The Villainess turns the Hourglass
chapter-100

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

Because she had nothing else to say about the count’s business, Mielle quickly turned the topic. The talk of Oscar was enough to soothe the count’s anxious mind, so the depressed mood returned to an atmosphere of harmony.

“Oh, I see! It seems like he has some relaxed time since his graduation is approaching. So, what did he send?”

“He sent me a beautiful bouquet and brooch.”

Mielle’s gaze went down to her chest. She had a brooch on her chest that looked like a blue diamond. Aria frowned at it. ‘That’s…’

“Haha! Oh, my gosh, the brooch you’re wearing on your chest is a gift! What a beautiful brooch it is! I now acknowledge it and I am sorry about it!”

“Oh, my God… it’s so pretty.”

Her brooch was really clear and transparent blue, and draw even the countess’s admiration.

‘But why? Why is the Blue Diamond’s brooch? It’s similar to what I gave Oscar…?’

In addition, it was a similar design as if it had been matched like it had been made referring to Oscar’s brooch.

‘Is it really like that? It must have been.’

“Right? And the princess said she’d like to visit our mansion sooner or later”

“Really? I’ll have to make sure the servants and maids don’t neglect the preparation.”

Mielle’s bragging continued. And it spoiled Aria’s mood, as Mielle hoped. But Aria didn’t express it outside, as Mielle would be hoping for that. Aria tried to pass it over lightly, thinking that it must have been made by the princess who had referred to Oscar’s brooch.

* * *

The blocking of foreign trade routes made the nobles uneasy. The damage was most severe among the nobles, who simply did a small trade with foreign countries because they had little or no land. The complexion of the wives, who were tutors of Aria, looked gloomy, and the young ladies who attended the meeting after a long time were very intimidated.

“What if my father’s business is damaged…?” said one young lady in tears.

‘What’s her name?’

Aria asked her, who could not even remember her name because she had no attention except for Sarah. “Excuse me, what kind of business did your father do?”

“He’s been importing perfume. It’s not expensive, but it’s just an ordinary one that is diluted with water.”

‘Oh, that’s why I have always smelled good from you. Regardless of your worries, such a trifle item would have no problem.’

“Don’t worry. My father told me that most of the items that are currently being cut off are luxuries. Those are only luxury goods used by the nobles.”

“Really? If it’s the case, that’s a good thing! …Oops, I’d be rude to say this. I’m sorry.”

As Aria was a daughter of Count Roscent, the information she had received from her father was like timely rain to them. However, since there was a rumor that the family of Count Roscent would be severely damaged and suffer, and it was spreading secretly, they could not express their joy.

‘Oh my… who cares about who?’

Even if the count’s business was ruined, the family of Count Roscent had a great deal of land. Unless the Empire was destroyed, the family of the count would never lose its power and wealth.

Aria smiled and shook her head. “It’s okay. I’m sure he’ll do well this time as he’s always managed to get through it.”

The hearts of the young ladies were moved by the friendly way of speaking. The family that would be most damaged must be the Roscent family, but she did care for other ladies. Even she really thought of it a little.

There would be no damage to the families of the young ladies here because they did not have enough money to touch the luxuries of the nobility. Moreover, the luxury of the nobility was monopolized by the Aristocratic Party. As much as it was profitable, those who held power naturally had a monopoly.

In other words, it was the Aristocratic Party that would suffer from this incident. It was a story of little relevance to their families, far from power.

‘Wait, only the nobles of the Aristocratic Party are damaged? Then, the main driver of this incident must be the Crown Prince’s Party… Is it a power struggle, not just an intervention aimed at making a difference?’

Aria felt that if she would step in deeply, she might see blood, so she vowed again that she would never be caught with her identity.

“Let’s refrain from meeting for the time being. The atmosphere is really bad. And you’re busy as you become adults, aren’t you?”

Everyone looked at Sarah with a smile. The smile was a mixture of envy and jealousy. The meeting had been delayed because Sarah had been busy.

Sarah apologized in a sorry way. “I’m sorry. It’s because of me…”

“No, not just because of Lady Sarah. You’re all a little busy, aren’t you?”

As Aria said, the grown-ups were busy interacting with each other’s level of young men. It was great news for Aria, who no longer needed to build a friendship with them.

Sarah called Aria when the party was finished and she was about to go back. With slightly red cheeks, Sarah said she had something to say and asked for some time. Something must be good news. There was no reason to refuse.

“Actually… the Marquis recently requested an engagement.”

“… Oh, my God.”

Aria made a look of surprise even though she had guessed it. Sarah’s smile deepened when Aria blinked her eyes covering her mouth with both hands.

“The family of the marquis would have done the ceremony of engagement and wedding in spring from generation to generation, and the ceremony will be in the next year. I’ve received a formal request and I’ve given him a reply.”

Much to annoyance, if a family was more prestigious, they could get married after the engagement. It was to show off their power and wealth. If she got engaged next spring, her marriage would be around the next year.

“Congratulations! However, since I can’t express my heart with my words, I am sad. What should I say to deliver my heart to you? I’m so happy, but I can only say congratulations.”

Aria celebrated Sarah with an overstatement that she would not have for her lifetime. Her excessive hand gestures and expression made Sarah dance.

“Thank you. It’s already been passed on. It’s all thanks to Lady Aria. It’s like the handkerchief that I made with you together created a connection with the marquis.”

As Aria had thought and planned this, great joy overflowed within her. Now Sarah was perfectly on her side.

“And I think the marquis would like to meet Lady Aria. He asked me to tell you that he wanted to take some time to invite you to dinner.”

‘And the Marquis is a bonus! There would be no greater joy than this in the world.’

The bad feeling from Mielle’s brooch quickly disappeared. Aria smiled brightly.

“Really? It’s a great honor. I’m always welcome, so the marquis can decide any convenient day for him!”

“How could you be so sweet? Oh, by the way, I… I’m sorry, but I haven’t told other ladies about it yet, so I’d like you to keep it to yourself.”

“Sure!”

The more secrets there were, the stronger their connection would be. Aria opened the gates of hell wide open, holding Sarah’s hand as Sarah plunged herself into an ant hole.

* * *

A few days later, the second meeting proposed by Asher was held, and the topic was, quite rightly, blocked trade routes. What was a bit unusual was not just how the route had been blocked and how to deal with it, but they rather discussed who would be damaged by the incident.

“I think at least five people will go bankrupt in half a year.”

“I think it’s the end for someone who’s been keeping his trading monopoly. It’s wrong that he has been trying to carry on his family with one business in the first place.”

“It will be OK if he has land… It’s because he has believed in the back support without a foundation.”

“It seems that Count Roscent has been running very hard to get a solution, but I don’t think that he will go bankrupt in a half-year. Nevertheless, the count will also suffer a lot.”

“It’s going faster than I thought, and maybe it’s going to be easier to coax Viscount Vigue.”

Amid countless conversations, Vika said with a satisfied smile. A story came out that she didn’t know at all, and Aria cocked her head. She thought that reading books and newspapers steadily increased her knowledge and information, but the story about Viscount Vigue was new.

So Aria asked, “Viscount Vigue? What did he do?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. He recently bought the casino.”