The Villainess turns the Hourglass

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

Even now, it was as such, though they were spending days, being away from each other, and they could not even imagine what it would be like if they stayed together after the wedding ceremony. The only thing they knew for sure was that people around them would get pretty tired.

“I’m sure it must be very good for Lady Aria.”

“Is it? I look forward to it, Mr. Asher.”

Whether she didn’t remember Carin and Violet had carefully chosen the jewelry, she smiled brightly at Asher’s words that they would fit in. Then the servants took out the ornaments Asher had prepared as if waiting for her reaction, and they were slightly different from the other boxes in shape and color.

“… That’s so beautiful.”

“That’s right… you should have shown us this first. I feel like we’ve done the unnecessary work.”

And the ornaments Asher had prepared were so bright and beautiful that Carin and Violet could not complain about it. Whether he had really wanted to turn Aria into a pure-white bride, the jewelry was mostly based on white and transparent diamonds, but each detail was delicate enough to impress.

“… I don’t know if I can say this, but Your Highness the Crown Prince maybe a designer as a side job.”

“That’s right. I’m sure you’ll make it big all along. You’re probably busy with bookings, and can I reserve one, too? I’m going to buy a new headdress.”

At the question of Carin, mixed with mischief and sincerity, Asher replied with a look of apology. “Thank you for your kind words, but I don’t want to make jewelry for women other than Lady Aria, so please understand my mind.”

“… I see …”

“… Ah, yes…”

They were Arya’s mother and grandmother, and if he made an agreeable response, it would be very good… but he firmly refused it. Nevertheless, the reason they did not hate him was that they felt that Asher was hanging on Aria as much.

“Mr. Asher…”

The child they loved and cared about met such a good man, but how could they hate him? Eventually, Violet and Carin, who had reached a positive conclusion, laughed a little at the sight of Aria, who was hitting Asher’s arm with a little embarrassment.

“It was decided, but why don’t you try it?”

“Yes, Aria, I’d like to see you wearing these pretty ornaments. It would be good if my husband and Chloe would see it, but I don’t know what makes them so busy that they go out every day.” Violet sympathized with the two men, saying that they would be sad and regretful to hear that Aria had worn the ornaments, as they returned in the evening.

“I also want to see you wear it.” As he watched, Asher was also pleased and affirmed.

And Aria, too, decided to wear the jewelry and check it, so she nodded and walked toward the ornaments.

However, Violet, who suddenly approached Asher, gave him a bright smile and said him to go out.

“I’m sorry, but Your Highness must leave now.”

“… What do you mean?” When Asher asked, embarrassed, Violet answered, as if it was very natural. “Isn’t it the empire’s tradition not to see the bride until the day of the ceremony? I don’t know the commoners, but I think the nobility is doing it. How sad it would be if Your Highness the Crown Prince of the empire broke the tradition to fill his selfishness, as all of them kept it? I’m sure they’ll be unhappy. You’re not the only one who wants to see a pretty bride quickly.”

“…”

“I remember you said you were here to confirm, and if you did, you should return.” Violet spoke like a quick-speaker, unlike her.

There was such a tradition, but she could not know if everyone kept it, and not even Asher, who had been in the empire all the time didn’t know it. No, he wasn’t even interested in that. Perhaps not only Asher but also everyone was not interested.

‘Nevertheless, why does she say I have to return…? Is it because I firmly refused as I am not intended to make an ornament for a woman other than Aria? Is it an act of small revenge?’ Still, the shock was great.

“That’s right, I think Your Highness should leave now.”

“…”

Asher wondered what to say, because he had not thought of it, and even Carin helped Violet to drive him to the edge.

“Lady Aria…”

Eventually, Asher gave Aria a look of salvation, and before she could answer, Carin answered,

“There’s nothing as unscrupulous as showing piece by piece, and since there are not a few days left, I think it’s better to show him a perfect dress, jewelry, hair, and makeup. When you do that, His Highness will be moved, and if you show him too much at a time, his mind will soon cool down.” Carin, who added so little that Aria could only hear, waved her fan in a casual way.

‘How can I not let Asher out when these two speak so feverishly?’ It was nothing but a little thing to see herself wearing jewelry.

It was not that important. Violet and Carin wanted her to be on their side so much, so there was only one choice. It was a small request that Aria could do before she left the Marquis family of Piast before she had the wedding ceremony.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Asher, but you’ll see it on that day because they say there’s such a tradition.”

Asher looked sorry for her answer, but then he agreed and nodded as if he could not help it. It seemed that he would return like that, but…

“Oh, my God.”

“… Oh, my God!”

He kissed Aria briefly on the cheek as if he couldn’t just go.

“… I’ll see you on the day of the wedding.”

Then he said goodbye to Violet and Carin politely, who had been surprised and covered their mouths, as if nothing had happened, and left the lobby. While remaining, Aria put her hand on the cheek and blushed. Violet and Carin smiled shyly like girls, and they were excited about the story of Asher, who had already gone.

“Who dares to imagine that His Highness the Crown Prince is such a man?”

“… Yes, I’m surprised to hear and see it from time to time.”

Time flew by as quickly as ever until the day of the wedding, with the regret of Asher.

* * *

The wedding of Asher and Aria attended not only the nobles of the empire but also foreign nobles and royals. It was very natural because it was the wedding of the Crown Prince who would be the next Emperor, not the ordinary royal family away from the center of power.

And Aria was the Star of the Empire and the noble of Croa, and even all the nobles of Croa were present because she was known to be a lady of the Marquis family of Piast. They brought a vast amount of gifts to be seen good and Aria, and the servants of the Imperial Castle had to deal with them without a break.

Of course, it had been expected because she had sent an invitation and received a reply, but they had sent too many gifts, so the servants stayed up all night trying to organize even days before the national wedding.

“I’m done with my share, and can I help you?”

“Already? Hans! Your job speed is so fast! Then I’ll ask for the next one!”

“Yes.”

Hans was no exception who was working in the Imperial Castle.

He should have been at the wedding with Jessie, but they couldn’t let him rest as they were so busy. So he was absorbed in his work without showing off his mind and Jessie had to wait on Aria by her side. Of course, serving at the wedding of the Crown Princess was a very glorious experience and it was an honorable place, but it was not as good as blessing her master with her lover.

Aria, dressed by the maids from the Imperial Castle, was wondering about Jessie, who was in between them and being decorated, and asked, “Jessie, isn’t Hans still here?”

“… Yes?”

“I heard Baron Burboom would be arriving soon, but Hans isn’t still here.”

Aria didn’t seem to know that Hans was working in the Imperial Castle. She would never have imagined that Hans, who she had supported so much, would not be able to attend the wedding but organize the presents.

“Jessie?”

Aria asked Jessie carefully, with her eyes wide open, as if she reached an extreme imagination.

“… Don’t tell me, you didn’t break up with him, did you?”

“Oh, no! It can’t be…! How nice of him to me!”