The Villainess Reverses the Hourglass

Chapter 78. Testing And Trial, Part XIX

Translator: Khan

Editor Group: Liber Reverie

The countess was the first to notice the change of Aria, who had been eating silently with a stiff face all the time because Mielle had a mate, she was thinking about connecting Lane, or his master, with her daughter. That was why she smiled brightly, hoping inwardly that Aria would say something great.

"I hope we can come up with a solution soon, in case there's a similar problem ahead."

The count's agony was originally a matter that would happen later, but a new business item, called fur, shortened the period. Now that there were no problems, if he thought about it in a leisurely way, he might come up with a way.

'I can't let that happen.' When Aria hurried to advise the count, Lane took the initiative.

"Lady Mielle, do you think there is a way to solve this problem?"

"Ah…"

'I can't believe he asked Mielle. Does Lane still think she's smart?' She might be smart if he looked at her in another way. If he only evaluated her as a noble lady, she might look good.

But it had nothing to do with business, and it was no use asking because the previous glory was also the one that had been stolen from Aria. Aria thought he'd noticed by now because he was a quick-witted person, but he still had a lingering attachment to her, and Aria snorted at him, thinking he was stupid.

"I don't know… I've never thought about it, so I can't think of it right away."

"I think so too. However, if this kind of meeting is repeated, sometimes the best way comes out. I wonder if you have any thoughts, since you have given various advice on the count's business."

Mielle blushed, not knowing that Lane had been driving her to hell more and more. She was in agony for a moment without losing her smile, then opened her mouth with her eyes glistening as if she had a good idea.

"I think the best way is to get along closely with the customs staff. Since my father has been struggling despite all his hard work, so why don't you introduce him to the customs staff?"

"Introduction…?"

"Yes! Mr. Lane solved this matter right away. So I think it would be better if you introduce someone you know to my father."

'Really… Mielle, how can you choose only those words that suit my taste?'

Aria put the salad in her mouth, holding back the laughter that was about to burst at Mielle's thought, which was so one-dimensional. The dressing was over, and the sweet and sour taste burst in her mouth, distracting her mind.

No one could match her words to the noblewoman-like answer. Only the countess, who grasped the mood, gave a clumsy agreement, saying, "Our Mielle is very sociable."

"… You might see it like that." Lane's complexion became visibly dark.

Have you finally given up your lingering feelings about Mielle? Mielle, who did not know the reason, opened her eyes wide and read his countenance, and the count cut the meat without a word.

The bad feeling which she had received because of Oscar's letter turned to a good one again. It would be now if she wanted to step into the conversation. Aria, who wiped her lips with a napkin, quietly opened her mouth.

"Mielle, I agree with you. I think it's important to build connections in many ways. But if you have to ask someone for help whenever you have a problem, it would be a little embarrassing to prove that you can't do anything on your own."

"Ah… that's not what I mean. The customs issue is hard on my father, so let's get help for the matter."

Mielle hurriedly made an excuse, apparently unaware that she would be attacked. Aria apologized as if she did not know Mielle's thoughts.

"Ah, that's what you mean. I must have misunderstood a little! I'm sorry, Mielle."

"… No, sister. You've only been in the Roscent family for two years, so you might not know."

'So, in the end, I was so ignorant that I opened my mouth hastily. Don't you really know that the more you repeat that, the more stupid you are?'

Aria even wondered if she had to say Cain's idea in response that was so unworthy of her to deal with.

"That could be so. I thought it would be better to open a warehouse right near the capital in order not to pay taxes… I'm sure I had this narrow-minded idea since I joined the Roscent family not long ago."

The count and Lane's eyes followed her, thanks to her brief expression of thoughts. They didn't hear the details, but they looked like it was what she was talking about.

The count was interested because it was Aria who had helped the fur business last time, and Lane also shone his eyes because he had experienced her brilliance a few times. Only a foolish Mielle was already preparing to laugh at what a vulgar wicked woman would say.

"A warehouse right near the capital?… specifically what does that mean?"

"Oops, it's just a small idea that won't help. Never mind, Father."

Aria waved her hands as she straightened her face. Then this time, Lane pressed for an answer.

"No. Every thought begins with a very small one. I'm curious too, Lady Aria."

"If you really want… Don't laugh, just think it's a little girl's simple idea."

"Aria, who's laughing at you? Don't worry."

'Didn't your own daughter just laugh at me?' It would not be an optionally deaf, but the count pretended not to know it.

"Well… it's nothing special. I just thought that since the capital's tax is the highest, it would be better to build a warehouse near the capital and bring things inside only when there's demand. It's a very ordinary idea, isn't it?"

It was quite ordinary, but the count had never thought of it before.

Of course, such an idea was not necessary. It was because he had never handled seasonal products like fur, so he didn't have to bring back out the items he had brought in.

Once brought in, it was usual to sell them until they ran out of stock. Moreover, the count had been able to properly control the quantity due to his many years of experience. He would have never imagined this would happen.

'If the count had a little more time, you would have come up with the simple idea…'

But the winner was the one who preoccupied the object or thought. Those who hadn't thought of it were going to be losers.

"It's not a simple idea. That sounds like a great idea, especially for the count who is planning to expand his business in the future."

"That's what I think. With the exception of the capital, it costs little tax to move to other provinces."

"If you finish trading there in the first place, you won't have to pay any taxes. An individual can either wear it or bring it in as a luggage."

"Ha! That's so true! Even if it is the business group, I'll take care of everything that goes into the capital anyway, so I can buy it outside the capital and take it straight to the provinces!"

"You're right. It's like finding a way to save all the taxes and reap huge profits with just one thought difference!"

As if they had found a gold mine, they chatted about the advantages of the warehouse. The count laughed loudly, saying, "Because all the supplies and development are concentrated in the capital, the land price will be cheap."

Meanwhile, Aria glanced behind her. Jessie was seen holding the box. She was cute. Maybe it was because she had requested Jessie to pay close attention to it recently. She kept the request of Aria, and she always carried it with her, not knowing how the box was used.

'I'm going to turn it over right now and have the initiative of the words the count and Lane said.'

She decided to steal his thoughts as the count had stolen her accomplishments for Mielle, and turned the hourglass over straight away after she received it from Jessie.

"Aria, who's laughing at you? Don't worry."

'Ah, I'm back at the right time.' Aria grinned. The opportunity came for her to take Cain's idea, and the count and Lane's thoughts, and to enjoy the glory of her own.

"Well… I'll give you my specific idea, though it's narrow-minded. That narrow-minded idea that you expect to save a large amount of taxes."