THE VILLAINESS TURNS THE HOURGLASS

Chapter 81. Testing And Trial, Part XXII

Translator: Khan

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

She had been always disappointing but even more so at the dinner tonight. Considering her age, she was quite knowledgeable, but not enough to help the count's business.

'Rather...'

Rather, Aria, who was said to be from the common people, was much smarter. Aria seemed to look like she was not smart enough compared to Mielle, but she really seemed smart although she didn't seem to want to reveal the fact.

Aria, who sometimes made stunning remarks, would be quiet again as if she had done nothing. It was as if she was asking him to look at her that way on purpose.

But Lane was soon able to grasp her behavior. It was not natural to hit and run, and somehow she seemed to be swept away by emotion. As she was still young, she seemed to have difficulty controlling her emotions.

'And today's reaction was weird too...'

When he brought up the story of the fur business, Mielle looked puzzled. She looked like she had no idea. The hardened face of the count, or the embarrassed countess, and Aria, who was the last to remain calm...

'Don't tell me...'

No. Based on the facts laid out so far, it had been concluded that the daughter, who had greatly helped the count, seemed to be Aria, not Mielle.

It shouldn't be. Lane tore off his head and let out a silent outcry. If this was the case, it meant that he guessed wrong so far. If the Crown Prince found out about this, he could punish those who had called Mielle.

For example, he could order his retainers to count the number of flowers in the capital by tomorrow or to find out what the capital's current population was.

If they somehow produced the results, he would question them for more than five hours why and why. He had always rolled his minions that way. Rather, they had wanted to be hit.

'Then there's nothing I can do about it. I have no choice but to get out by myself.'

He had no choice but to report the truth as soon as possible, so he himself could avoid hardships and adversity. Thinking so, he wiped the clear and cold sweat on his forehead and nose.

It was all right, it would be all right. In the first place, he had only started his work after being ordered by the Crown Prince to approach the count and his daughter, Mielle. He had made friends with the count as he had been told, and he had been well receiving good favors from Mielle. What was more, he had even gotten the result that the girl the Crown Prince had been looking for might be Aria, not Mielle. He might have praised him for correcting the falsehoods others had guessed wrong about.

Knock, knock! "Your Highness Asterope, this is Lane."

When he knocked on the door with a sense of confidence, he heard a voice from the inside telling him to come in. Lane went inside confidently to report his very plausible conclusions. Asterope, who was reading a book on the sofa, frowned at Lane who was coming in.

"What's wrong with your face?"

"... yeah?"

"It's a face that makes me feel bad."

'What should I do with my face? Was I so excited as I found a way to survive alone?' Lane reported to Asterope while touching his face.

"I haven't found anything unusual today in Lady Mielle. I think... Lady Mielle seems to be not the kind of woman Your Highness will notice."