THE VILLAINESS TURNS THE HOURGLASS

Translator: Khan

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

‘Mielle, how would you feel if you were treated by me who you had despised as I had been vulgar?’ The evil woman’s nature sparkled Aria’s eyes.

“I hope that Asher will give me Mielle, but she is too guilty to pay for nothing, so you may as well punish her with the right punishment.”

Aria’s words sounded like a request to him that he would give her Mielle after he tortured Mielle enough, and his eyes narrowed for a moment. It was not a rejection of Aria, who showed cruelty but admiration for her, who tried to bite to the end without missing what was given.

And Aria knew that Asher was interested in such a character and liked her, so she could reveal her real heart without hesitation.

“Ok. I think she will pay for all the price of her sins in the past and the present in the end, and I will do as you say.”

“Thank you.”

Aria smiled brightly, not matched in the way of anyone who would harass or punish anyone, and Asher said with a very embarrassing look,

“If you’re so happy, I feel sorry to go back.”

“Then stay for a little while and go back. Would you like to have lunch together?”

When he caught her pretending to not know that Asher could not do so, he felt more regret on his face.

“… I’m angry that I can’t do that.”

“I can’t help it, but you have to get your work done quickly.”

Even though she had told the reality, Asher’s disappointment did not go away, and Aria took his hand gently. She wrapped it with her hand and cheered him up.

“Why don’t we go on a vacation after the work is done? Even though it’s a bit far, I want to go to the sea alone with you.”

At her words, his expression hardened. Because of his status, the attendants and knights automatically followed him, but he was not able to hide his mind from the secret suggestion of Aria, knowing that he could not travel alone.

“… I’ll have to finish my work soon.”

“I’ll wait.”

When she was about to get up from her seat, leaving the tea which was still had much left as she just drank a little, he suddenly stopped as he headed for the door.

“… Lady Aria.”

He called Aria’s name in a slightly lower voice. In that strange but familiar voice, she had a hunch as to what he would say next and turned slowly to stare into his eyes.

“Yes.”

“… Can I kiss you?”

At his direct approach, Aria did not answer for a moment and stared at him blankly. She then replied with a soft glance,

“Last time you did what you pleased, but you ask for my permission now?”

“… I was so excited at that time that’s why I did that, but I was afraid that you might have been upset.” Asher said carefully.

‘No, I was a little surprised, but I was not upset. However, I was thrilled to the point where my heart was pounding all night.’

“Not at all, I was just surprised.”

As soon as she answered so, Asher took off his worries. He raised his hand and touched her soft cheek.

“Then I’ll do what I want in the future.”

Asher immediately put his lips on hers even if he did not hear her answer as if he was really going to do it right away

* * *

Rumors that the nobles of the Aristocratic Party were all caught for treason spread to the capital without passing half a day and spread throughout the empire after not more than a week. That was big news and dangerous news for some.

Those, who had made a deal with the nobles of the Aristocratic Party or had a relationship with them, heard the news and ended their relationship with them in the turning of a hand. They watched the situation in fear. Some of them fled the country saying that they were suddenly leaving for a vacation.

Of course, the nobles, who had been caught in the rebellion, were also trying to erase their sins and mobilized in various ways, but it did not go according to their will because of the last scheme of the Crown Prince and Lohan that they did not know.

“Well, all the jewels in the house are gone!”

“… What?!”

Viscountess Merriart swallowed in surprise and asked the butler, who had given the shocking news. In order to save her husband who was accused of treason, she tried to hire the best lawyer in the empire and gathered all the remaining wealth that the soldiers had spent too much. Therefore, it was like a bolt of lightning from the blue sky.

“But instead, this letter was put…”

Mrs. Merriart’s hands trembled as she took the letter from the butler, and her eyes widened uncontrollably as she began to read a few lines.

[If we can not capture the empire, we have contracted with princess Frederick Isis to not support the wages of the dispatched soldiers, so we have recovered the amount from the mansion. We have left you a detailed account, so please refer to it, and we will charge you again later, if it is short.]

‘What the hell?’ She couldn’t believe it, and she checked it again and again, but it didn’t change.

“The jewels… Are they all gone?”

“Yes, yes…! All the expensive ornaments are also gone…”

The butler nodded and answered, and Mrs. Merriart herself collapsed to the floor.

“Are you all right?”

The butler looked at her with surprise and checked her condition. It was a quick response as he had expected. Unfortunately, her condition, trembling in a pale-look, did not seem to be very good, and the servants watching it around her did not know what to do.

“Wait, be quiet!”

She raised her voice because the people around her had been making a fuss while she was having a headache. She wrapped her head and thought for a moment.

‘What should I do now…?’

If they had taken all the jewelry and ornaments, as the butler had said, there was no way to help her husband. She had to report if it was any property such as a mansion or an estate that should be reported at the time of the acquisition, but if it was a jewel or ornament, she could sell it secretly and raise funds. However, they took them all, and there was nothing left.

The mansion and estate had been blocked by the Crown Prince in advance by no way to make a deal because if their sin was proven and they were branded as traitors, all their property would be seized by the empire. So there was nothing more she could do for her husband, and because he was really involved in the rebellion, he would be deprived of his title after all, and all the mansion and land would also be taken away.

Moreover, it was a sin of rebellion, and surely not only the Viscount but his whole family would be executed. She blinked for a moment. She was lost in thought and firmly held her hands.

“… Support me.”

“Yes, yes!”

The maids hurried to raise the Viscountess, and her eyes were cold, unlike when she had read the letter.

“… Get the wagon, pack up some food, and some spare clothes.”

“Yes…? Where are you going?”

The butler looked surprised and asked as she asked for food and clothing. The Viscountess answered naturally,

“I’m going back to Sheraton. Anyway, he’s prepared for the treason alone, so I’ll have to pretend not to know it. If his sin is not heavy, I’ll be in no way harmed. I’ll have to get ready for a divorce in the meanwhile… But if it’s not enough, I will hide or get exiled… I’ll try to survive somehow… I won’t be responsible for you all, so I won’t tell you to follow me.”

The only person she chose was the butler because she had not a penny left in her hand, and the remaining servants who had suddenly lost their jobs watched her leave. And her choice to leave her husband without delay was very wise. The Crown Prince, who had prepared to punish the Aristocratic Party for a long time, did not miss the opportunity, and he put more guilt on them. Besides, unexpected accusers appeared, and they could not draw back from the guilt. The accuser was none other than Oscar, the successor to the Duke family of Frederick.

“Where is the sinner, Frederik Oscar?”

After arresting the Duke and Isis, the leader of the rebellion, the knights came back to the mansion of the Duke to find Oscar. Oscar was the heir of the Duke family, but he had not come forward directly in this case, and he had no intention of signing any papers, so he was not involved. However, the knights looked for him even though he did not need to be arrested.