The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 73

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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 73

 

To see the appearance of a mother bird in that terrifying Duke Carnel. Is he finally starting to care a little?

 

Considering their hostile relationship in the past, I couldn’t make hasty judgments, but this situation itself was something unimaginable before.

 

“Hahaha…”

 

Prince Istan said with a gentle smile.

 

“That’s right. I was trying to slip by, but the Duke caught me red-handed.”

 

“What?”

 

“The truth is this. I attempted to have a conversation with your daughter, only to receive a sharp scolding: ‘I’m not someone a person like you can carelessly approach. Consider yourself lucky today.’ I couldn’t even make a peep and had to retreat. The Young Lady’s conduct was quite admirable.”

 

How cunning. If he says it like this, I can’t exactly say ‘That’s not true? My conduct wasn’t admirable at all?’ and embarrass myself.

 

“Hmm…”

 

Duke Carnel’s expression softened slightly at his daughter’s heroic tale.

 

“In any case, it’s true that I approached without knowing my place that day and somewhat upset the Young Lady.”

 

The prince looked at me with an alluring smile and said.

 

“But Young Lady, I’m not such a bad person. If it’s alright with you, could you spare me some time? This is my first time in the Empire and I’m curious about various places. If you could guide me briefly, I’ll completely wash away that bad first impression of me.”

 

As I was about to respond, Duke Carnel intercepted first.

 

“I appreciate Your Highness’s words, but it’s time for Aristina to return home. Let’s go.”

 

“…?”

 

Benjamin, who had prepared himself with notebook and writing instrument ready to work, was bewildered.

 

“…?”

 

Eunice was also bewildered.

 

Regardless, Duke Carnel turned around with me in tow.

 

“Let’s go!”

 

“Ah, yes!”

 

Eunice hurriedly followed the Duke. Only the prince was left standing alone among the crowd.

 

‘What about the child you brought out!’

 

I could almost hear the silent outcry.

 

The original plan must have been this: approach under the pretext of asking the naive young lady to guide him around the capital, take her to romantic places for conversation to build intimacy. So they could have intimate time together on the anticipated ball night.

 

But what now? The mother bird quickly snatched her away?

 

“That fellow doesn’t look trustworthy.”

 

Duke Carnel said with a displeased expression as he walked.

 

Everyone seemed to feel favorable toward the prince’s handsome appearance, charming attitude, and smooth speech. But the Duke saw right through his true nature. Perhaps because he’s lived such an eventful life.

 

“That fellow seems very interested in you. You’re not going to let him approach you secretly again, are you? You, get in here.”

 

The mother bird possession wasn’t over yet. Even though I had my own carriage, the Duke was subtly trying to get me into his carriage.

 

I glanced toward Eunice.

 

‘She wouldn’t let this important opportunity slip away, would she?’

 

Indeed.

 

“Duke! Wait a moment!”

 

A mustached official came running breathlessly and shouted.

 

He seemed vaguely familiar, so he must be someone with connections to the Duke’s family.

 

“Please wait just a moment! There’s something we need to closely verify regarding the tax processing of the territories. We’ve checked everything and only the Rosen Duchy remains.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Only then did the Duke stop walking.

 

“I’ll be back shortly, so get in the carriage first.”

 

“Yes, Father.”

 

The Duke and Eunice followed the official back to the Imperial Palace.

 

There’s no way Prince Istan would miss this obvious signal.

 

‘I should cooperate from this side too, right?’

 

To Benjamin, who was sitting in the carriage tilting his head in confusion, I casually said.

 

“Want to earn some pocket money?”

 

His hamster-like black eyes immediately lit up.

 

“Why, Guild Leader? Are you going to give me another interesting task?”

 

“Go out and walk around. Someone might give Benjamin money. If so, do as that person asks.”

 

“Hm?”

 

He immediately went out. Then he returned shortly after. His face was glowing with excitement.

 

“Oh! It’s true! Some masked man hiding behind a tree called me over and gave me money! He told me to deliver this letter to the Guild Leader!”

 

I knew it. Passing notes through a young lady’s servant is a very traditional method. Of course, Benjamin isn’t a servant but an employee.

 

I unfolded the note.

 

I don’t care what you think of me, but I must apologize for that day’s rudeness.

 

In the rose garden that resembles you, I’ll be waiting forever.

 

Benjamin looked at me with a very intrigued expression.

 

“The man who gave me this letter was that prince from earlier, right? Don’t worry, Guild Leader. My second younger brother is an expert at this kind of thing.”

 

“What kind of thing?”

 

“Luring them in disguise and then beating them to a pulp. Since our Guild Leader is busy making money, I’ll cleanly get rid of him so he never bothers you again.”

 

“No! You can’t get rid of him!”

 

When I stopped him, Benjamin’s eyes widened.

 

“Ah! I must have misunderstood.”

 

He couldn’t possibly think I was actually interested in the prince, could he? That thought crossed my mind, but it wasn’t the case.

 

“Who do you think our Guild Leader is? You wouldn’t be satisfied with just beating him to a pulp. You’d bury him so cruelly and thoroughly that he’d never dare approach again. I was presumptuous.”

 

“…”

 

Somehow Benjamin seems to think of me as an increasingly terrifying existence.

 

“Well, that’s not entirely wrong either… Actually, the person I want to deal with is another figure behind the prince.”

 

“Yes, I know. You asked me to investigate a certain person last time. Although you told me to stop midway, it’s that chief aide who’s the problem, right?”

 

“Your intuition is sharp indeed.”

 

“It’s more like affection than intuition. Seeing the hefty bonus that was deposited recently for the phantom thief collection investigation, my affection for our Black Rose Trading Company has soared even higher. My head is full of thoughts like ‘How can I help our Guild Leader prosper for a long, long time?'”

 

“How is it that every word you say pleases my heart? That’s exactly it. I need to prosper for a long, long time.”

 

“This Benjamin will do his utmost for the Guild Leader’s ambitions.”

 

Benjamin’s face as he spoke solemnly was that of an evil hamster itself.

 

“Then go ahead and cook without worry. If the Duke returns, I’ll make good excuses.”

 

“Right. I’m counting on you to watch my back.”

 

Work efficiency sprouting from the exchange of bonuses.

 

Though Eunice seemed likely to keep Duke Carnel occupied, having Benjamin watch my back as well made me feel doubly secure. I left the carriage with peace of mind.

 

When I went to the Rose Garden of the Imperial Palace as indicated in the note, Prince Istan was indeed waiting. Upon seeing me, he brightened and approached.

 

“You came, Young Lady.”

 

“I was taught that refusing a gentleman’s apology is also impolite. But I must return quickly. Father will be coming soon.”

 

“Don’t worry. The Duke is busy right now. We have enough time for a brief conversation.”

 

He showed a charming smile and took out a small gift box.

 

“This is a token of my sincerity. I prepared this modest gift as an apology for my rudeness.”

 

I untied the ribbon and opened the box.

 

Inside was a music box. A music box modeled after an underwater castle, studded with pearls and coral.

 

“Oh my! Actually, I was thinking of getting into the music box business recently! How did you know I was interested in music boxes?”

 

“When I need to win the heart of the young lady who first made me lose my senses, I should show at least that much sincerity. I’m glad if it pleases you.”

 

“Of course it pleases me. This is the first gift I’ve received that matches my taste so perfectly.”

 

I smiled as if my mood had completely lifted.

 

For the prince to let his guard down at the ball, it would be good to make him believe I was interested in him. That level of acting wouldn’t be difficult.

 

I touched the music box and sighed.

 

“I’d like to visit other countries someday too. I wonder if such an opportunity will ever come…”

 

The prince gazed at me intently.

 

“You’re a princess of the Empire. You have everything – power, wealth, and beauty – yet somehow you seem lonely.”

 

“You’re perceptive.”

 

I smiled bitterly.

 

“That’s right. I’m lonely. There’s no one by my side. My only father always just says things like ‘You mustn’t do that, don’t do this.'”

 

“The Duke does seem quite strict indeed.”

 

The prince nodded his head.

 

“Just hearing about it made the ducal mansion feel like a suffocating cage. A bird trapped in a cage is bound to dream of escape.”

 

No. I want to stay locked up as much as possible. It’s a cage spanning thousands of pyeong where three meals plus snacks are provided promptly, and people rush to serve you at the slightest gesture.

 

Eunice is trying to grab the bird by the scruff of its neck and drag it out, while I’m gripping the door with both wings, refusing to leave.

 

Such thoughts entered my mind and interfered with my acting, but I forced myself to make a wistful expression.

 

“Escape. Escape, you say.”

 

“How about it? Isn’t it truly an enchanting word?”

 

“Yes. But…”

 

He looked at me for a moment, then murmured with a dreamy, hazy expression.

 

“Your eyes are the most beautiful of everything I’ve seen in this world. This dazzling blonde hair. This face that seems to gather all my ideals. I’ve dreamed of meeting a goddess like you for a long time.”

 

“Don’t lie to me.”

 

“I’m sincere.”

 

The prince leaned his face a little closer and whispered.

 

“It makes me so angry that a beautiful and lovely young lady like you is trapped in such a cage. Even if you marry according to your father’s arrangements, it’ll just be another cage.”

 

This man is breaking my immersion again. I’m desperately holding on, trying not to be pushed out of that cage right now.

 

“Why don’t you escape from that cage instead? I’ll take you to a new world. With me, not a single day will be boring. I promise.”

 

Right. Because of your philandering, we’d have to fight every day, so it really wouldn’t be boring.

 

With such thoughts, I blinked to moisten my eyes and looked up at him wistfully.

 

“Can you really promise that? I find it hard to believe.”

 

“Then, at the ball that’s opening soon, let me meet you and prove my sincerity. If you could spare me just a little time like now…”

 

“Alright. It’s going to be a boring ball anyway. I’ll sneak out and come meet you.”

 

“You promise.”

 

“Yes. You’re promising too.”

 

Toward me, who was receiving his pledge, Prince Istan showed his enchanting smile once more.

 

“Young Lady…”

 

But that’s when it happened.

 

“Huh? Who do we have here?”

 

From the other side of the garden came footsteps along with a loud voice.

 

‘This voice?’

 

I was startled. My body reacted first, and I quickly hid behind the maze.

 

“Right? Prince Istan?”

 

What appeared from the opposite side was none other than Zikren.

 

“How nice to run into you in a place like this!”

 

He casually put his arm around the prince’s shoulders, showing his delight.

 

“Cough! Cough!”

 

The prince coughed as if his throat was being choked. His face turned pale.

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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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