The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 89

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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 89

Although it was hectic filling the vacant position of Chief Aide, perhaps because the source of constant internal conflict had disappeared?

The Duke’s health seemed to have improved instead. Color began to return to his complexion, and according to the kitchen staff, his appetite had increased as well.

‘It would be perfect if only there were no foreign substances targeting me.’

From morning to evening, I visited the Duke whenever I had a chance and stayed vigilant.

And finally.

“…Should I take care of managing your medicine from now on? The doctors say they can space out the examination intervals now…”

“Well, to be honest, seeing white coats did make me feel like my health was getting worse…”

While we were having such a conversation over tea, we heard the advisors murmuring outside the door.

‘Has news arrived?’

I raised my eyebrows.

Due to the Duke’s sensitive nature, it was impossible for sounds to leak into the room normally. Unless it was something quite significant.

Duke Carnel asked toward the outside.

“What’s the matter?”

“Duke!”

The door opened and the advisors rushed in.

“Don’t be alarmed! It’s good news!”

“What is it?”

“Well, Young Master Sion, who departed for the northern expedition two years ago, is returning to the capital! Along with Commander Helmut and several elders!”

“What?”

The Duke stood up in surprise.

“What’s this sudden news? He said he wouldn’t return until the demon disaster was pacified… Wait. Then could it be?”

“That’s right!”

The advisors beamed with joy and spoke eagerly.

“When the northern demon leader was cornered, it transformed into human form and fled to the central region! Young Master Sion, Commander Helmut, and the elders all joined the pursuit!”

“After traveling the long distance to the outskirts of the capital and lying in wait for several days, they finally succeeded in capturing and killing the creature!”

“With this, the area around the Northern Arel Estate has been completely pacified! Congratulations, Duke! Young Master Sion is rushing here now to personally report this joyful news to you!”

At this unexpected good news, Duke Carnel seemed to regain his energy.

“Sion finally did it!”

As he crossed the room with a surprised and delighted expression, he suddenly flinched.

He must have remembered my existence.

This troublemaker daughter who had tormented Sion so much in the past that even his cherished elders had packed up and left.

The Duke turned to look at me.

“Aristina, you…”

I quickly exclaimed.

“My goodness! Sion?”

I had been waiting for this very moment and honing my acting skills.

‘A troublemaker who deeply regrets her past misdeeds and vows never to repeat the same mistakes.’

On my face reflected in the mirror across from me, such a pitiful yet sincere expression was clearly visible.

“While I was confined under the false accusation of poisoning Serene, many faces came to mind… But among them, the one that tormented me most was Sion’s face. Living as a slave, he must have received such punishment. He must have felt such despair… I should have treated him better…”

I murmured with a trembling voice and reddened my eyes.

“If I could clear my name and find a new life, I wanted to meet Sion again and treat him well. I wanted to become the good sister he had hoped for. To wash away even a little of my past wrongs…”

“…”

The advisors all fell silent and looked at me.

‘Did they buy it?’

I quickly studied their expressions.

After Eunice’s conspiracy was revealed, their way of looking at me seemed to have changed somewhat.

Well, perhaps some business ventures that could have succeeded had failed due to Eunice’s interference.

Some of the malicious rumors Eunice had spread weren’t actually true.

Despite plotting with even a mysterious treasure, I had known in advance and prevented it well…

Having learned these facts, they couldn’t help but see me a little differently.

Of course, fixed impressions built up over a few years to nearly 20 years couldn’t disappear, but at least they were listening to what I was saying at this moment.

Some people even nodded slightly.

Duke Carnel spoke.

“If you’re really saying that from the bottom of your heart, the sun would rise in the west…”

How perceptive.

“But I’ll wait and see. Whether you’ve really changed your mind or not.”

“Yes, Father.”

I bowed my head respectfully.

Duke Carnel looked at me for a moment, then turned back to the advisors.

“So where is Sion’s party now?”

“They’ve packed and departed, so they should arrive at the Ducal Mansion within a few hours.”

“Then we can’t just sit still.”

The Duke picked up the jacket he had taken off on the sofa.

“He suffered all kinds of hardships from childhood, finally returned home to live comfortably, but had to go out wandering again. Now his thoughtless daughter says she’s reformed. I’ll go personally greet my nephew who returns with great achievements.”

“Are you sure you’ll be alright, Duke?”

“I’ve been taking frequent walks lately, so I feel energetic. Send someone immediately to tell them we’re coming to meet them at Camble District. We leave right away.”

“Yes, Duke!”

The party consisting of Duke Carnel, me, and the advisors immediately prepared to go out and left the main building.

Shortly after.

Several carriages bearing the Rosen Duchy’s crest emerged from the Ducal Mansion. The carriages raced like the wind toward the outskirts of the capital. And…

Eventually, we arrived at the vast wild grassland of Camble District.

“Let’s get out.”

“Yes, Father.”

I followed the Duke’s party, got out of the carriage, and stood waiting obediently.

About 30 minutes passed.

I could see a single horse approaching from the distance. As the distance gradually closed, I could make out his appearance.

It was an elder knight galloping with curly white hair flowing in the wind. He wore the typical appearance of a northern knight – black leather training clothes with a fur-trimmed cloak.

Duke Carnel shouted with joy.

“Wilford!”

“Duke!”

Sir Wilford pulled out a flag stuck in his saddle with one hand and waved it toward the back. It seemed to signal that Duke Carnel was already there.

“Have you been well all this time?”

Sir Wilford, who had jumped down from his horse, approached as if to embrace the Duke, rejoicing.

Following him, other horses appeared one after another. The group wearing fur-trimmed cloaks dismounted and surrounded Duke Carnel.

“Well! Who knew the subjugation would take this long!”

“You don’t know how much we missed you!”

The elders who met their master after two years were beside themselves with joy.

“Duke…!”

Even old tiger Helmut looked at Duke Carnel with fierce eyes, unable to continue his words.

“Helmut!”

The Duke firmly grasped his hand.

In the past, when Duke Carnel struggled to maintain his position as head of the family with his frail body, they had all sided with the Duke.

No matter how difficult the moment, they supported the Duke and pledged their loyalty at the risk of their lives.

The reason such people left Duke Carnel’s side was entirely because of Aristina. They couldn’t bear the master’s daughter who had grown up to be a troublemaker.

That very troublemaker was also present here.

“…”

After the Duke and elders finished their greetings, an awkward silence fell for a moment.

“…Young Lady.”

After reluctantly greeting me, they immediately turned their gaze away. As if they had seen something unbearable.

‘Right. I understand.’

I smiled calmly.

The image of me they remember is nothing more or less than a little devil.

Getting provoked by Sion’s instigation and causing trouble. Letting Sion, who acted like a victim so earnestly, badmouth me into their ears day and night. No matter how much he sowed discord, I couldn’t come up with a single countermeasure.

That’s how it was back then. Even while fuming with indignation, I didn’t know what to do. So I couldn’t respond at all and was helplessly victimized.

‘But not anymore.’

What stood before their eyes was not that Aristina from back then.

Now everything had changed.

The household undermining forces including Eunice had been completely uprooted.

The maids who had rejoiced thinking the Young Lady was dead now hoped only for my safety, expecting what benefits I might give them.

I had completely cleaned up the guild that was overrun with salary thieves and planted a loyal right-hand man.

A nameplate proudly announcing our status as Imperial contractors was attached to the guild office.

Since the well-known 【Imperial Department Store】 was mine, large sums of money were steadily accumulating in the guild account even without doing anything.

Everything I had touched had changed like this.

‘So…’

I looked around at the elders with their displeased faces.

‘I’m going to make you all my allies too now. For survival.’

As my gaze reached each person one by one, they uncomfortably averted their eyes.

In the midst of this, someone shouted.

“Uncle!”

A voice trembling thinly with rising emotion rang out clearly.

Duke Carnel’s expression changed.

“Sion!”

The elders split to both sides. Between them, a tall young man wearing a cloak with beast fur strode forward.

Silver hair and a pale face. The eyepatch covering one eye might have made him look frightening.

But rather, because of that eyepatch, his beauty that perfectly resembled his absolutely beautiful mother stood out even more impressively.

Especially those beautiful eyes that everyone praised as angelic.

That face was exactly the same as in my memories, but…

Other things had changed.

In the past two years, he had grown so tall that I now had to look up at him, and the muscles trained from hunting monsters made him look even more mature.

When our eyes met, he looked at me for a moment. Then he gave a bright smile and offered a greeting.

“It’s been a long time, sister.”

I looked at him and smiled brightly.

“It has been a long time, Sion.”

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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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