The Villainess turns the Hourglass

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

“Lady Aria?”

“I was invited.”

When she pulled out the invitation that Baroness Clean had sent her, Baron Burboom wrapped his forehead, distorting his face.

“What happened?”

“Baron Burboom!”

He tried to ask Aria why, but he failed because of Annie, who was holding his arm and calling him by his name. Baron Burboom stared at her in a very natural way with her arms folded, but he didn’t know what to do because Aria was there.

‘I guess it was true that they seemed to be friendly.’

Baron Burboom seemed to be shaking in a male-and-female relationship due to the rushing act of Annie. If their relationship went on as it was, Annie would be able to make him her own without any help.

“It’s a very good pair. Right, ma’am?

“Oh, that’s right.”

“Lady Aria…! This…!”

He desperately tried to make excuses, so Aria talked to Baroness Clean, pretending not to know it.

“Where can I go? May I ask for guidance, ma’am? ”

“Of course. Just follow me.”

“Were the other wives here already? I wonder how many are here already.”

“I think only a few people would come today because we are talking about business and not about socializing. Only the wives who are actively involved in some business have come.”

“Is that so? That’s too bad.”

Baron Burboom looked pathetic when he saw Aria and Baroness Clean, who went upstairs exchanging conversations. Nevertheless, he couldn’t take Annie away, who was stuck next to him, so all he could do was sigh.

Annie looked at it impudently, making her cling to the Baron even more. Baron Burboom then turned and stared at her. Annie, who stole Mielle’s expression, asked Baron Burboom, with a sweet smile that seemed to melt.

“Would you like to try some of my tarts?”

“Tart… do you mean?”

“It’s baked today, so I’m sure you’ll like it!”

Annie’s eyes glistened. The image was like a little cat, and the Baron of Burboom ended up nodding his head with a light smile.

“Why don’t you go see a play if the meeting ends early? I got a very interesting ticket for the play. My acquaintance said she saw it, and it was so fun that it would come back to her dreams every night. Tomorrow will be fine if you are busy. Even on the next day!”

Baron Burboom’s face, staring at Annie, who was constantly talking to him, suddenly changed from awkwardness to softness because talking like a lark was so cute.

At first, the aim was to hear Aria’s story from her, but after half a year it was pleasant to talk to her.

He thought it might have been because he couldn’t meet other women, as he was too busy raising his own business by mediating between the young businessmen and Aria, but it was because Annie was so cute to make excuses.

Besides, Annie was a good enough woman. No, she was so bright and cheerful and friendly that he felt a little bit too good for himself.

‘Yes, a great figure suits Lady Aria.’

The average man would not be able to handle her because she was unrealistically beautiful and great. Even if he were to receive her heart, he wondered if he would always suffer from an inferiority complex or anxiety.

It was not until the end of his mind that Baron Burboom nodded.

“Anytime is fine. I’d better make time for it.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

Burboom, with his hands resting on Annie’s waist, was about to enter the store with her. Andrew greeted him with a bright face.

“Mr. Baron, I’m here with Mr. Pinonua, whom I told you about last time.”

“Oh, you mean that Pinonua.”

Turning to Andrew’s side, he saw a handsome young man, who was very tall and very noble. Baron Burboom said, cocking his head.

“You’re a little different from what I heard.”

“I couldn’t see him myself, but I only heard about him from someone, so I think there’s a misunderstanding in the middle.”

He heard that apparently, Pinonua had always been confined to a mansion, and at first glance, the line seemed thin and fragile enough to be mistaken for a woman and that he even bothered breathing.

Contrary to such rumors, however, the man who appeared before him was a man who was somehow tall and had a strong body. Moreover, his face with a belligerent smile was a rare handsome man.

There was also a seductive atmosphere, even though he was younger than himself. The thought that he might not be the common person passed through the Baron’s head.

“The rumors seem to have gone strangely round. It’s a remote part of the capital, and it’s probably because I was not very well out. I’m Pinonua Louie.”

Without a moment of hesitation, Asher, who introduced himself as Pinonua Louie, reached out his hand. It was originally the name of Lane’s relative, who should have attended this meeting. He laughed so casually that no one doubted who he was, even though he looked quite different from the rumor.

Moreover, it was after Baron Burboom had already experienced that the reality of Aria had been completely different from the rumors. The Baron of Burboom, who realized that rumors were not reliable, held hands with him and greeted him.

“I see. Distortion of rumors is more common than we think. It’s a pity to hear such a rumor from such a handsome man. You must have had a lot of trouble coming a long way, so let’s get in there.”

Baron Burboom led him in. Annie followed Andrew, pointing out that his suit was too much. So Asher glanced at Annie and Andrew.

“Then I’ll wait in the Office!”

The office of his busy day was Annie’s. At first, Baron Burboom had been bewildered, but now he and the other employees of the store had come to take it for granted. Now Annie could almost be seen as the hostess of the Burboom family.

When Baron Burboom nodded, Annie disappeared into the office. Now she was gone, but the gaze of Asher had long lingered in front of the office

“Any business?”

The face of the inquiring Baron was very serious. Asher, who had a rough idea of their relationship, laughed out of the wind.

“No. I think I’ve seen her a lot. I think it was my mistake.”

“Oh, I’m glad you’re mistaken. Then let’s go.”

They walk a little past the office and went into the conference room. It was a specially adapted conference room for the meeting. Dozens of eyes were immediately turned when Asher and Burboom went inside. At the group which had grown too big to be a small force, Asher swallowed his saliva and looked over the attendees.

‘I didn’t even know they lived in the same empire until early last year. Isn’t it amazing that their eyes are shining?’

The energy was young and healthy and positive. It was also something that was not found in the old aristocrats that had been spoiled and rotted.

So he put their faces on his mind one by one, thinking, “I really want to bring it to my side,” and suddenly he saw a face.

“…!”

The person also stared at him with a look of incredulity, whether she was the same. As soon as Aria was caught into his sight, all the surroundings that had just been well received turned black and white. It felt as if she was alone in the conference room filled with youthful enthusiasm.

Maybe it was because of a long period of time that he hadn’t seen her. He couldn’t control his heart because of his longing. ‘What can I say to someone so beautiful in front of me?’

“… Mr. Pinonua?”

Baron Burboom called on him because they looked at each other without saying anything. Still, Asher couldn’t answer him for a long time.

* * *

‘Why the hell is Asher here?’

Aria stared at him as if she could not believe it.

‘Why is he here at a place where those who have received my investments gather? I don’t remember investing in someone named Asher.’

It was quite a formal occasion to dress up in a plausible dress. His neat hair looked like a young businessman’s appearance.

‘Did she lose a little weight?’

Perhaps it was safe to look like an adult now. Maybe it was because she lost her baby fat on her cheek. He kept glancing at her piercing jawline and nose. Asher and Aria stared at each other in silence, and Baron Burboom, who had shown up with him, finally broke the silence and introduced him.

“I think it’s your first time seeing him. He is Pinonua Louie; the one who will receive the new investment this time. Could you introduce yourself briefly?”

‘Pinonua Louie? Is Asher, Pinonua Louie? It’s not that small family, but only then did the Pinonua family’s son send such a big gift?’