The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 44

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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 44

“The reason I’ve been feeling confused every time I deal with the Princess lately is exactly that. I didn’t know how to treat the Princess who had changed.”

Hearing Aldensis’s muttering, I came back to my senses.

I think I was dazed for about a minute.

‘Seriously, there’s a big problem with these ultra-prime suspects’ faces.’

I mustn’t let my guard down. I shouldn’t be bewitched by their faces, and I must definitely find out whether they’re the culprit or not. With that thought, I opened my mouth.

“I just decided to live earnestly, that’s all. Don’t think too complicatedly about it. Anyway, Your Highness has already shown me your angry outbursts, so the perfect Crown Prince act has long since sailed away.”

“Ha…”

Aldensis’s face rapidly darkened. I quickly said.

“I don’t mean that’s bad, rather it might be good that way. Instead of worrying about how to treat me, you can just treat me comfortably. Naturally.”

“Naturally?”

“That’s right.”

That way, when I interrogate you soon, you’ll be able to open your heart even more. That’s what’s important.

Even if he’s not the culprit, telling him to live naturally isn’t bad advice, right? It’s good life advice.

Toward Aldensis who just tilted his head with a “hmm,” I said.

“I’m also treating Your Highness with a natural heart. To be honest, I was grateful earlier. For taking my side like that in front of people.”

“…”

He was silent for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“I see. Certainly… hearing such words is indeed a pleasant thing.”

Then he smiled brightly again.

This time I was prepared, putting strength in my eyes to defend myself, so I wasn’t affected by that smile.

Even after several minutes passed, he just kept smiling, as if he had no intention of parting with me.

People are staring too much, aren’t they?

To change the atmosphere, I decided to use a traditional method.

“Oh? There’s a strange person passing by over there?”

“A strange person?”

Aldensis turned around to look.

I tried to slip away in that gap…

But…

“Hmm?”

He began staring intently at a certain spot.

I just said it randomly, but is there really a strange person?

I looked in the direction Aldensis was staring…

After a moment, something really appeared.

Someone was running toward us, jumping over people here and there… no, flying toward us.

Aldensis was surprised.

“Zikren?”

“Brother?”

Zikren was also surprised.

“Why are you here, brother?”

“My work finished early, so I came to check if the Princess was having any friction with people. What about you? Are you done with work?”

“This is work? The department store building is in good condition, so I came to tell Aristina that there’s no place that needs separate construction.”

“I already told her that.”

“Oh, really?”

Zikren looked embarrassed.

“Well, since I came all the way here, it would be awkward to just go back. Aristina, want to come search the thief’s secret passages with me? Who knows? There might be something?”

Why spoil something that’s already done? I said to the troublemaker Second Prince.

“There’s no need. Even if we don’t go around tracking hard, the thief will definitely come to steal the ‘Ice Crown of Saint Agneta.’ I’m confident.”

“Is that so?”

Aldensis responded as if interested.

“To declare so confidently, it makes me want to believe the Princess’s words even more.”

“You can look forward to it, Your Highness Crown Prince.”

I said confidently.

“Then I’ll see you when the opening preparations are finished and we bring the holy relic to the department store. You must come then. Forget any doubts about whether the thief will come or not, just trust this Aristina.”

Aldensis and Zikren looked at each other. What could be the source of this confidence? That was their expression.

“Understood. Then as the Princess says, I’ll quietly wait for that day.”

“See you then, Aristina.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I’m holding the steering wheel tight, you know.

The long-awaited day is approaching, so now I just need to prepare the last item. Stepping back from the Crown Prince and Second Prince, I searched for Benjamin with my eyes.

‘Where is he caught up?’

I found him quickly. Benjamin was currently surrounded by reporters.

“…You’re saying the entire Lillibes Luxury Fashion Store is going into the department store?”

“Yes. Our Merchant Guild Leader…”

When our eyes met, he nodded, showing a trustworthy nod.

-Leave this place to me.

And…

-I’ve also sent the item you requested well.

He also gestured with that meaning.

‘Good, hamster.’

Now only the final stage to lure out the thief remains. I hurried back to the Ducal Mansion and asked the Butler.

“Didn’t Guild Employee Benjamin send some goods addressed to me?”

“You mean the department store employees’ uniforms? They arrived earlier.”

Following the Butler to my sitting room, some kid was firmly guarding a box. Benjamin’s errand boy? I looked casually, then fixed my gaze with a “huh?”

He’s completely a little hamster, isn’t he?

“Are you Benjamin’s younger brother by any chance?”

“Yes.”

“I see. Good work.”

After giving the kid a few bills and sending him off, I took the box to my room and opened it.

Inside were thief-related collectibles I had bought by paying extra, sorted by type.

Roof fragments found at the scene where he fought with the security forces, fur cut from the guard dog that mysteriously disappeared like a ghost’s doing and returned to its place, the remaining half of the twin sculptures that he didn’t steal and left behind…

And the item I had especially earnestly requested from Benjamin was also included without fail.

My real target.

It was the thief’s crime notice.

‘Now, shall I start working?’

Old-feeling paper and faded ink. The thief’s unique handwriting.

I was carefully observing all of them…

Suddenly, I heard the Maids chattering noisily outside. Someone seemed to have returned from an outing, and they seemed to have experienced something surprising.

Then after a moment, someone carefully spoke from outside the door.

“Um, Young Lady. Shall I bring you tea?”

It was Maid Sophie’s voice. I raised my head.

“Come in.”

The door opened and Sophie entered carrying a tea tray.

Sophie set the tray down next to the miscellaneous items on my desk. Then she lifted the teapot to pour tea, clasped her hands together, and stepped back.

I pretended not to pay any attention and continued looking only at the crime notice.

Sophie looked at me like that and hesitated for a long time. Then she finally gathered courage and opened her mouth.

“Um, Young Lady…”

“I have nothing more for you to do. You may go.”

“That’s not it…”

Sophie took a deep breath and spoke as if pouring it all out at once.

“Iris Linden, who saved the situation by having the Store Manager fired from Lillibes Luxury Fashion Store and paying 100 million in compensation instead, is my older sister.”

“Is that so?”

I naturally expressed surprise.

“What a small world. I had no idea since your sister didn’t say anything about it.”

“She probably didn’t mention it because she didn’t think it was that important. But since you’d find out anyway when she submits the paperwork later…”

Sophie’s voice grew smaller.

“To think my sister has finally escaped from that man’s grasp. This is truly like a dream come true for us sisters. So unbelievable. That’s why I’m shamelessly pleading with you like this, Young Lady…”

“…?”

“No matter how much you may dislike me, please don’t cancel my sister’s insurance policy? I don’t want to hear her muttering about wanting to die again. I’ll do anything you ask, so please…”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

I cut off Sophie’s words.

“Did you think I’d cancel the contract just because I found out she’s my maid’s sister? Why would I do something so stupid? Didn’t you hear from your sister? Thanks to selecting her as the first subscriber on site, we can expect promotional effects worth hundreds of millions. Are you sisters trying to work together to block my profits?”

“N-no!”

Sophie answered in shock as if burned.

“Then… does that mean my sister’s insurance policy won’t be cancelled?”

“Of course not. Your sister doesn’t need to worry about that 100 million at all anymore. Unless Our Guild suddenly goes bankrupt…”

I paused there for a moment, let out a small sigh, and ran my fingers through my hair.

Let me put on a little show, Sophie. I really need your help right now.

Sure enough, Sophie asked in surprise.

“Is there some kind of problem?”

“There is one big problem with Our Guild right now. Really, why did this issue arise just when I’m trying to start various businesses including insurance?”

“Is it very serious?”

Instead of answering, I stared intently at Sophie. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, I spoke up.

“Oh, Sophie! You’re exceptionally skilled with your hands, aren’t you? You always trim my eyebrows with precise movements like a surgeon performing surgery. Drawing lines on eyelids, painting lips – you always get it exactly right in one try without ever making a mistake. So will you help me out? Then we can safely overcome this crisis.”

Sophie, who had been bewildered by the sudden praise, immediately put on a determined expression at those words.

“If it’s something I can do… No, even if it’s something I can’t do, I’ll definitely accomplish it!”

“Good.”

I lowered my voice.

“For me and Our Guild, this matter must be kept absolutely secret. And do you have any maids you could call true friends? Preferably maids who work with clothing.”

“Just a moment.”

Sophie went outside and brought back friends.

“Here’s Mia who works with clothing. Ellen who does makeup work like me. And Perdel who handles mail.”

“I asked you to bring one person, but you brought three?”

“The four of us are like one. We started working here at the same time, and we’re friends who swore to protect each other with our lives no matter what happens in this Manor.”

When there’s a common enemy, groups tend to unite as one. Among them, these seem to be people who became one body while enduring abuse together.

The clothing team I wanted is included, and there’s an additional makeup team member too. I’m grateful.

“Good. I’m going to entrust you all with a very important mission. If you accomplish this task, I’ll give you generous rewards in return. From now on, you’ll all work with me to plan and execute our strategy.”

I explained to them what we needed to do from now on.

“…”

The Maids listened intently with wide eyes, trying not to miss a single word.

“You all understand clearly, right?”

“Yes, Young Lady!”

Then we began to move.

Running around busily, locking doors and testing them, then running around busily again…

After each person demonstrated their professional skills and we worked around the clock for 24 hours, it was finally completed.

My secret weapon to lure out the Thief on the date I wanted.

Around that time, news came in from other places as well.

“Besides Lillibes Luxury Fashion Store, several other shops in the Capital City have contacted us wanting to sell clothing and jewelry at the Imperial Department Store.”

“The work of displaying the goods sent from each wardrobe in the Department Store has been completed.”

“The interior construction of the Special Exhibition Hall is finished. Now we just need to display the treasures.”

And the news I’d been eagerly waiting for finally arrived.

“A message has come from His Excellency Ruellian Lacroix of the Holy Order, saying that the purification of the sacred relic is complete and he will personally bring it to the Exhibition Hall as promised.”

And so…

The day to display the sacred relic at the new Department Store finally arrived.

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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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