Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 47

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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 47
I was in a position to make an unreasonable request, and since he stood shoulder to shoulder with Simour as the family’s Young-sik, I sent a letter with uncharacteristically courteous manners.
Even though the letter contained an absurd and preposterous demand that only looked plausible on the surface, he readily sent a reply.
It wasn’t about filial piety or anything like that.
‘I was trying to resell it at a higher price….’
Either way, since he interpreted it favorably, I left him to his misunderstanding.
Knight Isidore not only accepted my reckless gambit but also offered his opinions actively. It was he who arranged for Carlos, the menswear designer handling Helen and Knight Isidore, to collaborate with us.
Today’s coordination was the crystallized result of these two talented designers’ blood, sweat, and tears.
Thanks to that, Knight Isidore and I were the only ones here with unified clothing and accessories. Anyone with a keen eye would have noticed that we both wore warm red-toned fabrics, and that Knight Isidore’s handkerchief and my fan were similar in color.
‘In high-end fashion terms, it’s a coordinated look.’
Knight Isidore’s pale pink formal suit was so striking that interested gazes poured in from all directions. The shock was brief, and most expressions were favorable.
‘Knight Isidore’s face did all the work.’
He suddenly looked down at me with a gentle expression. Despite wearing sharp, high heels, he still towered over me.
‘How tall is he anyway? Must be close to six feet tall.’
“Is my pace all right? Tell me if I’m going too fast.”
“It’s fine.”
Since this was an official occasion, I showed him unusual courtesy. Knight Isidore escorted me with proper decorum.
“The Crown Prince has arrived!”
Soon the imperial family members began appearing one by one under the spotlight, and the Imperial Spring Flower Ball, one of the festival’s highlights, opened its magnificent curtain.
* * *
‘So that’s the Crown Prince.’
My greatest rival in this world. After all, we’re currently sharing (?) my ivory-colored Master.
I observed my competitor intently, scrutinizing him from head to toe.
“I thank all our distinguished guests for gracing this occasion and accepting the Imperial Palace’s invitation.”
The Crown Prince, smiling warmly, offered his courteous thanks to the nobility on behalf of the imperial family. Then, as if announcing the start of the ball, he was the first to take to the stage with his partner and began to dance.
Just as described in the novel, he had a handsome, cheerful appearance and a well-built physique befitting a Sword Master.
The most striking thing was that his hair was sky blue.
‘The symbol of the imperial family. Blue.’
In the Asteia Empire, blue was described as the supreme color held by the sky and sea. Blue blood was a term symbolizing the most noble bloodline.
Unless something unexpected happened, the Crown Prince, whose distinctive blue hair clearly displayed the symbol of the Histech Royal Family, would become the future Emperor of the Asteia Empire.
‘That’s probably why the Master actively supports the Crown Prince.’
There were two other imperial princes as candidates for emperor, but neither had as strong a presence as the Crown Prince. The Second Prince had a weak constitution, and the Third Prince was born of the Fourth Empress from a foreign nation, making it difficult for the Empire’s nobility to accept him as emperor due to their established views.
‘Although the Fourth Empress currently enjoys the Emperor’s favor, pushing the Third Prince as emperor would face too much internal resistance.’
As the Crown Prince danced with a young lady of the Selig Family, the nobility began taking to the central stage one by one.
‘It’s just like a movie.’
Though I’d seen this sight in fragments of memory, actually witnessing it in person was mesmerizing. The sight of vibrant dresses fluttering from all directions was like a feast of flowers.
As I watched the ball with fascination, Knight Isidore made eye contact with me and gave me a beautiful smile with his eyes.
“Shall we dance too? Deborah Simour?”
He extended his white-gloved hand toward me.
‘Such large hands. My ideal type.’
“Yes.”
Captivated by his gentle smile and the graceful hands that seemed destined for piano, I had accepted his dance invitation without thinking—only to remember a crucial detail one beat too late.
‘I forgot to practice dancing while obsessing over the dress.’
During winter, I had only danced a few times under my governess’s instruction.
That was when it happened.
Knight Isidore gently wrapped his firm forearm around my stiffened waist. Our bodies drew closer, and his musky scent seeped into my lungs.
I hadn’t even drunk alcohol, yet the world seemed to spin before my eyes. Wherever his breath touched felt as scorching as a burn.
Knight Isidore began to move in time with the music, stepping slowly, and I carefully followed his lead, my body moving of its own accord.
“Are you perhaps nervous?”
Noticing my stiff gait, he whispered softly against my ear.
“No, my steps are always this… precise.”
Caught off guard, I blurted out something that barely made sense.
‘It must be my imagination that I’m only gaining acting skills and pretense since coming here.’
“That’s quite the military march precision for a ballroom dance. Focus on the music, Deborah Simour.”
He spoke with a teasing tone, then spun me in a quick circle to match the faster tempo.
‘Whoa!!’
For a moment my mind went blank, but Deborah’s natural athleticism instinctively followed his movements with agility. Perhaps because dance is learned through the body, I reacted and moved without overthinking it.
‘Knight Isidore’s lead is exceptional.’
My past partners had been clumsy and stiff, which had frustrated me greatly. But Knight Isidore moved rhythmically with the music while controlling his strength perfectly, making it easy to follow.
When he pulled, I followed quickly; when he eased up, I slowed my stride; when he turned, I turned.
‘This is actually quite fun.’
I was beginning to understand why people became enchanted with dancing.
As the music progressed, I found myself able to follow Knight Isidore’s steps naturally, no matter what he did.
“Ow.”
“Oh, I made a mistake.”
Though during the adjustment process, there had been an incident where I stepped on his foot rather hard.
“You dance beautifully. And you have excellent stamina.”
“Mm.”
I felt a bit proud at the compliment about my athletic ability. In my previous life, I had been hopelessly uncoordinated, which made this praise feel even better.
“Actually, I think you stepped on my foot on purpose earlier. Really hard, too.”
“Surely not.”
“Really?”
“I don’t lie.”
As we exchanged this lighthearted banter, I suddenly felt a sharp gaze over Knight Isidore’s shoulder.
‘Philaf?’
His reddish-brown eyes seemed to be glaring at me intensely.
‘What is this?’
The moment I felt confused, Knight Isidore subtly shifted his body to block my view. His emerald eyes, now facing me, felt strangely cold. The grip around my waist tightened, pulling me closer against him.
‘The dance difficulty just increased.’
As the music surged toward its climax, the steps accelerated, and I had no choice but to focus entirely on his movements. My vision spun chaotically until suddenly the music stopped, and thunderous applause erupted around me.
“That was amazing!”
“What a magnificent dance!”
Knight Isidore gazed down at me in silence.
He tightened his grip on the hand he’d interlaced with mine during the dance, then slowly withdrew his fingers, slipping away. The deliberate caress of his fingertips brushing against mine made me swallow hard without thinking.
“Everyone seems unable to tear their eyes away from you, my lady.”
He whispered languidly.
“Surely they’re looking at Knight Isidore instead. There’s no one as radiant as you today, as perfectly suited to spring blossoms.”
“Is that so?”
He lifted his head slowly with an enigmatic expression. Knight Isidore’s gaze was directed toward where Philaf and Miya stood.
‘Wait? Why is Philaf glaring at me like I’m his sworn enemy?’
It hadn’t been my imagination earlier—he really had been glowering.
‘Could he be upset about the pink diamond?’
Who told him to fail at predicting the final bid price?
While I was processing this absurdity, Knight Isidore guided me toward the champagne and finger foods arranged in neat rows.
The intense dancing had left me warm, but after cooling my throat with a chilled drink, I felt somewhat revived. As Knight Isidore and I clinked glasses lightly, a handsome man with slicked-back black hair approached us with an ostentatious wave of his arm.
“Knight Isidore! That was quite the dance.”
“Ah, more tiresome people.”
Knight Isidore clicked his tongue softly in a quiet murmur.
‘These people are…’
“The Fifth Princess and Thierry Orgo.”
Ah. They did seem vaguely familiar—I’d glimpsed their faces during the previous incident investigation.

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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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