The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 33

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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 33

3. How to Safely Hold the Leash of a Dangerous Beast

Green grass fields are visible between the lush flowering trees on all sides. At first glance, it’s a landscape that makes you mistake this place for being in the middle of a meadow.

Such a vast garden in the capital city center. As a commoner, when I see something like this, I inevitably…

‘How much would each square foot cost?’

Rather than admiring the scenery, I find myself calculating land prices first.

It’s a moment when I once again realize the wealth of the Duke’s family.

A table shaded by refreshing greenery. The symphony orchestra’s performance softly echoing. A luxury tea pot set with blue roses engraved on a pure white base. Tea foods that are each like delicate works of art.

“Young Lady.”

The white-haired Head Butler approached and poured tea for me. Listening to the sound of tea water trickling down, I looked across the table.

What is Duke Carnel’s outfit today?

His platinum hair is tied tightly so not a single strand escapes, and his shirt sleeves are secured with sleeve garters to prevent them from sliding down.

-I came out in the middle of busy work.

He seems to be saying that with his whole body.

He opened his mouth while lifting his teacup.

“Instead of going shopping as usual. What’s this about tea time?”

“Just, you know. To talk about this and that, about life…”

“Talk about life or talk about death? Speak clearly. How much do you need?”

“It’s not about money, Father.”

Bleak. So bleak. The atmosphere of this tea time was drier than a desert, making me feel as if my skin was cracking.

‘But this is something at least.’

I just tentatively suggested having tea, but surprisingly got immediate approval. Perhaps it’s the aftereffect of being in a slightly good mood because of the Imperial contract.

Anyway, it’s fortunate. The abundant greenery around us. Classical music. Warm tea with a deep, spreading fragrance.

All of this will help Duke Carnel receive my words in a more stable atmosphere. After all, it’s a story that might startle him in advance.

I’m taking such good care of the Duke’s health like this.

“What a plot twist that you didn’t call me for money. Then what is it?”

“Actually, after the Imperial contract commemoration ceremony ended last time, I briefly met His Highness the Second Prince…”

Since I said I’d provide treasure for catching the thief, I need to prepare quickly. While I’m at it, it would be good to meet Ruellian too, so preferably with treasure related to religion.

That’s exactly why I requested this meeting today. Looking at my tiger-like father, I spoke in a calm tone.

“I think I need to enter our family’s treasure vault once.”

“…!”

Duke Carnel spat out his tea.

Oh, was tea time a misjudgment after all?

I thought that for a moment. But still, perhaps thanks to the greenery and classical music, the Duke quickly regained his composure.

“Unfortunately, Aristina. Our family’s treasure vault is a restricted area for you. Didn’t you already receive an entry prohibition order 7 years ago?”

“That’s why I brought up His Highness the Second Prince first. Please look at this.”

I unfolded the paper I had brought.

To Duke Carnel.

Please cooperate as my daughter is performing official duties.

-Siegfried Valcarde-

Seeing the large letters written in the Second Prince’s own handwriting, the Duke’s complexion changed.

I’m glad I asked Zikren to write just one official document just in case.

“The Imperial Court is asking to borrow just one treasure from our family. Of course, it’s not confiscation but actual lending. Since I need to choose what would be appropriate, please temporarily lift the access prohibition order.”

“Hmm…”

The Duke answered as if he had no choice.

“Understood.”

Mission successful.

This way, I was able to gain access to the Rosen family’s treasure vault.

The location is next to the family mausoleum in the back garden. Following Duke Carnel, a magnificent arched door engraved with rose patterns appeared.

It’s a door made of gold and wood where the traces of time can be felt completely.

“First, pay your respects to the ancestors.”

The Duke said this while inserting a key into the door. The heavy door opened by itself, revealing all sorts of brilliant objects.

‘Ah.’

Upon discovering the enormous treasure that first overwhelmed my vision, I hastily averted my gaze. It was because a dark history came to mind.

‘That was the first family head’s trading ship, right?’

At the entrance of the treasure vault, a large ship with sails was displayed.

The Habarion.

This ship has a sad story.

It’s said that every noble family in the Empire has a test to prove successor qualifications…

This ship was exactly that test question. The lucky trading ship that earned the first head of the Rosen family the seed money to buy real estate.

Only by wearing the first family head’s necklace around your neck and successfully floating this ship on water could you be recognized as a successor.

But…

“I, Aristina Bianca Rosen, seek recognition as the successor of the Rosen family before the ancestral spirits!”

The moment 17-year-old Aristina made that declaration, the ship demonstratively sank into the water with a gurgle.

‘Ugh…’

As the shame from that time came flooding back, I hurriedly grabbed onto the display case in front of me.

“Do you like that? The emerald wine cup made by the Imperial craftsman Rapito 300 years ago?”

“Oh, no.”

I hastily came to my senses and let go.

“Wine cups won’t do. Because of the incident with Serene last time, wine cups hold painful memories…”

Not something like that. Isn’t there a treasure I could show to the head of the Holy Order to seek advice? Where are the sacred objects?

‘Is it here?’

In a room where the walls were full of religious paintings, I stopped walking.

‘Paintings are too big, so they’d be hard to steal…’

While considering the thief’s convenience and looking around, something suddenly caught my eye.

Among the displayed sacred objects, a glass box covered with cloth. I pointed at it.

“What’s that?”

“…!”

Duke Carnel flinched.

“Please calm down. I said it’s lending, not confiscation.”

“That’s not it…”

He quickly went over and removed the cloth.

“This is serious. I completely forgot.”

A unique treasure revealed itself.

It was a crown made of transparent crystal. The appearance of snow crystals hanging from the ends of icicle-like pointed shapes was so intricate and beautiful it was breathtaking.

But for some reason, the center had turned completely black.

“Did it rust perhaps?”

“No.”

The Duke replied while picking up the glass box.

“This is the ice crown that Saint Agneta, who was from our family, wore on her head. It’s a treasure of incalculable value, but it’s been contaminated by worldly energy. It needs to be purified by visiting the Order once every 33 years, but I forgot because I was so busy.”

Ah. Then nothing could be more appropriate than this. I quickly said.

“I’ll take this one.”

“Alright.”

The Duke readily agreed.

But he just agreed.

“Father? You need to give me this crown. It’s okay. I’m just borrowing it for a while.”

“I know. I understand with my head, but this damn body…”

“You absolutely cannot bring yourself to hand over treasure to me in your right mind. But you have to purify it anyway.”

“…Right.”

The Duke finally moved his hands to open the glass box and put the crown in a sealed container before handing it to me.

We came back up to the upper floor.

“Right. You’re correct. We need to purify it anyway. However, I’ll go with you to the Holy Order. It’s about time for my pilgrimage anyway.”

Oh, that works out well.

If the Duke has a conversation with Ruellian, I can focus solely on observing his reactions.

“Thank you, Father!”

I spoke with a bright smile, then paused.

I noticed someone walking toward us from the opposite direction.

A pale face. Long hair loosely tied to one side. Neat formal attire.

“Chief Aide, about the construction issue you mentioned last time.”

A young woman whom the employees eagerly approached to speak with.

She was none other than Eunice, who assisted the sickly Duke and managed affairs both inside and outside the manor.

Warning lights flashed in my head.

‘She has the Duke’s family completely under her control.’

Of course she does, being the chief aide. But ever since I discovered she had been secretly observing me while hiding her identity, everything about her seemed suspicious.

‘Eunice can find out my entire schedule. Every action I take inside the manor too. So it wouldn’t hurt to be careful.’

After responding to the employees, she walked straight toward us. Her gaze directed toward the sealed box in my arms.

“Duke, have you been to the treasure vault?”

“Ah…”

“There was something I needed to do there.”

I quickly interjected. While pretending otherwise, I was observing very carefully, so I didn’t miss the subtle change in Eunice’s expression at that moment.

‘She doesn’t like that something is happening without her knowledge?’

That must be it. Because nothing like this had happened before.

“Yes, I see.”

Eunice responded professionally without showing any emotion. I asked her.

“What brings the aide here so early in the morning?”

“A letter came from Arel’s branch family. When I mentioned that you had inquired about that matter once more last time, they sent a reply at dawn today. Here it is.”

“Ah, not right now.”

The Duke waved his hand.

“The branch family’s affairs are important, but something more urgent has come up. You go to the meeting room first and compare it with the previous one.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Father, then let’s hurry and go.”

I urged Carnel and turned around.

I could feel a gaze piercing the back of my head. On some inexplicable impulse, I moved even closer to the Duke.

“Isn’t the distance too close?”

An immediate objection was raised.

When I turned to look, Carnel’s face filled my vision, his nerves clearly on edge. He looked somewhat like a fierce cat with its fur standing on end.

Even though his face looks like that, he’s middle-aged.

It’s quite an odd comparison to use for a tall middle-aged man, but it really fits perfectly.

“Oops, my foot slipped…”

Since we were probably out of Eunice’s sight anyway, I quickly moved away from him.

Hmph, as if I enjoyed being close to you!

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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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