The Villainess turns the Hourglass

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

When she held his hands still, exchanging such ticklish words, she was overcome with a sense of satisfaction, even though she didn’t exchange special actions or words. That was why people wanted to meet someone and date. Aria learned about it well over twenty years later.

And the new feeling changed Aria’s future. It was changed from the shady future that was dotted with only darkness to the one in which light existed and was rather challenging. Aria, who had been so happy for a while, checked the time that had already passed and hurriedly said something she had prepared,

“Do you remember Lady Sarah, a daughter of the family of Viscount Lauren, who will be a wife of the Marquis?”

“Oh, of course, I remember.”

“I don’t know if she’ll have time… I would like to ask Lady Sarah to teach students at the academy. What do you think? I thought it would be better to learn manners since everyone is a commoner.”

Aria added that Sarah used to be her tutor and that she felt rewarding in teaching children and wanted to become a teacher later on.

Realizing that she didn’t just say that Sarah’s dream was to be a teacher, Asher erased his tender smile and took out the Crown Prince’s face.

“If that happens, the people in the middle will be quite agitated.”

“I’m sure so. Because there were a series of incidents lately…”

Aria, who had said that far, was wary of Asher. She thought he would already know about the princess, but just in case. Then he answered, ‘I know what happened recently,’ and continued with confidence,

“I’m sure there will be some nobles who will change their stance to support me because Marquis Vincent and Lady Sarah declared their support for me.”

Aria also came back to the face of the investor and explained what he could get. It was possible because the two were helping each other to change their future, not just a relationship that led to a love affair between a man and a woman.

After talking for so long, Asher suddenly asked a question as he was preparing to go back late at night.

“Oh, by the way, did you have any private talk with the judge in court?”

Then Aria shook her head and said, “The judge? No…? I don’t even remember her name.”

“I see.”

“What happened?”

“No, she was curious about you. She even asked me to set up a table to meet you, if it’s okay.”

“… Me?”

‘Even her face was vague, but why? Doesn’t she like me who meets Asher? Come to think of it, it occurred to her that the judge had checked her face in court and hesitated.’ So when she furrowed her forehead because she could only think of negative thoughts, Asher tried to reassure and kissed Aria on the back of her hand.

“But…”

“She’s already deployed far away from power. She’s also a woman who’s not married. She can’t get involved with me. She’s probably curious because the rumors are great.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Nevertheless, there were fears that she might not know. Once again, Asher set Aria at ease, and said that he would make a formal visit next week.”

“I’ll send a letter to the mansion.”

Then Aria smiled as she tried to touch the back of her hand for a while when he had disappeared like a ghost. Then, a few days later, the mansion was disturbed by a letter stamped with the imperial seal. Of all occasions, it arrived early in the morning, and the Count delayed even going out, and the Countess blushed like a girl.

“Oh, my god, His Highness will visit this mansion…!” The Countess, who raised her voice, said, “I have to hurry up and decorate the mansion,” and she pushed the servants and maids. “Wipe clean without dust! I’m going to have to replace all the curtains and the carpet! The most luxurious one! I have to do the gardening, and…!”

The Countess’s orders fell incessantly. She acted as if she were building a new mansion. The servants and maids could be annoying, but it was for Aria and they were all eager to do their best. This was also because it had been accomplished by her step by step.

When she tried to dissuade the Countess, who said, “I have to prepare the new dress,” Mielle called Aria, with a cold look.

“Why did you call me?”

Aria guessed why she called her, but asked, pretending not to know it. And Mielle’s eyes sank coldly. Her spitting words had piercing thorns. They were sharp thorns only directed at Aria.

“Do you really think you’re going to be the wife of the Crown Prince?” Her face had an expression, “How dare you?”

Aria gave her a relaxed look and said, “Well, maybe I’ll suit better than the princess who holds hands with a foreign country and sells her country.”

At the level, Aria dealt with her, and Mielle shuddered and said, “How can you say such vulgar things?”

“It’s true, isn’t it? She’s rallying all the nobles and acting like she’s going to commit treason. Don’t tell me, she’s doing such a thing since she lost a man. Even the common people don’t do that.”

“… Don’t insult the princess!”

Suddenly, Mielle shouted for a moment, and all eyes were directed to her.

Aria couldn’t believe Mielle got angry after she provoked a quarrel first. Unlike Aria, who managed her facial expression flexibly, Mielle’s expression was appalling.

‘It’s ugly.’

It was unimaginable. In the past, it had been all the opposite. Aria, feeling better, dropped her eyebrows as if she was surprised, and with a sad look, whispered to Mielle in silence,

“What if it’s true? And you’d better also know that nothing changes when you’re so angry. Now you don’t have anyone to sacrifice like Emma, do you?”

‘Don’t tell me you’re going to grab my hair. I hope you do it.’ Expecting it, Aria smiled with a victorious smile, and Mielle, who was shaking her whole body, clenched her teeth. It was truly admirable self-control.

“… As expected, you’re also the daughter of a foolish prostitute. Things don’t work that easily, but you can’t even figure out who you are. The blood of vulgarity deserves to remain shallow forever.”

Then Mielle turned and disappeared upstairs.

Aria, embarrassed by the fact that she didn’t know Mielle would make such a shocking remark, stopped for a moment with a dazed face, then let out a feigned smile. It was a vulgar expression that suited her very well.

* * *

The imperial carriage carrying the Crown Prince headed for the mansion of the Count Roscent. Wagons that were decorated with brilliant gold were not one, but two. One was carrying Asher, and the other was carrying gold and silver coins prepared as gifts.

“Oh, my God, what’s that?!”

The carriages passed through the busy streets, so many people witnessed the scene. Most of the royal family’s actions were secret unless it was an official event, so those who witnessed the unexpected outing opened their eyes and created speculation and rumors.

‘Don’t tell me, His Highness the Crown Prince is going to meet Roscent Aria…!?’

Fact-based rumors quickly engulfed the capital as the carriages headed toward the mansion of Count Roscent. The scandal of the century drew everyone’s attention.

At that, a smile lifted the corner of the mouth of Asher, who examined the documents in the carriage. He looked very happy, unlike his usual, expressionless face, because he was on his way to see Aria. Of course, he could have visited as many times as he could without showing up like this, but he deliberately chose a fancy wagon with the imperial seal on it. The reason was simple. It was to spread more and more between himself and Aria. The reason why he had to make such a choice was because he wanted to show off. The great woman who was dealing with the empire was her lover.

“I’m pleased to see Your Highness the Crown Prince.” The carriages arrived at the mansion of Count Roscent across the capital, with all eyes on them. As soon as the carriages stopped, the Count and Countess said, giving a full courtesy. As of yet, Asher didn’t even get off the wagon, but they looked very nervous.

The servants and maids, who were waiting around the Countess, also bowed their heads. Mielle and Cain also took a polite attitude. Among them, Aria greeted him with her own back upright. It was her own privilege.

“Lady Aria.”

Asher, who got out of the carriage late, was wearing a fancy dress she had never seen before. The white suit had the number of gold on it and was dazzling, and his fine-tuned hair and graceful appearance were admired. Unlike his previous black suits, which had erased his presence, his appearance was clearly the Crown Prince.