Surely you don’t think I’d treat you like a dog? Strictly speaking, my lady is more of a feline.”
He spoke nonsense while smoothly taking my hand. The cool sensation of leather gloves touched my skin, and soon a faint light emanated from his palm.
‘His hands are enormous. Long fingers, the type of man who plays piano well—that’s my ideal.’
Wait. Why am I thinking such ridiculous things?
Honestly, the situation felt awkward enough to be embarrassing. To anyone watching, it would look like we were on a date, holding hands.
“How much longer does this take? It’s taking quite a while.”
At my question, he immediately released my hand.
“…It’s done.”
The intricate pattern that had glowed on my palm gradually faded like frost melting into the ground.
“To summon it, simply recite the incantation.”
He wrote down the incantation for me. The moment I saw the words on the note, I swore I would never lose it.
“To retrieve items from inside the pouch, insert your hand within it. Since you cannot see the contents, it would be most convenient to store only gold coins.”
“I see.”
He continued discussing the commission I’d made.
“And your decision not to wear the pink diamond at the Academy was quite wise.”
“Huh…?”
“Whatever sort of jewel it is that you’ve hidden so carefully, it certainly piqued the curiosity of the nobility.”
I’d simply wanted to avoid drawing Philaf’s attention, but Master seemed to believe I’d employed a strategy to increase the pink diamond’s value.
“Was that your intention?”
“Hmm! Well, of course.”
Though it was merely luck, I composed my expression and played along.
“If you wish to elevate the value and renown of that diamond, conceal it as you have been doing, then present it at the decisive moment.”
“And what would constitute such a decisive moment?”
“Next month, when the Spring Festival opens, would be ideal. That is when an opportunity to exchange it for gold coins shall present itself.”
He smiled thinly, his fingers fluttering with a delicate gesture. Moments later, a teapot and two teacups materialized from thin air, settling gracefully upon the Office table.
“Shall I add sugar for you?”
Master poured the fragrant tea into a cup as he asked the question.
“Just one.”
After preparing my tea, he added three generous spoonfuls of sugar to his own cup—clearly a man with a preference for sweetness. Once the sugar dissolved completely, he savored the steaming brew with unhurried contentment before continuing. “Now then, shall we discuss the commission you’ve brought today?”
“How could you be certain I came with a commission?”
“Had you no business to conduct, you would have simply returned home with nothing but your purse.”
Was it merely my imagination, or did he seem somewhat petulant?
“You’re right. I do have a commission. There is another person I would like you to investigate.”
“Who might that be?”
“Isidore Visconti.”
“….”
“….”

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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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