The Villainess turns the Hourglass
chapter-45

Aria, who had been taking a short pause, replied with a shy smile, “… I want to get a handkerchief embroidered by my teacher.”

“Oh, my God…”

‘How could she be so pure?’

It was just a handkerchief, and she could always give it as a gift. If she said, “Let’s stop today’s class and embroider,” she would’ve been able to make some.

Aria’s eyes glistened as if she were being sincere. Sarah was moved and unknowingly stroked Aria’s head.

“Do you really think that’s enough? It’s just a handkerchief. I can make ten or a hundred and give them to you at anytime.”

“Yes! I don’t know if it’s a little too much to ask, but… I hope you’ll do a lot of embroideries that are a little different from what we’ve been doing. There should be many different patterns.”

“It’s not too much. I’ll give you a handkerchief full of embroideries that you can be sure will have all my enthusiasm and passion, so look forward to it.”

Much like Aria’s, Sarah’s eyes also sparkled. Seeing her pumping her fist was a very reliable sight.

Sarah would be busy later because she would make her debut in society with the changing of the year. She would meet Marquis Vincent soon. Now was the right time to receive a sincere gift from her. It was going to happen anyway, but Aria added a small piece of advice to make her look better later.

“And why don’t you make another for yourself just like the one for me? It will look like we have a deep bond, and like we are close… Oh! I’m sorry if I thought so on my own. I just love you so much. I just hope you think so too.”

Because of the beautiful embroidery in the handkerchief, Marquis Vincent would take an interest in Sarah, so it would be perfect if she caught the eye of the marquis with the handkerchief that matched Aria’s.

Maybe Sarah would think that it was thanks to Aria that the marquis would fall in love with her, and she might express her gratitude to her in some way. Sarah might consider her a lifelong benefactor, saying, “Thanks to your request for the handkerchief, the marquis showed interest in me.”

It was predestined, but it was not bad to add a little flavor.

“… I also love Aria very much. I want us to be lifelong friends.”

Sarah’s voice was filled with her feelings. She appeared as if she’d cry if Aria threw in a few more words. She also had an expression on her face that told Aria that she would make a great handkerchief in a few days and nights.

Sure enough, Sarah’s eyes were filled with tears. She was still young and seemed to be sensitive.

Ah, Sarah had liked kids in the past.

Aria’s age was not very different from hers, but she looked like a child because she was smaller than those her age, even though a huge viper coiled inside her body.

“I’m looking forward to your social debut more than to my birthday. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event!”

‘A once-in-a-lifetime social debut! There, women prove their worth and show off to gain a foothold. The social world is the place where rumors circulate most quickly, so influential women naturally hold power there. Of course, the center of that power is wealth.’

Therefore, no matter how important a social debut might be, it was not something that had much to do with Sarah currently. It was no use trying drawing attention to herself, who was a lady of an average viscount family.

Sarah was far from important, although she might draw attention for a moment if she looked gorgeous. Maybe that was why she had a bit of a bitter smile on her face at the mention of it.

“Well, I don’t really expect much.”

“Why?”

“I don’t think anything special is going to happen.”

From her inflection, she seemed to have given up. Perhaps, that wasn’t the case only for her, but her acquaintances and family members might not be expecting much either, except Aria, who knew the events of the future.

So, Aria took Sarah’s hands and said, “Don’t say that. It can’t be! I’m sure I feel like something good is waiting for you.”

I would all come down to meeting a man, like with her mother, the countess. Sarah had a good life, but it was certainly a good thing that her life would get a little better.

“I’m glad you said that. Thank you.”

Sarah might think it was a childish talk from someone who didn’t know the world yet, so Aria thought it would be better to stop at this point. It wouldn’t work even if she exaggerated her statements anyway.

Aria turned the subject around then.

“So, what do you want to do first when you grow up?”

At Aria’s question, Sarah stared at her and smiled softly, saying, “Teach children.”

“Sara wants to be a teacher? Like now?”

“Yes, that’s right. Thanks to Aria.”

“Thanks to me?”

Aria cocked her head at the mysterious answer.

“Yes, these classes with Aria have been a dream. When I become an adult, I want to be a teacher who teaches cute and lovely children like Aria.”

Sarah blushed as she answered, and Aria was so surprised that she couldn’t keep her mouth shut. She hadn’t expected that to happen. Sarah seemed to like her more than she had thought. It was all Aria could think of when she heard Sarah’s plans for the future

‘How can I not use Sarah like this? Isn’t that an insult to God?’

Without a way to avoid it, Sarah pleaded for the serpent to open its mouth and bite into her.

“Then, I want to help you! Let’s teach kids together later. I’ll study hard and become the best teacher!”

“That’s good.”

Despite the cold weather, the two, who had stuck to the warm atmosphere, began the class after several more inconsequential conversations. As always, she reviewed what she had already learned and was showered with praises from Sarah, but the class was much more informative and enjoyable than learning new things.

“In fact, it’s a secret, but… I’m looking forward to Lady Aria’s debut, not my own.”

“Why?”

“You are so lovely and beautiful that when you make your debut in society, you’ll soon mesmerize everyone.”

At Sarah’s sincere words, Aria smiled innocently and held her hand.

“Would I really?”

“Of course, I am sure that.”

“I’m so excited just thinking about it. Are you going to stay with me?”

“Of course.”

Aside for the duke’s family, who had inherited the blood of the royal family, if the marquise, who was the pinnacle of power, would help her debut in society, no one would be able to ignore her as before.

Aria, who hid her insidious, innermost thoughts, remained a lovely girl to Sarah.

* * *

‘Why doesn’t Oscar come? I had told him to visit me today in the letter. Is it possible that I wrote the date incorrectly?’

Aria was worried that he wouldn’t come even though a lot of the day was still left. There was the possibility that he couldn’t come because he was busy during the semester.

No, if so, she would’ve likely received a reply, but seeing that there was no news, that meant that he was coming.

‘When is he coming?’

A lady, who was visiting to celebrate Aria’s birthday, said hello carefully, as it seemed her anxiety was starting to show on her face.

“Are you sick, Lady Aria?”

“No.”

When the young lady said that, the eyes of other young ladies sitting around the table, which wasn’t very big, were drawn to Aria. Now, the worries were coming from Aria, but from the other ladies who had come to congratulate her. Aria pretended not to be unwell and smiled brightly, denying it again.

“I’m really OK. I just couldn’t sleep because I was so excited about today. It was my first time inviting people over.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I understand that.”

Only then, did the mood return. The young ladies in the indoor garden smiled softly to the quiet tune. Everyone celebrated Aria’s birthday with a glass of non-alcoholic champagne.

‘I’m glad there’s a band.’

Aria had been reluctant to accept Jessie’s request for a band just before her birthday. Without it, however, it would have been a small, miserable birthday party. So, Aria decided to give Jessie something as a gift.

“Let’s open the presents first.”

“Let’s do that.”

Aria unwrapped the packages with an excited expression even though she was not expecting much of the gifts that came in small sizes.

“Wow! That’s a cute hairpin!”