The villainess reverses the hourglass

CHAPTER 36

Before Aria, startled, took any action, Asterope, on bended knee, reached out for her hand. Aria's face stiffened at the sight of the action she had seen so much elsewhere.

No way!

"May I say goodbye to the back of your hand?"

"... No."

'What nonsense are you saying? You have kept your hood on this entire time, not even showing me yourself.'

Despite her calm and resolute refusal, Asterope laughed lightly. It seemed that he hadn't wanted her to say yes from the beginning. He rose without regret.

"Oh, you are a pretty cold woman."

"You are too hot, aren't you? It's quite different from last time."

She had lived a life longer than her years, but it was her first time seeing a rude person like that man, aside from those who had approached her drunk and without measure.

Last time, she had been scared to death, but today, she felt like he was acting crazy. Even after Aria's sharp words, he maintained a sudden smile about him.

"I apologize for what happened the other day. It was very important to me, which is why I'm giving you this kind of reward."

"Ah... OK. Then, can I go now?"

Aria did not listen to Asterope. She had no words to speak to him nor business with him, so she turned around without regret. He wasn't polite, and she didn't want to talk to him anymore.

He didn't have to, nor need to, but he was about to see Aria off.

Asterope's eyes moved across Aria's body, but his own body did not move a muscle. The deep, blue eyes were full of pure hospitality, without any kind of malice.

'He is foolish.'

Aria, trying to get on the carriage while being gazed at by him, suddenly stumbled and dropped the bouquet at her feet.

Surprised by this, Aria, her eyes widened, stumbled to pick up the bouquet. She didn't even realize her movements were counterproductive, crushing the flowers

"Oh, my goodness!"

"...!"

No, that was exactly what Aria was after. It was also a sign that she would not receive the flowers from Asterope. Tulips, which normally had a good smell, quickly soaked up the nasty waste fluid underneath the carriage due to Aria's very natural movements.

What a coincidence! Because he had only chosen petals, the way she had crushed them made it impossible to recognize the original. Aria, who determined that she could not pick them up, raised her body with a sad look on her face.

On her behalf, one of the knights picked up the pitiful bouquet. The tulips, which had just boasted superlative beauty, had now turned into a messy heap that would sour the mood of those who looked at them.

"What shall I do with this?"

"..."

Asterope stared at Aria with a firm face. She faced his eyes for a while as if to say she was very sorry, and he smiled as if he remained cheerful.

It was obvious that he should be in a bad mood, but he looked very well, like he had been waiting for that.

"I don't think such an ugly bouquet suits you, so I think it's better to throw it away."

Even though he had been offended, he looked very happy. He looked like a beast that had found its prey.

'How dare you?!'