Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 72

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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 72
‘Why does Isidore keep meddling in my affairs?’
At first, I suspected he might want something from my father. Given that I’d received a diamond worth a townhouse as a gift, it was reasonable to think Duke Simour held me in some regard.
But if his true target was the Duke rather than me, there was no explanation for why he’d handed over the book of the sixth generation patriarch so readily.
‘He could have used that book to negotiate with Father.’
On the other hand, assuming Isidore harbored favorable feelings toward me…
‘That feels somewhat dangerous.’
It was terrible for my heart and blood pressure.
The warning lights had been flashing, so I’d deliberately postponed judgment, but Master’s peculiar attitude toward Isidore sparked a thought that suddenly crossed my mind.
Could Isidore and Master have some sort of connection? The appearance of Isidore—a character who didn’t exist in the novel—might be related to Master, might it not?
Moreover, there was one link between them that I’d overlooked.
‘The Crown Prince.’
Isidore was the Crown Prince’s close friend, and Master was the Crown Prince’s strategist. Master might have already known Isidore and simply feigned ignorance.
Of course, this was merely speculation on my part, with no concrete evidence whatsoever.
‘Should I commission the Information Guild to investigate Isidore?’
If the results differed from my assumptions, it would become quite a credible theory…
“My lady, how is the water temperature?”
While lost in thought, a maid attending to me posed a question, snapping me back to awareness.
“Make it a bit cooler, please.”
“Yes, my lady.”
I received a gentle massage from the servants before donning my nightgown and lying in bed.
‘I’m exhausted. I should just sleep.’
My body felt heavy, and though the day had been eventful, sleep eluded me.
Philaf had vanished, and the champion had changed. The match itself had taken a strange turn—Diera was crushed by the Unknown Knight, then defeated by Isidore in three seconds.
Yet it didn’t take long for the mystery of that absurd match to unravel. The very next day, the massive Unknown Knight who had caused such an upset in the jousting tournament arrived at Armand.
It was my first meeting with Orix Merkain, who would later be called the undefeated spear knight.
* * *
In the Capital, where the fervor of the jousting tournament still lingered, people were abuzz with talk of the knights who had distinguished themselves.
“The star of this tournament is definitely Orix Merkain. Who would have thought such raw talent was hidden away in some rural territory we’ve never even heard of?”
“I heard he’s still just an apprentice knight, not a formal one yet, so houses everywhere are trying to recruit him.”
Everyone envied him for his reversal of fortune. Most younger sons of lower noble houses aspired to become formal knights by joining the military or serving as retainers to high-ranking nobles.
“If he just trains in aura manipulation, it’s only a matter of time before he receives his knighthood.”
Furthermore, Orix could be fielded as a representative of his family’s knight order in every jousting tournament, making him highly valuable.
“But which house will he choose? He’s too old to join the Royal Knights Order, so that would be problematic.”
“I heard rumors he’s set his mind on the Granvelle Marquis family.”
“Hmm? I thought the Serig Duke Family already scouted him…”
“Wasn’t it the Bellugi Count family?”
Names of prestigious houses were thrown about indiscriminately. The truth mattered little—it was merely proof of how hot a commodity Orix had become.
Not long after, Orix’s destination was decided. Those who had predicted he would join the Serig Duke Family, a renowned house of swordsmanship, were all shocked when an unexpected family name emerged.
“Simour?”
* * *
Orix Merkain came directly to Armand and waited for me for more than half a day.
“During the equestrian competition, I suffered from severe dehydration and dizziness—I thought I might collapse. But a beverage from this shop restored my condition.”
He earnestly begged the Shop Manager to help him repay his debt to the noble who had sent the drink, and eventually Orix and I found ourselves alone together in the basement of Armand.
‘So this is what they call the butterfly effect.’
After consuming the ion drink, Orix’s dehydration improved, his performance in the equestrian competition enhanced, and the outcome diverged entirely from what the novel had predicted.
“I wish to repay the debt I owe you, my lord.”
He spoke with desperate earnestness.
Wait, is he really seventeen? From a distance, he hadn’t seemed quite so imposing, but face-to-face, he felt like encountering a wild bear. That thick, log-like neck and arms, those piercing eyes and heavy brows, even the scratches across his features.
‘He really does look formidable.’
High school student or not, I’d grown careless thinking he was nothing special, and now I couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated.
“His very frame is one worth cultivating.”
In that moment, the Master’s advice to secure a knight’s oath from such a rare specimen of raw talent struck me with piercing clarity.
“Hmm. You wish to repay a debt to me?”
I infused my voice with as much authority as I could muster to conceal my trembling.
“Yes. Thanks to your mercy, I have been given a second chance at becoming a knight.”
He explained how the substantial third-place prize money had allowed him to secure dormitory fees for his younger sister, who desperately needed them, and had granted him the opportunity to become a true knight. Had he not performed well in this equestrian competition, he would have abandoned knighthood and joined a mercenary company to earn money.
“My situation was dire, and that beverage was a lifeline I desperately needed.”
His large, ox-like eyes glistened with emotion.
“I am grateful that you have given me a brilliant moment I shall never forget for the rest of my life.”
Many would have simply accepted gratitude and moved on, but the fact that he came here to repay the debt directly spoke volumes about his character.
My nose tingled with emotion.
‘He really is perfect as slave number three.’
“I understand your sincere intentions well.”
I paused for a moment before speaking.
“But tell me—how do you intend to repay this debt? Once you receive knight training, you’ll grow stronger, but right now, Orix, all you possess is physical strength, do you not?”
His face filled with resolve as he opened his mouth.
“I wish to dedicate whatever meager strength I possess to your service. My mother always said that a person who cannot repay kindness is no different from a beast.”
“So you’re saying you’ll work under me, regardless of who I am?”
“Yes.”
Surely prominent noble houses must have extended recruitment offers to him, yet he was willing to abandon the path to greater heights for my sake.
‘I like his stubborn integrity.’
As I gazed at his honest face, I drew back the hood of my robe. Orix’s eyes widened to the size of lanterns, and his mouth fell slightly open.
‘He’s shocked.’
Anyone who didn’t know the villainess of Simour would have to be a spy. But it was Orix who came forward first to repay his debt. Even if I proved to be an unsatisfactory lord, his character wouldn’t allow him to break his word.
I let a slight smile play at the corners of my mouth.
“You recognize who I am, then.”
“I-I apologize, but I’m afraid I’m ignorant of your identity. I haven’t been in the Capital long, so I’m unfamiliar with its affairs.”
“Hmm? But you just looked like you recognized me.”
“B-because you’re so… so beautiful. I was startled. I-I’m sorry, I’m terribly sorry.”
‘How could Isidore cause such a commotion and I not know about it?’
He stammered helplessly, and after a moment of silence, I opened my mouth.
“I am Deborah Simour.”
“Gasp! It is an infinite honor to meet the noble lady of the great Simour!”
‘At least he knows what Simour is.’
His neck flushed crimson as he bowed deeply.
“I’m delighted that my ‘Super Aide,’ crafted after years of research, has proven useful to a warrior of your caliber. I’m also impressed that you’ve come to repay the favor.”
As I stepped closer, emphasizing the word “favor,” his face reddened with tension, his throat bobbing nervously.
“I’ll give you the chance to repay it. I’ll have you join the Simour Knight Order, where you can learn aura and cultivate your strength.”
Suddenly enlisted into the Simour Knight Order, he repeated the word “honor” with a bewildered expression.
‘The Simour Knight Order—it’s not a bad choice for Orix either.’
I know the families that actually scouted him were Serig and Beluck. Simour is in no way inferior to them.
‘In fact, it’s better.’
The notion that the Simour Knight Order would be weak because Simour is a house known for magic is mere prejudice. Simour was building a formidable military force. Among them, “Ouroboros,” an organization directly under the family head, was a gathering of human weapons—so much so that some called them Simour’s dogs.
In short, the Simour Knight Order is incredibly excellent.
“Honor, endless honor, my lady.”
“Just words?”
“Pardon?”
“This is a contract stating you’ll serve as my retainer from now on.”
“Ah…”
“Sir Orix, you just need to sign here.”
I watched him standing there dazed as he read the contract, then waved the paper to hurry him along.
“Sign!”
“Y-yes!”
He gripped the quill, stained with ink, in his massive hand and trembled as he signed below.
I learned one thing from Beleck’s example: it’s advantageous to snatch up a contract lightning-fast while the other party is bewildered.
Looking at the contract with Orix, I barely suppressed the contemptible smile rising to my lips. Buried within it was a clause stating that once he became a formal knight, he would swear a knight’s oath to me and pledge lifelong loyalty.
* * *

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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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