Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 43

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 43
Though I hate to admit it, my sister is the spitting image of our mother. However, her temperament is the complete opposite of Mother’s—who possesses the serene, tranquil atmosphere of a deep lake—so I quickly forget that fact.
“…What is this about?”
Beleck Simour, who had been momentarily entranced by how remarkably similar Deborah Simour and Mother appeared today, quickly regained his composure and asked in a sharp tone.
“We’re siblings. It’s natural to visit without a particular reason.”
Watching Deborah Simour speak in her leisurely manner, Beleck Simour let out a light scoff.
“We’ve never had a warm sibling relationship. Stop beating around the bush. If you want to boast, then boast. You must have plenty to say to me, who’s always dismissed you, regarding this matter of the improved equations, yes?”
“Hmm? Now that you mention it, I suddenly feel like I should boast about something. But I actually came to receive an apology.”
Beleck Simour folded his arms while gazing down at those crimson eyes looking directly up at him.
“An apology? Why should I do such a thing?”
“Every time we’ve met, you’ve hurled excessive insults at me. You’ve called me foolish, and without even asking my opinion, you’ve threatened to introduce me to men outright.”
As Deborah Simour methodically pointed out his faults, Beleck Simour’s eyes narrowed.
‘Indeed, her way with words has improved considerably. In the past, she would just shriek loudly and vent her frustrations on the servants, with no logic whatsoever in her speech.’
Though he found it somewhat amusing, he didn’t stop her and simply listened to what she had to say.
“Furthermore, your retainer spoke to me with utterly disrespectful language. Given how much you normally disregard me, it’s no wonder a mere servant would dare challenge me, a noblewoman. I want an apology for this matter as well.”
“Why should I? I’m in a position where I could crush you right this instant.”
Beleck Simour, who had been twisting his thin lips slightly, clenched his fists tightly and stepped closer to Deborah Simour.
“Then you should have simply continued acting foolish. Just reflect a little on your behavior up to now. How could I possibly not dismiss you?”
“It seems you have no intention of apologizing at all.”
Deborah Simour clicked her tongue lightly and withdrew something from beneath her shawl.
“What is this?”
“Just look.”
As Beleck Simour accepted the envelope she offered and examined its contents, his pupils dilated noticeably.
* * *
Watching Beleck Simour’s arrogant expression gradually turn pale, I felt the urge to pop popcorn.
Indeed, a rude fellow like him responds only to the whip. He’ll never listen otherwise.
“Is this content… true?”
The moment Beleck Simour saw the information about Louis Gazel that I had produced, he seemed to sense his doom and immediately demanded to know whether it was factual.
“You didn’t know? If your intelligence gathering is inferior to mine, who doesn’t even have a single competent retainer, what will you do?”
Obvious bewilderment and mortification flashed across Beleck Simour’s sharp eyes.
“My brother made the mistake of revealing his intentions and purposes to me first. In doing so, he gave me time to investigate the other party.”
“….”
“If you truly doubt the documents, I can bring a witness. Katrin Bay—a noblewoman who fled to a convent in another territory because Louis Gazel was pestering her. She’s promised to come to the Capital and testify if I ask.”
“This can’t be… I conducted my own investigation of him too, and even Rozard’s inquiry….”
At the unexpected name that slipped from his lips, I narrowed my brows.
“Did Rozard find this match candidate, and you stole him away?”
Beleck Simour, avoiding my gaze, furrowed his brow and muttered a low curse.
“Beleck Simour took a hit.”
I finally grasped the full truth of this affair. Beleck Simour must have believed his informant had uncovered premium intelligence, but it seemed that Rozard had cleverly leaked information to manipulate Beleck Simour into arranging the match.
‘Rozard probably emphasized the part about him being the son of a lord with a large silver mine.’
Silver possesses high mana conductivity, making it an exceptionally useful mineral for artifact craftsmen. For Beleck Simour, Louis Gazel would have been a remarkably tempting prospect.
Moreover, his research was encountering difficulties at that time. Acting as a matchmaker and swallowing the bait of silver that Louis Gazel dangled—I could understand the temptation.
‘From Rozard’s perspective, this is a windfall.’
If Beleck Simour pushed forward with the meeting with Louis Gazel, Deborah Simour would throw a fit, recklessly offering me some count named Young-sik, and rapidly engineer her own downfall.
‘A perfect opportunity to cleanly dispose of Simour’s reckless fool.’
If the matchmaking succeeded but Louis Gazel proved to be flawed, the responsibility would fall squarely on Beleck Simour’s shoulders.
I too had once arranged a blind date in ignorance, only to be cursed for it later, so I regarded him with a bitter expression.
‘One shouldn’t play matchmaker carelessly. Beleck…’
Watching him tremble slightly while clutching the envelope sealed with red wax, I opened my mouth.
“Do you remember what my brother once said? That ignorance is a sin.”
As I dredged up that fragmented memory, Beleck Simour’s thin lips twitched.
“And he also said that excessive incompetence must be punished. Why don’t you finish reading that silver envelope you haven’t opened yet.”
The Master hadn’t brought only Louis Gazel’s weaknesses.
“My lady. You intend to attack Lord Beleck Simour for attempting to forcibly arrange a marriage through Louis Gazel, correct?”
Understanding my intentions, he smiled enigmatically and handed me the silver envelope.
“This is information obtained by my sources in the Western Region. As a business partner, I offer it as a gift—I hope you’ll find it useful.”
The materials he brought contained fascinating details.
Recently, the Western Region had experienced a silver mining boom, and the regional lords were competing fiercely to attract investment for mine development. It appeared Beleck Simour had invested considerable capital into the venture to secure a stable silver supply.
The problem was that the Western scoundrels were exploiting the remote distances and treacherous terrain to perpetrate investment fraud against outsiders unfamiliar with local conditions. They were including already-failed mining lands in their development zones to inflate investment scales and systematically embezzle investors’ money.
“Are you saying the silver mine I invested in is a fraud?”
Beleck Simour’s voice trembled faintly.
“Strictly speaking, it’s not fraud—merely that much of the land is worthless. Even if silver is discovered, the profit margins would be abysmal. You simply failed your investment. In other words, you lost your money.”
I smiled wickedly and gestured toward the envelope he held.
“I intend to give the red-sealed envelope on the left to Father. He’ll be delighted. Imagine—my brother trying to introduce his younger sister to such a wastrel…”
“Wait, just a moment! Calm down a little, Deborah Simour.”
“Hmm? I’m more composed than anyone right now. As for the silver-sealed envelope on the right, I plan to sell it dearly to my brother Rozard. How rational is that? Don’t you agree?”
Beleck Simour’s failure would be Rozard’s joy. Perhaps Rozard would purchase this information at a premium price?
“….”
Beleck Simour pressed his forehead and squeezed his eyes shut.
The timing was simply terrible.
Recently, Rozard had been achieving successive victories against the mounted peoples in the Eastern Region, loudly publicizing his military achievements. If it became known that Beleck Simour had been swindled by Western ruffians, Rozard’s accomplishments would shine all the brighter by comparison.
Comparative advantage was paramount to the Simour twins.
‘Living in constant fierce competition, it’s inevitable they’d develop fractured personalities.’
Aside from Beleck Simour’s misfortune, I found the fate of twins—destined to trample the brother they’d shared a womb with to become the family head—somewhat tragic.
“What do you want? Deborah Simour. I’ll place anything within your grasp.”
Beleck Simour spoke urgently.
“Apologize to me, and I’ll consider it.”
“…Ugh.”
His lofty pride wouldn’t permit it; Beleck Simour stood motionless, hesitating.
“Well. I understand perfectly that my brother despises apologizing even unto death. Then I suppose I’ll go have tea with Father…”
“I’m sorry! I was wrong, Deborah.”
Desperate enough to grab me, he finally began his apology.
“Everything that happened—I was at fault. I never realized you were such a cunning strategist….”
‘That almost sounds like an insult, but maybe I’m imagining things.’
No, I’d decided to live as a villainess anyway. I should take it as high praise.
“I apologize for failing to silence my retainers. That fool Stefan spouted nonsense and crawled toward you—that was entirely my negligence.”
“….”
“I’m sorry.”
Beleck Simour’s face grew pitiful as his long silver lashes trembled delicately. His pale hands, gripping my shawl, quivered with humiliation.
“Are you sincere?”
“Yes. I’m sorry for not recognizing your competence sooner….”
Watching him bow his head slightly, I swallowed a sigh. He was truly consistent. I’d never met anyone so obsessed with ability before.
“Well, since my brother is begging this earnestly, I suppose I have no choice.”
Beleck Simour’s head snapped up, his silver-blue eyes gleaming.
“You’re forgiving me?”
I withdrew a quill pen stained with parchment and ink from my bag.
“Yes. Just sign this contract, and I’ll burn all the documents containing your weaknesses. And I’ll graciously forgive what’s passed between us.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————