The Villainess turns the Hourglass
chapter-165

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

Aria, who had forgotten the time and place before Sarah’s words had finished, hugged her. The Baron of Burboom, who had never seen Aria like this, opened his eyes round and hardened like a stone.

“I’m surprised that you remembered my dream that I once mentioned before. I thought I was too far from my dream, so I forgot, but I can’t believe I had a chance like this.” said Sarah, stroking Aria’s hair. She looked so touched that it would not be strange for her to shed tears right away, unlike just now, when she had kept her face calm all the time.

Now Aria had grown into an adult at the outer appearance and it looked very strange, but Sarah and Aria fell into a world of their own, without being aware of their surroundings.

But no one laughed at them. They didn’t know what they were talking about, but who could laugh at them when they relied on each other?

“Wouldn’t the Marquis of Vincent hate me?”

“That’s not true. The Marquis of Vincent likes you very much. “Even at a young age, she’s great,” he said, praising you. He was just worried that you have something to do with the Crown Prince.”

Sarah answered so and looked around. She seemed to be concerned because it was a political story. And the knights of Aria and Sarah, who noticed the signs, surrounded them to block the eyes around them, but they were not enough to even block the conversation.

Aria grabbed Sarah’s hand and urged her to go inside. The wary Baron Burboom hurriedly changed the seats for Aria and Sarah, and because of that, Aria was free to talk to Sarah throughout the ceremony.

“And this is a secret… I thought I’d tell you… Actually, the Duke of Frederick has visited the Marquis several times.”

“… the Duke?”

“Yes. I think he has visited not only the Marquis but also the others. Those are the ones who stay neutral. He also came to my father even though he was a humble family.”

“… Oh my gosh.”

‘Is it because the princess failed to make such a remarkable achievement, or is it because of the power of Asher?’ Perhaps it was both, but it was not an easy matter to see that even the Duke moved in person, unlike in the past.

‘… Will Mr. Asher be all right?’

‘Does he know this fact? I think he’s working on something because he’s so busy that he can barely see my face.’ She believed he would do well on his own, but she could not rest assured that he had been helpless in the past. She hoped she could get him to know this as soon as possible… She was impatient because there was still a little time left before his visit.

Sarah added, holding Aria’s hand to see if it was revealed on her face. “That’s why the Marquis made up his mind.”

“… Did he determine?”

“Yes, the situation is that he can’t keep neutral anymore.”

It was not necessary to ask which side of the group he was supposed to be supportive. If the Marquis of Vincent stood by the Duke’s side, Sarah wouldn’t be here.

Aria asked Sarah with a little relief, “Did anyone else make up their mind like the Marquis did?”

“Maybe? They’ve often visited the Marquis. Until recently. They were all great people who loved their country.”

If so, it meant that they were not on the side of the Duke to abandon the country and join hands with a foreign country. It was only then that Aria, who was relieved, was able to recover her original face when Sarah added that other novels, who had been neutral, including the Marquis, seemed to have met Asher.

Still, the reason she felt uncomfortable was that she heard the news from Sarah, not from Asher. Even if he would talk to her, she would not say anything to others around, but he had not said anything. He had just said, “I’m doing well.”

‘I think I should say something when I meet him this time.’

With such determination, she again straightened her back and smiled gracefully. Nevertheless, Aria, who did not hide her benevolence, proudly rose to the podium. As Aria ascended to the podium, countless students who were indebted to Aria stared at her with respect and awe. She called one and one to give mercy, and she called Hans’s name for the last time.

He had already been awarded another scholarship for his outstanding grades, and he was with a puzzled look at why his name was called again.

“I promise to support your living expenses, including scholarships, until you graduate, because you have excellent grades and you are intelligent.”

As soon as Aria’s words were over, the audience was in a state of uproar. This was because it was an unprecedented support. It was not just a scholarship, but a support for balancing the living cost. He didn’t work even for what the academy intended.

Aria, who smiled softly at Hans, who was perplexed, soon turned to see where Jessie was. She wasn’t even supported, but she was thrilled with her mouth shut. It was only a penny at the most.

“Hans, I didn’t make this decision just out of past relationships, so I hope you don’t feel burdened and accept it.”

‘It’s only when you do well that Jessie is happy.’

Finally, Aria, who patted Hans lightly on the shoulder, came down from the podium with everyone’s praise. Hopefully, he would develop as much ability as he got support.

* * *

After the ceremony, she had a long conversation with Sarah and was on her way back. She could see Annie’s chest opposite her with a strange brooch.

‘Come to think of it, the students at the academy are wearing it. What’s that?’

When she was curious and asked, Annie, replied with a significant smile.

“You’re just beginning to notice, aren’t you? It’s a feat of my loyalty to you!”

“What does that mean?”

When Aria asked again for the answer that she did not understand, Annie began to tell the long story.

“Isn’t this similar to the brooch you first gave me?”

“That’s right.”

“In fact, I bragged that I got this brooch from you! I told them it was the evidence of your recognition. And they were all jealous. So…”

“So?”

As Annie took some time to say, even Jessie pricked up her ears and showed her interest. The knight who rode the wagon together didn’t show up his interest, but he also seemed to be curious about it.

Annie opened her chest wide and said, “I made a similar but cheap brooch, to give to those who are loyal to you.”

“So, they’re kind of followers of Miss Aria, right?”

When asked by Jessie, cocking her head, Annie raised her voice, saying, “Yes! Other forces and groups all have their own emblem. Well… the common people don’t have that, do they? So I thought, ‘let’s make it too!’ I made it for the purpose of doing it. Oh, my God. I didn’t expect so many people to follow Miss Aria!”

“Because Miss Aria is such a worthy person.”

Jessie, who answered as if it were right, reached out her hand, asking for one. Annie looked at Aria’s face and said, “I’ll give it to you later.”

‘You sold it.’

Aria was sure Annie would have sold it. Even the cheapest brooch would cost money to make, so it was worth it, but it had been done without mentioning anything to her master herself.

‘Yes, I’ll overlook your fault just this time.’

It was a great thing to do because there was nothing like an emblem to bring people together. Aria also liked her fast report of telling the truth. By the time she got to the mansion, the sun was already going down, because she had quite a long chat with Sarah.

The young ladies who had come before her leaving the mansion as Mielle’s guests were still not going back, filling the garden and enjoying tea parties. For a tea party hosted by a minor, the time was quite long.

As soon as Aria got off the wagon, the keen gaze of the ladies gathered around her and fell to her. There were also a mix of adult women in it, who really didn’t know who they were.

“Are you enjoying your party?”

Aria greeted such foolish women with a graceful gesture. The only thing that was better than the common people was to pretend to be noble. Nevertheless, it was to remind them that they were shallower in their behavior than the common people.

“… Of course, it’s a party invited by such a noble lady.”

Ashamed of this, the young ladies bristled up. They disparaged Aria without knowing that it was a ship that sank due to holes everywhere.