The Villainess turns the Hourglass

Chapter 277: Chapter 277. Extra Story II: Jealousy, Part V
Translator: Khan

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

“… So, His Majesty Franz Homukiden, the first Emperor, unified the world and established an empire, created the law of the country, and achieved the unity of the nobility, and the second Emperor…”

Still, as she did not intend to give up or throw away, she slowly memorized the names of the royal family and asked questions from time to time. It really seemed incomprehensible why such rumors had circulated in the past.

It must have been the same for the aristocrat that taught Aria history, but his eyes were tender, even though she must have performed slower than other nobles he had taught.

She looked totally different from himself, who had fled every day while fighting with his tutor in his childhood, even though it was he who had grown up to be a real nobleman

“Yes, you did very well.”

“Isn’t it slow? I’m a little slow in memorizing…”

“Well, you’re a little slow, but you certainly remember what you learned once, and I can’t just say it’s slow.”

Aria smiled relievedly at the remark. Aria took another thirty minutes of history class and put down the book in her hands only after finishing the set amount.

“Did His Highness send you to me again?” Then she asked Lane, who watched the class from a distance.

He hesitated to answer because it was so conscience-stricken figure, but he soon regained his composure, thinking that he had no chance but now.

* * *

“His Highness Asterope has barred outsiders from entering so that Her Highness the Crown Princess can concentrate on her studies. Now you just need to relax and concentrate on your studies.”

Aria, who recalled Lane who left with a smile, entered the dining room with a little frowning.

“Good evening.” As usual, Asher who had arrived first welcomed Aria with a smile. It was with a happy smile that he finally met her.

“You came quickly.”

“I can’t make you wait for my Crown Princess.”

As he answered, he kissed Aria on the cheek and took out the chair himself. It was the job of the servant, but it was always the case, so no one thought it strange. As soon as Aria sat down, Asher returned to his seat. It was the beginning of the dinner.

“I heard you banned visitors.”

As soon as the servants served the pre-dinner drink, Aria asked Asher. Lane had been talking for a long time, so it was nothing to hide. Asher also brought up the prearranged answers, reminding him of what Lane had said.

“Yes. I heard that the Crown Princess is concentrating hard on learning, and I can’t let the useless visitors interrupt your focus.”

“Not that much. It’s not necessary to ban all of them.”

“You are the Crown Princess, so you don’t have to curry favor with the nobles. You can say that you’re okay now, but I’m sure you’ll be bothered later.”

‘Does Asher really think that I am short of knowledge? Maybe that’s why he banned the visitors until I master all the duties of the Crown Princess.’ Suddenly Lane’s advice came to her mind. ‘He couldn’t say it, but does he actually feel ashamed of myself for not yet perfecting the manners…?’

Aria, who thought so, soon furrowed her forehead as if it were strange, for it couldn’t have been. Others might do that, but Asher could never have done it. Just by looking at his face she encountered every day, she could know that much.

“Your Highness must be busy… why did you care about such a trifle?”

“It’s not a trifle. There is no little thing that is related to the Crown Princess. It’s all important.”

“…”

She could know from the look on his face as he answered with sincerity.

‘How can such sweet and kind-hearted Asher think such a profane idea? So did he really ban them with pure intent? Did he really do that to help me study?’

Upon reaching that conclusion, she could no longer refute what he had done. It just occurred to her that she should study harder than now and repay his heart.

“Thank you, Mr. Asher.”

“No, please don’t overdo it. The Crown Princess is the most important to me in the world.”

So Asher wished that she would not overdo it, not study hard, and not mix with people and not get much love from them. Contrary to his wishes, and as Lane had planned a minor prank, Aria devoted herself to studying day and night.

“… Have you already memorized all this? Have you been up all night?”

“Oh, my God, how did you learn the etiquette of the Imperial family so quickly…?”

“Are you going to study a foreign language? Now…?”

The nobles, who taught her were surprised.

“Did you hear that Her Highness the Crown Princess is engrossed in her studies?”

“Yes! I heard that! She’s already learned enough, but she’s been studying day and night, saying she wants to help His Highness.”

“That’s right! She even started to learn a foreign language because she wanted to know more about distant foreign countries now!”

“How amazing…!”

“When I heard the rumor, I honestly didn’t realize it, but I think she’s even better as I serve her.”

“I agree! Her Highness the Crown Princess must be having a hard time studying, so I’ll have to bring her a sweet dessert!”

“What are you talking about? I’m the one in charge.”

The servants who followed her were astounded.

“… The Crown Princess didn’t even sleep last night.” As he put down his pen, Asher said with a sigh. He looked really sad and miserable. She seemed to study day and night, as the servants said.

While watching this, Lane swallowed his laughter which was about to burst out and answered back calmly, “If it is that much, you would be worrying a bit.”

“Of course. It’s not just about worrying… the Crown Princess doesn’t look at me at night.”

‘It’s time to enjoy their honeymoon, but she doesn’t even look at him at night.’ There was nothing the Crown Prince directly mentioned, but it was a lament that meant a lot.

“I don’t understand why she’s working so hard.”

“Have you shared the conversation?”

“Well, every time I did that, she just said she wanted to do her duty as the Crown Princess as soon as possible.”

“…”

‘How is it going to be so fun?’ Lane clenched his fist at two people who were more willing than he thought, so he wanted to dance for joy. ‘Shall I tell the truth now? No, it would be better to solve the problem since I would certainly be in trouble later.’

But if he thought about it, it would not be too bad to make the Crown Prince feel anxious for a few more days. As he suddenly felt a strange look and came to his senses, Asher was staring at him.

“What makes you so worried?”

“… Yeah? Ah… I was thinking about how to handle this.”

“Really? Did you come up with any solution?”

“Oh, no, not yet… Shall I meet the Crown Princess?”

“…”

At the question, Asher’s eyes narrowed again. Due to his experience and instinct in the meanwhile, Lane recognized what it was. It was evident that Asher was doubtful. It was dangerous.

“Yes, good. I can hear the news of the Crown Princess even though I’m busy. Find out.”

However, the warning, which sounded dangerous to him, disappeared as Asher had just relaxed his face and expressed his trust. ‘To which tune do I have to dance?’ Of course, it was a dangerous situation because it was true that he was suspected. He needed to resolve it quickly and he left Asher’s office to visit Aria, who was studying hard.

“You’re here today again.”

Perhaps the class was over, so Lane could meet Aria, who was just covering the book. Now that his visit was part of everyday life, she greeted him naturally.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Please do it.”

The nobleman who had taught Aria had already bowed and left. Having found no one around except for a few distant wait-and-see maids, Lane insisted that she would stop concentrating on studying and neglecting Asher.

“What do you mean? Didn’t you say Mr. Asher wanted you to see me if I had any problems and if I was doing well? You checked me every hour and you’ve reported that to him.”

“That’s true. However, I think it’s going to be okay now.”

“What do you mean that I’m okay now?”

‘Because Asher has been in enough trouble until now, and I think I’ll get caught.’

There was no worse than being caught and finished. It was necessary to disguise himself as if he had quickly cemented the relationship between the two.

“I mean, you’ve become such a great lady that His Highness Asterope wouldn’t worry about. So that’s enough…”