The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 154

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 154

Zikren suddenly walked up in front of us and said.

“I report to Her Majesty the Empress. As a result of confirmation, there were no problems with security whatsoever. Aristina, don’t disturb Mother any further and let’s leave quickly.”

Then he grabbed my arm firmly, and without giving anyone a chance to say anything, immediately dragged me out of there.

After passing through the corridor and coming outside the pavilion mansion, Zikren finally let go of my arm. However, his rigidly hardened face still hadn’t relaxed.

From behind the building, I could hear people passing by and chattering.

“Did you hear? It seems the Empress has drawn her sword this time. Since everyone’s gathering in one place for the festival, she’s determined to choose at least one candidate for Crown Princess or Prince’s consort.”

“Really?”

The Imperial Palace truly is a frightening place. They said it would proceed quietly, but the rumors have already spread everywhere.

While having such thoughts, hearing the words “Prince’s consort” suddenly brought a scene from old memories to mind.

A childhood memory of Zikren, who was now standing in front of me, proposing to become his consort.

Zikren seemed to have recalled that memory too.

We inadvertently met each other’s gaze and then turned away simultaneously.

After a moment of awkwardness passed.

“Really, what Prince’s consort.”

Zikren got angry by himself.

“So that’s why she told us to bring you? What does that make me in the middle of this?”

Then he said to me.

“It might seem like I conspired with Mother to bring you here, but absolutely not. My brother and I already told her. That you’re not the same Aristina from before. That you’d run away the moment we even mention Crown Princess or Prince’s consort.”

“…”

“We just started getting along and were finally able to spend time together somewhat comfortably, but we said it would only make things awkward between us for no reason. Yet she didn’t listen to us and insisted on bringing up that topic with you.”

As if recalling what just happened, Zikren’s face turned red and blue.

“In the end, what we said was right, wasn’t it? You were very uncomfortable and troubled just as we predicted. Yet she still forcibly used her authority to make that request! Calling it a request when it’s no different from an order? Even if she is my mother…”

He swallowed his words and sighed.

“Anyway, I had absolutely no intention of putting you in a difficult position. I’ll apologize on her behalf.”

“…”

That’s not it. Zikren was having a huge misunderstanding right now. It would be fortunate if it were just a misunderstanding. He clearly looked hurt.

I opened my mouth to explain.

“No, I…”

“Forget it. Let’s not talk about this matter anymore.”

“That’s not it. We need to clarify what needs to be clarified before moving on.”

Either way, I didn’t want him to be hurt. So I spoke clearly.

“You seem to have some misconception, but earlier I didn’t even let my thoughts extend to Crown Princess or Prince’s consort. I was just…”

What would be good to say?

That I don’t like someone peering into my soul? That would look too suspicious. The safest option is still to act pitiful.

“I was scared.”

I said while drooping my eyebrows downward.

“I don’t know why, but I suddenly became very frightened. It suddenly felt like someone was scolding me harshly.”

“What?”

Zikren’s expression changed.

“Why on earth?”

“The reason is obvious. I already tried to steal the Amaranthia flower twice before. So I guess that’s why. When I tried to tell the truth like that in front of the Empress, it felt so disrespectful, and I was so scared that cold sweat was pouring out… That’s when you came in and helped me.”

I looked at Zikren and said.

“Anyway, that was entirely my problem. It has nothing to do with you or your brother.”

“…”

Zikren became quiet.

It seems the misunderstanding has finally been cleared up. His face, which had been somewhat sullenly avoiding my gaze, finally regained its original vitality.

“What? It wasn’t because of me?”

His pupils became vertically elongated.

“I almost got hurt without knowing that. I’ve been trying hard to be good to you all this time, but I thought you still disliked me and found me repulsive.”

“How foolish. If that were the case, would I have bought you chocolate? Do you know how much that costs per cup? There’s even a saying that where money goes, the heart follows.”

“That’s true, but…”

Zikren seemed embarrassed and turned his gaze to look elsewhere.

“I never expected it was for that reason. I misunderstood even more because Mother kept you there for so long.”

“Ah, that wasn’t the only thing she talked about. There was an important discussion before that. A security-related matter.”

“Ah. That story again?”

Since Zikren didn’t seem to take it very seriously, I emphasized once more.

“You shouldn’t just get distracted watching sword duels either, it would be good to stay somewhat alert, right? All sorts of things happen at knight tournaments. There’s no harm in being careful.”

When I spoke seriously, Zikren looked at me for a moment.

Then I heard footsteps from behind.

Deliberately loud footsteps as if meant to be heard. It wasn’t unfamiliar.

‘Aldensis?’

When I turned around, I was right. I greeted him.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Princess.”

Aldensis received my greeting and said.

“I went to see Mother and roughly heard what just happened. You said the Princess was very troubled after hearing Mother’s request? It’s fine now. I just cleanly resolved it and am on my way back.”

“Pardon?”

“You resolved it?”

Both I and Zikren were surprised.

“Of course I understand that deciding on my fiancée is very important. But I don’t think it’s right if someone becomes troubled because of it.”

Aldensis said calmly.

“Unlike how you enjoyed watching the festival recently, I still feel a cold wall in the Princess’s attitude toward this matter… But what can I do? I’d rather receive such cold treatment than see you troubled.”

No, I take back calling him composed.

The corners of his eyes were trembling. Even so, he was trying to act as if nothing was wrong.

Aldensis was also hurt like his younger brother.

‘Oh dear…’

I felt indescribable.

Even though his feelings must have been hurt, he was still being considerate of me. To think that Aldensis would show such a mature side.

‘But it’s a misunderstanding. I wasn’t trying to hurt them like this.’

To clear up the misunderstanding, I opened my mouth.

“You’re thinking this, right? ‘What’s so difficult about drawing one pattern with paint that she’d refuse? Is she perhaps scared of winning the lottery to become Crown Princess or Prince’s consort against slim odds, so she’s being cautious? How much must she dislike us brothers to tremble like that?'”

Since I pointed out their psychology very accurately, Aldensis’s face became even paler.

I quickly spoke before he could be more shocked.

“But none of that is true. Actually, I was just too scared earlier.”

“You were scared?”

“She said it felt like someone was scolding Aristina.”

At Zikren’s additional explanation, Aldensis’s expression changed. What kind of talk is this? That kind of face.

I said to Aldensis.

“Your Highness knows well too. What I tried to do with the Amaranthia flower twice already.”

“Ah…”

He finally understood.

“Now I see. That was the problem? Indeed, you would have frozen up in that situation.”

His face, which had been trembling slightly, returned to normal. It really must have been hurtful.

I looked at him for a moment and asked.

“But what do you mean by cleanly resolved?”

“Ah, I pretended it was an accident and broke the bottle.”

What?

At Aldensis’s answer, we were surprised once again. Zikren opened his eyes wide and asked back.

“You broke it? Really?”

“There will probably be another chance anyway.”

Aldensis replied nonchalantly.

“Mother didn’t say anything either. Because my acting was natural.”

“Not a chance.”

Zikren shook his head back and forth.

“Brother doesn’t know how clumsy his own acting is. Mother was probably too dumbfounded to say anything. In the first place, when she told you about that matter, it probably wasn’t meant for you to solve the problem that way, right? You’d better go back quickly and fix things.”

“I suppose I should.”

I also chimed in with a comment.

Still, it seemed like things had passed by harmoniously enough.

Just as I was thinking that.

From across the garden where we were standing, some people were also walking over, laughing cheerfully in a harmonious atmosphere.

It was a group of young Noble Ladies.

‘What? Why are they so excited?’

I was about to turn my gaze away when the person in the center caught my eye.

A tall, black-haired man wearing ceremonial robes decorated with golden embroidery.

I opened my eyes wide in surprise.

‘That’s Ruellian!’

The High Priest of the Holy Order was walking over surrounded by women.

It wasn’t his usual appearance of maintaining distance and responding appropriately.

He was giving each of those Young Ladies a flower while having intimate conversations with them.

‘What the hell?’

Hadn’t he said he was busy making countermeasures in preparation for the fake thief’s attack?

Did he suddenly decide to give up everything and meet a good woman to start a family or something?

As I stared in disbelief, he soon spotted me too. Then his expression hardened completely.

“…?”

While he was having a grand time mingling with women.

He looked incredulous seeing me chatting with Aldensis and Zikren instead.

I was truly dumbfounded.

‘What is this? This is the pot calling the kettle black.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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