The Villainess turns the Hourglass

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

Who would think so? When Aria deliberately pretended to be modest enough to know that no one thought so, it suddenly turned into an atmosphere of pouring cold water.

None of them were positive, but this was enough to shame Mielle. For someone who didn’t know, she would look like a saint to cover up her sister who had damaged her, but Asher, who knew Aria’s true self, broke his silence and opened his mouth because he realized what she was trying to do.

“… Did you? I didn’t know that at all. I wonder what kind of person she is going to be because Lady Aria’s praise is so great. The Count must be secure since you have two wise daughters.”

“… Thank you.”

It was as if he had never heard it before, and the Count answered by wiping his forehead with a handkerchief, and Mielle swallowed shame by blushing under her eyes. It was better to be scolded.

However, she could not be angry or away from the place where even the Crown Prince was watching.

Cain, who had seen the situation, stepped in to mediate. “… Didn’t you say you’re here to get the permission?”

The topic about Mielle was not very important, so it quickly changed. Aria, who was watching Mielle’s ugly scene, also looked curious. She wanted to hear it in person even though she was expecting it.

“Ah, yes.”

Asher also seemed to have no intention of wasting time on useless things anymore, and he got to the point. He thought that it would be better to take a walk alone with Aria while looking around the mansion than this boring spectacle he was having with Aria’s family members.

“I have already confessed to her and have a date with her, but I also thought it would be better for me to get formal permission from you. Maybe…”

He was asking permission from the Count and Countess, but his gaze was on Aria. It was as if he was asking for her permission instead.

“It’s likely to be more than that. I’ve been talking to her in advance, but I thought it would be better to ask for your permission.”

‘More than that?’ There was only one more thing left. Although she had expected it, she couldn’t show any reaction as if she was shocked to hear such a remark directly from the Crown Prince. The difference between imagination and reality had brought silence. ‘What else can I say? I can’t say no to him even if I want to.’ In the garden where silence had fallen, Aria responded quietly with a smile.

“What do you think, Count and madam?”

“… Yes!? Yes, yes…” In embarrassment, the Count replied, stammering heavily. It was an unknown answer whether he liked it or not.

“Your Highness doesn’t need to ask permission. If you like each other, then that’s what you should do.” And the Countess answered with tears in her eyes as if she had been proposed to. She prayed for a rise in status that no one had ever achieved.

It seemed like they were done eating because everyone’s hands had stopped, and Aria asked Asher, who had taken a few sips of prepared tea without delay. His face was full of happiness. “Mr. Asher, why don’t you take a look around the indoor garden my mother has arranged by herself?”

“Is there such a great place? I really want to look around.”

“Then I’ll leave first.”

Aria, one of the people who should be surprised more than anyone else by what he said just now, stood up with a bright smile, and the Count nodded like a broken doll. And next to him, the Countess looked sad as if she wanted to be with her.

As soon as the two disappeared toward the indoor garden, the Countess ordered the servants and maids to hurry up and tidy up the garden and the mansion a little more. Taking advantage of the gap, Mielle called the Count who had stood up from his seat with a slightly dazed face.

“Father.” Her face, when she called, looked as if she had lost the world.

“… Mielle? Is something wrong?”

‘Did anything happen to make Mielle look like this?’ The Count, who could not remember that even if there was something, hurried up to her, worrying. Then Mielle was wary and looked around for a moment, and then she said what was bothering her in a low voice.

“… His Highness the Crown Prince and Aria never match. No way!” Mielle sounded desperate.

“What do you mean?”

When the Count asked her as if he didn’t know why, she expressed her opinion with reasons.

“You’ve decided to help the princess. By the way, how can you think of allowing my stepsister to date the Crown Prince? Helping the princess… wasn’t that to check His Highness?”

“Yes… I did.”

‘Why is your answer in the past tense when you said yes?’ Mielle furrowed her forehead and began to persuade the Count again.

“In addition, you are the one who has led the Aristocratic Party yourself. I can’t believe you’re about to have a relationship with the imperial family now…! Are you sure you don’t mind if all the efforts you’ve made come to nothing? You’re thinking of wearing that kind of shame? You’re not!”

“… Mielle.”

“If you show such a disappointing appearance, I’m sure the Aristocratic Party will be scattered. They just got back together.”

“Mielle, I know what you’re thinking, so calm down a little bit.”

Mielle kept talking with great excitement, and the Count gave a light pat on her shoulder and calmed her down. It was a pat to fully understand her mind even though he didn’t understand it at all.

“Of course, I agree with you. But it’s not that easy to decide. Isn’t he the Crown Prince? Besides, he likes Aria so much, and we can take advantage of him.”

The Count, who seemed to be excited, had realized what could be gained from Aria and Asher’s relationship.

“I’ve been reporting to the Duke at last, so I’ll have to ask him for an opinion. Other nobles also agreed that it would be a waste if we kick him out.”

“… Father!”

Mielle held the Count’s sleeve to the nuance that he did not want to stop her from getting married. It was her begging, “Please don’t do that.”

“Well, I’ll go check to see if there’s anything else to prepare for, and let’s talk about it later.”

The Count had no intention of missing this rare opportunity, and it was Mielle’s persuasion that was eventually thrown out. It was because of the attitude that Mr. Asher showed today that he had made up his mind. Asher’s attitude, as if he would have presented the whole world to Aria, moved the Count.

“Mielle.”

It was none other than Cain who called the name of Mielle while staring at the Count’s disappearing back. He must have overheard the Count and Mielle’s conversation, and his expression was very serious. The poor Mielle, who lost the Count, clung to her brother this time. He also had such a miserable face as if he lost his country in a crushing defeat in the war.

“Brother…!”

“Yes. Let’s go up to your room first.”

Unlike Mielle, Cain tried not to show what he was thinking of. ‘How can he deal with the Crown Prince himself?’ The angrier he got, the more miserable he would be.

In addition, Aria was his younger sister, even though they did not have any blood relation in the first place, unless the Count got divorced. And since there was no sign to estrange between the Count and Countess, he was almost in a state of abandonment.

But Mielle wasn’t. She had a mission to separate Aria from Asher. It was a mission that she must succeed this time. After losing Emma, she no longer had a shield, so she had to walk on her own.

“You don’t want her involved with the Crown Prince?”

Cain nodded at the straightforward question. Unlike giving up because the situation was not right, he couldn’t hide his unwanted feelings.

So Mielle, who grabbed Cain’s sleeve, took him to an empty lounge because she needed a helper after she had lost Emma. And she had no doubt that Cain would be a very appropriate and useful helper.

“Let’s stop our father together! I’ll never get her involved with the Crown Prince!”

“Mielle… what are you talking about? How can we disagree if they like each other? Even if our father opposes it, if they push ahead with it, there is nothing we can do.”

Cain replied as if it was not worth discussing to Mielle, who was eager to persuade him.

“What do you mean? If things go on like this, the family of Count Roscent might be in big trouble! We might get cursed if we become traitors!”