Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 93

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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 93
‘Father was right. Deborah Simour possesses exceptional abilities, but she’s been so humble that she hasn’t revealed them until now.’
Margaret reminisced about that day as she mingled with the swarm of young noblewomen surrounding her.
“Margaret, what do you think of Armand?”
Margaret answered without hesitation.
“I think it’s magnificent. Especially that she donated the Clock Tower for the public good.”
“I’m relieved. It would have been disappointing if my retainer disliked my establishment.”
When Deborah Simour had casually revealed that Armand was her own shop, Margaret hadn’t shown it outwardly, but internally she’d been absolutely flabbergasted.
The noblewoman who had turned the magical world upside down with her formula was the owner of the most popular dessert shop in Horun District.
No matter how illustrious a direct descendant of Simour she was, it seemed impossible that someone my age could accomplish so much alone.
“I’m telling you this because I trust you deeply. I have no intention of revealing to the outside world that I’m the owner of the Trading Company.”
Trust.
That word overwhelmed Margaret.
“I will repay that trust.”
“When I developed the formula, the drink of wisdom that helped greatly—coffee—I want to distribute café mocha containing it widely to everyone.”
As Margaret experienced firsthand the effects of the coffee in the café mocha, she lay awake that night thinking.
‘A beverage that lets you use time twice as efficiently.’
Most people would monopolize such a remarkable secret. Yet she’s making it public for the students. Truly, she’s magnificent.
“Deborah Simour embodies the spirit of Simour more than anyone. Serve her well from her side.”
Since her most respected father had praised her so highly, Margaret was already thoroughly smitten. When the noblewoman had suggested doing that strange play, Margaret had initially wondered why, but not anymore.
‘She was thinking several moves ahead, painting the bigger picture.’
Margaret was vaguely aware that there was public opinion systematically undermining Deborah Simour’s achievements. Their repertoire was similar: she can’t handle mana, the formula is limited to combat magic only, and so forth.
‘But I couldn’t quite see who the real instigator was.’
A few noblewomen skilled at manipulation came to mind, but it was only suspicion—there was no concrete evidence.
While she was troubled by the enemy’s covert campaign of public opinion, thanks to the noblewoman’s strategy, the enemies were rushing forward like mice spotting cheese.
“Margaret, play along appropriately and conduct leading questions. If they insult me, a noblewoman of Simour, without even knowing the subject, I’ll record it with this.”
Leading questions? As a law student, Margaret’s ears perked up at the term, and she grew excited internally.
Moreover, Deborah Simour spared no support. She promised to provide unlimited artifacts with recording functions. Because Margaret understood how important it was to collect concrete evidence, she was deeply moved.
“Use these when gathering evidence. I have plenty of these. Hehe.”
“Thank you.”
Receiving such a thoughtful gift only thickened Margaret’s already considerable infatuation. Moreover, Margaret had a talent for trap investigations.
“Deborah Simour, you’re really too much.”
She displayed a talent for acting that she herself didn’t know she possessed, performing brilliantly among Emmanuel’s attendant maids.
* * *
The reason I revealed to Margaret that I was running the Trading Company was partly because the café mocha advertisement script had just been completed, and partly because of the atmosphere in High Society.
‘Someone is moving systematically.’
If I remained idle, there would be disruptions in recruiting monthly subscribers. The trend was that not only mages but also ordinary nobles were signing up to satisfy their intellectual vanity.
But a noblewoman who stirred public opinion from behind the scenes was my natural opposite. Even as a noblewoman, I had no faction or group to overturn public opinion.
If covert attacks continued, I would inevitably lose. This was why I needed bait to draw the hidden fish to the surface.
‘Margaret is perfect for that bait role.’
All the maids who had passed through my service had spread negative rumors about the Fifth Princess to High Society, so Margaret must have looked quite appetizing to their eyes. That’s why I deliberately advertised Café Mocha in front of the Courtyard where many students gathered, seasoning the pot while I was at it.
However, the situation I’d created seemed to weigh heavily on the Fifth Princess’s mind. She sipped her Café Mocha, which had become a sensation in just three days through word-of-mouth, and unusually set aside her thesis without delay, opening her mouth with a serious expression.
“Deborah Simour.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I’m aware that a light hammer leaves the nail protruding. But if you strike too forcefully, no matter how outstanding your abilities are, you’ll wound yourself on the broken nail.”
Her gentle advice to be more lenient with my closest confidants, combined with her warning to be wary of Margaret, left me both startled and strangely moved.
When I first possessed this body, I had no one on my side.
“Thank you for your concern. But I didn’t break the nail—I merely threw bait. Please don’t worry.”
“Ah.”
The Fifth Princess let out a short sigh, seeming to understand my meaning immediately.
“I was being overly cautious. What kind of bug crawled out from where?”
“Judging by the noble ladies approaching, it’s likely Aracron.”
In that instant, the Fifth Princess’s expression turned cold and she clenched her teeth before releasing them.
She seemed to harbor considerable personal grievances against Aracron, so I shared a hint of my true thoughts. When we first met at the Ball, she’d called Aracron cowardly.
“They use the strategy of tearing others down to solidify their own position. All while neglecting to cultivate their own abilities.”
“How fortunate then. I’m far more cowardly and vicious than they are.”
“….”
The Fifth Princess gazed at me silently with her serious golden eyes.
‘Was my language too blunt?’
“I should have gotten you to sign the marriage certificate back then.”
I heard something strange from somewhere.
“When my brother becomes Emperor, I’ll be able to revise the laws. That’s what I mean.”
“…?”
“You can laugh—it’s a joke.”
“Ha. Ha.”
“By the way, Deborah! If you had something as wonderful as Café Mocha, why didn’t you tell me about it beforehand? I was honestly disappointed to learn about it so late.”
“It’s effective during last-minute cramming. But it’s not a cure-all.”
“That… my stomach felt so clear that my brain worked better. That solved that problem.”
She murmured in a voice barely audible.
‘Ah, right. Caffeine does have diuretic properties.’
In my previous life, there was even a beverage nicknamed “enema latte” for that very reason.
“So it has that effect as well.”
I quickly added to that, hoping she’d advertise this additional benefit well.
“Now I’m completely perfect. I’ll double my study volume and write a thesis that’ll shock the world.”
As the Fifth Princess waved her thesis with wild eyes ahead of the group academic conference, there came a knock-knock sound at the Club Room door.
“Who is it?”
“I hope you’ve been well.”
Along with a ghostly, eerie voice, the owner of the Club Room doll finally appeared.
‘Please don’t leave it here—take it to your own home.’
I swallowed words I couldn’t speak aloud and looked at Michèle Grandbert. She with her deep green hair like wet seaweed appeared carrying a doll larger than her own body tucked under each arm.
‘It’s certainly intriguing.’
On the left stood a doll with a bear’s head and a human body, while on the right was a ball-jointed doll of ambiguous gender. The dolls bowed respectfully toward me and the Fifth Princess as if possessed by their own consciousness.
“Your abilities never cease to amaze me, I must say.”
“You’re too kind.”
“To be honest, I nearly forgot your face entirely. I thought you’d withdrawn and gone down to your Territory.”
“My apologies. I’ve been rather preoccupied with various matters lately.”
“Ah, so you two are meeting for the first time today? Do introduce yourselves.”
“How do you do.”
“A pleasure to meet you.”
Michèle made no effort to hide her discomfort, and the greeting ended in an awkward atmosphere. The way she avoided meeting my eyes suggested she either feared me or simply didn’t care for me.
After parking her dolls against the wall, she quietly took a seat beside the Fifth Princess—diagonally positioned as far from me as possible.
“Michèle, what sudden wind blew you into the Club Room?”
“I intend to write a thesis as well.”
She spoke while fidgeting with her hands, which were covered in scars left by thin threads.
“What sort of thesis?”
The Fifth Princess asked with curious interest. Suddenly, Michèle’s previously listless eyes gleamed with intensity.
“I’ve discovered a research subject that powerfully stimulates my intellectual curiosity. I simply cannot rest without writing this thesis.”
She suddenly grew animated, raising her voice with such fervor that I flinched in surprise.
“What on earth is this subject? Now I’m curious.”
“Your Highness already knows of it.”
“I do?”
“It exists here with us at this very moment.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.”
Michèle Grandbert pointed with her finger at the seal on the cup containing the café mocha.
“It is the subject of my thesis research.”
‘What did she just say?’
“Armand. I will absolutely meet the master who created that place.”

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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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