The villainess reverses the hourglass

Untitled Part 49

"The first gift... Is that really what you mean?"

"Yes, I guess that's why I prepared a gift a little too extravagant."

He had come to say that they should stop exchanging gifts, but he was speechless and unable to reply as she answered, blushing.

"Please don't be burdened. Think of it as a gift from the heart and know that I prepared it because I was very happy to receive yours."

"..."

In the conversation with her, which was mixed with temptation and pity, Oscar could not say anything, nothing but a positive answer to her simple question.

"I wanted to see Mr. Oscar wearing a brooch, but... You didn't bring it, did you?"

"... No, I brought it."

He hadn't known she was going to tell a story like that, so he thought he might have had a chance to give it back to Aria. But, instead of giving it back to her and contrary to his intentions, he ended up putting it on in front of her.

"Can I pin it to your clothes?"

"Yes, please."

The brooch the servant who was accompanying him was holding fell in Aria's hands. She slowly narrowed the distance between them. Even though she could put it on without getting too close, she narrowed the space so tightly that he could smell her. As a pretext, she said, "Mr. Oscar is tall, so I can't help it."

Despite their significant difference in height, Oscar held his breath and looked away since her scent seemed to be able to reach him when she approached. It took her a long time to attach the brooch to him due to her clumsiness, but Oscar waited for her to put the brooch on him without any complaints or exasperated sighs.

"You look great."

Aria, who checked on the brooch to see if it was hung right, stepped away from him as if she were satisfied. The blue diamond blended well with his dark suit and shone beautifully.

He hadn't come to the mansion for that, but because of Aria, who smiled brightly in front of his eyes, Oscar was unaware of her words and expressed his thanks.

"... Thank you."

"No, I'm glad it looks good on you."

The two, who sat down and faced each other again, had nothing more to say, so they drank tea quietly. Unlike Aria, who had a pleasant expression on her face and drank her tea leisurely, Oscar somehow couldn't hide his anxiety.

After agonizing for a while because he felt like he had to say something to Aria, he recalled the conversation he had had with Mielle a little while ago. Today was Aria's birthday. So, he had been contemplating the reason she had called him that day, but as soon as he caught sight of her charming figure, the idea vanished from his mind like the wind.

"I heard today is your birthday."

"Yes, it is. I had a small party with other young ladies, with whom I made friends with for the first time. It would have been good if Mr. Oscar had come as well. That was a shame."

"Oh, I'm sorry I'm late."

He had not been invited to the party, but he felt like he had to apologize when facing her honest regrets. If he had known it was her birthday, he would have prepared a present.

He went there to talk about not exchanging gifts anymore, so he had a formal bouquet of flowers prepared. It took him a while to bring up her birthday, and he had simply handed over a bouquet of flowers after receiving that luxurious brooch, so the whole exchange made him feel a bit shameless.