Editor Group: Liber Reverie
“I can’t help it. I’ll tell you later.”
“Sister, you must be very free.”
Mielle, with the atmosphere on her back, said, looking suspiciously at her. The sharpness of her speech drew a moment’s attention to Mielle. The Countess had a face that she wanted to scold her.
‘You have got everything with just your natural status.’ In the past, she might have thrown a fork at her thinking so, but not anymore. Now she had the great things in her hand that stupid Mielle would never have in her life.
* * *
“What the hell are you thinking? How do you expect to attend such a place? Can’t you see everyone’s upset?” asked the Countess, who followed her into the room from the meal. She raised her voice as if she could not understand Aria’s behavior. She must have thought Arya set a fire in this mess now.
Aria, who closed her door and looked sideways, turned to the Countess with a serious look.
“Mother, don’t worry.”
“… Aria?”
“I’m sure it’s not a bad choice.”
No, the Count’s attitude would change. Mielle would no longer be able to belittle herself.
‘Maybe she’ll try to use me as her own.’
By chance, she only cooperated with the Crown Prince, as an investor, in creating the academy, while Aria’s forces themselves remained neutral. Although the political approach had been blocked up by Baron Burboom, the situation would be different after revealing her identity.
‘Of course, I’ll take Mr. Asher’s side.’
* * *
“You’re so beautiful today, Miss. It’s been a long time since you’ve decorated yourself like this, so you look like an angel.”
Aria, who gave a glance to Jessie, who said the obvious thing, looked at her through a mirror. Prearranged dresses and ornaments for today showed off all the splendor, blending with the more brilliant Aria’s appearance, naturally melted. Mielle with elegant beauty and Isis with clear and beautiful appearance were difficult to digest.
She had always been, but she was confident that she would not lose out to anyone as much as she looked. As Mielle with her status, she might have survived for more than twenty years in the past thanks to her born appearance.
‘If it weren’t for this weapon, I would have been murdered by Mielle before I turned twenty.’
No one would have loved a prostitute’s daughter, who had a nasty personality and nothing to catch their eye. Fortunately, however, she was born with an unparalleled appearance and now a self-made woman, so she had nothing to obstruct her.
Aria, smiling at herself satisfactorily in a mirror, took Jessie and Annie, who were as beautifully decorated as she was, to the completion ceremony of the academy she invested.
“… I still don’t understand why you’re going here.”
The Countess, who accompanied her alone, said. Her face was still covered with dark clouds. But that dark face must soon contain surprise and joy, so Aria seized her mother’s hand. Even though the Count was sure to be offended, she thanked her mother for attending this uncomfortable occasion for her daughter.
“Just wait a little while and you’ll know.”
The academy was located near the Imperial Castle, so they arrived quickly without much time to talk about it. Perhaps they wanted to show off the work of the Crown Prince, but at a glance, she could see a splendid building.
“… my god. I feel like it was part of the Imperial Castle.”
The Countess got off from the carriage was amazed. Aria also struggled to pretend to be calm because she did not see the middle course and faced only the magnificent results.
‘To have completed such a great building in a short period of time, I’m sure he’s invested enough money.’
She looked around admiringly, and there were quite a few people gathered since the start of the ceremony was not long. The aristocrats in fine dress, as well as the commoners in plain clothes, were occasionally seen.
“You’re here.”
Maybe he was waiting, but the Baron of Burboom who found Aria hurried to meet her. When he saw the breathtaking Aria, he could not speak for a moment, but soon came to his senses and introduced himself, and escorted the two. The Countess, who had never dreamed that Aria would have built a personal network outside, asked her, covering her mouth with a fan,
“Who is it?”
“I’ve known him because of my business.”
It wasn’t just the countess who was surprised by her answer. Baron Burboom, who had been careful all the time, was surprised to hear the word “business.”
“… business?”
“I’ve been bored and invested a little. It’s not a big investment, it’s a little bit of a hobby.”
The Countess accepted that she had invested a small amount of money in her hobby and had known the Baron of Burboom, as she said, and soon moved on with her steps. She seemed to think little of Aria because she had no expectations of her.
Annie, who knew the situation, smiled unintentionally, and Jessie, who was not familiar with it, cocked her head. Baron Burboom, who hastened to Aria, who walked ahead, asked carefully in a small voice that only she could hear,
“What are you thinking…?”
“What?”
“No, that’s…”
As he got closer, the scent of enchanting perfume came from Aria. Knowing that it was the perfume of some of the entrepreneurs, his heart pounded hard and his face blushed. When the Countess, who had been watching this, she gave him a warning by folding her fan loudly.
“Mr. Baron, our Aria is still young.”
She didn’t like to see him, as Baron dashed to Aria. Annie’s eyes also turned fierce. So Baron Burboom tried to make an excuse, but it was thwarted by a woman named Aria.
“Aria!”
“Sarah? Even the Marquis…!”
She thought they would be busy and couldn’t come, but Sarah, who had received the letter, attended and greeted Aria with a bright smile,
“It’s been a long time. Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes, thank you for taking the time when you are busy.”
The shy smile of Aria, who answered so, made Sarah stroke her soft hair a few times. It was a careful touch as if she was dealing with a precious child.
“I’m glad I had time. The Marquis said he was curious about it, so we came together.”
‘Sarah must be worried.’
After greeting the Countess gently, they followed the instructions of the Baron of Burboom. The large hall, built next to the main hall, was occupied in advance by nobles who had ties to the Crown Prince.
When they saw the Marquis of Vincent first, their eyes widened, and then they opened their mouths to see Aria sitting behind them. It was the same for those who knew or who didn’t know who she was.
They looked puzzled as to how to respond to her excessive beauty. Then they realized that their gaze was disrespectful, and turned their heads as if to look away.
“Lady Sarah is always full of grace.”
“That’s too much, ma’am. Madam is still beautiful and I’m afraid I’ll be compared.”
Unlike the simple engagement she had held earlier this year, the Countess did not hesitate to praise Aria’s lovely friend, who would be formally married next year and become the Marquise.
Leaving them behind, Aria found traces of Asher. He said he’d pass all the accomplishments over, but the letter said he’d meet her today, so he must have arrived.
But as the wait was getting longer and the ceremony was about to begin, Asher did not show up. Baron Burboom was also nervous, questioning him for not appearing,
“We are in big trouble. Pinonua Louie was going to make the opening speech.”
Neither Aria nor Asher were able to identify themselves, so the face of Burboom, who had prepared for the ceremony, turned blue instead.
‘Don’t tell me, the real Pinonua Louie is showing up.’
At that time, Aria was also about to become nervous as she thought it would not be possible but he did not show up.
“Oh? He’s here!”
From somewhere Asher showed up, he strolled up the stairs. Baron Burboom, who managed to sweep his chest out of concern, shrugged his head and blurted his end of his speech, as if he realized he was different.
“But why is he dressed up like that…?”
It was an unusual suit, embroidered in gold, white suits. The brooch on his chest was a royal seal with tulips as its source. It could not be worn by anyone other than the royal family. Burboom’s expression at the sight of it turned sour.
“Miss! That’s the one I saw last time at the baron’s shop!”
The completion ceremony began after everyone bowed to the Crown Prince’s authority, and after he examined each of the faces of the VIPs and checked his force.
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