Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 55
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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 55
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“So you lost the pink diamond?”
Watching Beleck Simour grumble, I let out a scoff.
“Didn’t you hear? More pink diamonds have been mined. I’ve lost interest in that gem—all its luster has faded.”
I deliberately showed Beleck Simour the ornate necklace hanging around my neck, as if to provoke him.
“Besides, Father bought me this to console me for my disappointment.”
After reading the biography of the Sixth Patriarch, moved by his struggles and achievements, Father had gifted me a diamond that a master craftsman had painstakingly created.
‘I won’t lose this one (?), Father.’
Of course, if business went awry later, I might feel tempted to lose it then.
“…What exactly did you call me here to say? If you summoned me just to show off that necklace, I won’t let it slide. I’m swamped with work.”
Sitting across from Beleck Simour, who had furrowed his brow, I pulled out a blueprint and handed it to him.
“Make this for me.”
Article 7 of the contract stated: ‘Beleck Simour shall have the obligation to manufacture any artifact that Deborah Simour desires at any time.’
“Don’t tell me you drew this yourself?”
“I did.”
“You have quite the knack for design.”
Beleck Simour showed some interest, but as he carefully scanned the description written beside the blueprint, his expression gradually twisted.
“You’re asking me to create an artifact with oddly-shaped blades that rotate at ultra-high speed?”
“Yes.”
“Deborah. Don’t tell me you have a corpse that needs to be finely minced and disposed of?”
What?
For a moment, I doubted my ears. Mincing a corpse? That’s too much. It’s just a blender.
‘I’m going to grind fruit with it.’
After visiting various cafés around the city, I discovered that while this world had juice made by pressing fruit, there was no fresh fruit juice with pulp that you could chew.
‘It’s definitely a competitive menu item. Especially in summer.’
I was certain of it.
“I never knew you had a talent for designing torture artifacts, Deborah.”
Beleck Simour shuddered as he examined the blender drawing.
‘Anyone watching would think I’m being coerced into committing a crime.’
I glared at him fiercely as he made a fuss.
“Isn’t there a clause in the contract saying you shouldn’t object to what your younger sister does?”
Threatening him was far more villainous than simply explaining it was a kitchen appliance.
“There’s a clause like that?”
Beleck Simour brought the contract over in disbelief.
“Where exactly is it?!”
“Look, right here.”
I held the text written in 2pt font at the corner of the contract—like fine print in insurance terms—right before his eyes. He pulled out reading glasses due to his poor eyesight, and the moment he magnified the text, he began jumping up and down frantically.
“How could you do something so wicked and underhanded! This is a fraudulent contract!”
“Why do you keep making a fuss? My older brother manufactures high-speed rotating adult devices, so something like this should be nothing for—mmph!”
“Fine! I’ll make it! You devil, please stop!”
His face flushed crimson as his voice trembled with emotion.
‘He’s handsome enough that I’ll forgive him. Really.’
“While you’re at it, make this too. It uses the same mechanism, so it shouldn’t be difficult, right?”
“Fine….”
I pressed him to create not just a blender but a whipping machine as well. My plan was to exploit Beleck Simour’s abilities to the fullest—diversifying the café menu, increasing turnover, and cutting labor costs all at once.
Plus, there was additional income to consider.
“Brother, since I designed the apparatus, if we patent this invention, thirty percent of the rights belong to me. There’s a clause in the contract about that.”
“You made some money off formula patents and now your fantasies about patents have grown too grand. Who else would use such a cruel contraption besides you?”
“You’re severely underestimating this apparatus’s potential. You’ll thank me later. I’ll recoup all the losses from that tin mine investment and have plenty left over, so you’d better cooperate with all your effort.”
“Your boasting never ends!”
‘It’s not boasting.’
“Your ability to run your mouth has increased remarkably lately.”
Beleck Simour clicked his tongue, yet showed a hint of interest at the mention of earning money. As an artifact researcher, it seemed he incurred considerable miscellaneous expenses.
‘You know what you’re doing. A blender is incredibly useful.’
If I proceeded with franchising in earnest, I planned to sell blenders to franchisees under the guise of equipment investment, keeping the margin for myself.
‘Of course, that’s contingent on making the first location a massive success….’
Once blender usage became commonplace, dessert shops and restaurants would surely inquire about them. If demand grew as I anticipated, it was questionable whether Beleck Simour could even handle the production.
‘Well, that’s Beleck’s problem to figure out.’
I’d take a modest thirty percent and earn money while lying in bed.
* * *
‘How did I not foresee this side effect?’
As I walked through the Academy, I squeezed my eyes shut. Recently, I’d frequently spotted Young-sik wearing pale pink shirts underneath or carrying pink handkerchiefs around the Academy.
These people just copy anything. Scratch that comment about men wearing pink.
Shaking my head at the decidedly unaesthetic sight, I headed toward the East Gate of the Academy where the magical theory academic conference was being held.
Before the Ball, I’d received an invitation from Magic Tower researchers asking me to present on improved formulas, and I was now heading there with my lecture materials.
Today’s academic conference, to which I’d been invited, was being held in the Grand Hall on the first floor of the Magic Tower. Since the path to the Magic Tower happened to pass through the location where I was scouting for my café, I observed the surroundings carefully.
‘It’s true there are fewer dessert shops here than near the West Gate where the Naila goddess fountain is.’
As I passed through the Plaza observing the local commercial district, I felt a sharp, prickling gaze strike the back of my head.
‘What’s this?’
I glanced around.
‘Surely she’s not hiding?’
I silently observed the Fifth Princess peeking out from behind the street trees in front of a shop, then walked toward her.
“I hope you’ve been well, Your Highness. It’s been our first meeting since the Ball.”
“How is this possible? I thought my concealment was perfect.”
‘You should do something about the attendants around you first.’
“I’m simply more sensitive to presences than most.”
“To possess such keen senses as well. Truly befitting of Simour.”
The Fifth Princess seemed utterly smitten with me, or was that just my imagination?
“You’re too kind, Your Highness. Are you heading to the academic hall?”
“Indeed. Were you heading there as well?”
“Yes.”
“Ha ha. What an extraordinary coincidence! To meet like this in such a vast plaza.”
The Fifth Princess, hands clasped behind her back while exhaling smoke, let out a small cough as if searching for words, her gaze drifting into empty space.
‘Why is the princess acting like this? …Ah!’
The reason suddenly dawned on me. It was about the admission letter.
“Your Highness. After the presentation concludes, I will make time to sign the admission letter.”
“Hmm. The recent unfortunate incident of loss has left my spirits unsettled. I harbored no intention of pressing the matter, yet I failed to conceal my impatience. Sigh.”
“Jewels are abundant enough. It is of no consequence.”
“Your magnanimity and spirit truly appeal to me. Should you enter Epsilon, you shall never know regret. After all, this year’s flower is none other than Epsilon’s leader.”
Remarkably, Isidore had received overwhelming support to become this year’s flower, and everyone accepted this absurd result without objection.
‘What privileges come with being this year’s flower? Isidore would hardly need a chaperone.’
In the novel, Miya becomes this year’s flower and monopolizes the esteemed noblewoman that all young ladies admire, but if events unfold so absurdly, the original story I knew will diverge significantly.
‘What does it matter. As long as I prosper.’
I’m doing quite well these days, after all.
I strode boldly across the street alongside the Fifth Princess, one of the Empire’s most celebrated figures. Those passing by gazed at her with admiring eyes, but upon noticing my presence, they hastily averted their gaze to the ground.
“Being with you is exhilarating. It feels rather like walking alongside a dangerous beast. There’s a thrilling sense of tightrope walking to it.”
The Fifth Princess murmured, her cheeks flushed.
‘This person seems somewhat eccentric.’
Is Epsilon truly such a fine place?
As I swallowed the creeping anxiety rising within me, I sensed something amiss in the atmosphere around us. As we drew closer to the Magic Tower, those wearing ochre-colored robes began appearing in alarming numbers.
‘I know exactly what this is.’
The checkered shirts worn by engineering students and the drab robes draped across mages emanated precisely the same spiritual essence.
‘After all this, it circles back to engineering.’
I entered the classroom where the academic conference was being held, thinking I had dressed far too formally for the occasion.
‘Good heavens, but why is Father here.’
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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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