Translator: Khan

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

It was foolish to praise her with the natural story if they did not know how to refute it properly.

‘How can I live in this harsh world without even refuting this much? In the world that everyone is jealous and tries to kill others…’ However, a person spoke to Aria, who had enjoyed a moment of victory in the waves of praise and respect.

“… Oh, my God, I didn’t know Lady Aria had this aspect in you.”

“Lady Sarah…?”

It was Sarah, who had appeared early in the morning to celebrate Aria’s birthday. She had been in the garden for a long time, and her cheeks turned red because of how cold it was. Sarah had watched Aria and the nobles fight from beginning to end.

“I was just trying to figure out the timing because I didn’t know when to intervene, with my fists clenched.”

She tightly held Aria’s hands, as if she were looking at a child who had grown up, rather than showing disappointment even though she was so venomous.

“You’re really becoming an adult.”

“… I’m still seventeen.”

The soft tone of her voice transformed Aria from an adult to a child again. In fact, she was about thirty years old, adding her past life and present life, but somehow she wanted to act like a child in front of Sarah.

Aria started acting like a child so she could win Sarah over and use her, but it became her real heart now because she had received the love she had not received when she was a child.

“Yes, if you are seventeen, you are still a little child. A cute kid who grew up wonderfully. What do I do next year once your officially an adult?”

“I’m younger than Sarah, and I think you’ll be fine if you don’t change at all for the rest of your life.”

“Yes, that’s a wise answer.”

Aria, who looked at Sarah with a pair of lovely eyes, noticed the Marquis of Vincent standing beside her after a while. He was also looking at Sarah and Aria with a soft eye. They were the people who had helped her many times because they were always there for Aria.

Sarah had given Aria the love that she had never received from her mother; they were the second most precious among all of her connections.

“This is a small, humble gift, and I hope your winter will be warm.”

Sarah’s gift was a glove that seemed to warm the winter. Someone might think it was really a trifling gift, but it was a beautiful glove embroidered with her handmade sweat, and she dared not convert it into money.

They were not the lilies that symbolized the family of Count Roscent but tulips. The tears of emotion seemed to flow down in her unblemished mind.

“… Thank you, and I have only Sarah.”

“I’m grateful. I’d never make my dream come true if not for you. I’ve always waited for the day to go to class though I have few classes.”

Her expression of genuine pleasure was not a lie. No, Sarah always did. She always treated her with sincerity, and that caused Aria’s sinful mind to waver.

“After this, we have your wedding, Lady Sarah.”

“Yes, I am preparing so hard, and I hope you will shine that place.”

Sarah’s wedding would be held in the next year, and Sarah would formally be the Marquis, who Aria had hoped for so much.

It would be only a matter of time before the Duke’s family would be ruined, and she would be the highest noblewoman in the empire. She would be able to comfort and appease the persecuted Aria, who was from a humble origin. Of course, Aria now had the power to punish them, but the reason why she was more secure was that she relied on Sarah.

Aria, who entered the mansion with Sarah, waited for Asher, greeting the nobles and commoners who visited with various gifts. There was something to confess, and the waiting seemed to be long.

“Miss, is His Highness busy?”

Annie asked Aria, not knowing what she was thinking, and she seemed to be questioning and frustrated by the absence of Asher as lunch passed.

“… Annie, I think you should bring her a new drink.”

Jessie hurriedly pressed her side to get a grip on the atmosphere, and then Annie, realizing that she had made a mistake, hurried away.

As she began to doubt why the Crown Prince did not appear, not only the maids but also the visitors also doubted. When she was worried that Asher had been angry because she hadn’t told the truth, he arrived at the mansion like a lie. He brought four luxury wagons enough to blow all suspicions.

“… Oh, my God.”

Just in time, she was looking out the window over the terrace, and the glamorous appearance caught her eyes. When she went out without a break, Asher, who had come out of the carriage, laughed deeply.

“I was too worried about what to give you, and I was late. I hope you will blame my folly.”

At the same time, the loads in the wagon began to be unloaded. The people, who dared to sneak at this rare and great sight that they had not seen anywhere, responded vigorously such as clogging their mouths or making weak groans.

It was a gift of a size that they could guess from the way Asher had been doing, but they were surprised to see it directly.

“Mr. Asher…”

As Asher said, he was late for his lover’s birthday, but he prepared such a great event, and how could she blame him? Aria, whose cheeks slightly warmed in the sudden cold wind, took the hem of her dress and responded to Asher, taking a courtesy.

* * *

Asher, who had caught everyone’s attention in the garden, crossed his arms with Aria and moved to the spot in the middle of the first-floor hall, where the visitors’ gazes followed every step they took. As if to show everyone, Asher, who had appeared with a large number of gifts, had a pleasant face, unlike Aria’s worries.

“I thought you were angry with me.”

After a fairly friendly appearance, Aria talked to him and Asher was surprised by her sudden words that did not fit the situation.

“… Me?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you think that?”

Asher looked serious. He seemed worried that he had made a mistake, and Aria hesitated for a moment, then answered.

“That’s because… there’s something I didn’t tell you.”

“…”

Asher, aware of what it meant, stared at her without asking or answering anything. Then, realizing that this was not the right place for such a serious conversation, he encouraged Aria to move.

“I don’t think that’s the right topic to talk about here.”

“… I think we should go to my room.”

If someone who did not know Aria heard that, they would be startled, but Asher had already visited Aria’s room several times, so he nodded and moved again.

The party’s protagonist suddenly left the hall again, and some people’s eyes followed them, but no one thought it strange because they were already a couple of the century known beyond the empire and to other countries.

“I brought a refreshment, Miss.”

“Thank you,”

Jessie, who had followed her quickly, left Aria’s room after setting the refreshments, and Aria’s confession was only left because they came to a place where no one would disturb them.

“I don’t know if I arrived late, and you misunderstood me, but I was not angry at all. There is no reason to be angry. Even if you have something to hide, I won’t be angry.”

As Aria was wondering what to say, Asher made an excuse as if it was unjust, and Aria, who was nervous, answered with much embarrassment.

“… Then I’m glad.”

Luckily, his sudden excuse had eased the atmosphere a little, and Aria took a sip of tea after looking at his face and said,

“Actually… as you already know, there’s something I haven’t told you, and I think you’ll be angry with me this time.”

“No matter what you say, I will not be angry with you, so tell me.”

Since Asher really meant what he said, he reached out and took Aria’s hand. Her hands that became cold due to nervousness began to melt slowly because of the warmth of Asher’s hands. With the warmth of Asher’s answer and consideration, she began to reveal the secret she had hidden for a long time.

“I don’t know why, but I have a strange ability just like you,” said Aria. She glanced once at the box of the hourglass that she packed in the cabinet. The hourglass was the source of her ability.