Chapter 73. Testing And Trial, Part XIV
Translator: Khan
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
The family of Count Roscent had been her faithful dog, and their relationship would become very close if the engagement of Mielle and Oscar took place. So Cain and Mielle, who had power on their backs, were able to cut Aria's head easily without much trial.
It was quite bad for Aria if they got acquainted. Even so, because she couldn't think of a way to stop it, she was just sitting still.
"Really?"
Aria answered carelessly. Then, to regain attention from Aria, Annie released the following information.
"Well, it was about Mr. Oscar!"
"Was that so?"
"Yes! I didn't hear any more details, but... I'm sure it's about the engagement!"
She was pretty quick-witted. It was also good to give her master the information she needed.
"Why do you think so?"
"That's it..."
She had been so good at chattering so far, but she suddenly closed her mouth. 'Why? Did she do something dishonest?' It was only then that Aria expressed her interest. She was wondering where she had stolen Mielle's information.
"The truth is... I've just read a letter from Miss Mielle to Princess Frederick..."
As expected, she was full of wickedness to the bone. She had been jealous and envious of her master's wealth, and Aria had seduced her, and Annie had betrayed her master in an instant. When Aria's eyes narrowed, Annie hurriedly made an excuse.
"Of, of course, I've never read the contents of Miss Aria's letters! It was sealed tightly in the first place."
"You mean you'd read them if I hadn't sealed them?"
"I wouldn't have done that! Absolutely not!"
Annie even waved her hand and denied it. No, she must have ripped open the sloppy letter. She didn't mean to scold her or kick her out because of her behavior. Annie couldn't betray her anyway.
Annie must have wondered about Mielle's secret, who pretended to be noble and lofty. Furthermore, it was information that would help her. It was not a big matter for Annie to read that letter. Aria smiled softly and sweetened Annie.
"Well, of course. I believe you, Annie."
"... re-really?"
"You happened to see it, didn't you? Letters were spread out on the table, so you could easily see them when you cleaned, or you would check them if you thought it was garbage as they were on the floor."
Aria gave Annie a chance to tell a natural lie. Aria also flashed Annie a smile as if she was telling her that she did a job well done regardless of what answer she chose.
"That's right...! I came across it while cleaning!"
"I knew that was the case."
"Miss...! Thank you very much for believing."
'So, what's the content?' At Aria's eye expression, Annie said what she had seen.
"How far have I told you? Oh! The letter she was going to send to the princess said that she was sorry that she didn't have a chance to meet him because he was busy and that she wanted to be an adult soon and be with him."
'Isn't it quite clever to look into the real influential person of the family of the Duke of Frederick and even send a letter in person?'
Maybe it wasn't the end yet, but Annie kept on talking, "The last thing she wrote was that she needs the princess's help. Most of the contents of the long letter were about Oscar. She only had one line of greeting for the princess who was going to receive the letter. Even the common people don't write it that way." Said Annie, who spoke ill of Mielle.
'How have you put up with it in the meantime?'
"Really? I hope the princess won't be disappointed if she receives Mielle's letter... Oh, Jessie. Can you give me a new tea? I'd like some green tea to clear my head."
"Yes, miss. Just a moment, please."
As soon as Jessie left the room, Aria beckoned Annie to lower her head. Then she bent her knees and lowered her posture like a dog that was listening well, and Aria swept her hair with praise since Annie did a good job.
"Your hair looks empty today. Do you like purple or green?"
".... pu-purple."
"Yes, do it."
Aria had to give a prize to a dog who had listened well. It was not just for a prize that Aria stroked her hair. Aria would definitely give Annie something great if she stole information again
She took out a purple hairpin from the jewelry box after she noticed Aria's intentions when she dismissed Jessie. It was a violet crystal. The price was relatively cheap compared to the real jewels since it was rare, but the nobles did not favor it much. Therefore, it seemed to spread like a fairly high-end fashion among the common people. It was because no one recognized the woman though she wore the real jewel.
When Aria had first given her with colored crystals, she was so happy when she had received the golden brooch, and Aria had prepared some more. It was a very useful tool for getting high-quality information at a low price.
Annie put the hairpin on her hair, and she seemed to think that it looked good on her. Annie, who looked into the mirror with her excited face, suddenly opened her mouth as if she had thought about something.
"But you know what, miss."
Aria looked at her all of a sudden because of Annie's serious look and speech tone. 'Is there anything else you need to say?'
"Maybe... Mr. Oscar is interested in Miss Aria, not Miss Mielle?"
Aria's mouth crept up because of the careful question. 'That's what it looks like to your eyes.'
"Why do you think so?"
"It's... because he doesn't even write to Miss Mielle, but she exchanges letters with Miss Aria several times a month, and..."
"And?"
"In fact, there's already a lot of gossip among maids. Mr. Oscar visited you on your birthday, and Miss Mielle's birthday... I heard that there was someone who saw you and Oscar talking alone in the garden."
She glanced at Aria with a puzzled look as if it were true. 'Yeah, I can't help it if rumors like that spread since I walked around in public.' Aria struggled to hide her joyous mind.
'Did Mielle hear that?' She must have heard of it. Her maids would love to babble as well as Annie. That was why she had sent him letters.
Aria was wondering what kind of expression she would have had on her face.
"And the dress is decisive."
"... Aha."
"How could he give both of you a similar dress as a gift?"
She spoke as if she could not understand the situation now. Annie was not the only one. No one would understand what was happening now. Even Aria, the person who was involved in the case and who organized the project, could hardly think of it as a dream because Oscar had been so easily bewitched.
"Anyway, not just me, but all the maids in the mansion think so. They are sure that the person Mr. Oscar likes is you." She was truly convinced.
Aria hid her smile and pretended to be calm. "If the rumors were true, I would be the wickedest woman of this age because I stole the heart of my sister's lover."
"No way! He's not even officially engaged to Miss Mielle, so he can change his lover at any time."
"Really?"
"Sure!"
'Even if I'm taking this approach on purpose, is it true?' Annie might say yes again in a loud voice. She had been jealous of her master. She betrayed her and wanted to be someone's concubine and raise her status.
"Today's conversation was very informative. I'll look forward to our next conversation, Annie."
Annie felt instinctively that she would soon receive a prize of more value than jewelry if she continued this pleasant conversation.
* * *
Mielle was busy preparing to go out in the morning. She applied perfume to her hair and combed it finely. She also colored it to add life to her lips because she might meet with Oscar after a long time. Choosing a bright outdoor suit for spring, she recalled a reply from Princess Frederick.
'Dear Lady Mielle, I hope you come to the mansion for the weekend. Oscar will also be making a brief appearance.'
'Oh, my God... isn't the princess an angel?'
When she sent a letter saying she had been a little disappointed by the recent estrangement of her relationship with Oscar, she had given her a place to meet him straight away.
"We have to start, miss."
"Yes, Emma."
Beautifully, but not too much. Mielle, who dressed herself to Oscar's taste, put on her coat with the help of her maid and left the mansion with Emma.