The Villainess Reverses the Hourglass

Chapter 26. Oscar Frederick, Part III

Translator: Khan

Editor: SootyOwl

Cain's cheeks were slightly red as he resumed his meal with a stiff expression, as if he had been charmed. It was very natural that he'd be like his father, who had no idea of what was important and was fascinated by a prostitute.

'Because, since the very beginning, your family has always been dirty and ugly.'

The wicked woman who had killed the wicked woman was not a saint, but a simple victor who has been given the opportunity to carry out her evil deeds. It was not right for someone of the same filth to pretend to be more holy.

So, the mask had to be removed. That way, they could show their ugly faces once and for all, fairly and openly. In the past, Aria had done so, now Mielle. They would take turns to reveal themselves.

It was a short time, but Cain's hands when they cut the meat did so roughly, as if he were thinking that looking at Aria had been disgraceful. Aria felt sorry for him, who had already lost his strength even though there would be a lot to do in the future.

Once the dining hall had fallen silent again, Aria neatly emptied the green tea ice cream topped with mint leaves and, appearing very curious, asked Oscar a question just before the meal had ended.

"How did you take such a long trip when you must be busy during the semester?"

That was a question to prevent them from having their own time.

To answer the question, he would have to keep telling the story even after the meal had ended, and if he were to leave the table, Aria would have to accompany him. Either way, it was a good chance for Aria to see Mielle's distorted face. Mielle's poisonous face would certainly have a negative impact on Oscar.

Oscar raised his hand to order the maid to bring some warm tea and answered Aria's question, "I was becoming frustrated with being confined to my dorm, so I was glad to say yes when Cain asked me if I wanted to go out."

"That's a long way out."

"That's right. I didn't expect it to be this far out."

He seemed to criticize Cain, who had brought him to such a faraway place. Cain, seated next to him, shrugged.

Aria thought he wouldn't involve himself in the conversation, but she guessed he wouldn't sit still if Oscar kept mentioning him. Cain kept a stiff look on his face and read his sister's demeanor.

"Did you accompany him without even knowing the destination?"

"Yes, I can say that."

"I see. You must be very close to my brother since you accompanied him without asking."

'Oh, yes. He didn't come to see you, Mielle.'

Aria gave Mielle a bright smile. Mielle also smiled brightly, but it was heartbreaking to see her hiding her trembling hands under the table, apparently unable to restrain herself except for her face.

While sitting next to her, Mielle's trembling hands were completely visible to Aria. Unable to hide them anywhere, Mielle closed her eyes tightly and bit her lip.

'If I bother you more than this, you'll go wrong.'

Aria stopped when she made Mielle feel uneasy by stabbing at just the right place.

"I hope you'll get a good rest. If there's anything I can do to help, just tell me."

Aria, who wiped away her bewildering smile, recreated a bright, regular face that was likely to be made by a young girl of her age. Oscar, who had been distracted by Aria's strange atmosphere, finally came to his senses and nodded.

The tea for four was ready, so the time Aria would part, which Mielle longed for, became a little more distant. After taking a sip of the warm green tea, she thanked Oscar sweetly, apparently because she thought she had little time left so she should look as pleasant as possible to him.

"Thank you very much for the dress you sent me. It's so pretty that it's my first time wearing it."

"You look good."

"I'd like to give you a dress in return, but I don't know which one you'd like."

Mielle blushed shyly and said, "With me… No." She couldn't bring herself to say the last words she wanted to say. Oscar, unable to grasp her intention, cocked his head.

Cain, who noticed this, asked her sister, "Why don't you go shopping together? There's plenty of time. The time has come for me to buy clothes too."

In fact, it was Aria who needed clothes the most. That was because she was the only one wearing simple clothes made of cheap fabric among them, who were dressed in fancy and luxurious clothes.

It was hard to think that she was a noble lady since she looked like the daughter of a commoner at best. However, as if he hadn't noticed her outfit, Cain urged Oscar to go shopping for new clothes, but Oscar looked down at his fine clothes and shook his head.

"No, I've got someone to take care of my clothes. In the academy, I don't even need plain clothes. If you really need them, you, brother and sister, had better go quickly."

Mielle blinked quickly and brought a cup of tea to her mouth, apparently not realizing she would be rejected. She did that to conceal her trembling lips.

Aria smiled pleasantly as she watched Mielle's plan be destroyed even though Aria had not done anything.

"… No, I'll have to decline then. I can't leave my guest alone."

"I'm not alone. Lady Aria is here."

Clatter!

The cup of tea held by Mielle fell loudly on the saucer.

'Why do you mention Aria?'

Her widened pupils looked at him with astonishment, almost as if in resentment.

Of all occasions, whether it was unfortunate or fortunate, he couldn't see her ugly face because he was looking at Aria, not Mielle, and because of that, Cain, who came to face his sister's devilish appearance, could not hide his astonished face.

"I don't have the talent to entertain you, but I'll do my best not to inconvenience you."

"Don't worry. I'm tired from riding in a carriage all night, so I can take a nap."

It was time for Mielle to say she would not go out. She had offered to go out to buy clothes with Oscar, but since he wasn't going, she had no reason to go. And her brother, Cain, had to help her by saying, "I have a lot of decent clothes, come to think of it." Otherwise, Aria and Oscar would be left alone in the mansion.

Numerous maids and servants were guarding the mansion, but their eyes and ears were nothing but an illusion that they could not see and could not hear. Of course, the allowances were different depending on their master, but the moment they opened their mouths even slightly to say something, in the worst case, their life would disappear.

"You'd better get some rest then. It'll be tough if you are going back again tomorrow."

"Thank you, lady."

Aria said before her half brother and sister had even mentioned that they would stay in the mansion. Oscar, who accepted the offer, stood up first, saying, "Excuse me." Aria, too, got up from her seat because she did not want to get caught between her half brother and sister without him.

Mielle and Cain, who had missed the timing to decline their outing, got up late. After finishing all of that work, Aria said goodbye to him elegantly like a butterfly and went back to her room without regret.

As soon as the door closed, she grasped the hem of her skirt with her fingertips and expressed that day's joy by dancing lightly.

'I can't help but dance on a happy day.'

Aria, who was humming and moving like a butterfly, soon fell down on her bed, and Jessie, who was waiting awkwardly in front of the door, opened her mouth carefully and asked, "What do you want me to do with the handkerchief that you mentioned?"

"Give me that."

It was the handkerchief she had prepared just in case. It was the handkerchief beautifully embroidered with a golden rose. It had been made just in case Mielle, as stupid as she had been in the past, tricked him by giving him a handkerchief embroidered by another.

So, Aria, like her, decided to put the handkerchief in her sleeve to prepare for the event. It was easier for her to keep it in her sleeve because Jessie wouldn't be able to be with her at every important moment.