The Villainess turns the Hourglass

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

“… I don’t want to talk about it now. That’s why clean aristocrats are running wild. Besides, the account book that recorded the corruption happened fell into the hands of the Crown Prince. A book with detailed names in it.”

Aria pricked up her ears at the mention of the account book and focused on the story. The count’s wife’s eyes sparkled as well as if she was interested. ‘Is there anything more interesting than saying that someone is going to fall?’

“Oh, my God… you have to expel him right now. How could he make such corruption? I’m also ashamed of it.”

The Count sighed because of Mielle’s answer that he must be resolutely exiled from the Aristocratic Party. It seemed to be difficult to even touch him. For instance, it might be the princess.

The Aristocratic Party wouldn’t be so easily ruined, but this incident would have shaken their foundation. This was because they had simply gathered against the imperial power, not to commit corruption.

There would be also some clean and upright people. The Count of Roscent was not a wicked man either. Aria was sure that surely those who had felt shameful through this incident would be numerous.

Such people were likely to leave the Aristocratic Party. So, if they were a little superior to the Crown Prince before, they might be a little behind the Crown Prince now.

‘Please, I hope the Crown Prince would mess up the Aristocratic Party.’

Then revenge would happen very quickly and easily. In the past, she could not even remember his name because she had no other contacts with him.

He would, too, because in the past he had been a man whose name had been buried in his place. Furthermore, it didn’t matter if he was a royal family member, he had had no presence than the princess. Aria had thought he was just an ugly and foolish royal family member, who was dragged by the Aristocratic Party.

Besides, there had been no chance to see him other than some high-ranking aristocrats, and even if she could, she could see a small figure from a very distant foot. So she hadn’t put much value on him.

It must have been, but it was like a sailboat with a following breeze. What on earth had changed with him? There was no hesitation as if he had become a completely different person.

‘I think what I’ve been doing has been a butterfly effect, but…’

But he was so high and so far that she couldn’t find a point of contact. If she thought of one possibility, it would be like a meeting with Asher? It was true that he was an extraordinary figure, and her news might have been passed on through him to the Crown Prince. So Aria began to speculate again on the identity of Asher.

‘Is he the Emperor’s hidden child?’

As long as he was not insane, the Crown Prince, under pressure from the Aristocratic Party, could not wander around the capital alone, it was quite plausible that he was the emperor’s hidden child. Because it was an open fact that there were not only one or two hidden children who were not disclosed at the royal house.

She heard that there were many who had been ousted due to minor power struggles. Rumors had also circulated that they were hiding their identity and living as a commoner outside. So she was wondering if he was one of them, but suddenly the Count called her name. It was a very friendly voice.

“Aria.”

“… Yeah?”

After being praised several times for the warehouse, Aria, surprised by the Count, answered with her eyes wide open. The Count’s face on the opposite side was very dark. The Count hesitated a little to Aria wondering why he suddenly called her name and soon came up with the main topic.

“… I wonder what you think. Is there any way we can get out of this case?”

“Way to escape?”

“Yes. You’re a smart kid, so I thought maybe you’d have thought about something.”

‘Oh, that’s what you meant.’ From the fur business to the warehouse, she had brought him success twice, and he seemed to be trying to ask for help again.

‘Now? You left the misunderstanding of Lane alone as if the accomplishment of the fur business belonged to Mielle?’

If the Count had corrected Lane’s misconceptions at the time, she would not have turned away from him so much. No, maybe she might have tried to look good for the Count to take away Mielle’s place.

But it was all over. She realized that he was not a man, who would bear her that was not a real daughter, and that no matter how hard she tried, he would not change. Everything existed for his own daughter, Mielle, and numerous glories were also handed over to her.

She went through the past like that a while ago, and now she couldn’t help the Count. If she had tried to help in the first place, she would have done it before it happened. At the Count’s question, Aria looked a little stupid and shook her head as if she didn’t know.

“Well… it’s too difficult for me. I didn’t understand any of what you were saying. The same is true of what Mielle said.”

“You have a little thought, though.”

“No, unfortunately, I don’t have any thoughts.”

“… I see. I think I’m expecting too much from you. You don’t even know it yet.”

At Aria’s simple answer, the Count showed disappointment in his face. Mielle glanced at her and had a face that said, ‘Yes, you are.’

‘What kind of father is he? Does he look for me only when he needs me? Isn’t that too much, even if I’m not your biological daughter? If I didn’t have this angular personality, I might have locked myself in my room and squeezed out my tears.’

All the affection that didn’t exist was gone, leaving nothing but disgust. The food that was passing through her mouth was so terrible that it was as if she was eating the gutter.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t feel well, so I think I’ll have to get up.”

She felt as if she would vomit if she stayed there. The Count drew a word of permission on Aria’s increasingly pale face, and she went straight out of the dining room and disappeared into her room.

“I think I should call a doctor.”

The Countess glanced anxiously at the place where Aria had disappeared to. Then Mielle, who had her eyes on the Count, opened her mouth.

“Wouldn’t they call a doctor if she is not good since there are maids beside her? Rather than that, Cain will be back in a while, and if we don’t get rid of this mess, he’ll be taking on a lot.”

“I’m sure he must be. Oscar must have a lot of work to do, too. Besides, you too.”

It was the Countess alone who was worried about Aria because she felt sick. She glanced at the entrance to the dining room several more times, and soon burst into an uninvited grin between them, who was absorbed in the story she didn’t know.

***

A few days later, Aria was busy preparing to join the meeting Investor A had gathered. She decorated herself not too much as she did with her meeting with Asher.

“Miss, why don’t you wear a necklace? It’s too simple.”

Annie encouraged Aria to wear a colorful necklace. Jessie also did not like the simple dress, and she brought some earrings and bracelets.

“You don’t have to wear them since it’s a place where I will only hear stories.”

“But…”

Annie looked at her fancy dress and was about to cry.

Perhaps she was burdened with her appearance more colorful than her master. However, Annie had to decorate herself because she was about to meet Baron Burboom. Aria smiled and handed over her hair.

“I don’t have to wear fancy clothes since I have a visible appearance.”

It seemed as if she was uplifting herself, but it had a real meaning that Annie could dress up in it. Annie, accustomed to Aria’s tone of such an expression, soon found her face and regained her bright face.

“Well, go on, Miss! Berry, you have to clean up the hall. Do you understand?”

“… Yes.”

Berry’s voice when she answered was harsh. She was engrossed with her work without words and expression as if she was about to die. She was a little worried about the appearance, but she ignored the reason, so she decided to head to Baron Burboom.

“You are here!”

As soon as she got off the wagon, it was Baroness Clean who greeted her. She also seemed to have just arrived. As they entered the store together, they could meet Baron Burboom, who opened his eyes wide and looked bewildered.