The villainess reverses the hourglass

CHAPTER 31

Aria's eyes grew round. Mielle's mind had become impatient, and that's when Aria hesitated to answer, asking herself if she was about to advise Mielle of her rude behavior.

"... I can't because it would be rude to Oscar. Besides, I have to go out. Can I open the box?" Aria, who checked the time, asked impatiently, and the messenger nodded.

She had been late for her last meeting to make a show of her simple dress, but she no longer intended to be late.

Aria called out several maids and ordered them to open her box.

Among them, was a maid who always stood next to Mielle and maintained a bad expression when looking at Aria. Her pale complexion and slow hands seemed to worry about her master.

"What a beautiful thing it is!"

Inside the box, were a dress, shoes and hair ornaments.

The countess was impressed by the light pink dress. Although it seems modest, it was of the highest-quality material, and a small star-like diamond was embedded along the neckline. The rose-shaped waist decoration brightened the slightly dull-looking design.

"It has been a while since you've gone now, so wouldn't it be better to change?"

Even dainty pink shoes and hair ornaments... Those would make her stand out in that day's meeting.

But Aria shook her head, checking the time. She had not yet planned to go to a meeting decorated to the fullest.

"I'm going to have to wear just a hair decoration. I think I'll be late for the meeting if I don't leave quickly. I'm going now, Mom and Mielle."

Aria, who took the golden rose pin, ordered all the gifts to be brought to her room and left the mansion.

When she gave one last glance sideways at Mielle, she saw the girl was nearly leaning on her maid after having lost all her liveliness. The look of the maid looking down at her was not very different.

On the wagon, Aria confirmed Oscar's letter.

There wasn't much to it. He had been very grateful for the loan of her handkerchief in the garden, and he sincerely hoped she would accept it back.

'It was a good thing that I didn't read it.'

If she had read it, it would not have created any unnecessary misunderstandings.

It would have made her efforts futile. Of course, there had been an accident in the garden, but he had given her an excessive gift for the handkerchief.

'Is it because it was a handkerchief he took?'

She had heard that there were many men who would send clothes and accessories because they wanted the girls to wear them in their next meeting. Of course, Aria had received plenty of gifts in the past without having to give anything first.

But it was too much to expect the same from Oscar.

'My clothes must have looked shabby and pitiful, as expected.'

Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent a dress. She hadn't meant to go that far, but his reaction had been grand, so she was very thankful for that.

'What shall I do in return?'

He would not want something in return, but she had to send something to continue the relationship. He should feel burdened by it and contact her again. It should be something very expensive and precious, for example. It would be very burdensome if a young lady who dressed in simple clothes sent a luxurious gift.

"A ring or a necklace? Either wouldn't work... What about a brooch? What do you think?"

When Aria asked them all of a sudden, the two knights escorting her looked puzzled.