The Villainess turns the Hourglass

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

She seemed to be busy and hurried, but it was so elegant and natural that it was enough to impress the viewers.

‘How can our lady be so elegant?’

“… Most of all, I want to thank you for saving us.”

It was Cain who noticed Aria’s busy meal and spoke first, and he thanked her for her hard work.

“It wasn’t a big deal.”

When she answered that it was not a big deal, Cain’s face darkened, because he realized that she has become so much of a being.

“… Thank you for what you have done for our father. I heard all the explanations, and now that I know all about it, and my position is more than I deserve.”

Mielle, who did not know the circumstances, turned to Cain as if she were asking for an answer, and she was surprised at her situation and did not think of the Count, because she thought Aria had given him any help.

“You are welcome. It’s not me, but you who is going to carry the burden.”

“… But it was all thanks to mother and you.”

But instead of answering, the ongoing thank-you sign went on, and Mielle eventually asked why,

“What is our father doing now? Is he in the mansion?”

She was the one who had put the Count in a terrible situation, so it was strange to ask herself, but Cain explained it kindly,

“Our father is in a… medical facility, because even the mansion of Count Roscent was reverted to the empire, and he has no place to go.”

“… I see, but it’s fortunate.”

Now Mielle knew the situation of the Count, and had a relief as if she thought it was really fortunate. She had thought he had been abandoned after divorce, but now found out that he was OK.

But there was something she still didn’t know, so Aria told her, “Well, my mother and I have nothing but to move him, but you have to pay for all the costs and future costs.”

“… Well, I heard that the Imperial Castle would pay, so I would handle it anyway. Besides, Mielle will soon become an adult.”

So it would cost a lot of money, but he seemed to pay it back with Mielle, for the rest of his life, until the Count was dead.

“Brother, brother, what are you talking about now…? You’re not saying you’re going to pay it back with me, are you?”

When Mielle, who had never imagined that she would do work for her lifetime, asked again with a pale face, but when no answer came, she stood up and raised her voice, “Why, why doesn’t your mother married my father again?”

The words chilled the atmosphere in the dining room. It was because there were several maids who had seen Mrs. Carin go out with a man who had looked like Aria. They had looked quite friendly and sweet.

There was such a man next to her, who was so young and handsome and friendly, and who would remarry the former Count who could hardly move? Besides, he looked so much like Aria that no one could think but her biological father.

Cain didn’t even know Chloe’s identity, but he didn’t say anymore whether he was convinced and understood that she no longer had any reason to look for the former Count.

“What do you mean, brother? I can’t stay away from Annie! Work?” Then Mielle shouted again, and Annie dared to intervene in the conversation, “I’m sorry, Miss, but can I say something?”

If it had been in the past, Aria would have scolded how she dared to intervene as a maid, but now they were all of the same status and Annie was also involved in this conversation, so no one could criticize her.

“Yes, Annie.”

“I’m getting ready to leave the mansion too, so why don’t you take Mielle as a maid instead of me? Anyway, she’s in a position to stay with me and make money.”

When Aria’s permission was given, Annie quickly unraveled what she had prepared. It was also the beginning of the final movement, in which only Aria knew the end. She had waited long for a chance, and it was her goal.

Aria smiled brightly and praised Annie for speaking out what she had ordered to say as if it was her idea.

“That’s a good idea. It’s a good idea that even the former Count, Cain, and Miele can all be happy in the future.”

And it must have been Aria who would be the happiest.

“Well, I…!” Because everyone put a silent pressure on her to become a maid of the mansion, she stammered.

‘How can I say I will do such a vulgar and uncivilized work?’ It was totally unacceptable. But she couldn’t say that because her father, who had been pushed down the stairs and crippled, was taken hostage.

“You can’t stay away from me anyway, so you don’t have a choice, do you? Besides, those who don’t work in this mansion can’t eat. Look at Miss Aria. She’s working till late at night.”

Except for Mrs. Carin, the owner of the mansion, all the servants, as well as Aria, were working. Like the nobility, nothing was created for free because there was no land granted by the country.

In addition, no matter how hard she tried to deny, she had no choice but to work as a maid. Now, Mielle was neither a noble nor a daughter of the noble, just a child and a sinner who was responsible for her sick father without holding anything in her hand.

She had to work even if she didn’t have to stay next to Annie. Since there was no one else to support her education, she had to work with gratitude for the years she had spent. She had to repay the former Count for raising her so beautifully and gracefully.

“… well, it’s…”

‘So, how can I complain any more?’ There was no room for denial because no one else was responsible for her.

“Mielle, don’t worry. I’ll pay you enough. How can I treat you so badly?”

“Sister…”

As Mielle tried to deny it right away because her salary was not an issue, Aria took a sip of the drink and added, “You will have a social experience for the future and get used to it a little bit, for your poor father, who can’t move because he’s sick.”

‘For your father who you had made like that.’ Aria’s eyes were thinning out when she made Mielle recognize the heavy price for her sin again.

“Whenever you feel uncomfortable, let me know. I should do that for you.”

Aria, who had said so, wiped her mouth with a napkin and got up from her seat. I didn’t eat much, but I was about to finish.

“I still have work to do, so I’ll have to finish my meal. Brother, Mielle. I hope you enjoy your meal slowly. I’m not your family now on paper, but I think of you like a family, so just relax and go.”

Mielle reached out to Aria as if she still had something to say, but Aria, who no longer had any reason to be here, quickly turned and left the dining room. And there was silence in the dining room for a while, where Roscent’s brother and sister were left, and a moment later, it was Cain who broke the stillness.

“Mielle, by the look of your face, I know how much you have a grievance, but thank her for her goodwill and humbly accept it.”

“… Brother?”

Mielle stared at Cain with an incredulous look. ‘Why does Cain even ask me to be a maid?’

“… We made our father like that, so we should take care of him. It’s time to face reality. We don’t have any other options anyway.”

Exactly, Mielle had done it, but he could no longer hurt his sister and swallowed his words.

‘What on earth have you heard from the Imperial Castle, and in a short time, you have changed so much.’ Mielle glanced over her brother in disbelief, but felt that he no longer had the will to talk about the topic. So, she tried to say something but dropped her head.

* * *

“Miss, will Mielle really listen to you without any resistance?” Annie, who secretly brought a simple dinner to Aria who had returned to her room, asked her very privately.

Aria replied as if it was natural. “If she says she can’t do it, I’ll have her do it. You’re doing great, so do as I tell you.”