The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 75

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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 75

 

The House of Rosen didn’t have anything that could be called a family motto, but if there was one, wouldn’t it be something like this?

 

‘If something isn’t going well, try throwing money at it.’

 

The ballroom was no exception.

 

The mansion casting shadows on the mirror-like water surface looked like a small fairy castle.

 

Standing on the grand staircase and looking down at the ballroom, it truly seemed as if a fairy tale world had materialized into reality before my eyes.

 

“Count and Countess Evetien have arrived!”

 

“Lord La Nochi and his daughter!”

 

The sound of attendees entering echoed continuously.

 

“Is that the ‘Queen of Tiroli’? That famous chandelier was hanging here!”

 

“Look at that! They carved the ivory wood as delicately as lace!”

 

“This pattern? It’s not paint but silver that was poured and hardened!”

 

Every person entering looked around the ballroom with wide eyes, exclaiming in admiration.

 

“Look here! This was also commissioned from a master craftsman?”

 

At someone’s loud voice, I looked in that direction.

 

People were admiring the guest masks displayed in the ballroom.

 

To make a playful entrance at the beginning of the ball, to blend in smoothly among strangers, to avoid overly obvious stares…

 

For guests who needed masks for various reasons, it was imperial etiquette to place them next to cocktail tables, but even such light consumables were all prepared as luxury items.

 

“Should we return these here?”

 

“No! They’re souvenirs from tonight’s ball, so please take them with you.”

 

At the Butler’s words, people were secretly pleased and took one each. But then, they paused.

 

“What’s this? Inside the mask, ‘Commemorating Princess Aristina’s Heir Qualification Exam’ is embossed in huge letters?”

 

“Oh? It really is!”

 

At the guests’ words, I was flustered.

 

‘This isn’t some first birthday party!’

 

Duke Carnel was muttering beside me.

 

“Today will be remembered forever.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“How dare they talk about collective non-attendance? I told you. I’d show them what’s what.”

 

He spoke with a charismatic air.

 

Holding a glass in one hand with his red eyes gleaming, he looked like a villain trying to conquer the world with money.

 

“You are magnificent, Father.”

 

Flattery automatically came out of my mouth.

 

The Duke snorted and looked down at the ballroom with a spirited expression.

 

But that was brief. Soon his energy seemed depleted as he gripped the railing with his hand.

 

“The music is hurting my ears. And come to think of it, I’ve walked too much.”

 

“This place is too bustling for Your Grace.”

 

Eunice, who was standing behind us, spoke.

 

“We’ve prepared VIP seating over here. How about you watch comfortably from inside the glass wall, then go down when the ship arrives? The ball is already a great success anyway, so the Young Lady will do fine on her own.”

 

“Well.”

 

The Duke received the list of ball attendees and glanced through it.

 

The ball was divided into parts 1 and 2. Prince Istan from the Kingdom of Neplesia was listed to attend part 2.

 

“Good. You go and entertain the guests. I need to rest during part 1.”

 

After saying that, the Duke entered the VIP seating.

 

“Understood. I’ll see you later, Father.”

 

I turned around.

 

I had already taken care of Duke Carnel’s health issues anyway.

 

Before going down the central staircase, I briefly caught Maid Sophie to confirm.

 

“You have what I told you about, right? The heart medicine and the letter.”

 

“Of course, Young Lady. As you instructed, I’ll hand them to His Grace as soon as the chief aide leaves his post.”

 

“Good.”

 

With this, all preparations were complete. After confirming once more that the ‘Heart of Rose’ was properly hanging around my neck, I resolutely stepped onto the central staircase.

 

‘Well then, I’m heading out to clean up this family’s corruption!’

 

The ballroom was very bustling. Gorgeously dressed noble men and women were busy chatting pleasantly with drinks in their hands.

 

“Lord Nigel!”

 

“Shh! I don’t know any such person!”

 

I could see people giggling while wearing masks.

 

Prince Istan was surely doing the same. Attending part 2 was obviously a lie to deceive Duke Carnel’s eyes. He must have come early.

 

Sure enough.

 

“Haha! Not particularly so. I also often hear that I’m quite the romantic type…”

 

From the center where people had gathered, I heard a familiar sweet voice. It was imperial language with a slight foreign accent remaining.

 

‘I knew it.’

 

The moment I looked, our eyes met directly.

 

“Ah!”

 

Prince Istan, wearing a mask covering his eyes, immediately cut off his conversation and approached me. Even the envious and jealous gazes pouring toward me were probably all calculated actions.

 

He whispered in a voice as sweet as melted honey.

 

“Why did you come down so late?”

 

I played along with him, acting appropriately shy.

 

“Were you watching me, Your Highness?”

 

“Of course! I couldn’t take my eyes off you from the moment you appeared.”

 

“Liar. You were busy laughing and chatting with other women.”

 

“Those women are just for killing time. The only reason I came to this ball today was to meet you. I was so eager to be alone together that I even reserved a balcony perfect for just the two of us.”

 

“Really?”

 

Just then.

 

“Lady Aristina!”

 

A clear, bright voice called me. It was a voice very familiar to all the social circle men and women gathered here.

 

Hmm?

 

Everyone looked toward the back of the procession with surprised faces.

 

A Noble Lady in a white, fluttering dress was walking over.

 

Her softly flowing hair was jet black, and her two eyes sparkled like the sky.

 

“Princess Hyperion?”

 

The hall stirred quietly.

 

Serene was already lovely to begin with, but ever since she declared herself my disciple, I could even see the illusion of a puppy tail wagging behind her back. A smile naturally appeared on my lips.

 

“Lady Serene! Thank you for coming!”

 

“Thank you for inviting me to such a meaningful ball.”

 

Serene replied with a bright smile.

 

Everyone was already paying attention to me because of Prince Istan, but now even more gazes were focused on us.

 

Various newspapers had said that although I had invited Serene, she would skip this ball because it would still be uncomfortable for her and the Crown Prince to face each other.

 

But Serene blew away those speculations.

 

Showing herself laughing and chatting with me in front of people, she asked innocently.

 

“But who is this handsome man talking with Lady Aristina?”

 

“Ah! That’s the famous Prince Istan.”

 

“Oh my, I’ve heard rumors about him. They say he’s very charming and has a good personality?”

 

“That’s right. Your Highness, this is my friend, Princess Serene Hyperion.”

 

I was introducing them to each other so that Serene could curse him out more thoroughly later, when.

 

“His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Second Prince have arrived!”

 

The voice of the Duke’s Head Butler in charge of entrance announcements rang out loudly throughout the hall. I could see the Prince flinch.

 

I guess the time he spent with those dragon brothers was very meaningful and rewarding?

 

With that thought, I turned my head.

 

“There they are!”

 

Along with Zikren’s booming voice, I could see the brothers walking side by side.

 

Though the ball was filled with splendidly dressed noble men and women, when the brothers appeared, everyone else seemed to fade into the background.

 

“Princess Aristina.”

 

Aldensis had swept back his fine golden hair, revealing his sculpture-like face clearly. His blue eyes seemed even deeper and more mysterious today, as if announcing his dragon bloodline.

 

I could feel everyone around holding their breath at the elegant and beautiful appearance of the Crown Prince.

 

Meanwhile, Zikren beside him…

 

“The party destroyer is finally throwing a party!”

 

He swept up his red hair while grinning brightly, his appearance dazzlingly gorgeous.

 

His golden eyes overflowed with vitality, making him look particularly handsome today, and sighs from young ladies could be heard continuously from here and there.

 

“Aristina, you put some effort in too since it’s a special day?”

 

Though Zikren said this, the brothers themselves seemed to have dressed with more care than usual.

 

Prince Istan had also dressed up quite stylishly, but the moment the Crown Prince brothers appeared, I could feel him flinch and compare himself to them.

 

Aldensis and Zikren looked in that direction.

 

“Prince Istan is here as well?”

 

The prince bowed his head and answered.

 

“Yes, Your Highness. I also received an invitation from the Duke’s family.”

 

“That’s good?”

 

Zikren was pleased.

 

“We can use this opportunity to strengthen the friendship between our nations even more! While we all support Aristina together!”

 

When he approached to express friendliness, Prince Istan disappeared like an eel in an instant.

 

‘Where did he go?’

 

As I was looking around, someone gestured from behind a pillar.

 

“Just a moment.”

 

I pushed through the crowd and went over to meet Prince Istan. He muttered dejectedly.

 

“I heard something happened between you and His Highness the Crown Prince. He truly is a remarkable person? The Second Prince as well.”

 

I said something I didn’t mean.

 

“In my opinion, you’re much more handsome, Prince.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

The masked prince’s face relaxed somewhat.

 

Though they were indeed better looking, he was probably thinking he had a secret weapon that could captivate any woman. The arrow of enchantment was completely a cheat skill after all.

 

He straightened his shoulders that had momentarily drooped.

 

“Anyway, it seems Their Highnesses really don’t like me.”

 

“That can’t be. Who wouldn’t like such a charming Prince Istan?”

 

“In any case, there’s someone who really dislikes me. They seem to be investigating me.”

 

The prince showed an uncomfortable expression and said with a groan.

 

“Let’s separate for a moment and then meet again naturally. Since the princess’s beauty draws too much attention, it would be better to meet while wearing a mask like me. To avoid your father’s eyes as well.”

 

“Let’s do that. We’ll meet again soon.”

 

I flashed a bright smile I didn’t mean toward the prince. Then…

 

‘Huh?’

 

I flinched when I looked across.

 

The Crown Prince brothers, who had been surrounded by people just moments ago, had somehow slipped away and were looking this way.

 

‘Oh no.’

 

I had been caught smiling brightly and acting coquettish, which was a bit embarrassing. They knew well that I wasn’t interested in men and only cared about money.

 

Indeed, Aldensis and Zikren looked at each other briefly as if dumbfounded.

 

‘Just pretend you didn’t see, please.’

 

I sent that mental plea, but the brothers pushed through the crowd and quickly came over.

 

“You look happy, Princess. This is the first time I’ve seen such a bright smile since our contract was established and you received the first payment.”

 

Aldensis said with a gentle smile. See? He’s throwing a barbed comment as expected.

 

“But what should we do? Prince Istan and I still have matters about public welfare to discuss.”

 

“Gasp! I’ll go to the restroom for a moment!”

 

The prince suddenly shuddered and ran away without looking back.

 

“Prince! Wait! About the welfare of Santilican residents!”

 

Aldensis shouted loudly and followed after him.

 

Only Zikren and I were left behind. Zikren muttered with a somewhat dazed expression.

 

“How could you smile at that guy like that…”

 

The shock of witnessing the king of coquetry seemed to linger. I shrugged my shoulders.

 

“What’s wrong with it? It’s not like smiling costs money…”

 

“But that guy is…”

 

Just then.

 

“Young Lady Countess Peres has arrived!”

 

I was surprised by the Head Butler’s voice. Young Lady Countess Peres – isn’t that the person Zikren likes?

 

“Your partner has arrived.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Zikren shook his shoulders and came to his senses.

 

“Right. I’ll see you later, Aristina.”

 

He immediately turned around and walked away.

 

What kind of young lady could she be?

 

Curious, I looked in that direction.

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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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