Translator: Khan
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Afterward, she tried to rewind the hourglass a few more times, and the ring shone blue. It seemed to shine as she used the power, regardless of bloodline.
But the letter he sent her did not mention about the ring at all, so she could not be sure, and her anxiety grew, and the time passed before Ariaâs birthday came.
âWhy are you looking so bad, Miss? Itâs your birthday todayâ¦â Annie asked, combing Ariaâs hair. As she sprinkled gold powder on it, her hair was shining while passing the brush.
Jessie, who brought the jewelry to her uneasy face, which was contrary to it, also looked at her feelings.
âIs something wrong?â
â⦠No, Iâm fine.â
She was not fine, as she was going to ask about the ring when Asher arrived, but she tried to clear his face. Then the relieved maids were busy with their hands and dressed Aria as much as they could.
When she wore the tailored dress made with a large amount of money paid in the name of the Countâs family for today, there was a beautiful woman who could not be comparable in the world.
âOh, my God⦠Youâre like an angel! Itâs too fascinating to be an angel!â
It was a demon who had come back to punish those who had humiliated her, not an angel, but because Annieâs expression was quite appropriate, several of the maids, including Jessie, nodded and affirmed.
âIs it beautiful enough to forgive me if Iâve been hiding a secret?â
âA secretâ¦? Yes! Heâll be damned as soon as he sees you without needing to ask for forgiveness!â
âIs that so?â
Annie was embarrassed as Aria mentioned a secret and forgiveness, but then she thought that Aria might have had a minor quarrel with Asher. She shook her head and believed that that must be what had happened, and Aria, who had finally relieved herself, regained her bright expression.
âYes! You have enough to melt the Crown Princeâs heart even if you donât make it up to him! I think theyâve arrived, so you better get down there!â
âOkay.â
It was still early in the morning, but her steps to the garden, which had already begun to be busy with guests gathering one by one, were a little light. She was sure that Asher would understand her, who had not been able to tell the truth because of the circumstances.
* * *
It was still early in the morning, but the garden in front of the hall and the mansion were already crowded with people who wanted to celebrate Ariaâs birthday. It was because she had invited not only the nobles who she was acquainted with but also the students who were attending the academy.
The students who had not known all this was to waste the Countâs familyâs fortune, and who had visited the Countâs mansion without knowing it, were full of admiration and yearning for the good-willing Aria.
âMiss Aria!â
âHappy Birthday, Miss Aria!â
âOh, my God, I canât believe Iâm seeing you!â
âThanks to you, Miss Aria, I was able to get a job at a good business group!â
Aria, who had her eyes on each of the students who were thrilled and tearful, thanked them for coming to celebrate.
âYouâre busy studying, but Iâm glad youâre taking such a precious step. We have prepared a little, but I hope youâll have a good meal.â
âThank, thank youâ¦â
âOh, and I have prepared a little gift for your visit, and I hope you will take it when you go.â
She had prepared a really small set of sweets, but it was a luxury snack that the commoners could not get easily, so she was sure that they would not spare the words of praise. This was the beginning of her birthday party that was devouring the fortunes of the Countâs family.
âOh my god, I have to party with the commonersâ¦?â
â⦠She is a commoner that is covered by the skin of a noble.â
Unfortunately, there were those who did not like it; they were some noblemen who came to Cainâs network. They did not have to come, but Cain had invited them, perhaps to stop the rumor that the Countâs family was about to be ruined.
âDo I have to party with the commoners in one placeâ¦?â
The noblemen dared to speak with contemptuous eyes as if to listen, still not knowing that the world was changing, and Aria and the students around her clearly heard that. The studentsâ faces turned pale.
âMiss Ariaâ¦â
âWell⦠Itâs enough for us to see your face, so we will return now.â
The students, who knew Ariaâs nature was good and delicate, looked at her with a worried face. Some of them blamed themselves that they attended the birthday party forgetting who they were, and they were saddened that Aria was in a sweeping criticism because of them.
The nobles who spoke badly to Aria were laughing that she would blush without refuting. However, there was nothing in her face but pity to mock the dull nobles, let alone the shade.
âThatâs weird. Todayâs party is for celebrating me, Roscent Aria. I think someone else who doesnât like it has visited.â
Aria had a bad temper by nature. It had been awakened by Mielle and her maids, but if she had been good and fragile in the first place, she couldnât do bad things even if they had encouraged her by her side. She could not leave those who appeared at the party on this good day and spoiled it.
âYou are unwelcome guests, but how can I welcome you if you all say something rude to the invited guests?'â
Aria raised her voice quite loudly as if everyone would listen to it, so the attention of those who did not know the situation naturally gathered.
âRude? Who?â Most of the people who attended were those who supported and favored Aria, so they looked for them with a keen eye to see what was going on. The nobles who had despised Aria and the commoners were laughing at one another.
âI didnât tell you a fake story, but why is she so mad? The commoners are so angry at such little things, and they are so unscrupulous.â
âWeâre invited by the acting Count, but she is treating us as if weâre not welcome.â
The surprised people opened their eyes and spoke a word about this ridiculous situation.
âOh, my God, what are they talking about?â
âThatâs terrible ⦠Iâve never seen anyone speak a rude word before.â
The party, which should be filled with joy and praise, began to be stained with contempt and displeasure. The atmosphere was getting strange, but Aria, who pretended not to know it, briefly apologized for her mistakes and guided the nobles.
âYouâve been invited by Mr. Cain⦠Iâve made a mistake. Then youâd better move on to where Mr. Cain has prepared for you because this is my party place.â
âYou donât have to say that because I didnât want to stay here. I was just going in because it was cold anyway⦠A party at a garden in winter? It is a fitting party for the vigorous commoners. I donât want to be in this shabby place anymore.â
One of the noblemen shook his dress off with his fan as if it were dirty, and he was sincere about moving straight to the front door.
Aria beckoned her servants to block the entrance to the mansion.
âOh, what do you mean? Whoâs going to have a winter party in the garden? Even the inside of the mansion is the party place for all my guests.â
â⦠What?â
The servants blocked the front door of the mansion, and the nobles lost their words, looking confused at Ariaâs words that they could not enter as if it was natural. It was as if there was no place for them.
âI hope you will disappear from the place where I have prepared as soon as possible, and you will find out where the place my brother has prepared for you. Unfortunately, he went out early in the morning, and I donât know the place.â
Aria gave them a big smile and urged them to leave. The butler even asked if he had to prepare the wagons. All of this seemed to explain that the real owner of the mansion was not Cain, who was a Count only in name, but Aria, who was a commoner that became a noble.
Cain, who had invited them, had not appeared, so the nobles, who had been pretending aloof all the time and showing their displeasure to Aria and the commoners, lost their words for a while. They stared at her and left with a distorted face. The carriages were waiting for them in no time.
âMiss Aria, youâre great!â
âI was afraid Miss Aria would be hurt!â