The Villainess turns the Hourglass

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

Mielle opened her mouth to try to change the mood. “Wouldn’t the woman be lying? It may be a bluff. His Highness hasn’t said anything yet. Maybe she’s running around alone.”

But the more Mielle spoke, the worse Isis felt. It was because she knew it wasn’t. There was a past in which she could guess. It was the engagement ceremony of the Marquis of Vincent.

For Isis, who had secretly captured the situation in the garden, this situation did not appear to be false or pretentious. ‘Didn’t he even say he had no intention of marrying herself on the spot?’ As she could not show any more ugly looks, Isis hid her trembling hands under the table and said with a deep sigh, “… We have to do whatever we can to separate them, for the honor of the nobility.”

“… Yes, you’re right.”

“I’ll figure out how to do it by myself, so please persuade the Count as much as you can.”

Now there was no Emma to help her, Mielle nodded and expressed her sympathy, because what Isis said was quite natural. But she had already failed a few times, so what could she do now? Sensing the anxiety reflected on Mielle’s face, Isis uttered a spell to cheer her up,

“You’re not old enough yet, but… there’s always been an exception, so you’d better hurry up your engagement to Oscar, for the unity of the Aristocratic Party.”

“… Yes?”

“His Highness is trying to take an unprecedented, humble woman to the Imperial Castle, and there’s nothing you can’t do about it. Since Oscar thinks so, you need to help.”

“… Is it real?”

Mielle’s eyes were motivated by Isis’s sly reply. If it were true, she’d be delighted, but even if it wasn’t true, she knew Isis would make it that way.

“Don’t worry, Lady Isis. I’ll do whatever it takes to help Isis this time.”

At the unexpected reward, Mielle had a strong response.

* * *

Aria’s rumors spread smoothly. An inspiring story made as an important story again, and they praised her among themselves. Even it was a very easy thing to pick one or two young people to invest in a dinner at the mansion, and send them to the academy with scholarships.

“I heard Hans is that smart. It’s gossipy, but he’s been borrowing newspapers since he was very young, and he’s known to be knowledgeable.”

And Jessie sometimes brought up Hans’s story. It was also because they had met regularly for several years. In addition, their friendship seemed to have grown rapidly in recent years, with the media called Aria.

“Really? How old is Hans?”

“He said he’s going to be twenty this year”

“Jessie, he’s the same age as you.”

“Yes. That’s why we talk the same language.”

Jessie’s shy smile made Aria feel the true joy she’d never seen before. Aria, who had squinted her eyes and watched it, nodded with a face that she would know.

‘I was going to give her a more capable person.’

She had thought someone much better than Annie’s. Aria thought she deserved it. Hans, who had a large family, was likely to give Jessie a hard time. So she was drinking tea to relieve her disappointment, and suddenly she had a good idea.

‘I can raise Hans, right?’

Hans had received a scholarship and even entered the academy in recognition of his ability even though she had not helped him at all. Though left alone, he had been victorious, so if she could support him, he must be successful.

“Yes… good. Tell Hans that I have a great expectation.”

“Yes? Yes, Miss.”

Nor was she praised herself, but Aria’s expression was profound and mysterious as she stared at Jessie with a broad smile. She wouldn’t have known it in the past, but somehow she understood Jessie’s mood.

“Well, I’ll leave now. Don’t overwork.”

Jessie, who had brought the new tea out, left Aria’s room. After Jessie went out, it was time to lie down in bed if it were normal, but not today. Far from falling asleep, she had her eyes wide open. Because…

“Lady Aria.”

“… Mr. Asher.”

Because it was the day that Asher visited. He seemed to have come as soon as the work was done. He appeared with his very tired face. Somehow, she felt a hot wind on his collar. Aria, who had been waiting for him, had a cup of tea and read a book, but welcomed him with astonishment.

“My God. I think you have a little tan.”

“… I think it’s because I’ve been to a hot place.”

Asher’s eyes touched Aria’s slender wrists. He caught sight of the bracelet he had given her last time. It was a seemingly normal-looking bracelet, but the meaning inside was unusual. There was a sense of satisfaction in his gentle smiling eyes.

Aria had not noticed this and said that she would have liked to have drinks prepared, not tea.

As soon as he saw that Aria had a bad look, he asked, squinting his eyes, “Do you feel bad because I’m here?”

“No…! No way.”

She had been looking forward to this day. She had been so busy every day but she had felt that time seemed to run slowly. When she tried to pour hot tea, he shook his head and poured the tea into the teacup himself.

“I can’t have you do that who is busy struggling.”

He also filled Aria’s cup with tea. The Crown Prince who would never have done anything like this did that!

Feeling burdened by the words “Come on, sit down,” she looked down at his hand, which seemed a little rougher, and she noticed him wearing the same ring as herself, though of different colors. When she had first seen it, she had thought it was a bit simple for a noblewoman to wear, but it seemed that he had intentionally chosen a simple design to wear it. That was why the discomfort of her heart melted away and the warm spring sun covered her heart.

“The ring… the color is different, but it’s the same as the ring that Mr. Asher gave me.”

“Oh, it’s the same ring. The color has changed for a while now. After a while, the color will come back.”

‘Will the color change?’ For such a thing, it was very mysterious to have a subtle blue glow. When she looked at it wonderfully, he took the ring out of his finger and put it on the table.

“… Oh my gosh.”

Then, the color changed in a flash as if the ring had a blue color.

“It’s a ring that comes down to the imperial family. It changes color when I use it. The ring which I gave you is the same.”

Aria, surprised by this, opened her eyes and asked, “… Then, is it like an imperial family heirloom?”

“I can say it’s similar. I inherited it from my father and mother.”

It was a ring with such a great meaning. She hadn’t thought it meant much because it wasn’t particularly colorful. Aria was very embarrassed. They look down at the ring in her hand which was shaking.

“I don’t know if I can take it…”

Asher, who stared at Aria, slowly reached out and took her hand with the ring.

“The ring’s owner is only you.”

Then he smiled softly, with his serious eyes, and replied with a very natural smile. ‘The owner of the ring? Although I have a date with him… it’s a little shy of…’

Her cheeks under her eyes glowed for nothing. So far, she had heard that she was beautiful or they liked her, but no one had ever talked about the future with her seriously. Moreover, for her living in the past and the present, Asher had always given her the first experience. If she would consider her real age including past life, he was so young, but he thrilled her so much.

After confessing the meaning of the ring, he swallowed and was apparently anxious because he had no answer from Aria. He looked nervous but quite different from his bold words.

He seemed worried, “What if Aria gives back the ring?” It was difficult to gauge each other’s minds as they were still in the beginning stage. Aria, who had been looking for an answer for a while, soon held the hand of Asher, who covered her hand.

“I wonder if I deserve it, but… thank you.”

He was a little surprised and ashamed, but there was no refusal anyway. Now he couldn’t imagine anyone standing next to him. When Aria answered so, Asher, whose ears were blushed, folded his eyes finely and added strength to his hands.

“I’m just grateful.”