The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 74

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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 74

 

“Please be understanding, Prince Istan.”

 

With an elegant voice, Aldensis also appeared following behind.

 

“His Majesty the Emperor instructed us to wholeheartedly welcome the Prince to ensure no harm comes to the relationship between our two nations, and it seems my younger brother got nervous and acted a bit excessively.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

Prince Istan bowed his head while the color hadn’t fully returned to his face yet.

 

“I meet the two Dragons of the Empire again.”

 

“The audience is over, so why aren’t you returning and what are you doing here alone?”

 

To Zikren’s question, Prince Istan made an excuse.

 

“I was taking a brief walk. I wanted to see how the Empire’s gardens differ from our kingdom’s and tell stories about it when I return.”

 

“You’re making good use of your time even in your busy schedule.”

 

Aldensis said with a smile.

 

“What’s your next schedule? Of course, I assume it would be visiting Santilican.”

 

“Santilican, you mean…”

 

“Long ago, didn’t a situation occur where the sea route was cut off due to divine wrath, trapping the feet of Neyplisia people who had come to trade for decades?”

 

“…”

 

The Prince’s face hardened.

 

He looked like he either didn’t know or couldn’t remember.

 

“At that time, Emperor Belitan II showed mercy and gave them the village of Santilican, allowing them to live there by fishing. Aren’t their descendants still living there now?”

 

Aldensis spoke fluently like flowing water.

 

“Of course, our Empire doesn’t discriminate against them and treats them as equal citizens of the Empire, but it’s also true that we’re always concerned about whether they face any difficulties in their lives. So how would the Neyplisia royal family feel about this?”

 

“Ah, yes… We’re always worried.”

 

“Therefore, as the 5th Prince of your home country, Prince Istan would naturally plan to visit there first. We brothers will also accompany the Prince to hear the sincere voices of the Santilican people together. I believe it will be a good time to strengthen the friendship between our two nations.”

 

Wow, as expected, the Crown Prince is indeed the Crown Prince.

 

I, who was secretly watching, was impressed.

 

Upon hearing that a Prince from Neyplisia was visiting, he immediately thought to visit the kingdom’s descendants living in the Empire together.

 

This is all part of a bigger picture for his stable rule, but the fact that he’s making efforts for it is amazing.

 

Indeed, people don’t praise him as the material of a wise ruler for nothing.

 

“…Yes.”

 

The Prince answered reluctantly.

 

“I’m grateful for the arrangements by His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Second Prince. I was actually planning to visit Santilican soon to meet our Neyplisia descendants, so this works out well.”

 

“I knew it, Istan.”

 

Zikren patted his shoulder familiarly. The thud! thud! sounds could be heard all the way here.

 

“We’ve prepared a speech, but we’re worried there might be parts that would be unpleasant from Neyplisia’s perspective. Take a look at it, Istan.”

 

“Yes…”

 

They grabbed Prince Istan and dragged him away just like that.

 

Well, if you’re a prince, you should take better care of your people.

 

Since I had seen everything I needed to see anyway, I quickly escaped from there and returned to the carriage.

 

Benjamin was keeping watch with his face pressed against the window.

 

“Nothing happened?”

 

“No, Guild Leader.”

 

Perhaps having received word from Prince Istan that he had successfully thrown the bait of temptation to the foolish Princess, Eunice returned shortly after with her employer.

 

Even though it might feel uncomfortable to have deceived the Duke she admires, does she think this is all for the sake of the two getting along well?

 

I seemed to sense a strange sense of victory in her glance toward me.

 

I pretended not to notice and stood up from my seat.

 

“You’re back now?”

 

“Yes. It was nothing much but just took time. Let’s head back quickly.”

 

“Yes, Father.”

 

The carriage departed.

 

Duke Carnel who suddenly became a mother bird.

 

Daughter Aristina sitting calmly despite having a secret meeting with a man her father opposes.

 

Chief aide Eunice who connected that man to the daughter.

 

And Benjamin, who unexpectedly made money and unexpectedly got to ride home in Duke Carnel’s exclusive carriage… today’s true winner.

 

The carriage carrying this strange combination of passengers quickly left the Imperial Palace.

 

When dropping off Benjamin, I got out with him and casually said,

 

“As the only employee of our Black Rose Trading Company, Benjamin will also observe my successor qualification test, right?”

 

“I actually received an invitation too. Of course I have to attend.”

 

“Good.”

 

I winked at him.

 

“Keep your position well until the end. I think I’ll need someone to hold a press conference instead.”

 

“Don’t worry.”

 

We briefly let out evil “heh heh heh…” laughter before parting. I returned to my seat pretending nothing happened and sat with my arms crossed.

 

The next day.

 

News that the Crown Prince, Second Prince, and Serene would all attend the ‘Ball Commemorating Princess Aristina’s Successor Qualification Test’ was prominently featured in all newspapers.

 

Along with rumors that Duke Carnel had offered the villa by Lake Nineve for this ball and had given his daughter a blank checkbook.

 

It didn’t take long for the atmosphere to change.

 

“Isn’t the Count really ridiculous? He said he couldn’t attend because of manor repairs, but now he’s suddenly going around saying the construction might finish early?”

 

“Exactly. I’m worried I might look ridiculous because of people like that. I really did have a family event canceled.”

 

“Right. My mother suddenly said she would attend, so I had no choice but to cancel my appointment with my physician.”

 

At the sounds coming from beyond the tea salon partition, Serene and I made eye contact.

 

Nod.

 

Nod.

 

In silence, we exchanged nods.

 

Everything was going according to plan.

 

In the meaningful gazes between Serene and me…

 

The day of the ball finally dawned.

 

* * *

 

As soon as I opened my eyes in the morning and bathed with fragrant oils, I was called to the ‘Hall of the Glorious’ in the main building of the Duke’s mansion.

 

Among the row of busts carved with the figures of famous ancestors, Duke Carnel stood solemnly.

 

“Aristina, kneel. For today’s successor qualification test of our Rosen Family, I will once again entrust this ‘Heart of the Rose’ to you.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I knelt and raised both hands high.

 

“The test begins from this very moment. The ancestral spirits will be watching you, so show the demeanor befitting the successor of the Rosen Duchy at every moment. Then you will pass without problems.”

 

“I understand.”

 

The necklace gently settled onto my palm.

 

‘Now, we’re cooperating today against our common enemy called Eunice. You all understand, right?’

 

Perhaps thanks to my clear re-explanation, the necklace wriggled slightly, and soon the color of the rose-shaped ruby changed. To the exact same hue as my eyes.

 

“Oh!”

 

Eunice, who was watching, exclaimed in admiration.

 

“If I may be so bold, Duke, wasn’t there no such change three years ago? This seems to be evidence that the ancestral spirits have a favorable impression of the Young Lady.”

 

“That doesn’t necessarily mean the test results will lead to a pass, so don’t get frivolously excited.”

 

The Duke said this while opening the door wide and calling someone.

 

“When results usually turn out well, do you start recording from scenes like this? From the moment the ‘Heart of the Rose’ changes to the same hue as the successor candidate’s eyes?”

 

“In case we’re thinking of compiling it into a booklet format, we do include such scenes… Wait? The Young Lady’s necklace has changed! So that’s why you asked such a question? I’ll start sketching right away. Everyone come in!”

 

“Yes!”

 

The painter and assistants rushed in.

 

No matter how I look at it, the most excited person here seems to be the Duke himself? When did he have the family’s exclusive painter on standby?

 

‘Those people hit the jackpot today. It’s not the picture they expected, but an incredible melodrama will unfold. Their hands will be on fire trying to draw that and sell it to newspapers.’

 

I had such thoughts while bowing my head to the Duke.

 

“I will show you something truly remarkable today.”

 

“Right. Let’s go.”

 

A moment later.

 

An eight-horse carriage with the Rosen Duchy’s emblem magnificently engraved on it emerged from the main gate of the ducal mansion. Behind it, knights on horseback rode in formation.

 

The carriage was majestic and the people looked solemn, making it appear almost like a procession heading to a coronation ceremony.

 

“Ooh….”

 

The onlookers exclaimed in admiration. But then suddenly, they went “Hm?” as their expressions turned strange.

 

They all remembered what this procession really was—the Young Lady’s entourage heading to retake the exam because she had failed to prove her qualifications as the family’s heir.

 

‘Hmph. I prepared for times like this.’

 

I opened the window and gave instructions.

 

“Plan 3!”

 

“Yes, Young Lady!”

 

The attendants standing behind the carriage scattered candy and sweets from their baskets.

 

Meanwhile, Duke Carnel was also giving instructions.

 

“Plan 9!”

 

“Yes! Duke!”

 

Fireworks exploded as the Duke’s handsome knights suddenly grabbed their saddles, performed acrobatic flips, and began throwing flowers to the passersby.

 

I had written a blank check for this day.

 

Duke Carnel and I were throwing money around while shouting with one heart.

 

Forget the dark history from last time!

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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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