The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 72

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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 72

 

The two of us finished our private conversation in a harmonious atmosphere and came outside.

 

But…

 

Somehow the atmosphere was bustling with a different energy than before. People were holding evening newspapers that a newspaper boy had just brought and chattering noisily.

 

“What’s going on these days? There’s a new topic of conversation every day. Prince Istan – that’s the youngest prince famous for being handsome among his brothers, right?”

 

“Is he really unmarried? No fiancée yet? I heard he’s the most popular among the princes.”

 

“A prince from the sea – just hearing about it sounds like a fairy tale. When is his earliest official schedule?”

 

“They say he’s visiting briefly for trade, so there might not be any official public appearances at all. I hope he’ll at least appear at a ball once.”

 

Ah. So that’s what it was. News of the prince’s arrival in the country has finally been made public.

 

“Prince Istan?”

 

Serene tilted her head.

 

“I’ve heard of him. He’s the youngest of the five princes under King Kamen of the Maritime Kingdom of Neyplisia. That prince suddenly came to the Empire?”

 

“Actually…”

 

I gestured to Serene and mouthed the words.

 

‘Fly, away.’

 

Aha?

 

Serene’s sky-blue eyes sparkled.

 

We exchanged meaningful glances for a moment.

 

In the bustling atmosphere, I saw two middle-aged nobles who had been chatting over three-tiered dessert plates quietly get up and leave.

 

“According to protocol, they have to greet His Majesty the Emperor immediately after receiving entry permission, so those Guild Masters are probably going to the Imperial Palace early to make their presence known. Several of Neyplisia’s specialty products still don’t have proper supply systems established in the Empire.”

 

The maître d’ nodded at Serene’s words.

 

“That’s an accurate analysis. Shall I have a carriage prepared then?”

 

“No, it’s fine.”

 

Serene shook her head.

 

“I’m not particularly interested this time. Our guild will pass.”

 

“Really?”

 

I stretched nonchalantly and muttered.

 

“Maybe I’ll take our employee and go have a look?”

 

“Go ahead. It might be a good opportunity for Miss Aristina.”

 

“Thank you, Miss Serene.”

 

I exchanged another knowing look with Serene and left ‘Serenity’.

 

When I returned to the Ducal Mansion, chaos had broken out.

 

“Young Lady! Where on earth have you been? The Chief Aide has been looking for you for quite some time…”

 

At the Head Butler’s words, I put on a surprised expression.

 

“Eunice was looking for me? Why?”

 

“I don’t know if you’ve heard the news. Prince Istan of the Maritime Kingdom of Neyplisia has visited the Empire on business. And it happens that the Chief Aide has connections with Neyplisia’s Second Princess. They met briefly during her study abroad days…”

 

“Oh, really?”

 

“Yes. Isn’t that fortunate? So the Chief Aide contacted the prince first and invited him to attend our House of Rosen’s ball to commemorate his visit to the Empire.”

 

“My goodness! Really?”

 

“Yes, it’s true. It would be good for you to attend the meeting where they exchange greetings. So after looking for you for quite some time and eventually giving up, she went to the Imperial Palace with the Duke first. She earnestly requested that if you returned, we send you there immediately.”

 

“Oh my, I should go right away!”

 

While playing along with the Head Butler’s words, I chuckled inwardly.

 

‘Our Chief Aide must have been quite anxious.’

 

Just when it was time to arrange the first meeting according to her scenario, the troublesome Young Lady had disappeared without a trace.

 

She probably never imagined I had gone to Serene’s tea salon. Much less that we had a long private conversation there.

 

By unexpectedly keeping my whereabouts completely hidden, I had made Eunice burn with worry.

 

‘Should I make her burn a little more?’

 

Using the excuse that I couldn’t dress carelessly for a visit to the Imperial Palace, I asked the maids to dress me up elaborately.

 

“Of course! Of course!”

 

The maids, who had been burning with strange competitive spirit since the incident of rejecting all ball invitations, immediately demonstrated their skills.

 

Elegantly curled blonde hair. An embroidered dress in a color that complemented my eyes well. Jeweled ornaments that sparkled like stars along the softly fluttering hem.

 

“This should be enough, right?”

 

Leaving behind the maids who examined my appearance with sharp eyes like hunting hawks.

 

“Guild Master!”

 

Taking along Benjamin, my guild’s only employee who came running as soon as I called, I headed majestically to the Imperial Palace.

 

When we arrived at the designated area for parking the House of Rosen’s carriage, a family servant who had been waiting for me came running.

 

“Young Lady! You’ve finally arrived?”

 

“Where is Father?”

 

“This way!”

 

The servant guided me toward the Guest Hall.

 

The Guest Hall is a place for receiving guests, and it’s also where the Guild Leaders’ Assembly was held last time.

 

The beautifully decorated garden was full of people, all surrounding one person in a circle.

 

Though I couldn’t see him because of the crowd, I could immediately tell he was a tall young man with reddish-blonde hair.

 

Outside the surrounding circle, I spotted Eunice constantly looking around anxiously. Eunice soon noticed me.

 

“Hah…”

 

I could almost hear a sigh mixed with half relief and half irritation.

 

‘Ugh, she finally showed up. That troublemaker who’s no help in life.’

 

Something like that feeling? Eunice quickly hid the emotions that had briefly shown and spoke to Duke Carnel.

 

“The Young Lady has arrived.”

 

“Really?”

 

The Duke turned around.

 

“Where were you that we couldn’t reach you?”

 

“I went to Serenity Salon to invite Miss Serene as Father instructed. The conversation there went on longer than expected…”

 

“Hmm? Really?”

 

It was like a delinquent who came in late but turned out to have been studying with the valedictorian. The Duke’s frown immediately smoothed out.

 

Serene’s parents like me, but Duke Carnel likes Serene. That’s interesting too. He didn’t add anything more and turned his head.

 

“Prince, this child is my daughter.”

 

“Ah.”

 

The tall young man with reddish-blonde hair who had been the Duke’s conversation partner until just now turned toward us.

 

“Lady Aristina Bianca Rosen.”

 

“I greet Prince Istan.”

 

After we exchanged courtesies and faced each other, I deliberately turned my head sharply to the side.

 

Blonde hair rippling like waves and a clearly defined profile, just like when we first met at the dock.

 

I was planning to drop more hints if he didn’t recognize me, but indeed, this guy’s history with women shouldn’t be underestimated.

 

“Wait?”

 

The prince immediately recognized me and was startled.

 

“Aren’t you the one from that time…?”

 

“Huh? Oh…!”

 

I too looked at his face and acted surprised as if I had just recognized him.

 

The most surprised was Eunice. Her eyes widened as she asked.

 

“Do you two know each other?”

 

“I told you I went to look at ships recently to prepare for the heir qualification exam. I encountered some man there…”

 

I looked at Prince Istan with meaningful eyes.

 

“I had no idea that man was Your Highness?”

 

Prince Istan was left speechless.

 

The blonde beauty he had tried to seduce and failed was none other than Lady Aristina. The very person he was supposed to seduce and destroy…

 

Unmistakable bewilderment flashed across the prince’s face.

 

Duke Carnel noticed this awkward atmosphere and asked.

 

“Did something happen that day?”

 

“Well…”

 

I drew out my words as if I didn’t want to answer. Prince Istan stepped forward with a charming smile.

 

“That day on the street, I was startled to discover someone so beautiful, as if not of this world. I was worried about you walking alone without any companions, so I thought to safely escort you to your destination if you wished. However, my Imperial language isn’t perfect, so I couldn’t properly convey my intentions. I must have seemed like a very strange man. Hahaha…”

 

What a fox-like bastard.

 

He just thought I was some woman wandering around alone and tried to make a move on me as he pleased.

 

Look at how he’s wrapping it up. Even our department store gift wrapping employees don’t have such dazzling packaging skills.

 

If I had my way, I would have exposed that bastard’s behavior right here and thoroughly humiliated him.

 

‘Can’t be helped. Business is business.’

 

I spoke curtly as if shooting back.

 

“You’re quite good at lying too. I heard there are so many handsome men and beautiful women in the Maritime Kingdom. There’s no way someone like you would be mesmerized by someone like me.”

 

Playing along with the stupid act, I pretended my heart had immediately softened at the prince’s flattery and turned my head back toward him. That’s when I noticed.

 

“…”

 

Duke Carnel was glaring at the prince with a very displeased expression.

 

“What exactly happened that day, and what exactly was said? These words like ‘couldn’t properly convey my intentions’ and ‘must have seemed like a strange man’ sound like you’re trying to gloss over the situation vaguely?”

 

The Duke asked with a serious expression. His attempt at being sociable disappeared, and his prickly, sensitive true nature was about to emerge.

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Prince Istan was flustered. From his wavering gaze, I could almost hear his inner thoughts.

 

Didn’t you say he had no interest in his daughter at all? That she was a cast-off child?

 

If only Prince Istan and Eunice had been alone in this place, the prince would have confronted her.

 

‘The information was wrong!’

 

Like that.

 

Well, honestly, I was surprised too.

 

‘What’s gotten into Duke Carnel? This feels like a mother bird spreading her wings wide to protect her chicks.’

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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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