The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 70

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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 70

 

Zikren looked at me with a “Huh?” expression on his face.

 

Then…

 

“No!”

 

He answered immediately. It was a clear and clean response.

 

I flinched.

 

‘Oh, I see.’

 

Before asking the question, I had mentally prepared several scenarios.

 

Given Zikren’s personality, if he had feelings for me, he would jump up and shout “Are you crazy?” Or he might put all his energy into denying it by saying “Absolutely not!” He might even pretend to be disgusted and go “Ugh!”

 

Or he might show a blushing face with trembling eyes and ask back “Wh-what are you talking about?” Or he could shout “There’s no way I’d like you!” and run away.

 

If not that…

 

True to his simple nature, he might just say “That’s right! I like you!” and even confess everything in one go.

 

These were the scenarios I had expected.

 

If he had even the slightest feelings for me, I thought he would show a reaction similar to one of these.

 

But he completely avoided all my expectations. Without showing even a hint of guilt or embarrassment, he clearly denied it.

 

‘So it really wasn’t the case.’

 

That wasn’t all. Far from blushing, Zikren actually stared at me intently.

 

“Why are you asking such a question? Don’t tell me you have narcissistic delusion?”

 

“What?”

 

“Didn’t you say that to your brother? That there’s a disease where people believe everyone likes them, and that’s called narcissistic delusion.”

 

“Hmph!”

 

I never expected those words to come back to me like this.

 

Honestly, I felt embarrassed and awkward, but I shamelessly pretended otherwise.

 

“You’re wrong. Narcissistic delusion is used for cases where someone doesn’t know their place.”

 

“Oh, so you’re not like that?”

 

“Of course! With this beauty and this personality, it would be strange if everyone didn’t fall for me, right? That’s why I periodically ask people around me. To maintain popularity, it’s good to check the reactions of those around you.”

 

I said confidently.

 

“I see.”

 

Zikren nodded and said once more.

 

“But anyway, it’s not me.”

 

“Yeah, okay, I got it.”

 

“Actually, I, um…”

 

He glanced around briefly and then whispered in a small voice.

 

“I do have someone I like.”

 

“Who is it?”

 

“Countess Peres.”

 

Perhaps feeling embarrassed after saying it, Zikren suddenly stood up from the bench.

 

“Well, continue with what you were doing. I’ll see you on the day of your successor qualification exam and ball.”

 

Then, without waiting for my answer, he disappeared like the wind.

 

I remained alone on the bench and muttered.

 

“Countess Peres…”

 

I had no memory of such a person. She must be a very quiet young lady? She seemed to be the complete opposite of Aristina.

 

‘His taste must have changed.’

 

After thinking for a moment, I shook my head.

 

Well, it’s fortunate if I don’t get troublesomely entangled with Zikren.

 

Anyway, that wasn’t what was important right now. I stood up from the bench.

 

‘In any case, Aldensis and Zikren promised to attend my ball. They also said they would cooperate to make it go well. Since they have status, they won’t go back on their word.’

 

Duke Carnel wanted to announce that all three of the Empire’s most famous people would attend, so now I had to go invite Serene.

 

‘I’m not sure if she’ll come though.’

 

Thinking about what I heard from Aldensis earlier made my heart feel complicated.

 

As far as I knew, Serene loved him. But in the end, it was revealed that she wasn’t a dragon’s companion, so their engagement was called off.

 

‘Still, I think there’s a high chance the two of them will have a happy ending anyway.’

 

I was now in the middle of the conflict the protagonist was experiencing.

 

This was an important moment for Serene. Even if she felt uncomfortable and refused to attend the ball, I wanted to visit her once and hear what she had to say.

 

If she lamented, I would listen, and if she cursed Aldensis, I would chime in with her. I wanted to be even a little help in the protagonist overcoming this difficult moment.

 

Of course, I shouldn’t cross the line while doing so.

 

Serene is the protagonist. Unlike Aldensis’s case, I could accidentally plant a real death flag if I made a mistake.

 

‘So let me be careful and read the situation well.’

 

Fortunately, I had something perfect for times like this. I rummaged through my handbag and pulled out a piece of paper.

 

Serenity Salon

 

It was the free pass to the tea salon that Serene had given me.

 

Although the corner was slightly crumpled, it seemed perfectly fine to use.

 

‘First, let me go to the tea salon with this and find out about Serene’s current situation. Visitors naturally talk a lot about the salon owner. If I’m lucky, I might be able to find out what Serene’s psychological state is like right now.’

 

When it comes to taking action, that’s me. I immediately went to find Serene’s tea salon ‘Serenity.’

 

“You’ll know right away when you enter that street. Which building is Princess Serene Hyperion’s salon.”

 

Just as people told me, I could recognize it immediately upon entering the street.

 

An elegant Western-style building where pure white ivory and fresh sky blue harmonized.

 

That was Serenity Salon.

 

When I showed the pass at the entrance, a silver-haired maître d’ politely bowed in greeting.

 

“Good day, Princess Aristina. Welcome to your first visit to our Serenity Salon. Shall I announce to the other guests in the establishment that you have entered?”

 

“No. Absolutely do not announce it.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Pulling down my wide-brimmed hat to cover my face, I entered the salon.

 

Just as I sat in a partitioned seat and finished ordering tea and tea food, a loud voice came from beyond.

 

“Hm? Didn’t I just smell the exact same perfume that villainess uses?”

 

My hand, which was opening the lid of the sugar bowl, flinched.

 

“Really? Oh my. Whoever made such a bold mistake, I just hope they have thick hair. If they encounter that villainess, their hair will be torn out in clumps.”

 

“Ugh, just hearing about it is already stressful. It feels like yesterday when we popped champagne here at the news of the Sacred Tribunal!”

 

The table with an unusually loud voice that exists everywhere.

 

Unfortunately, there was a young lady with a nose as keen as a detection dog sitting at that table, so their topic naturally shifted to me.

 

‘Now I understand why the maître d’ tried to announce my entrance. He was worried someone might badmouth me.’

 

Whatever. It wasn’t the story about Serene that I wanted, but I decided to listen to what they were saying anyway.

 

“Well, they say that villainess is going to take the successor qualification exam soon, right? The very same one where she was humiliated so badly three years ago that the entire Empire was in an uproar.”

 

“Her nose has been reaching the sky lately anyway. If she succeeds in the exam too, she’ll have nothing to fear in the world.”

 

“Ha! They say she’s getting full support from her family and throwing a very grand party! Why is she doing so well these days? Did she sell her soul to the devil or something?”

 

“It’s not that, but…”

 

Someone spoke in a lowered voice.

 

“Do you know? They say that villainess received a summons from His Highness the Crown Prince today and entered the Crown Prince’s Palace. Strange, isn’t it? He keeps looking for only that villainess while saying he dislikes her…”

 

“Yes, it’s strange.”

 

“Actually, I know that secret. The secret is a certain charm. It has the power to reverse the heart of a man who dislikes you. The fortune teller lady under Hadas Bridge made it with eight mysterious ingredients…”

 

My face contorted as I listened to what they were saying.

 

Where is some merchant using me to peddle their wares?

 

Only I can do business using myself!

 

‘I need to put a stop to this.’

 

I stood up abruptly. But that’s when it happened.

 

“What on earth are you all talking about?”

 

Someone stood up and shouted one step faster than me.

 

“A charm that turns the heart of a man who dislikes you? No matter how much you like money, how can you spread lies that only ten-year-old children would fall for? Princess Aristina can do it perfectly fine without such things!”

 

The identity of that young lady who was firing off words rapidly was…

 

‘Serene?’

 

My jaw dropped open.

 

What on earth was this situation? Why was Serene secretly taking my side from behind?

 

“My salon is not a place for spreading such vulgar rumors about Princess Aristina! Baroness Basset is permanently banned! Never let such rumors pass your lips again!”

 

Serene, whose pale face had flushed red as she lashed out, suddenly stopped speaking and looked at the maître d’ as if sensing something strange.

 

The maître d’s eyes rolled around and pointed toward where I was.

 

Oh no.

 

I tried to hide behind the partition again, but it was already too late. Serene and all the salon guests were looking in my direction.

 

And then…

 

“…?”

 

Thud.

 

The sound of Serene collapsing in shock echoed throughout the entire salon.

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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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