The Villainess turns the Hourglass

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

“Thank you for coming here to celebrate the completion of the empire’s new academic institution. I’m Franz Asterope, who organized the academy today.”

When he recited his congratulatory speech, Baron Burboom staggered as if he was about to fall.

‘You said you are Pinonua Louie! That’s why I treated you like that!’

At his appearance holding hands with Aria, Burboom had made offensive remarks to the Crown Prince, and it was seen that his heart was crying, within his face.

He had yet to make an official appearance because he had yet to hold an adult ceremony, but it was right to show himself on his achievements. The quiet hall rang with the voice of Asher,

“The academy, built in the capital city, will do its best to enhance the academic abilities of ordinary people, not aristocrats, and to secure the talent of business people, specifically…”

When he explained the purpose and direction of the academy’s establishment, the participants’ eyes were wide open. It was the first time for them to hear a proper explanation, though they had heard it roughly through the rumors.

As usual, those who thought it was an institution for the nobility began to talk quietly, asking, “Is that really possible?” As soon as he finished his explanation, Asher looked through the VIP hall once more, and after a very short period of silence, he mentioned Investor A.

“Of course, it was possible because there was a person who had been willing to invest.”

He apparently thought that Investor A did not attend the meeting because there was no new face among those that were present. At the end of the remark, there was silence in the hall. While Investor A should appear in line with this timing, no one had risen from their seats.

Baron Burboom was even more shocked after knowing Asher’s identity. Don’t tell me, Aria was coming out. He didn’t look so good that it wouldn’t be strange to feel drowsy right away. Aria rose from her seat quietly, meeting the gaze of the Baron of Burboom.

“… Aria?”

The Countess sitting next to her called her name. As she was sitting close to the podium, Asher’s eyes were naturally directed to her. Meeting his questioning gaze, Aria slowly climbed the stairs next to the podium.

“… Lady Aria?”

Aria, who suddenly rose to the top of the podium, was called carefully by Asher, questioning her name. Aria, who had a pompous look like a tall flower blooming on a cliff, held her dress with one hand and slowly bent her knees to pay tribute to the Crown Prince.

Aria greeted Asher with a clear voice, who had a fine frown upon his inability to grasp her intentions.

“Thank you for ‘inviting’ me to a noble place, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

‘Don’t tell me…!’

Though he thought it was a ridiculous assumption, he stared at Aria with astonished eyes.

“Invitation? What…?”

As he retorted back, blurry at the end of his speech, Aria added a little advice to him,

“Everybody’s looking, Your Highness.”

Feeling unusual, Annie, who recognized him, also called Aria’s name in a deadly pale face. He went up to the podium to see if the investor was present and glanced over the VIP hall for a while.

“…!”

Unexpectedly, Asher met her eyes and opened his eyes as if he was wondering, and he was convinced that she had attended to meet him, and then smiled at her.

As Asher ascended to the podium, his aides who recognized him stood up and took a courtesy. Those who didn’t know the reason also inferred his identity from his dress and created polite posture.

“You said the Crown Prince invested in this academy, and he must be the one…!”

The Countess took a courtesy in admiration. No matter how bad he was with the Aristocratic Party, the royal family was in awe. Unlike the Count, it was due to her lack of interest in factional strife.

Although the distance was a bit far away, any further indication of embarrassment must have made everyone aware. At Aria’s pointing out, Asher finally regained his original look.

However, he did not give any instructions or make any statements to Aria, who bent her knees to take an uncomfortable position, if he still seemed to be smeared with shock. In the end, she had no choice but to point out again his behavior of staring at her in silence.

“My leg hurts.”

“… you can stand up.”

Aria, who stood straight at Asher’s permission and had her back upright, blinking her long, rich eyelashes, asked calmly as if nothing special had happened,

“May I speak on your behalf, Your Highness?”

‘You were so eager to find out who I was, but you kept your identity hidden.’

Obviously, if he were his usual self, he would immediately feel betrayed and angry toward his opponent. But he didn’t take any of that feeling toward her, and Asher sighed inwardly.

To Aria, with a strange but beautiful smile, he replaced the answer with a small nod of his head, and slowly stepped back from the podium to make room for Aria.

There was still a mixture of complex emotions in the gaze of Asher, who followed her in impeccable graceful movements. Checking with his own eyes, he seemed not to reach yet a reality that Aria was the Investor A. And it was not only Asher who was surprised.

“Why did Aria on earth…?”

Even though it was not the place for her daughter to stand, she took the place in an imposing manner, and therefore, the Countess raised herself up quickly. She was about to run up the stage and drag her down. Annie shook his head in front of the Countess.

“Miss Aria is the right woman who can stand there.”

Her face was full of respect and joy. It was a different emotion that had admired and yearned Mielle. It was not a vague yearning for the woman who wielded what she had from the beginning, but a reverence for the woman who held the glory built in her hand.

The Countess’s wandering hands were left bewildered and getting emotionally carried away.

‘What the hell is this?’

“Aria…”

On the other hand, Sarah’s voice, full of questions and worries, came out, and at the same time Aria, who stood on the stage, greeted the audience politely. The graceful figure was admired by the beholders.

The half-fallen Baron of Burboom stared at the podium, leaning against his chair. He seemed to have almost given up now, having been running on a wild foot to hide her identity.

“I’m Roscent Aria, who was introduced. It’s known as Investor A in public.”

She heard a small scream somewhere. Aria, who had intended to give everyone time to admire and marvel, paused, and turned to the source of the sound.

‘Oh, that’s the lady I met at the meeting.’

Near the VIP seats were people who had been invested by Aria. Already seeing Aria’s face, they looked dazed, as if they had never thought she would be the Investor A. There were people who forgot the time and place and pointed fingers at her. She was sure they were talking that they couldn’t believe because she was a wicked woman of gossip.

Aria continued with the pleasant sight in her eyes, “I’m happy to invest in such a meaningful business. I would like to express my gratitude to the Crown Prince for reaching out his hand first.”

Aria bowed her head again and thanked Asher, who stared at her from a little distance. Looking at her back, Asher, who had arranged his complicated feelings, touched his heart and offered her the utmost respect. The natural response made viewers wonder if they were on the same side.

“At first, I thought about it a lot, but I also decided to invest because I wanted to help the weak. If there’s any business that could help anyone in the future, I’d like to actively review it.”

However, he soon smiled at Aria, who drew the line, citing other reasons than the Crown Prince.

“I hope to find a number of talented people through this academy, and I will be very supportive.”

Aria, smiling brightly, was not a wicked woman of gossip, but an angel who came down to the empire. The beautiful sight of it, which seemed to really save the weak, captivated the foolish people.

When Aria, who enjoyed the gaze for such a moment, said goodbye again with a feathery, light gesture, and the sound of applause poured into the hall, where the silence had been for a moment.

Aria, who received awe and respect on one body, glanced and identified Asher. He was watching Aria with a complicated look, who instantly changed her image by putting on a credible showmanship at an important moment.