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The Villainess Reverses the

Hourglass
악녀는 모래시계를 되돌린다

With the marriage of her prostitute mother to the Count, Aria’s

status in society skyrocketed immediately. After leading a life of
luxury, Aria unfairly meets death because of her sister Mielle’s
schemes. And right before she dies, she sees an hourglass fall as if it
were a fantasy. And just like that, she was miraculously brought back
to the past.

“I want to become a very elegant person, just like my sister,

Mielle.”

In order to face the villainess, she must become an even more

wicked villainess. This was the new path Aria chose to take revenge
on Mielle who murdered both her and her mother.

Author(s): 산소비
Artist(s):
Year: 0
Country: Korea
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo
Tags:
Source: Secret Land Castle, Webnovel

ASIANOVEL VERSION: 3.11

PDF VERSION: 1.4
UUID: 7cf54e80-7a1f-11ea-8ca6-e317cf8f852d
USER: Nemo-mb
DATE CREATED: 2020-04-09
LANGUAGE: English

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More info and chapters:

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Chapter 1
Source: Secret Land Castle

“Raise her head.”

With Kain’s order, someone grabbed Aria’s bloody hair and she was
lifted into the air by rough hands.

Aria’s once beautiful golden hair had now turned into a lower state
than that of a pig’s hardened hair after a roll in the mud.

“You should have known the sins you’ve committed.”

“…….”

Aria didn’t have the energy to respond. Even if she did she
wouldn’t have been able to respond with her tongue cut off.

Her tongue was sprinkled with soft, white salt, which only left her
in pain with no chance to repent.

Aria closed her eyes, which was difficult since it was already
bruised and inflated. At one point her eyes had throb the hearts of
men with its fresh green color and glow, but now it looked just like
the eyes of a rotten fish.

Knowing that it was her end, she patiently waited for the blade.

“Brother, I have one last thing to say to Aria.”

The saintess, who had suffered countless times because of the

villainess walked up to the execution area.

She had forgiven the villainess, who had framed her of being a
thief, and smiled at her, telling her the injury was not too bad when
she had been pushed off the stairs. And this time, when she had

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been poisoned, everyone believed she would forgive the villainess
once more.

Kain shook his head.

“You can’t.”

“I must say it. Please……..”

How could she be so forgiving to a villainess who had tried to harm

and murder her. There was no one who could refuse her when she
was showing her tears like this.

Kain sighed and gave his approval to Mielle, whose shoulders were
shaking like a flower in the fields. Mielle walked towards Aria with her
weak body.

“I’ve been saving these words for you. Since this is the last
time…… I should tell you…….”

Mielle went on her knees and wiped her transparent tears with her
hands.

The audience, shocked at her actions, leaned forward as if they

were about to run into the scene. Mielle smiled at them, indicating
that it was alright, and put took her lips next to Aria’s ear.

As if she would whisper words of salvation to the villainess.

But.

“You stupid bit*h. Did you have fun floundering in my

maids’ jokes till now?”

Aria’s eyes widened. She turned her stiff neck to see Mielle make a
forgiving smile. Her smile was as innocent and beautiful as a flower.

Aria blinked her eyes quickly, showing that she had not understood
what she had just heard. This was because she could not ask what

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Mielle had said because her tongue had been cut off.

Mielle, who was kind and caring, understood her through her
expressions and repeated herself so that it would be easier to
understand.

“All the maids who have been giving you ideas on doing
bad things are all my maids. It was all to make you into the
villainess so I could get rid of you. Just like this.”

“……!”

“I’m telling you this since this is the last time, but I wanted
to kill you since the moment you walked in with your lowly
mother. Painfully if possible. I didn’t want to see you guys,
who were an embarrassment to our family.”

Hahaha. Mielle let out a laugh, unable to resist.

She had been waiting for this moment and smiled clearly, as if she
wanted to dance to Aria’s tears. Her happiness, which was unseen to
all except Aria, became a knife that dug through Aria’s heart.

“I thought I could poison you like your mother but dropped

the idea. It’s not very interesting is it? So I gave the poison I
had to the maid, and made her put it in my tea. Ah, of course
I didn’t drink it.”

“Ah……! Ah ah……!!”

Aria’s body wobbled greatly as she fell to the floor. She twisted her
body with all the strength she had left, but it was still only a weak
struggle.

The veins on her eyes all popped, making tears of blood flow down.
Screams exploded out of her mouth, which could not speak because
of her cut tongue.

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Mielle got up after she finished talking. She created an expression
filled with sadness as she returned to her place.

“It was really enjoyable till now……. My heart feels like it’s
breaking as I think about how big sister Aria won’t be around
anymore…….”

The saintess who had forgiven the villainess put her face into her
holy hands and shook her shoulders. But this was to hide her face
that had been overflowing with joy that she could not hide.

Please don’t let the saintess suffer from the villainess’ death.
Please don’t let her feel responsible for it. Everyone present were
worried for Mielle’s well-being.

Kain raised his hand high since there was no one else who had
feelings left for Aria.

And along with his hand the soldier’s sword was lifted high into the
sky as well. The sword, which was sharpened so well that it could cut
through bone, reflected the light.

And this light created a strange sight in Aria’s eyes. The light,
which looked like an hourglass, left an impression in her bloody sight
for a long time.

Aria stretched her arms out as if to grab the light like a rope, but
the soldier stepped on her shoulders that was struggling like a fish
out of water.

And soon Kain’s hand dropped. It was a signal to get rid of the
villainess. The soldier’s sword also dropped, cutting through the
wind. And the thin girl’s neck and life became separated, ending a
single life.

“Kyaa!”

Aria’s head fell off as someone screamed, and it rolled on the floor

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along with her sight of the hourglass.

Why was it that Aria could not feel pain, suffering, or sadness? She
could only see the after image of the hourglass spinning several
times, but not knowing which way, and falling after its spins.

‘I want to go back. Again……. To the time when I can redo

everything……. Like that hourglass.’

In the few seconds that it took for the brain to take in death and
take the light out of her eyes, Aria’s whole world was the movement
of the hourglass.

***

“……ia! ……Aria!”

Crash-!

The cup in Aria’s hand fell to the floor and broke into tens of
pieces. The maid who had been waiting behind her ran quickly to
clean the mess.

Aria watched the scene, dazed for a moment, and turned towards
the direction her name had been called to see Mielle making a
worrisome face.

Looking like she would cry if someone touched her, she was still
beautiful ‘back then’.

‘……how does she look so young?!’

Mielle was 23 years old to her knowledge. But the Mielle in front of
her could not be much older than ten.

to her was Kain, who was glaring at Aria with his brows furrowed in
disapproval. He also looked young, about sixteen or seventeen.

Aria blinked, unable to adjust to the situation. Then she heard a

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cold voice from right next to her.

“Aria, are you alright? I called you several times and you
didn’t reply.”

“……Mother?”

It was her mother, who had died from a heart failure caused by
poison. She was a beautiful woman with lips redder than roses and a
voluptuous body who had captured the heart of a noble.

She also looked very young and energetic as she told Aria to keep
her table manners. She was a mother who had never had a single
drop of motherly love ever since the moment she became pregnant.

Aria finally realized that she was at the dining room. At her plate
was meat that had been cut violently and salad that had been spread
all over the table.

‘I never did something like this after being embarrassed on

my sixteenth birthday…….’

Aria looked down at her hands.

She saw a pair of small and soft hands that belonged to a child.
The scar on her hand from throwing a glass bottle at Mielle was also
nowhere to be seen.

That was the first evil act she had done to Mielle, and it was when
she was fifteen.

The bottle filled with water had been too heavy for a weak girl to
throw at the time, and the final destination of the bottle was Aria’s
foot, not Mielle.

Aria had cried loudly when she injured her foot and hand from the
sharp pieces of the bottle. Because of her own maid, no Mielle’s maid
who had told her that everything was because of Mielle, Aria hurt

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herself for the first time.

‘I didn’t even know that they were all controlled by Mielle…….”

The maids that always gave Aria ideas on harming Mielle let go of
her hand at the last moment, and told the people that everything
was planned by the villainess.

And so the foolish daughter of the prostitute met a miserable

ending after confessing everything to the maids who made her joyful.

‘No way…….’

Aria looked around, opening her eyes to an unbelievable

possibility. She too, had a small and weak body along with everyone
else who looked younger.

Also.

‘I’m alive……!’

It wasn’t a dream or her imagination. The injury from the class cup
hurt too much for that to be the case.

When she touched her leg she could feel a wet sensation. And
when she checked it with her own eyes, it was clear, red, blood. The
maid who had been cleaning the floor noticed and turned pale,
putting her head down.

“Aria?!”

Her mother, who was next to her, had noticed as well.

Aria’s hand trembled. Her lips became dry and her face turned
pale.

Looks of annoyance began to point at Aria who was staring at her

hand. They all thought that this lowly girl would now start screaming
at the top of her lungs.

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No one doubted the future. No one felt pity for Aria, who had lost
all their trust.

Aria closed her eyes. She thought about the choices she had and
which one she would choose before opening them, as if to say that
she had decided and organized her expression.

“Jessie, give me a handkerchief. And I’ll leave the

treatment to you since it seems like I’ve injured my leg. I’m
sorry but I’ll be excusing myself from the table.”

Betraying everyone’s expectation, Aria chose a calm reaction.

She wiped her hand with the handkerchief her maid handed her,
and left her seat after apologizing for causing a scene.

At Aria’s unexpected reaction everyone at the table froze at a loss

of words.

END OF CHAPTER 1.

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Chapter 2
Source: Secret Land Castle

Aria could feel that she had become younger as she returned to
her room using Jessie as her support and got her injury treated.

As she grew older all the furniture and decorations in her room had
been replaced with luxurious ones, and the jewels she purchased
were scattered all over the room as if she was bragging.

But her current room was still quite luxurious without any
extravagant luxury, and it was a cute room that even noble girls in
their early or mid teens would like.

She looked down at Jessie, who was wrapping her leg with
bandage.

Jessie was on Mielle’s side, but she was a maid who had tried to
stop Aria’s evil deeds several times, even if they were weak
attempts. She remembered cutting her hair and burning her right
hand then telling her to go sh*t in the stables because she didn’t like
that she disapproved about it.

‘……It was only Jessie. Her going on Mielle’s side was all
because I was bad.’

When Aria had first come to the count’s house, all the maids
except Jessie had compared Aria with Mielle, forming jealousy in
Aria’s heart.

‘I’m sure you’ll be better at it, Lady Aria! Lady Mielle used
some terrible method, I’m sure of it!’

Aria was foolish, dumb, and came from a lower class, and not
knowing that the maids were all from Mielle, she could not contain

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her jealousy and met her embarrassing death after being tricked by
Mielle.

But now it was different. The one who knows that a trap is a trap
will not get caught in that trap.

And the one who placed that trap was a villainess of villainesses
who was wearing the mask of a saintess.

It was her step sister, Mielle Roscente.

‘I will never forgive her.’

She was determined to never forgive her even if she died.

Perhaps it was because she had returned to the past, but Aria felt
extremely tired. She wanted to lie down and rest immediately.

She feared that when she woke up this blessing would end and the
horrifying reality would await her, but she could not win against her
exhaustion.

She hoped that if this was her last time sleeping she would never
wake up. She wished for her lonely life filled with jealousy would end
with happiness like this.

“Jessie, I want to lie down.”

“Yes, Milady.”

Jessie helped Aria change and supported her to the bed. She was
so weak that one could never have guessed that she had acted so
calmly at the dining room moments ago.

‘……what is this?!’

Aria felt something rough at her feet under the covers and got up
instantly. Her blanket was always soft, so what was this unusual
texture she felt.

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When she ordered Jessie to take off all the blankets to check the
inside, she could see that there were very small sand particles
spread all over the bed. There were also glass pieces underneath the
bed. The biggest piece was in an X shape, and was unexpectedly an
hourglass.

Seeing this, Jessie put her head down and admitted her sins.

“I, I cleaned it up before your mealtime because I saw it on

your bed, I don’t know how it ended up down there
broken……! Miss, I’m so sorry!”

Her whole body trembled as she lay on the floor. She recited her
apology several times in a pathetic voice, as if she was thinking
about the anger she was about to receive.

Aria’s trembling eyes turned towards Jessie for a moment before

returning to the hourglass. Aria picked the hourglass up with her
slightly trembling hands.

It was something she had never seen before but it felt familiar,
scary, and precious.

Perhaps. Perhaps this wasn’t a coincidence.

‘Yes! This must all be a part of God’s plan. A plan to save

and allow a poor girl who’s lived all her days being used and
tricked to repent!’

To help her escape the hands of evil that pushed her into a pit of
darkness! And to allow her to take revenge by keeping her memories
intact!

Aria squeezed the hourglass piece in joy. This left injuries on her
small, weak hands but it only brought her the joy of living a second
life, not pain.

The bed blood drops that fell to the floor started making a puddle

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of blood. This was a sign of Aria’s regret for her past stupidity and
her determination as a villainess for revenge.

‘I will never forgive her’

Aria’s mouth formed a smile as she slowly opened her hands.

The smile was so similar to the saintess’s forgiving smile that it

even stopped Jessie from trembling.

***

“Aria must’ve studied hard.”

After a few days of returning to the past, Aria’s clear, transparent

voice filled the dining room as she recited a poem.

And this also earned Aria’s first compliment from the count. The
countess laughed smoothly with her mouth covered, adding some
lies onto Aria’s excellence.

“She’s been reading many books even when we were poor,

and it seems like she’s happy that there are more chances for
her to learn.”

Liar. Aria could not even eat properly without someone’s help until
she was sixteen, much less recite a poem.

She had never even touched a book before coming into the count’s
household, and it pretty much stayed that way even after she came
in to the household.

She enjoyed playing more than reading, and her happiness came
from decorating and wasting money. It was also because it was the
only thing she knew how to do.

When she was younger she had memorized a few poems that the
count liked to recite in front of him, but the one who received the

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glory was always Mielle.

Just like now.

“It’s a famous poem that’s come down for generations in

the Roscente family. It was written by the first count, and it’s
also one that I first learned when I was four. The last part,
titled ‘The woman I love’ has a response poem that isn’t very
famous, but only when the two poems are together can they
be considered complete.”

Mielle put her right hand on her chest and recited the poem in a
quiet, clear, voice.

The people watching held satisfaction in their eyes. Aria’s mother,

the countess, also looked at Mielle with a proud expression. It was
like the entrance of a protagonist following the entrance of a side
character.

“……I’ll gather all my respect and spread it in your

future……!”

There was a round of applause after she finished reciting the

poem. Unlike the past, Aria also joined in on the crowd clapping.
Making a shy smile with a blush, Mielle was unquestionably the
protagonist of today.

As always, her glory came from stealing Aria’s spot. The glory that
returns to the one who was noble since birth, contrasting the girl who
was from a low class.

It may have been that she was able to be praised more because of
Aria’s existence. So Aria decided to take back the glory she had
stolen.

Since it was never hers to begin with.

“That’s a very beautiful poem, Mielle. But did you know

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about it?”

After the applause had died down, Aria, who was the side
character, asked without losing her smile or relaxed composure.
Mielle’s eyes widened at the unexpected question. Since there was
no way Mielle would know, Aria answered kindly.

“That poem was written by the first count’s younger

brother, who tried to murder the first count. That’s why it
isn’t very famous. The first count hoped it would never come
out to the world.”

Aria was about to say that it was also the reason why she had not
memorized that poem, but the count beat her to it, starting his
sentence with ‘come to think of it’.

“Just a few generations ago that poem was prohibited from

being recited. It was because it had metaphorical phrases
that placed a curse on the family.”

Mielle’s face froze like ice instantly. It was because she had recited
a poem that was prohibited and a curse to the family proudly. Aria
suppressed the urge to roll on the floor while laughing.

In the past the situation had been reversed.

Aria had learned the response poem from a tutor because she
wanted to be acknowledged. And she had recited it with sparkling
eyes when the count returned from his work abroad.

But the sharp criticism that followed made her face lose colour and
fill up with embarrassment instead.

It had happened not too long after her coming to the family, and
the person who had criticized her was her brother Kain.

He was four years older than her and knew more due to his
education at the academy, which he used to his advantage and

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criticized everything that Aria did.

‘Which means he would’ve known this fact.’

He wouldn’t want to criticize his own sister, so he had kept his

mouth shut the whole time. Or perhaps he just wanted to hurt Aria in
the past.

Aria checked Kain’s expression just with the movement of her

eyes. He had a tight expression and was glaring at Aria. It seemed
like he did not like how the situation was unfolding.

Aria did not want to be hated so openly, so she pretended to

protect Mielle as she laughed awkwardly.

“It’s amazing that you’ve even memorized the response

poem even though you’re only thirteen, Mielle.”

But the fact that Mielle had recited a prohibited poem did not
change, and the mood did not lift. It was very foolish indeed.

‘How embarrassed she must be since not only did she not
know but bragged about something that even the
prostitute’s daughter knew?’

The count lifted his fork to continue the meal after warning his
daughter with a cough for showing such an unsatisfying side for the
first time.

After smiling at her new father in a clear, childlike smile, Aria

brought her still messily cut up meat to her mouth.

Today’s meal was exceptionally satisfying.

END OF CHAPTER 2.

||

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Chapter 3
Source: Secret Land Castle

The first thing Aria did after returning to the past was to hire a
tutor.

As expected of a person of low status, she had never learned any

proper manners even until the moment she died. She did see and
hear things for nearly ten years, so she could’ve had produced
elegant movements if she wanted, but she did not.

More accurately, there was no need for it. Just like her mother, who
used her beauty to steal the Earl’s heart, she did not lose to anyone
in looks, and there were many who sought after her.

It was because of her beauty, which could make one drunk just by
looking, was an important factor in making a party enjoyable.

Although she did hear criticisms of how her low origins got worse
as the days passed.

Even if she heard such criticisms she did not think about learning
anything because there were so many people who loved her looks.
She did not feel the need.

She did get embarrassed several times at parties but there was
always a group of males who had protected her.

But when she thought about it now they weren’t very helpful at all.
Their only purpose was to sleep with her once, and not to love her or
care for her. They had simply been lured in by her beauty the way
moths were lured in by light.

As time passed by the males who used to follow Aria all married
intelligent and elegant noble women, and by that time there was no

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one else left by Aria’s side.

She remembered a few of them who claimed that they truly loved
her. There’s no way to check if they were being truthful though.

‘Right, I’ll know when I test those idiots later on.’

At that time, Aria had refused to believe she had been abandoned
and focused only on decorating herself, but now that she had a
second chance to live her life she realized that she could live that
way.

There was nothing more foolish than using beauty that would wilt
away later as a lifelong asset.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Aria. I’m Sarah from the Lauren
household.”

The new tutor, who looked about seventeen, bent her knees and
greeted Aria respectfully.

She was fair but there were no particular traits about her that
stuck out, making her ordinary. There was only one reason as to why
Aria had chosen her, who had no experience teaching, over all the
other skilful people.

She was merely the only daughter of a viscount now, but she
would later become Vincent marquis’ wife after earning his heart.

Excluding the Frederick Duke family, who had the blood of the
royal family, it was safe to say that Vincent Marquis had the most
power out of all the nobles.

It was difficult to create a relationship with those already standing

at the top of power. So wouldn’t it be better to build a relationship
with someone who will have power in the future?

Aria had thought of a few individuals, but decided to target Sarah

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first, who was the easiest to approach. She was a pure girl that was
untouched and as easy to control as a young sheep that would soon
be sacrificed.

Aria ignored her manners and ran towards Sarah to hug her by the
waist. It was a situation anyone would have been surprised in but
Sarah only widened her eyes and did not show any excessive
surprise.

Aria, still hugging Sarah’s waist, lifted her head to meet Sarah’s
gaze. Smiling wide like a child, Aria spilled out words of welcome.

Sarah smiled back at Aria’s innocent actions. This was only

possible because Aria was still a child. Although she wasn’t one on
the inside.

The countess, who was watching this happen, pulled Aria away and
apologized.

“It’s because she doesn’t know any manners yet, please

understand, Miss Sarah.”

“It’s alright. Please don’t worry.”

“I leave Aria in your hands.”

Sarah liked children. Unlike the other noble women who did not
wish to get pregnant after producing a son, she loved them enough
to give birth every year.

She believed that giving birth to many was the duty and
responsibility of a noble, and was famous for raising all her children
with love.

Because of this, she showed friendliness even to Aria, who did not
have any manners.

After the countess left, the two of them sat facing each other at a

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table and discussed their lesson plans.

“It’s an honour to be teaching you, Lady Aria. What do you

want to learn the most?”

Aria’s long and full eyelashes moved up and down as she blinked
and tilted her head at Sarah’s question. She stayed like this for a
moment before fidgeting her fingers and blushing as if she had
thought of something.

Sarah’s cheeks also turned red watching Aria, who looked as soft
as a peach.

“Walking, sitting. Eating……everything! Because I want to

become as elegant as my sister Mielle.”

Just like someone whose heart is rotten and black but very pure
and elegant on the outside.

To face a villainess she had to become a villainess just as bad.

‘No, a villainess even worse than her. A villainess who

hides her true self with a very thick mask.’

This was the new method Aria had planned for her new life.

Sarah immediately thought of Mielle after hearing Aria’s words.

She was spoken very highly for her elegant aura and movements
despite her young age.

It was said that she received education on becoming the

exemplification of a noble lady ever since she could walk because of
all the foreign nobles who visited the earl’s household for business.

This allowed Sarah to understand Aria. It was no surprise that she

would want to become like the exemplification of a noble lady.

If they were judged purely on looks, Aria would definitely win with

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her alluring look, but this was not the case among nobles. In their
world, a person’s reputation differed based on their knowledge and
how dignified they were.

‘She said she was fourteen right? She has the same hair
color and eye color as Mielle but such a different aura.’

Although she was only fourteen, the enchanting aura she let out
and her beauty was a real catch. They were assets one could not
earn simply by trying.

If Mielle and Aria stood together people would immediately be

drawn to Aria.

Since she was still young if she built more elegance and became
more cultured before her debut, she would become an amazing
individual who would take a hold of the entire social circle.

Sarah thought that it was a great honor to be able to touch this

young girl. Even to the point that she felt thankful that Aria chose
her. Aria and Sarah thought in similar ways.

“It may take a while, but I’ll do my best.”

“That means we’ll see each other for a long time. I’m so
happy.”

I hope we see each other for a long time, miss future wife of the
marquis.

Aria smiled innocently. She could see that Sarah thought highly of
her from her smile.

It wasn’t a bad start.

***

Aria learned very quickly. There was no difficulty in learning

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because she had seen other people do the same things hundreds of
thousands of times.

She had once tried to copy Mielle’s movements, and since she had
seen and heard so many things, it would’ve been stranger for her to
not be able to learn quickly.

But this was something only Aria knew, and to others it simply
looked like a girl who knew nothing about manners picked up and
learned everything in a very short amount of time.

Sarah sent a round of applause to Aria, who sat and got back up as
elegantly as a butterfly. She looked like she wanted to shower Aria
with compliments.

“It looks like you’ll be able to learn all the basic manners
within the year if you keep going like this.”

“I’m flattered, teacher.”

Aria called Sarah teacher. There was no need to do so because

Sarah was a lower class and had little experience teaching, but Aria
said that she must because she was receiving education from her.

With her friendliness and her kind and responsible personality, Aria
was able to capture Sarah’s heart quickly.

She wasn’t actually responsible but by learning a manner perfectly

by the next lesson made Aria look responsible.

‘Poor Lady Aria.’

The rumours on Aria were actually not too good.

Before meeting Aria, Sarah had also heard the rumours and
believed that they were true. But now she was embarrassed to have
thought of her in such a way.

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All the rumors surrounding Aria were all created by those who did
not know her but simply judged her on the fact that her mother was a
prostitute.

Sarah thought that at least she wanted to help clear Aria’s name.

Although she lacked in sociability and other areas compared to

other ladies, Sarah wanted to help her in any way that she could.

There were too many rumors out there that was too scary and
terrible for a young girl to handle.

“Miss, would you like to try attending a tea party after

you’ve learned all your basic manners?”

“A tea party?”

“Yes. A tea party helps you widen your range of

connections and give you more chances to learn new things.”

“But I barely know a few people. And I’m young…….”

“Don’t worry about that. I’m sure my acquaintances will

like you. And it will definitely help you as well.”

“Teacher…….”

Aria hugged Sarah’s waist as she trailed off at her words.

Sarah patted Aria’s back as Aria dug her face into Sarah’s stomach
and sniffled. It was because she felt regretful. What did a child, who
has yet to bloom, do to deserve this.

It hadn’t been long since the lessons started but the moments of
insecurities that Aria showed and her way of putting herself down
when comparing herself to Mielle was enough to make Sarah boil in
anger.

It wasn’t like she wanted to be born in a low class family. It was so

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regretful that her birth had to follow her around like a shadow. It
must be too much for a kind and a weak girl like Aria to handle.

Sarah opened her mouth to start a topic that would bring Aria’s
mood back up.

“How is supper these past few days? Are you doing things
as I taught?”

“Of course! This is all thanks to you!”

Aria replied in a bright expression, all signs of tears gone from her
face. Sarah smiled as Aria said that she almost looked forward to
mealtime these days.

Aria smiled beautifully as she remembered what happened in

supper yesterday.

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Chapter 4
Source: Secret Land Castle

The foods Aria hated the most were vegetables. When cooked the
texture was bad and the plant taste was too strong when it wasn’t
cooked. And vegetables were a main food source for the lower class
people, which meant she ate vegetables every day until she was sick
of it before she came into the count’s household.

This was why she always made a mess out of her salads so that
she couldn’t eat it.

At first the maids brought out a new salad, but because she
screamed and said she did not want to eat it, the maids stopped
interfering with her meals.

This was why Aria was always an unwanted guest at a dinner for
family unity and communication. Everyone gave up on her table
manners and simply scoffed at her. Even her own mother.

But Aria began to eat her salad quietly. Salad was alright when
complemented with dressing. It wasn’t particularly tasty but there
was no reason to throw a fit about it.

At first no one had noticed. It was because usually no one would

look at Aria’s food because it was so messy it was enough to make
anyone lose their appetite.

The maids first noticed Aria’s difference when cleaning her plates,
and then it was the countess, her mother.

“Oh my, when did you learn table manners like these,
Aria?”

“Sarah, my teacher, taught me.”

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“Oh my,”

Then came the apologetic and sympathetic feelings. The countess

felt sorry that she had not assigned Aria a tutor before now that she
saw how good she was with her manners after learning.

Of course there had been a tutor for her when she first came into
the household, but she did not learn any proper manners.

The studying was way too tiresome and boring for someone who
had spent all their time playing and running in the streets. The count
and countess both clicked their tongues, saying that it must’ve been
because the tutor was not good enough.

And this was something Aria had been going for. She was trying to
convey that her birth didn’t make her lower than them, and that she
could do it just as well if she was given a chance to properly learn.

‘Mielle is better than those in her age group because she

began her education earlier. I can do it too.’

The count showed joy at Aria’s change, and declared that he would
help her learn anything she wanted to learn. To Aria’s relief, Mielle
even began to be sarcastic about the matter due to her disapproval.

“I thought Aria’s food just came out all messed up all this
time.”

“Mielle…….. Do you mean to say that someone hates me

enough to mess with my food? I admit to being quite wild
before……I didn’t know I would be hated for it.”

Mielle waved her hands frantically at Aria, who unlike Mielle’s

expectations, made a sad face and asked the question. It was quite
fun to see her try to deny that she meant to say such a thing.

She must be cursing inside. Aria suppressed her urge to laugh and
said in a regretful face.

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“Then that’s a relief. But you know, it would be impossible
to mess up my food that was fine before unless you’re a
magician. Maybe you couldn’t think that far because you’re
young.”

“……it, it was a joke, Aria.”

“Oh, is that so……! I’m sorry I acted annoyed at such a

light joke, Mielle.”

The sight of Aria laughing awkwardly was enough to bring

sympathy out of the people watching. The sight of her apologizing
despite being hurt was even enough to move the heart of the count,
who had always treated Aria with a heart of steel.

The count put down his fork quietly and made a hard expression
that he had never shown his daughter before. It was an expression
he had always only shown to Aria.

In the past, it was always the work of an amazing artist called

Mielle, and the audience was poor Aria alone.

“Mielle, think before you speak. Don’t you see that your
sister is hurt. I’m embarrassed that someone might be
watching.”

“I apologize……Father and Aria……..”

Aria laughed as she remembered Mielle’s distorted face.

It was a piece of cake for Aria, who had lived for over 20 years, to
control Mielle, who was only thirteen.

She couldn’t tell when they were close in age, but the young Mielle
was barely any trouble. She was simply a noble girl who had received
more education at an earlier time.

‘Of course, that will change as time passes.’

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Right now it was alright because she was young, but when she
would grow older she would surely make Aria suffer despite her 20
years of experience.

There was a huge difference between Aria, who was born between
an unknown father and a prostitute mother, and Mielle. So if she did
not prepare from now on, everything would fail later on.

This was a decided procedure, and a future even Aria did not
doubt. Even if she made an effort she could never beat Mielle, who
was the count’s real daughter.

‘But, I have a special power God gave me.’

That was the fact that she knew the future.

She knew which member of the lower class would come into power
in the future, and knew how the count’s trade business would end up
as well. On top of this Aria knew which businesses would be a
success, which meant there was no one else who could beat Aria.

Which was why to fulfil her goal she needed to work on all the
small details first.

Even if she did know the future, there was no way that the
daughter of a prostitute would be able to raise her position so
quickly.

So Aria decided to take over the smallest things first. For example.

“Teacher, I have something I would like to learn.”

“What is it?”

“I want to learn embroidery.”

Things as small as embroidery.

Sarah was famous for making beautiful embroidered items that

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looked like the real thing had been moved directly into the
embroidery. No, she was going to be famous for it.

Her beautiful embroidered handkerchief was also the reason why

she caught Marquis Vincent’s sight in the first place.

Of course Aria wasn’t trying to earn a man’s heart through

embroidery, since she already had her beauty. She was planning on
gifting it to the count when he returns later on.

There was a saying that said if you carried the first handkerchief
you received from your daughter or wife, you would live a long,
healthy life.

Since the count had not yet received a handkerchief from Mielle, if
Aria was to gift one to him, he would have to carry it forever.
Although not biological, Aria was still his daughter.

Aria remembered that Mielle was about fifteen when she first
gifted the count a handkerchief.

It was because she was unexpectedly bad with her hands and was
a perfectionist, which meant it took her a long time to create
embroidery that met her requirements.

‘So it would take a while even if she started learning now.’

And Aria had an amazing teacher like Sarah by her side. If it didn’t
work out the way she had planned she would ask Sarah to embroider
it for her instead.

Since her embroidery skills were not well known, it wouldn’t be a

problem to just let Sarah embroider the gift.

If Aria was able to make such an amazing handkerchief to gift,

Mielle may not be able to ever gift her own handkerchief. Since it will
be compared.

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Aria could not stop smiling as she imagined Mielle throwing a fit
every time Aria’s handkerchief was used. This was the new future
Aria had created.

***

Aria did not tell anyone that she had begun to secretly learn
embroidery. She asked Sarah to keep it a secret as well. If anyone
were to know, then it would naturally be known to Mielle, and she
would begin embroidery as well.

Even if Mielle’s embroidery was terrible, it wasn’t a good idea to

start at the same time. And if word got out that Mielle was learning
embroidery, there was a chance that the count would not accept
Aria’s handkerchief.

It would be normal for him to want to receive his biological

daughter’s handkerchief over a daughter he just earned one day
from marriage.

Thankfully, the only maid that came to Aria’s room was Jessie, and
there was no particular reason to call her so there was not much
chance of being found out.

It wasn’t until Aria was fifteen that Mielle assigned one of her own
maids to her, so she had only had a little bit of time left.

From then on Aria often practiced embroidery, as if this was also

an ability God gave her when she returned to the past, but although
not as beautiful as Sarah’s, Aria could make beautiful embroidery
fairly quickly. She was amazed that she could create such
embroidery with her small hands.

Aria gifted a handkerchief with a rabbit embroidery on it that she

had finished in a few days to her teacher, Sarah. Sarah was so
touched after receiving it that she began to tear up.

“You won’t even have a problem embroidering the family

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crest now.”

“Can you help me? I’ll watch and try to copy.”

“Of course. Then shall we postpone the lesson and do some

embroidery?”

Aria took out some good quality silk that she had received through
the countess. She had kept it a secret to everyone but her mother.

The countess had laughed with sparkling eyes when she heard of
the fourteen year old girl’s plan.

‘Yes, work as much as you want. It’s an amazing idea,’ she said.

The countess was satisfied with her current place but still
supported Aria’s efforts. She didn’t expect much so it wasn’t active
support, but she did offer some help when needed. It was a relief.

“It’s very good quality silk.”

“Because it’s for the handkerchief I’ll gift to my father.”

How cute. Sarah blushed and felt that she wanted to pat Aria on
the head.

Noticing Sarah’s paused hand in the air, Aria, said ‘teacher, please
pat my head.’ through her smile, allowing Sarah to carefully pat
Aria’s head.

Sarah looked like she was being extremely rude, but Aria was glad
that Sarah thought she was cute and was liking her more.

Aria rubbed her head against Sarah’s hand, thinking how much of a
relief it was that she became a child. She hoped that Sarah would
love her and treat her like a child for a long time.

END OF CHAPTER 4.

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Chapter 5
Source: Secret Land Castle

It did not take that long to embroider a small family crest on the
corner of a handkerchief. It was also because there was a good
teacher that helped out with it. Sarah fixed the parts that looked a
little off.

The black handkerchief with the family crest, a lily, embroidered in

silver was so perfect that it could be sold in the market for a high
price and it would still be sold quickly.

Aria took the completed handkerchief and folded it into her drawer,
then asked Sarah if she would help her make another one.

“What shape would you like to embroider?”

“A rose.”

“A…… rose?”

A rose was the seal of Duke Frederick. The golden petals were also
a representation of the royal blood running in their family.

Aria took our a red cloth and golden thread. As Aria handed her the
same things and smiled, Sarah asked with a worried look on her face.

“Do you know what the golden rose symbolizes?”

“Of course. It’s the seal of Duke Frederick.”

The heir to that household was also the man Mielle had an
unrequited love for.

Had they gotten together in the past? She tried going through her
memories but could not find a clear answer. She remembered that

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they had gotten engaged, but could not recall if they had gotten
married.

Aria planned on gifting a handkerchief to the heir of the duke

before Mielle could. One that was embroidered with the seal of his
household, at that.

There was no need to question if he would accept the

handkerchief. She was planning on handing it to him when he
couldn’t refuse. Just like what Mielle had done in the past.

She knew there was no way he would suddenly start liking her
because of a handkerchief. The handkerchief was simply a starting
point.

It wasn’t much but it would help start the conversation between

them. Because she had an ability even greater than the embroidery
on the handkerchief, the handkerchief was merely a way for her to
start using her ability.

Sarah hesitated in replying after hearing Aria’s clear, light

response. The seal of Duke Frederick was often used because of its
beauty and the people’s respect for their family, but it was a little
different if it was being used by a noble girl who was not married.

And it was a handkerchief too. And there was a chance that Aria’s
sister, Mielle, may end up in a relationship with the heir of the duke.

Because Aria had to be careful of her actions more than anyone,

she had to be talked out of it if she harboured any feelings for the
son of Duke Frederick.

Even if she did not harboured any feelings for him, she would
definitely create rumours if she did this. She was already suffering
from other rumours. If Aria was to embroider a rose on the
handkerchief and gift it to the son of Duke Frederick, Sarah was sure
she would suffer so much to the point that she would not be able to

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leave the house.

‘She’s too beautiful and kind to go through all of that…….’

Sarah believed that if a bright and pretty girl like Aria was to end
up like that, her heart would be too troubled to sleep at night.

She had first thought initially that Aria would control the social
circle when she grew up, but now she had different thoughts.

She believed that a girl this innocent and kind would not be able to
survive the terrifying cave of social circles.

Sarah grabbed Aria’s hand. Aria’s sparkling green eyes looked up

at her. Aria’s innocent eyes were not suitable for the social circles’
dirty and ugly mud pool.

Sarah spoke carefully after thinking of how she would speak

without possibly hurting Aria’s feelings.

“……Are you planning on giving it to the Duke?”

“No.”

“Then……. Are you going to give it to Sir Oscar?”

Aria felt Sarah’s hands trembling slightly.

Aria could guess what was going on. Sarah probably feared that
Aria, who was pretending to be innocent and kind, would get hurt
between all the competition for Oscar.

‘What she doesn’t know is that I’m the dirtiest of them all.’

Although it was true that she was used in the past, it was also true
that she was the one who carried out all her evil deeds. If she was
truly a kind girl, she would not have done any of those deeds even if
others have encouraged her behaviour.

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And even in her new life that she had, her only thoughts were to
take revenge on Mielle, not to live a kind life.

This was why Aria had to hide her dark thoughts and smile brightly.
She couldn’t fall in a trap like the past by stupidly showing off all her
thoughts.

Aria shook her head.

“No. The seal of the Duke’s family was so pretty and I’ve
always wanted to try making it. I don’t even know who the
people you mentioned are, Sarah.”

She actually knew about them very well. Since she had at one
point tried to seduce Oscar. She could not even make an attempt due
to his cold look, but it was true that she had met with him quite
often.

Sarah loosened her expression at Aria’s response, relieved. Her

hardened expression had now returned to her compassionate one.

Since it was true that the Duke Frederick’s seal was beautiful, she
seemed to believe that it was just because it was pretty, just like Aria
had said.

Sarah did not suspect anything more from Aria’s pure heart and
explained to her about the Duke’s family seal. She must’ve also done
an embroidery on the seal before because she told Aria about the
parts she had to be aware about.

“A rose is one of the more difficult shapes to make. The

shape will become distorted if the angle is off by even a little
bit. So you must hold it well in the middle and must
embroider around the middle like you’re wrapping it.”

Just like Sarah said, embroidering a rose pattern was very

exhausting. If it even went a little bit out the wrong way, the whole
pattern would lose its look.

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They decided to do the rose pattern embroidery on their next
lesson because they had already spent more than half the day
embroidering the Roscente crest.

***

That night, the Count had pulled his schedule ahead and returned
home, so the whole family could eat together for the first time in a
while.

Mielle kept on talking about how hard she had been studying like a
lark, and Kain said he had to return to the dorms because his break
was over.

“It’s already time.”

“I’m planning on leaving on the weekend.”

That’s great to hear. Aria smiled but no one was paying attention
to her, so she was not found out.

Aria watched how the happy family was acting very quietly. They
were having a good time without her, and her mother was somewhat
included as well.

To keep Aria out of the conversation, Mielle continued to pick out

topics that Aria did not know.

‘Even though she’s only thirteen.’

Aria almost cried in gratitude that Mielle knew so much about her
father’s business.

“So why don’t you invest in leather, father? The

fashionable ladies already have leather inside their dresses.
It acts as a corset to the waist in a new, refreshing method.”

“Leather’s popularity was growing since two years ago. It

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is a little late, but it may be good to acquire some good
quality leather like you said.”

Count Roscenete agreed with Mielle with a satisfied expression. It

was cute to see a small girl stating her opinions calmly.

But unlike Mielle and the Count’s interpretation, leather doesn’t

come into trend for years. No, it doesn’t come into trend forever.

Leather was heavy and stiff so it was hard to put something

underneath to make thicker, and it is not worn much because it was
uncomfortable for the people wearing it.

There were also a limited variety of shapes and colours, and had a
terrible smell that went against the tastes of the noble ladies who
created trends.

Aria wiped her mouth and slowly began to speak after listening to
the sweet father-daughter conversation. It was time for her to speak
of the first future she knew.

“Father, may I have a word as well?”

“You, Aria? Alright, let’s hear it.”

Everyone’s gaze landed on Aria as she joined in on the

conversation after being quiet for so long. Gazes that were surprised,
making fun of her, or worried. Amongst those gazes Aria said
confidently.

“Leather is definitely in trend in some noble ladies, and

since it has been used for so long it will continue to be used.
But will it really go in trend?”

The count’s eyes held interest as Aria, who only screamed before,
started speaking in a calm matter.

Words that didn’t seem like they were coming from a child and an

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expression full of confidence. Her organized manner in speaking even
though she had barely been educated was enough to make everyone
interested in what she had to say.

Just like Mielle said, leather was in trend among a few noble ladies,
but it would never spread and end at that small number.

The count had also learned of the disadvantages of leather and did
not invest in it, and did not plan to do it any time in the future.

He had simply agreed because his cute daughter had spoken on

the matter. He simply thought she was narrow minded because she
was young.

But Aria was different. She had so much confidence for some
reason. The count put aside her age and birth, and looked forward to
her next words as a businessman.

“There’s a limit on leather. Even if you dye it, it comes out

easily and it does not dye easily. This is why there was no
progress in its popularity in the past few years. Even though
trends are easily started and ended among nobles.”

“Hmm, you’re right about that.”

The count agreed, rubbing his chin.

“And from what I’ve heard…….”

Aria turned her gaze towards Mielle. She smiled brightly at Mielle.
Mielle bit her lips in anger that her opinion had been shot down even
before Aria had begun speaking about hers.

In the past, as Aria had experienced, something other than leather

comes into trend and the person who starts this trend appears.

She is someone very noble and amazing, and everything she wears
becomes a trend.

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Because she knew everything she wore became a trend, she made
sure that information on her clothing never got out until she wore it
officially.

But it was different for Aria who had already experienced the
future. She knew everything.

If she had worn leather, leather would have been in trend, but
thankfully she had not worn leather.

“I heard that the princess, who just came back from the
northern territory, bought a huge amount of fur.”

“……fur?”

“Yes. There’s a rumor that several carriages full of fur went

into the palace. Unlike leather, it can be in many colors, and
it’s soft and has no smell depending on the washing
method.”

No one had actually heard or seen the carriages, but it was true.

The princess who returned from north really did purchase a huge
amount of fur, and she will create a trend by wearing a different type
of fur in every party.

The purchasing and processing of fur was complicated and took a

long time, so by the time it was in trend it would be too late to get
your hands on them.

Good quality fur was limited, so the first people to get them would
take them all. If the princess wore it, the trend would spread all over
the empire.

If Aria was telling the truth the count needed to get good quality
fur right away, and still needed to check if she was not telling the
truth.

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The count thought there was logic to her words, and ordered a
servant to check if it was true. If the princess had really bought a
huge amount of fur, he needed to move immediately.

Isn’t he an amazing merchant? Believing the words of a child from

lowly birth.

Aria smiled widely in satisfaction.

END OF CHAPTER 5.

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Chapter 6
Source: Secret Land Castle

“Where did you hear that rumour?”

“Umm…… I’m not sure? Who was it……? Huh? Where did I
hear it? I really did hear it……. I can’t quite remember…….”

She thought about telling him that Sarah had told her but didn’t in
case he went to Sarah directly to ask. She simply said ‘I can’t
remember!’ and smiled like girls of her age.

The Count asked several times for the origins of the rumour, but
Aria continued to tilt her head in confusion as if she didn’t know what
he was talking about.

It didn’t matter what he thought right now. If he decided to get fur

he would gain a huge profit and if he didn’t he would regret not
believing her.

No matter which choice he made Aria would gain the Count’s trust
and lose nothing.

Aria pretended not to know anything with an innocent expression

so that the Count would regret and never go against her words again.

The Count’s face hardened as he remembered what kind of child

Aria was. Just a while ago, she was a child that screamed at anything
that she was displeased at.

He was even embarrassed that he took the word of a child who

only went up to his waist so seriously.

But he couldn’t be sure about the princess rumour, so he still had

his servant look into the matter. It wouldn’t take long, and it could

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only bring positive effects if it happened to be true.

There was no room for Aria to butt in in the conversation that

started up again after a small silence.

Aria did not even plan on joining the conversation, but Mielle, who
was happy about Aria’s stupid response, brought up memories of the
past, and even the countess was excluded from the conversation.

Aria had placed the last piece of meat in her mouth and did not
concern herself with the situation. She would be the one smiling in
the end anyway.

***

The Count had said he would stay in the capital for a few days, but
started getting ready for a business trip at lunchtime the next day.

Aria knew as she watched him pack several thick clothing. Ah, he
believed what I said.

As Aria had thought, the Count had gotten the information that the
princess purchased fur. If you asked ‘What did the princess purchase
in the north?’ it would’ve taken a while, but if you started with ‘I
heard the fur the princess purchased are very good quality?’, it was
not too hard to find out the answer.

The Count kissed his wife on the cheek, saying he was sorry for
leaving without having lunch. He patted his son and daughter on the
head, saying his goodbyes, and gave Aria a look in the end.

His look was mixed with happiness, satisfaction, and pride to

become a huge feeling of appreciation.

Aria grabbed the Count’s hand before he could pat her head. The
Count seemed a little surprised but smiled warmly after hearing
Aria’s bright voice saying goodbye.

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Then Aria took out the handkerchief she had hidden in her inner
pockets. The Count asked what it was when Aria handed it to him.

“It’s a handkerchief. I’m not very good at embroidery yet

so it’s not too good but I thought you might need it since
you’re going far away. Please be healthy and come back
soon.”

Mielle, who was standing across from the count, widened her eyes
so much to the point that it couldn’t possibly be widened any more.
He won’t receive it, right? That’s what her expression was saying.

But against her wishes, the Count gladly took the handkerchief.
The Count right now saw Aria as an angel.

And Aria’s embroidery was extremely beautiful, so he probably

would’ve taken it even if he wasn’t in such a good mood. It was hard
to believe that a mere fourteen year old girl had embroidered it.

The Count showed the handkerchief to his wife.

“I did get her a handkerchief because she said she wanted

to do some embroidery, but I didn’t even imagine that it
would be so beautiful.”

The Countess, who was hiding her nine tails, showed the
handkerchief to Kain and Mielle as well.

* hiding nine tails: meaning that the countess is a nine tailed fox in
disguise and she’s acting like a fox

She wasn’t just saying it was beautiful because it was her

daughter. It was really so beautiful that no one could say anything
against the beautiful lily embroidery.

Mielle stared at the handkerchief that was placed in her hands. The
lily on the handkerchief looked as if it would start producing a
fragrance. It was more elegant and beautiful than any embroidery

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she had ever seen.

Could I possibly make something better than this embroidery? It

felt like she could cry at any moment.

Noticing Mielle’s state of mind, Aria smiled in a pure and happy

way and asked.

“Would you like me to make one for you too Mielle? If you
want you can also have one Kain…….”

“No, I’m good.”

Kain refused Aria without even listening to her whole sentence.

She had expected it, so she simply shrugged and kept up her smile.

“I see. Then I guess I just need to make Mielle’s.”

Mielle seemed shocked, and did not reply. She simply stared off
and did not even wave her hand when her father left for his business
trip far away.

Aria wasn’t expecting a rage or anything but wasn’t expecting her

to be so shocked either.

Well, it was very satisfactory.

***

Aria laughed after returning to her room. She planned on making

the best embroidery possible for Mielle. Sarah’s embroidery of
course, since she never said she would be the one making it.

She’ll surely fall into despair as she looks at the embroidery every
day. It will be even worse because she is still young.

When she’s over the shock she will try her best to beat Aria in
embroidery, and be shocked again when she realizes that she’s
terrible at embroidery.

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‘She may never be able to embroider anything.’

Like me in the past.

The Aria in the past had always suffered from an inferiority

complex because she was behind in everything compared to Mielle.

She wasn’t as elegant, logical, social, or loved, and had a low self
esteem, which was converted into her evil actions which were
encouraged by the maids.

She, Mielle, was a wall she could never overcome.

So she focused on enhancing her beauty, which was the only way
she could beat Mielle.

If she thought about it now, although it would’ve taken some time,

it was a wall she could definitely overcome, but she did not realize it
in the past. It was because she had believed that she couldn’t from
the start.

‘It would be okay for it to be the other way around now

then, right?’

She would do everything before Mielle could start so she wouldn’t

be able to do anything.

If things kept going that way Mielle would become a mess, just like
Aria had in the past. Just thinking about it sent jolts of excitement
through her body.

That day, Mielle stayed in her room without having lunch or dinner.
Women that Aria had never seen before visited Mielle in her room,
but they all left with a baffled/perplexed look.

They were all people with experience in embroidery, but could not
meet Mielle’s standards and did not become her teacher.

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And while this was happening, the embroidery that Sarah had
made was delivered to Mielle. She did not react to the beautiful lily
embroidery that looked like it could attract butterflies. She simply
increased the number of people that came to see her.

Aria suppressed her laugh as she saw the visitors that came to see
Mielle for several days.

‘It’s time you learn that there’s nothing you can do.’

***

Aria had learned the way to walk elegantly, and she looked like a
noble lady who would have no problems attending social events right
away. If you took into consideration her age, she would be able to
gather several compliments.

She would get compared because her sister was Mielle, but she
had improved enough that she was better than the ladies of her age.

The person who took pride in this fact was Aria’s mother, the
countess. She took pride in the fact that her wild daughter had
changed to become presentable.

She didn’t care why. She only wished for her to learn more and get
married to a better household than her. Perhaps the wife of a
marquis or duke.

“What do you think?”

“If you mean Marquis Vincent, he already has his match.”

And it’s my teacher. Aria and her mother talked as they had green
tea after their meal out in the garden.

The Countess endlessly asked Aria about husband material, and

Aria imagined the women they would marry in the future.

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“What do you mean, match? It’s all up to how hard
someone works. Look at your mother.”

She was the product of hard work. Even with her beauty, it was not
easy to melt the count’s heart, which had been frozen after the loss
of his first wife. It would not be a stretch to say that there was no one
who had worked as hard as her.

Aria laughed quietly.

“I’m still young. I’m only fourteen.”

“Which means you’re almost fifteen. A woman’s young

days go by quickly.”

The Countess was only thirty two, but she looked off into the sky as
if she was reminiscing about her younger days.

She had been thrown out in the streets as a baby, and grew up
doing all sorts of dirty jobs. She was taken into the whorehouse even
before her period started, and had to serve countless customers.

There was only one way to get out of that hell. It was to capture a
male that was wealthy and power. There was no way to save herself
other than that.

She was only fifteen when she realized this.

From then she used methods of coquetry to all the people with
power, and met a man who said he would bring her out of the
whorehouse when she was seventeen.

Although it was in the country, he was a baron who owned a small

patch of land, and to her he was basically a god.

Unfortunately she was found to be pregnant before he could take

her out, and she could not escape because no one could know who
the father was. She had always said ‘if only you didn’t exist’ to Aria

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as a habit.

“If I think about it now, having you might’ve been a

blessing.”

“……in what way?”

“Isn’t it better to be a countess with a lot of land and a

business than a baroness in the country?”

There wasn’t a single drop of lie in her expression. If she missed

this time, Aria could also have become a prostitute, but the thought
didn’t seem to cross her mind.

Aria made a small smile. Even if she acted this way she didn’t
complain because she raised her without throwing her out.

If she threw Aria out, she could’ve met a good man and gotten a
better status earlier.

But her mother didn’t throw her out. She gave birth to Aria, and
even brought her to the Count’s household. It probably wasn’t easy
to do.

She was different from Aria, who had been fooled and couldn’t
even prevent her own mother’s death.

The Countess ordered for the cooled tea to be replaced with new
ones, and looked around after thinking for a while.

After checking that there was no one nearby she secretly and
quietly asked Aria.

“I heard that Mielle has taken an interest in the first son of

Duke Frederick.”

“You mean Sir Oscar?”

“Yes. He’s the same age as Kain. I saw Mielle begging Kain

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to bring Oscar over.”

A little after Aria’s fifteenth birthday, Kain returns to the house with
Oscar.

And Mielle ends up spilling tea on Oscar due to her nervousness,

and he ends up needing a handkerchief.

And Mielle hands him a handkerchief with the household crest that
she happened to have. She even lies that she made it, even though it
wasn’t.

‘Yes, I’ll be watching that scene.’

Aria could tell what the countess wanted to say. There was no way
she would bring up the person Mielle had an interest in for no reason.

There was no official fiance for Duke Frederick’s heir.

Mielle was the most advantageous, considering that they would be

interested in combining the power and money the two families had,
but Oscar did not have too much of an interest in females, which
meant there was no frequent contact between Oscar and Mielle.

It might be different if they had conversations and met more often

after growing a little, but they weren’t in a relationship at the
moment.

So although she was of low birth, as long as she was the daughter
of the Roscente family, she also had a chance.

The maid who brought out the new tea bowed to show her
manners and waited at a spot a little distanced from Aria and her
mother. The countess took a sip of tea.

“I want you to be happy, Aria.”

“Don’t worry, mother.”

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I can’t say I’ll become successful, but I have enough determination
to bring Mielle down. So don’t worry. I’ll become happy if others are
miserable.

The two of them smiled happily as they felt the warm early fall
wind.

END OF CHAPTER 6.

||

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Chapter 7
Source: Secret Land Castle

A few days after the count left, Kain also returned to the academy.
He was worried about Mielle, who would be left alone with Aria and
her mother, but because Aria was now well behaved unlike before, he
went inside the carriage after a long time hesitating.

Kain did not have any good sentiment for Aria and the new
countess, but he wasn’t full of pure evil like his sister.

In addition he was the heir of the family and had to do both school
and to prepare to become the next count, so he didn’t want to
interfere as long as no harm came to his sister.

After Kain left, Mielle was barely able to find a suitable teacher to
teach her embroidery, and spent all day in her room practicing it.

Aria could imagine what kind of situation was unfolding inside the
shut door, as Mielle pushed back all her other classes and focused
only on learning embroidery.

Unlike the past, Aria was not acting ill-mannered, and the sharp
gazes that once headed towards her were now gone. Instead of Aria,
it was Mielle who was feeling the inferiority complex. It couldn’t be
better.

Sarah asked with a friendly look as she watched Aria sip her tea in
a smile.

“Did something good happened lately?”

“Of course. Everything lately has been good. And the best
thing is that I got to meet you.”

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Thanks to you I was able to see Mielle’s distorted face. The child’s
happy smile was enough to form a blush on the girl’s face.

Aria had just been a cute child before, but now she was a little lady
with elegance that would make anyone proud no matter where she
was. It had happened in a matter of months.

As she watched Aria sip her tea elegantly, Sarah asked about a
matter she had spoken about last time.

“I’m planning on hosting a tea party in a few days. It’s a

very small tea party with just a few of my acquaintances.”

“I see.”

“My father received an expensive tea as a gift and gave it

to me.”

Sarah smiled smoothly as she continued.

“So would you like to join us if you’re not too busy, Lady
Aria?”

Aria widened her eyes and pretended to be surprised. How could I

go to a place like that! She covered her mouth with her cute hands
and shook her head, and Sarah convinced her that she was ready
now.

“I want to brag about how lovely you are to everyone I

know.”

Aria knew why Sarah was asking her to come to the tea party. It
was because of all the rumours that spread lately. She also knew
about the rumours.

The prostitute’s daughter goes on a rage every day because of her

jealousy of the count’s daughter.

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She has a terrible temper just like her mother.

The stray cat-like bit*h is trying to ruin the Roscente family.

This is why poor Mielle cries herself to sleep every night.

The rumours were like this.

It was actually quite close to the truth. She had basically been like
this before coming back in time. Except the part about Mielle,
everything was the undeniable truth. Although it was ordered by
others, pushing someone from the stairs and poisoning someone’s
tea was something only a witch would do.

But she wasn’t planning on doing evil deeds in such a one-

dimensional way from now on. If anything she would act dignified on
the outside and act this way behind everyone’s back.

No, she would definitely have to do this. So she needed to start

quieting down the rumours now. Before the villainess who was
wearing the mask of a saintess decides to spread the rumours even
more.

“Then……. I’m quite embarrassed to ask, but, may I join

the tea party?”

Sarah was overjoyed at Aria’s shy reply as she blushed. But there
was no need to attend Sarah’s tea party to quiet down the rumours.
Sarah’s acquaintances probably were not too important, and we’re
probably all from families without much power.

But it would be better to create memories with Sarah if she wanted

to build a stronger relationship with her. Aria was also curious about
what modest ladies did for fun.

“Of course. I’m sure everyone will welcome you since

you’re so lovely.”

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“Thank you, Lady Sarah.”

Sarah left as she was elated about telling the other ladies about
her new friend.

How is she so kind and naive? She should know when to stop
trusting someone. This made Aria question if she would be able to
hold her seat as the marquis’s wife in the future.

Aria needed to purchase a new dress to attend Sarah’s tea party.

She had many dresses, but they were all dresses that were stupidly
fancy.

You could describe them as childish. The dresses had several huge
ribbons and a colourful design, which made it seem like it was doll’s
clothing. It nearly made Aria sweat as she looked back at her tastes
during this time.

‘……Why do they even make these sorts of dresses.’

If they weren’t custom made they were probably bought from the
store. They were so childish and bad that Aria wanted to burn them
all.

And it wasn’t just the dresses, it was all of her wardrobe. She
couldn’t tell because her indoor clothing were usually plain, but she
could remember that she had chosen very strange clothing with her
own hands.

Of course, even now she understood why she had chosen such
colourful clothing with a bunch of decorations.

When she was a commoner she had to wear the same clothes for
months or years because their family did not have the money.
Because of this, all her clothes were of dull colours and had no
patterns. This was probably why she had chosen clothing that were
so vibrant to the point they hurt your eyes.

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‘Just looking at it gives me a headache, I want this out of
my sight.’

Arie called for her maid Jessie and ordered her to throw out all her
dresses. They must’ve been pretty bad even for her, since she took
all the clothes out of the dressing room without even saying
anything.

It was difficult for her to do it by herself, so she brought a cart for

her to carry the clothes. After clearing the dressing room, Jessie told
Aria that her previous order had been completed before heading out
the door.

“Oh? You fixed the hourglass?”

“Yes, do you want me to go pick it up?”

The hourglass that had been found broken on the bed on the first
day of Aria coming back to the past.

Aria had picked up all the pieces and sand and ordered Jessie to
have it fixed.

Thankfully she received news that it was not shattered completely

so it could be fixed, and it seemed like it had finally been completed.

It probably wasn’t an ordinary hourglass. It may have used up all

its powers in bringing back Aria to the past, but it was still a precious
hourglass that helped her restart her life. She wanted to keep the
hourglass for safekeeping in its complete state.

“No, I have to go out to buy a new dress anyway so I’ll pick

it up then. Get ready to leave.”

She also didn’t know what might happen if it broke again, so she
had to be careful. She would feel safer if she went to pick it up
herself.

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Jessie bowed her head in an apologetic way when Aria ordered her
to get ready.

“Miss, the thing is…….”

Aria stared at her with a gaze that said ‘why aren’t you following
orders?’ as Jessie stood at the door fidgeting.

Although it wasn’t this way anymore, Jessie was the one who had
suffered most from Aria in the past, and seemed to still have a hard
time saying something because of those memories.

Aria smiled and asked what was wrong, and Jessie spoke carefully,
remembering that the lady she was serving had changed recently.

“There’s nothing to wear if you throw all these out…… The

dress you wear for indoors isn’t suitable for going out…….”

To a commoner everything was the same and expensive, but it was

different for a noble.

A noble had to wear the appropriate clothing for indoors and

outdoors, if for some reason you wore an indoors dress outside, there
would be rumours about you and you would never earn yourself a
shameless and ill-mannered title.

Aria clicked her tongue as she complained about how complicated

this world was. Now that she knew her dresses were in fact not
beautiful, she didn’t have the courage to wear it outside on the
streets.

She thought for a moment for a way she could avoid wearing these
dresses but also not be embarrassed.

And suddenly, a method popped into her head.

‘Ah, that’s right!’

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There’s always that method. Even if she didn’t buy new clothes
there were luxurious and beautiful clothing in the house. They
probably fit her perfectly as well.

“Those clothes, put them all back in the closet.”

“All of it?”

“Yes, all of it.”

Jessie did how Aria asked without complaints despite the fact that
she was making her do all this work for no reason. It wasn’t like it
was the first time or anything, so there was no reason to complain.

It took a while but Aria simply watched Jessie work without

complaining about her speed.

As soon as Jessie was finished Aria ordered for her to leave the
room. Jessie was confused by her orders but did as was told.

‘The matches should be here somewhere.’

She was looking for matches used to light candles. She had bought
them to pretend being an elegant noble lady but never used it and
had it in her drawers the whole time.

She couldn’t remember very well because it had been more than
10 years. Of course in reality it had been a few months but it was a
long time for Aria, who remembered the future.

“Found it!”

Aria lit the match she found and tossed the burning match into the
closet. It had been a long time since Jessie had left the room.

After watching it for a few moments Aria began screaming with an

extremely calm face.

Jessie was standing right out the door and was the first person to

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come in and witness the disastrous scene.

“M, miss?!”

Jessie, surprised, hurriedly tried to put the fire out but the fire was
on the flammable clothing and had become too big to do anything.

She could hear people’s footsteps as they gathered. Aria frowned

and sighed as she stood in the middle of all the matches that had
been sprawled on the floor.

“I was trying to light a candle while I thought of a

method……. What should I do? Since my clothes are all burnt
I have no choice but to lend some clothes right?”

Aria wasn’t sure if Jessie was smiling or crying as her expression

changed when she looked at Aria.

END OF CHAPTER 7.

||

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Chapter 8
Source: Secret Land Castle

It was expected, but Aria did not hear any criticism from anyone
anymore. The Count, who was the only one who could, had gone to
the far north, and Kain had returned to the academy.

The Countess had no reason to scold her, and Mielle could not say
anything to her in a situation where no one was on her side.

“It’s understandable since you are young. It’s a relief that

it didn’t lead to a bigger fire.”

“What should I do since all of my clothes have burned up? I

was planning on going out……”

“Since you can’t wear your indoor clothing……. You should

borrow clothes from someone with a similar height.”

The countess realized exactly what her cute daughter was trying to
do and proposed an amazing solution. She probably wanted to buy
some new clothes. Out of all the things that could burn, it happened
to be her clothes. It couldn’t have been a coincidence.

Mielle frowned as she realized that the ‘someone’ the countess

was talking about was her. All the gazes fell on her.

Since all of the clothes have been burnt, new ones needed to be
bought, and it was necessary to go out to buy them, and to go out
you needed clothes.

The maids who had followed Mielle also showed their disapproval
through their frozen expressions. They were thinking of how Aria had
been quiet for a while but ended up bothering their master again.

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Since they couldn’t face a noble without permission, their gazes
were headed at the ground, but the hostility in their eyes could not
be hidden.

‘How dare they.’

Had she received the same gazes in the past? Aria had never felt
them because she was busy obsessing over her jealousy for Mielle.

Since there were only people who encouraged or supported her

evil deeds around her.

Even if they were Mielle’s direct maids, as long as they were hired
in the household they were also Aria’s maids. So how could they
show such terrible manners.

Aria wanted to fiercely grab them by the hair but she knew that it
would only create another rumour going around about her, so she
stopped herself of thinking of the past.

It was because she had realized that there was a more effective
way to get the things that she wanted other than being annoyed or
angry through her reversal in time.

Since the person who had been using this method long before Aria
had realized after her head was chopped off.

Aria’s eyes turned red. At the same time, transparent tears filled
her green eyes and reflected the light. Her eyelashes drooped down
and her moist, pretty lips rolled in.

She seemed just like a kitten shaking after being drenched by the
rain as she fidgeted her fingers and looked around nervously.

The poor thing opened her mouth with an expression that made it
seem like she would break apart.

“Mielle, I’m really sorry……. I didn’t want to cause you any

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problems but it’s become like this. I’m sure you don’t want to
lend me your clothes. They’re your precious possessions. I’ll
just go out in my indoor clothing. No one will notice if I make
it quick.”

Poor thing.

It was the thought that popped into those who saw Aria. Her poor
look made everyone forget her past actions and the rumours
surrounding her.

Because humans are animals that relied on sight, the sight of a

pretty child being sad was enough to earn the sympathy of anyone
watching.

And it was ‘that’ Aria. It was impossible to not feel anything since
she was looking so weak after having been terrible all the time
before.

She was only a child but her consideration for Mielle was deeper
than the sea.

That definitely wasn’t her personality though.

Aria’s personality was to create a ruckus to get the things she

wanted. The maids in the house had heard and seen this for the past
year.

They had heard that she had recently hired a teacher to teach her
manners, so is that why she changed? There was no other way to
explain it.

Since she is from a lowly status, she may have realized how lowly
and foolishly she had been acting after being taught.

They felt a little sorry for her after thinking of her like that before.

The gazes that were headed towards Aria were now filled with

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remorse, sympathy, and regret rather than the hostility they held
before.

The countess smiled in satisfaction among these people as she

watched her daughter. How similar her daughter was to her!

She was proud that Aria had realized that there was no point in
foolishly whining.

“It’s really okay, Mielle. Don’t worry about it. I was

originally a commoner……. So it’s not a big deal for me.”

Mielle was now unable to refuse to lend Aria clothes because of her
continuous acting.

If she refused now, she would become the cold girl who didn’t help
the poor girl whose clothes had burned up.

Mielle’s long, thick, eyelashes shuddered. It was just like the

struggle of a newborn bird that was learning how to fly.

Please learn to fly your whole life and fall. A tear fell from Aria’s
eyes.

Mielle truly wished to make Aria disappear. Just like her burnt up
dresses.

But she didn’t show this and created a soft, smiling expression. Not
revealing her true thoughts, and putting it into action, was Mielle’s
talent.

“What are you talking about, Big Sister. Of course I will

lend some to you. I’m so glad our sizes are similar.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Any time.”

“Thank you! Thank you, Mielle!”

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Aria grabbed Mielle’s hands. Aria looked truly happy with her
bright, smiling face. Mielle was not expecting Aria to grab her hands
and almost slapped them away, but realized the situation she was in
and barely managed to hold them while smiling awkwardly.

There was a wave in the emotions of the people watching. The two
pretty girls looking after one another was truly a beautiful sight.

Some of Mielle’s maids also began to think that they may have
been a little too harsh on a child who could’ve learned just because
of her origins.

They decided that it would be even more wrong to treat her

harshly since she was getting along so well with their master.

“Pick anything you want, Big Sister.”

Aria picked an outfit from Mielle’s dressing room just as she had
kindly told Aria to. She passed all the clothes that were out and
organized in the front and grabbed a box that was hidden in the
corner.

The hidden box was clean and without a speck of dust, as if it was
cleaned every day. In the box was a carefully folded white dress.

The dress was made of extremely soft material and didn’t

particularly have any decorations besides a red ruby in the shape of
a rose on the chest.

This was a gift from Oscar, Duke Frederick’s heir, and it had been
received on Mielle’s last birthday.

It was a dress she had never worn because she was busy
safekeeping it. And when she did try to wear it, it had become too
small. It would just be better for Aria to wear it if it was going to end
up that way anyway.

Mielle’s face turned pale as soon as she saw the dress Aria had

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taken out. Her hands fumbling in the air but not being able to take
the dress away reminded Aria of a conductor and made her laugh.

Aria asked with an innocent smile.

“Hm? Why?”

“Th, this is a little…….”

Mielle was wondering how Aria had found the dress she had hidden
away so that no one could find. Aria quickly apologized and put down
the dress when Mielle showed her disapproval.

“I guess the pretty ones are a bit difficult to lend even if

you said I could pick anything right? I should’ve just chosen
something modest……. I chose it because there wasn’t any
patterns on it, but I guess I accidentally chose an expensive
one. What should I do……? Which one should I pick then……?
I’m sorry I can’t read the mood, Mielle.”

“Ah……. The thing is……..”

Mielle could not continue her words and bit her lip. If she had been
any older, such a method could not have worked, but she could not
find a solution because she was only thirteen.

She hated and despised Aria on the inside but on the outside she
was the forgiving and caring only daughter of the count.

Since Aria wasn’t his real daughter and was from a lowly status,
she was as good as nothing, so Mielle was the only daughter of the
count. Not only Mielle, but everyone thought the same.

So it was excusable when Aria caused a ruckus, but it was different

with Mielle.

Mielle had to always be forgiving and kind, and she also needed to
be giving. It was because this was the image she had built for herself.

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‘Foolish. She’s trapped in the image she created for
herself.’

There was silence in the dressing room. People started to question

Mielle as the silence dragged on. Why isn’t she allowing it after she
said that Aria could pick anything?

No one could tell that the white dress was from Oscar because it
was folded up in a way that you couldn’t just tell by looking. Aria had
purposely done this.

In the end Mielle had no choice but to allow Aria to borrow the
dress.

“I’m really grateful! I’ll make sure to wear it cleanly and

return it.”

“…….Yes.”

Mielle’s expression was dark as she replied. She looked like a

young lily about to wither away at any moment. She matches so well
with the family crest. Aria was amazed.

If Mielle was a lily, Aria was willing to become an oleander that

produced poison.

A flower with strong poison that could take away lives at even a
small amount. Fancy and beautiful like a rose but unforgiving to
those who touch it.

The lovely image of two girls hiding their poison with fake smiles
was enough to warm the hearts of everyone watching.

END OF CHAPTER 8.

||

Guys, please praise our lovely translator Jisoo for working so fast

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for this novel. She’s the reason we are able to do two updates a week
because she works incredibly hard and very quickly as well. Don’t
forget to drop her a word of appreciation in #staff-appreciation in our
Discord Channel. Every word of appreciation and love would
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Chapter 9
Source: Secret Land Castle

Aria went out to the city in Mielle’s simple but extremely luxurious
dress, with two bodyguards, and her maid Jessie. It was unusual for a
child of nobility to go out without their parents, but Aria was
different.

She had gone out by herself when she was younger than Mielle,
and the Countess did not feel any threat at a child doing things by
herself.

There was no foolish kidnapper who would’ve kidnapped a

commoner anyways and now she worried even less since there were
two bodyguards with Aria now after their status had risen.

On the other hand, Mielle never went out by herself. She always
went out with the Count, and with her own mother in the past, and
did not go at all if things did not work out.

She went out with Kain sometimes as well but this was only if their
destination was decided.

For example, another noble’s house or an event where only a few

people would attend.

She did not attend if the number of people attending the event was
not clear. The concerns of the people around her played a role in this.

Aria made fun of her, saying that she really did seem like the
precious, loving daughter of the Count’s family.

Jessie, who had been shaking in fear, lifted her gaze at the wind
sound from Aria’s lips as she laughed. Pretending not to see, Aria
turned her gaze towards the window.

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The fresh grass, trees, flowers, and busy people.

She became a bit annoyed that the scene passing by the window
was the same as before.

It was because, despite the fact that Aria sometimes silently

screamed as she dreamt of her neck being chopped off, this world
was as peaceful as ever.

Aria rubbed her soft, clean neck. She could imagine death
surrounding her scarless, thin, neck.

She felt like it would drop to the ground this instant and roll in the
mud and dust.

‘……It’s okay. Nothing has happened yet.’

She touched her neck with her slightly trembling hands. Then she
saw a yellow leaf, one that had completed its lifetime, fall to the
ground.

The leaf felt just like her head rolling around in front of the
audience, and she felt chills went down her spine.

‘I definitely won’t leave them be. I will let those siblings

experience their necks falling off as well.’

Since the miracle of the hourglass won’t happen again, their

deaths will be final. Aria calmed her heart and body by thinking of
the siblings’ death.

A moment later, the carriage arrived at a cheap boutique that

many commoners visited. It was a place where even wealthy
commoners would not buy from.

When Aria had told them the destination, the coachman and Jessie
had both simply blinked at her, thinking they had heard the wrong
thing.

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But this was definitely the place Aria had planned on going to. A
boutique that only sold cheap clothing.

If she wanted to wash off the image of being an evil girl, she could
not waste money. It was better to show that she was unexpectedly
careful and frugal.

If she bought expensive clothing on top of burning all the clothes

she already had, the rumors would spread like wildfire.

The goal was to slowly get rid of the rumors. There was a need to
wear cheap clothing that did not fit a noble in front of the people.
These people will probably cover their mouths with their fans and
judge her appearance.

‘Oh my, it was actually ‘poor Aria’, not ‘poor Mielle’, like
the rumors said.’

Once they see that Aria is wearing such cheap clothing even after
rising in status, the people who had been speaking ill of her will
realize that the rumors are false.

Of course, there may be new rumors that Aria was being treated
poorly by the Count, but this was the only way to get rid of her
current image. It would be much more effective to show it once
rather than explain and make up excuses a hundred times.

She would only do this for a short while and wear luxurious clothing
again afterwards.

For example, she could appear at her coming of age party with a
luxurious and dignified look. Then would everyone faint in shock? She
had to be patient for the joy that would come in the future.

It would also be good to show the Count. He would definitely be

mad that the person who helped raise his income was in such a poor
state.

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If she made a confession of repentance and apologized for playing
such a dangerous joke and let out some tears, he may even cry for
his savior’s regretful appearance.

Her lips dried up at the exciting thought. Aria walked past the
worn-out entrance and into the boutique after wetting her pink lips
with her red tongue.

“Welc…… ome.”

The owner dropped the bread she was chewing when she saw who
the customer was. The little girl who had not one, but three servants
was definitely a noble.

The owner greeted Aria with a friendly smile after quickly wiping
the grease from the bread on her clothes. Her attitude was normal
since your whole life could be a mess if you angered a noble.

Aria looked inside the shop after half-ignoring the owner’s

greeting. The shop was full of clothing that ranged from cheap, worn-
out clothes to dresses that were somewhat okay.

Aria picked a few that were alright and asked to have them all
packed. She remembered that before coming into the Count’s house,
she could not even afford the cheapest clothing here even if she
starved herself for three months to save money.

‘I admired the clothing on the display window every time I

passed.’

But now she could buy the entire boutique and she would still have
some money left over. It seems like it was a very long time for her,
but in reality, it had only been 1 year since then.

Her entire life had changed because of her mother’s marriage. Aria
felt bitter for some reason.

Aria noticed that there were tea and cheap cookies prepared for

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her on the table in the corner. The owner carefully asked as she led
Aria to the table.

“There are more luxurious clothing on the upper floor, are

you not going to look?”

“It’s fine. Just tell me the cost of the ones I chose.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll prepare it right away. Please wait a bit while
enjoying the snacks.”

She felt longing rather than hate even though the taste of cheap
butter filled her mouth.

She thought that it may have been better to just not know
anything and starve rather than living a life of luxury like now.

The knight received the package with ten outfits, and Jessie paid
for them. The next stop was the tinker’s shop where she had left the
hourglass. Once she received the finished hourglass and returned
home, her day would be over.

‘It’s too bad that the day is ending.’

When she looked back, she had no memories of going out and
looking around like this. She remembered that she had always been
in a hurry to buy something.

Before she received the help of the knight to get in the carriage,
Aria watched the people passing by the boutique.

Because it was a location where many commoners passed by, she

could see the children running around and yelling in their worn-out
and worthless appearances.

The merchants who had a whole bunch of items in their stalls were
screaming to get some attention, and some people who became
interested would take a look.

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Aria had also played around here before. She had only gone
around here because she could not go far by herself.

There were more memories of her fighting with the kids who
criticized her for having a prostitute mother, but she had a few
memories of playing happily.

But isn’t it the same as now? She had to fight endlessly with those
who were luxurious and elegant on the outside but struggling to keep
up the image on the inside.

It was so terrible that Aria questioned how her past self had felt
any happiness in this situation.

The knight escorting her asked carefully when Aria continued to

watch the people.

“Is there somewhere else you plan on going?”

“No, it’s not that.”

It was useless to think of the past she could never go back to. As
she turned to enter the carriage, Aria heard a very familiar voice.

“Newspaper for rent! 5 shillings for 10 minutes! Please

check it since there is very important information on it! It’s
just 5 shillings!”

Aria stopped in her tracks and looked towards the direction the
voice had come from. She could see a boy acting like an advertiser
with a paper in his hands. Aria knew this boy, and he was a child she
had often played with.

Hans, who rented out newspapers. He fed his entire family with
one newspaper. He would buy a newspaper on the first day of the
month and rent it out till 12 in the night to make money.

He always had blisters from going around so much, and she had

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heard he died from getting hit by a carriage while he was working
when he was injured.

‘Newspaper.’

Come to think of it, she did need the information. There were
newspapers delivered to the Count’s household every day, but
information for the nobles and information for the commoners were
very different.

Nobles’ newspaper was a list of information whereas commoners’

newspaper had all sorts of rumors mixed into the information.

More than half of it was filled with lies, but she wouldn’t be losing
anything since there were some facts here and there.

Furthermore, Aria knew her future already so there was no way she
would be influenced by rumors.

“Jessie, go buy the newspaper. Tell him we’ll pay for the
entire month’s income so he’ll sell the paper. And come out
every time there’s a new paper to buy it from now on.”

“What? Ah, yes, milady.”

The servants that had followed Aria began thinking negatively

when Aria said she would buy a paper worth less than garbage. They
thought that there was nothing you could do about lowly origins since
she wanted to look at such a stimulating and dirty paper.

Aria slowly looked over the paper, ignoring their thoughts. She
couldn’t check thoroughly because the distance between the
boutique and the tinker’s shop wasn’t far but she could tell there had
been a big incident.

[Where did all the disappearing people go?]

She realized what the situation was as soon as she saw the huge

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title.

This was the incident of human trafficking in the empire where

there were no laws on slavery. There had been terrible things
happening within the secret places in the fancy casino.

The people who had been kidnapped and trapped in the basement
cells of the casino could not even escape because they had been
drugged, but the women had their organs damaged and were sold as
sex slaves, and the males were sold abroad and used to do harsh
labor until they died.

The only reason Aria remembered it so clearly was because the

crown prince had figured out the case and it had been presented
everywhere and everyone had been talking about it for a long time.

‘A case solved by the crown prince…….’

She read the newspaper and tried to remember if there was a

relation, but she couldn’t remember anything.

It was because she had been young and did not have any interest,
so she simply acknowledged the fact that many people were talking
about it and let it go.

It would probably be difficult to form a relationship with the crown

prince even if she knew the future.

In the past, even when she had seduced many males in the empire
with her enthralling beauty, she had never even seen the crown
prince’s shadow. There was probably no chance for them to meet
since he lived in a world completely different from her.

Earning Sarah, who would become the Marquis’ wife, was enough
to secure Aria a safe future. And Oscar, who she would be meeting
soon.

She may have a chance later on because of her different actions,

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but it wasn’t now. There wasn’t much she could do with her small,
young body. The police may come to get her if she even hung around
near the casino.

Aria erased the casino slavery incident from her head.

END OF CHAPTER 9.

||

Hello, everyone! The reason why we didn’t have any update for
Hourglass and Villain’s Sister last week is that I wanted for Grand
Duke’s Little Lady to catch up to both stories in terms of how many
chapters we released. We’re now on 8 chapters for all 3 novels! Rest
assured, we’re back on schedule and we’re releasing Hourglass and
Villain’s Sister on a weekly basis along with Grand Duke’s Little Lady!
However, of course, please do understand that there might be times
where we couldn’t release for that week. Once again, this wouldn’t
have been possible without our monster translator Jisoo, so make
sure to head on over our discord channel to give her a word of
thanks!

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Chapter 10
Source: Secret Land Castle

“Miss, we’ve arrived.”

While Aria was looking at the newspaper and thinking of the past,
the carriage had already arrived at the tinker’s shop. But, because
there wasn’t any useful information besides the slave incident, Aria
placed the paper down and went inside the tinker’s shop.

Inside the worn-out and small shop were two customers, who Aria
assumed were males and an old man who was the owner.

The air became stuffy as soon as Aria and her servants walked in.
But she didn’t frown because there was at least some space to move
around.

The owner seemed to recognize Aria and widened his eyes. It was
because she had lived in their village before and there was no one
else who had risen in status other than Aria and her mother.

Unlike the boutique, Aria had often visited the tinker’s shop to buy
something.

But because a commoner could not speak to a noble, the owner

silently handed the fixed hourglass.

He seemed to have heard the rumors about Aria because his hands
were trembling. It was strange and funny to think that she could
become a symbol of fear just by becoming a noble despite being a
mere fourteen-year-old girl.

“P-please take a look.”

Aria carefully looked at the fixed hourglass. She checked to see if

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there were cracks and if the sand fell down smoothly and if it was
overall in good shape. After checking, she confirmed that it had been
perfectly fixed without a single fault.

“It’s amazing that you could fix an hourglass that was

completely shattered.”

Aria also took a huge liking to the holder that was shaped like an
hourglass on the inside and covered in cloth to absorb the shock.

No one would be able to get to it if she kept it in her own secret

place.

Aria ordered Jessie to pay twice the amount of the original cost.
Because this was a compliment better than words, the old man
bowed his head as if he was honored.

“Miss, will you return home now?”

“No, I’m going to look around a bit.”

It was her first outing in a while, and it would be such a waste to

just go back now, so she looked around the tinker’s shop instead.

There were cheap toys and large items that Aria could not figure
out the use for and there were many different types of strange items
exhibited.

‘I used to admire those useless items.’

The items even changed colors because of all the dust. When she
wiped it with her hand, the poorly-made decorations jingled as if they
were about to fall off. It was really cheap. But somehow Aria still felt
happy.

As Aria looked around slowly, she noticed the two men who had
been looking at the same object since earlier. They were the people
who had been in the shop before Aria had even come in.

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She had come near them while being lost in thought. She couldn’t
see clearly because they had their hoods on, but they were definitely
males based on their height.

The two men did not move while they stared at the cabinet, and
Aria couldn’t even hear them breathing. Aria also held her breath.
She could somehow feel a dangerous vibe.

“……Miss, let’s return now.”

The bodyguards must have also felt it because they frantically

blocked the space between Aria and the two men.

The soldier’s hand was already at the sword on his waist. Aria
gulped and nodded.

She had no intention of voluntarily falling into danger with this

hard-earned second chance. Aria turned towards the exit.

The tight tension finally let loose and her bodyguards opened the
door for her with relieved expressions.

As she was heading out, Aria saw a piece of paper on the old man’s
counter and paused for a moment to think before warning the man.

She wouldn’t normally bother but it was to thank him for fixing the
hourglass.

“That auction ticket, you should sell it because you won’t

be able to use it.”

“W-what do you mean……?”

“I warned you. But the choice is up to you.”

People were secretly sold and bought in the basement of the

casino, but they were also sold items through auctions in public.

The tickets for the auctions were quite expensive for commoners

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to purchase, but there were long lines of people who wanted to buy
the tickets days before the auction began.

It was because there were rumors that they were sold cheaply.
There were also rumors that you could hit it big if you sold the items
you got through the auctions.

The old man probably bought a ticket for the same reasons.

But soon the casino will close because of the Crown Prince. And
when it does, the ticket will become another useless piece of paper,
and the old man will lose a lot of money.

The old man seemed confused at Aria’s words, and he didn’t seem
to want to sell the ticket based off of a young girl’s words.

‘It’s a shame but there’s nothing I can do about it.’

Aria was about to head out after her warning. But one of the men
in the corner that had not been moving till then suddenly snatched
her thin arm.

The other one quickly pulled out a sword and blocked the
bodyguards. They were as fast as light.

Because it was so sudden, Aria’s freedom had been stolen by the

two men without even a chance to escape.

Jessie fell in shock and screamed in silence.

If she moved even a little bit her head will come off. Aria
shuddered because of her past experience with it.

“……Why did you say something like that?”

The man holding Aria’s wrist asked.

His black hair and blue eyes were slightly exposed. Despite his tall
height that could be seen as an adult, his body was thin and his face

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was young. He seemed to be Kain’s age at most.

Aria frowned because she thought she had seen him somewhere,
and the grip on her wrist strengthened.

“I asked why you said such a thing to the owner.”

“I-I don’t know what you’re saying……!”

She had no idea what he was trying to say. Aria looked around by
rolling her eyes but there was no one around who could help her.

The man asked again.

“I asked why the ticket is going to be useless.”

How did she know something that didn’t happen? Aria finally
understood the man’s question. Is this really something he had to ask
in this way though? She looked at his appearance to see if he was
trying to join the auction as well.

He was mostly covered in the black cloak so she couldn’t see

inside, and even the parts of clothing she could see was black, so
there was no information she earned through that.

The one thing was that he had fair skin that commoners could not
have due to the harsh labor.

‘……Is he a noble?’

He must not be a significant one. It was because his face was

unfamiliar to Aria, who had nearly all the nobles’ faces memorized
because of all the parties she had attended. He must’ve come up
from the countryside or something. So he can enter the auction.

Everything fell into place when she thought of it that way. He

must’ve been surprised because he heard that the ticket would be
useless even though he had come up all the way to the capital and

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bought an expensive ticket.

His strangely fast movement and his informal way of speaking to

her were questionable but there was no other solution.

“Let go of my wrist, it hurts.”

“Answer me.”

“I will if you let go.”

“…….”

He glared at Aria without letting go of her wrist. He didn’t seem to

trust Aria. Aria finally regained her calmness. The man may seem
older than her but Aria was the more experienced.

Although she had led an enjoyable life, even that experience was
enough to figure out the man and the situation. If he had more
experience in life, he wouldn’t have asked for an answer in this way.

Aria smiled at the man who was threatening her and whispered.

“You seem to be more skilled than my bodyguards, surely

you don’t think a little girl like me can escape just because
you let go of my wrist? And it really hurts.”

The man finally looked down at Aria’s wrist. All the life had drained
from her skin and a bluish corpse color was beginning to show.

He sent a few signals to his partner and slowly let go of Aria’s

wrist.

Her bodyguards’ movement was still stopped, and although Aria’s

wrist was free she could not escape because the man had blocked
her path.

Aria flicked her right wrist a few times and clenched her fist and let
it go. Her hand was numb from being held by such strength. He really

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was a rude person.

“Now, answer me.”

“I heard a rumor.”

“What rumor?”

“A rumor that the casino will go out of business soon.”

She had never promised to tell the truth, and she had no obligation
to, so Aria lied without hesitation.

The man’s face froze.

He really must have bought the auction ticket.

Aria added on another lie to her lie.

“It was a rumor that Viscount Louvre lost a lot because of

his business method. It’s at the point where he needed to
close the casino, give up his viscount title, and run away from
the empire.”

Viscount Louvre was the owner of the casino. Three generations of

his family were destined to be executed because his human
trafficking business gets exposed.

He had brought on the downfall of his own family by passing on

such a terrible business to his offspring.

“Since I’ve answered, move aside so I can leave.”

“……I won’t let you go if what you’ve said is a lie.”

The man’s blue eyes were set on Aria. His expression was stained
with murderous intent. Aria could feel the chills on her spine. She
was also breaking out in cold sweat.

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Although she knew he was bluffing, she could not be calm in front
of the predator. Unable to control her trembling lips, Aria smiled
awkwardly.

“……How would you know if the rumors are true?”

“You’re right.”

He spoke as if he understood but his actions didn’t match. He

looked over her entire body as if he was determined to find her.

His gaze lingered at the rose-shaped ruby at her chest, and Aria’s
face paled as his eyes seemed to know where it was from.

‘I have to run away……! I have to get away!’

She wanted to leave this place immediately. She didn’t want to be

associated with this man ever again. She could feel the danger. The
danger she had never experienced in her past life would become a
sword that would cut her neck off.

“…..This is the end of my response, so let my soldiers go.”

The man sent a signal to his partner as Aria spoke in an expression

that looked like she was about to faint. His partner let go of her
bodyguards.

Although they had become free, the soldiers did not move and
looked at the man who had suppressed them. Aria quickly left the
tinker’s shop with her useless bodyguards and Jessie.

***

“What should we do?”

The man who had suppressed the bodyguards asked as he

watched Aria’s carriage leave.

“……A carriage from the Roscente family.”

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“That’s correct.”

“Did the count have a daughter around that age?”

“There is a lady named Mielle. I heard he has another

daughter from his remarriage, but she seems to be a girl who
doesn’t even have the basic manners down. So it’s probably
Lady Mielle.”

“Mielle…….”

It meant honey. It wasn’t a name that suited her cold face. She had
stayed mostly calm in an unexpected situation and even played him.
It was hard to think of her as a girl in her early 10s.

The man looked down at his hand that had grabbed her wrist. It
was a very thin and weak wrist. The ladies of her age must be the
same but hers seemed particularly so.

‘What is this feeling?’

A strange feeling was left along with her warmth on his palm. It
was a familiar yet unfamiliar feeling. It was very weak but something
he had felt before.

‘Where did I feel it……?’

He could not understand the familiar feeling because he had no

connections with the Roscente family. As he gazed blankly at his
hand, the other man asked.

“What should we do? Should we assign someone to

follow?”

“No, it’s fine since we’ve figured out what family she’s
from. For now…… we’ll hit the casino. If the rumors are true,
we have to do something before the viscount runs.”

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“But……. We don’t have enough information and we’re not
done making a perfect plan.”

“Not having a perfect plan is better than the viscount’s

escape.”

It would become quite troublesome if he escaped out of the

country. It was better to let him go inside the country rather than out
of it.

“It may be an ignorant lady’s joke.”

“Even if it is, we need to do something just in case.”

Even if the rumor about the rumor spreading was fake and they
were to hit the casino without enough information or a plan, there
weren’t any particular risks besides it becoming a little more
bothersome.

But if Aria was telling the truth and the viscount escapes while they
are busy gathering information and making a plan?

Then they would have to ask the neighboring countries for help.
Not only was it troublesome, but it was also embarrassing. It was
better to end it inside the country for all sorts of reasons.

Furthermore, the girl had known for sure that the casino would
close. She knew that a casino that looked like it was getting even
more successful by the day would close. It was a fact that no one
knew except him.

She had said she heard the ‘rumors’ of Viscount Louvre

somewhere, but she must know something based on how specific her
information was. He had to act fast.

“Then what time should we plan it?”

“Today.”

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“You mean…… today?”

“Yes. Gather the people we need in the next hour and have
them ready. We need to attack now. Since we don’t know
when he’ll run.”

Today is a bit……. The other man whispered to himself but bowed

his head after looking at the man’s expression.

“……I understand. I’ll prepare it right away.”

The man who received the order moved quickly and was out of
sight in a moment. The man checked the warmth on his hand once
more. There was nothing left but Aria’s expression was still clear in
his mind.

‘Now’s not the time.’

This wasn’t the time to be lost in such thoughts. He had to catch

the viscount as quickly as possible and build his foundation.

The man soon erased Aria’s face and warmth from his mind and
disappeared into the darkness.

END OF CHAPTER 10.

||

WHO IS THE NEW GUY?! I’m legit asking the question because I
don’t know who until I was reading this chapter….. and I still have no
idea XD. Don’t worry, I’ll get the next chapter out very soon! As
usual, thank you Jisoo, for translating!

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Chapter 12
Source: Secret Land Castle

Aria asked how many people were attending Sarah’s tea party
before they went.

“A total of six people including you and me.”

The reason she asked this was to gift a handkerchief with her
embroidery on it to everyone who was going to attend. Among noble
ladies, gifting an embroidered item to another was a method to
strengthen the bond between them.

Although Aria could not understand what was so good about

exchanging embroidered items because she had only received fancy
jewelry from men in the past, but she had to agree because Sarah
had said so.

Besides embroidery, women also exchanged drawings, antique

poems, and simple essays, and it was normally shown to a person’s
mother or sister before giving the gift.

Aria who imagined doing this with Mielle nearly puked at the
thought, but she was able to hold it back.

There was no way she would do something like that with Mielle
unless the ink and paint they were using were made out of poison.

Aria also questioned if she would be able to ask the other ladies.
She had never read a book, so she didn’t know if she could write
anything.

As Aria’s face turned pale with further explanation, Sarah

recommended that she prepared handkerchiefs.

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It was because Aria could show off her talent and not feel
pressured if she chose handkerchiefs. Since her skills have already
been proved.

“Since it would be too hard to embroider every single seal

family crest, it would be fine to just embroider the crest of
the empire.”

The crest of the empire was a tulip. It wasn’t a particularly difficult

shape to embroider, so two days would be plenty to embroider four
people’s worth of handkerchiefs.

Aria made six handkerchiefs after taking a look at the tulip

embroidery Sarah had prepared for her.

Aria only needed to make five since she didn’t need to make one
for herself, but there was someone she needed to gift it to. It was for
Mielle.

Aria gifted her a handkerchief with the crest of the empire to make
Mielle mad as she continued to focus on learning embroidery.

“I want to see the handkerchief you made too. I’m sure our
father is waiting as well.”

Aria laughed innocently.

The clean embroidery done with fine silk was beautiful. The red
tulip looked like it could bloom any second.

The maid who was looking from far away could not hide her
surprised face, and Mielle bit her lower lip. It seemed like her she still
had not improved.

“Can I take a look if you finished anything?”

“No! There’s nothing yet…….”

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Mielle’s hand, which was gripping onto the handkerchief, was pale.

If she went this far, Mielle would lose motivation for a while. There
was a need to push her down like this once in a while before she
regained her confidence.

But if she went too far, Mielle would become like Aria in the past
and go nuts, so she had to control the level of bullying.

It would be nice if she stayed an idiot like this till she died, but
Mielle would soon turn mature and intelligent.

She couldn’t solve the issue because she was still young and no
one was hostile towards her, but once she fully understands the
situation, sharp thorns will come stab Aria like a drill.

Aria knew that time was not far off. If it was like the past, Mielle will
soon assign a maid to Aria, and foolish Aria will throw a water bottle
after being tricked. She sure was evil.

‘Of course I’m the worst since I threw it.’

Her back and hands dripped with sweat when she thought of that
day. It was the start of her dark past. Starting from that day, Aria’s
life had slowly rotted away, and a bright light called Mielle erased
Aria’s existence.

This was why she needed a strong base, in many ways. It wasn’t
something that would be fixed by a little bullying.

She may be able to tell the future, but she needed background
knowledge and connections to people. She couldn’t be satisfied with
just Sarah.

Aria returned to her room after telling Mielle how nice the weather
was for going out. She was telling her to hurry and wear the dress
Oscar bought her and go out.

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Then she was assisted by Jessie to prepare for the tea party. When
she chose the cheapest clothing out of all the clothing she bought
last time, Jessie’s expression became dark. Of course, they were all
pretty similar so there wasn’t really any point in choosing, but she
still didn’t seem to like that one.

“Jessie, how’s this?”

“……It’s a bit simple but it’s clean and suits you well.”

Jessie replied while fixing the ruffles on her clothing.

Without the flower-shaped accessory on her head, wrinkled ribbon

on her neck, and the luxurious handmade shoes, the light pink dress
with frills on the chest, wrist, and the ends were plain enough to
make her look like a commoner.

Even so, Aria was extremely satisfied with her outfit. She looked so
pitiful.

No one would think she was a daughter of the count. People would
feel terrible for her as soon as they saw her get off the carriage.

“Telling me that something simple complements me…….

You’re saying I look better in it because I’m originally a
commoner right?”

“O-of course not! I meant to say you suit anything because

you’re so beautiful…….”

She was just joking but Jessie waved her hands and denied it with
all her might. Jessie then blushed when Aria giggled at the sight.

Jessie’s eyes moved around frantically, not knowing what to do.

Aria did not feel any hatred towards her in particular and was
actually quite sorry about her past actions, so she decided to let her
go.

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“I was joking.”

“……Joking?”

‘That’ Aria was joking? Although it was true that Aria had become
gentler recently, she was still quite strange.

She didn’t go on any rampages lately, but she was somehow

strange. It couldn’t be answered exactly if someone was to ask how
she was weird. Jessie was always watching her from nearby, so she
knew better than anyone else.

But because she couldn’t ask any questions or respond to her, she
just laughed awkwardly at Aria, who made a dangerous joke.

And because things were much more relaxed and comfortable

now, even if she was a bit strange it was better than before.

Aria headed out to Sarah’s house with two bodyguards after she
finished preparing. One of them was John, who had previously
become her dog, and the other was someone she had never seen
before.

The other bodyguard looked at John strangely because he was

fidgeting uncontrollably like a dog that needed to pee because it was
his first time going out with Aria after the previous incident.

Aria tried to change the mood by talking about the weather so she
could prevent any misunderstandings.

“It’s a relief that the weather has been so nice recently. It

refreshes my mood as well. Since it’s a tea party in a garden,
it would’ve been such a disappointment if it rained.”

Thankfully a child’s voice was clear and bright like a bird’s chirping
in the morning, and the strange mood was soon lifted.

And although she was young, no one could resist her when she was

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smiling softly with her eyes like that.

It was a talent she developed in the past when all she had were her
looks. Using sight as a method to earn people’s hearts worked
regardless of age and gender.

And it was also a weapon that Aria had that couldn’t possibly be
copied by the proper and noble Mielle.

Some taunted her by asking if she received such traits from her
prostitute mother.

When asked this, Aria always replied by saying yes and agreed.
She said it was a blessing to have received such beautiful looks and a
smile that could catch people’s eyes. Since having more options to
use was better.

And even after returning to the past, her decision to use her
beauty had not changed. The only reason she was able to survive
even long after she had become an adult was because there were
still people who loved her looks.

It did not take long to get to Sarah’s house because all the nobles
in the capital lived near the palace.

The butlers and servants must have heard about Aria from Sarah,
because they greeted her with a friendly expression.

After greeting Aria politely, the butler informed her that all the
other ladies were gathered in the garden. It was because she
purposely arrived late.

The protagonist always appears last. It was necessary to be late if

she wanted to gain everyone’s attention.

But she couldn’t walk in a leisurely manner, so she decided to

speed up a bit. Aria asked the butler, who was leading the way from
a few steps away, where the garden was.

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“You just have to go along the hallway…… L-lady Aria?”

After figuring out where the garden was, Aria walked in a speed
that was nearly like running towards that direction. The soldiers and
servants also sped up, trying to catch up to Aria. She quickly arrived
at the garden because the house was not very large.

There were already five ladies at the garden when she arrived, out
of breath. They all looked at Aria with a shocked and flustered
expression.

Aria hurriedly fixed her messy hair and clothes and held up her
dress and bent her knees to greet the ladies.

“I’m sorry for being late. I didn’t know what to wear…….”

Look at my clothes. My cheap looking clothing.

The ladies all turned to Aria’s choice of clothing due to the fact that
she had received all the attention for being late. No one could hide
their shock at the simple dress that only a commoner would wear.

It wasn’t like she had a terrible sense of fashion. There were

actually quite a few accessories to distract people from the simple
dress. But even those accessories could not be called luxurious.

All the ladies in the garden were at a loss for words at Aria’s
appearance, which was the complete opposite of the rumors
surrounding her. Out of all the ladies, only Sarah was able to get
back to her senses and introduced Aria to the rest of the ladies.

Finally realizing how rude they were, the ladies hurriedly greeted
Aria.

Aria blushed and greeted them back. She looked just like a young
lily, which was also the family crest of the Roscente family, and
everyone thought she was lovable.

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Although she was late, Aria took a seat and the tea party began.
Rose tea, which originated in a faraway country, was prepared, and
sweet cookies and cake filled the table.

Aria observed with interest because she had never attended a

gathering without alcohol after coming of age. But this left a different
impression on the other ladies. Her simple clothing also played a role.

Why is she dressed so cheaply like a commoner? Has she never

seen a cake and cookies? There was no way that was true, but Aria’s
appearance and actions made others think this way.

One lady, whose curiosity got the best of her, asked Aria.

“Lady Roscente, is this your first tea party?”

“Yes. This is my first. The cookies and cake look so pretty.”

Oh my. Someone let out a gasp.

The gasp was out of surprise and pity. She had already been a part
of the count’s family for over a year but she has never been invited
to a tea party.

Young girls from noble families usually enjoyed a tea party in their
own homes. It was also to prepare for debuting in the social circles.

If you had a sister, you would arrange a small one with your sister,
and if not, the family would arrange one with another family that had
a close relationship with them.

And because Sarah didn’t have a sister, she often opened a tea
party and invited a few people she was close with, and that was the
case with the tea party today. There was silence in the usually chatty
tea party.

Suspicion rose among the ladies present in the party. Perhaps the
rumors had been false. Aria’s appearance, attitude, speech, and

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bright smile made them think this way.

It was the same with what Sarah had said. Before Aria arrived, she
had asked them to treat her nicely because she was different from
the rumors that described her to be.

Because Sarah was naturally kind and caring, not everyone

believed her, but Sarah seemed to be right as they were now seeing
Aria in person.

‘Since people only believe what they see with their own
eyes.’

Aria smiled brightly at the ladies, whose faces were rigid and were
fidgeting nervously.

The tea party had only just begun.

END OF CHAPTER 12.

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The Villainess Turns The Hourglass -

Chapter 288 - Extra Story III: A Wicked
Woman Is A Wicked Woman Forever,
Part XI - WuxiaWorld
Source: Webnovel

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

Annie was supposed to hold the ceremony first, but when Aria’s
support, including the dress, began, she prepared a new ceremony,
canceling everything she had decided and prepared.

In contrast, Jesse only received Aria’s necessary support and used

what she had prepared as scheduled. In the first place, she was
burdened with too much and tried to refuse it, but she was forced by
Aria to accept it.

“How can this be a commoner’s wedding? Only the rich

nobilities can afford this.” Despite Jessie’s refusal, Aria decorated
the wedding hall more beautifully and visitors were astonished.

“Her Highness the Crown Princess is behind her. Jessie is

not an ordinary commoner.”

“That’s what I think. Besides, it’s only a matter of time

before she gets the title because her husband’s abilities are
outstanding, and he’s in the right position.”

“Although the precedent is rare, it is possible.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince is very much in love with

Her Highness the Crown Princess, so he will listen to
anything she wants.”

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“I’m sure His Highness will be an emperor soon, so it may
be simple.”

“She would be the luckiest woman in the empire.”

“Isn’t she now?”

Those who talked about Jessie and her husband were nobles who
were not very close to her. They seemed to have attended the event
to get a good impression from Aria if she would attend. In addition,
they believed that Jessie, a favorite maid of Aria, would soon rise to
her status, so they even gave a warm greeting to Jessie’s relatives.

“Oh, my God. Her Highness the Crown Princess has really

come here!”

And just before the ceremony began, as expected by the audience,

Aria appeared with Asher. Though Jessie was the most beloved maid,
Aria was expected to come alone because she was a commoner, but
Aria appeared with Asher and everyone was once again convinced
that Jessie and Hans would rise in status.

Aria, who had not exchanged greetings with anyone, immediately

visited the waiting room where Jessie was waiting and greeted her.

“Oh, you don’t have to come…”

“How can I miss your wedding?”

‘You kept saying the right thing to me, the wicked woman.’
Although she had had a miserable end for not following her words, it
had rather hardened her trust in Jessie through them.

As he also knew it, Asher was willing to follow Aria to show his face
to the wedding momentarily.

“You will have a long vacation, so you can have a good and
relaxed time with your husband. When you get back, you’ll

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have to suffer from a heavy duty again.”

“… Thank you.”

Even though she said so, the edges of Jessie’s eyelids were red
because she knew that having a job to return to was a blessing by
Aria’s favor. What kind of maid could go on vacation just because she
was married? It was a job that they had to take a wedding ceremony
on a holiday that came once a week.

There were a lot of people who couldn’t even do it. No, there were
a lot of maids who could not get married. It was a job if they got
married and couldn’t take care of their family. With marriage, more
people chose to retire because they couldn’t go back.

“Well, I’ve seen your face, so I’ll go back now. I can’t stay
long because I’ve split the time I don’t have.”

“No, thank you. It’s more than enough that you came.”

It was already an honor that Aria showed her face even though she
didn’t stay until the end of the wedding. As a result, Aria looked
slowly at Jessie’s unflattering appearance and turned her steps
without hesitation.

“I feel weird.”

At Aria’s words, which she uttered on her way to the carriage,

Asher cheered her up, giving a little strength on the hand he held.

“You’ve seen the maid for a long time, so you deserve it.”

“Did you also feel this way when your close associate got
married?”

“Are… you talking about me?” However, he could not easily

answer the question that Aria asked him.

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He never seemed to feel that way. As he comforted her, he could
say, “Yes” or “You’ll get better after a little while.”

It was at a time when she tried to regain her original condition,

taking off her strange feelings, seeing that he was speechless and
was worried about what to say. Somehow the hall was crowded and
bustling. There were so many people who were so huddled that they
did not notice the passing of the Crown Princess and the Crown
Princess. Their eyes were mingled with envy, jealousy, and
displeasure. Annie gave her a secret look so that they couldn’t notice
it.

‘What’s the matter? Why are they looking so impure at Jessie’s

wedding, which deserves only a blessing?’ To confirm this, Aria
turned her eyes, and unexpectedly, there was Baron Burboom and
Annie. She was wearing one of the dresses she had received from
Aria, surpassing the nobility and second only to the bride. As such,
she seemed to have drawn the attention to herself even though she
did not take any noticeable action, and it seemed to have offended
the nobles.

‘I thought they stopped being offended by Annie and

Jessie.’

‘Although Annie is a commoner, she is in such a position that they

can’t swear openly and talk behind her back. No, they are not far
from Annie’s back. Isn’t this far enough for even me to notice?’ It was
tantamount to a rebuke that barely covered Annie’s eyes.

There was no need to win love and respect from all, but it was
unpleasant to be scolded as if it were not in such a short distance. In
addition, it reminded Aria of nobles who had used to laugh at herself
in the past. Because of that, Aria’s expression changed after
watching the scene for a while. It was similar to her face in the past
when she had just gotten the hourglass in her hand and plotted how
to get revenge on Mielle. She also looked as if she still had a long
way to go.

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“I was about to go back to the Imperial Castle right away…
But I think I should stop by the hall for a while.”

After watching the mood of the hall and the changes in Aria, Asher
nodded as if he had no choice. As he had already said, “It doesn’t
matter what your attitude is,” he seemed to have no intention of
stopping her.

Aria’s step toward the inside of the hall was light. The nobles, who
had so far secretly blamed Annie, began to politely salute her in her
imposing and elegant appearance, as if they had never done so,
wondering how they could be seen better.

‘Yes, that’s where you’re supposed to be—where you’re

sitting.’

But she didn’t think they would do that, so she had to tame them,
not to repeat the past again.

“Annie.”

Aria called Annie’s name. Annie, who had not noticed her
approach, smiled to the fullest and took a courtesy. She was like her
stupid self in the past.

“No matter how much you like Baron Burboom, shouldn’t

you at least say hello to the nobles who are paying attention
to you? Sooner or later, you will become a member of the
aristocratic society.”

The faces of the nobles began to turn pale when she gave out the
nuance that she had been watching them all. ‘If you are all scared
now, then you shouldn’t have been offended in the first place.’

Aria smiled, checking the faces of the nobles one by one. It was
also a confirmation process to check everyone’s faces.

Aria, who checked their increasingly frightened expressions,

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checked Annie’s face and slowly opened her mouth.

It was time for her to let them know who they were.

-The End-

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