Countess Youngae’s Money-Sweeping Makeup Shop - Chapter 16

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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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16

Neat handwriting was written in black ink.

I looked once, twice, squinted at it from afar, looked closely with wide eyes, flipped it over and looked again.

House of Jesuert, Ricardo Jesuert

“Why did he send this?”

“Pardon?”

“No, no. It’s nothing.”

“Yes!”

I looked at Lili who answered cheerfully, then turned my gaze back to the letter.

I stared down at the letter intently, then opened it to check the contents.

Greetings, Ebennain Yeongae.

I heard you collapsed. Is your health alright?

I apologize if my sudden contact has surprised you.

The reason I’m writing is that my previous words about wanting to become friends were sincere, so I decided to contact you first.

If it’s alright with you, I would like to have a conversation with Ebennain Yeongae at our manor.

Since this is a proposal to become friends rather than lovers, I hope you won’t feel burdened.

I await your reply.

From Ricardo Jesuert.

What’s this?

Did God think I looked too pitiful?

To think he’s approaching me wanting to become friends on his own.

This is practically a confirmed business partner, isn’t it?

If his favorability is this high from the start, I’m totally grateful.

A grin burst out.

I clenched my fists and shouted internally, ‘God is on my side!’

I lifted the letter with both hands and my eyes sparkled.

What should I bring?

I need to show that makeup can make money.

An item that would make Ricardo interested in cosmetics too.

I closed my eyes and tried to recall the vague descriptions of what Ricardo looked like.

What was it again.

Uh, uhh. Hmm, umm?

Ah! Ah…

Sigh, this damn memory of mine.

Nothing’s coming to mind.

When I sighed deeply and opened my eyes, Lili’s face was slightly red as she looked at me with both fists clenched.

“Lili? What’s wrong?”

“…You can’t.”

“Huh?”

“Miss, unrequited love is not allowed!”

“What?”

“What if you fall into another terrible unrequited love and soak your pillow with tears again? I can’t bear to watch that because it breaks my heart!”

With tears welling up and trembling, she looked like a puppy standing in front of a beast trying to protect its owner.

But what is she talking about right now?

Who said anything about unrequited love?

I looked up at Lili with an incredulous expression.

“I’m not having unrequited love though?”

“Huh? But you were happy when you received the letter from the first young master of House of Jesuert.”

“Hmm? Umm? Was I happy? Well, I was happy in a different sense, but I don’t love him. As for love, the Crown Prince was more than enough to burn me out.”

“Miss…!”

“But why that young master? Is there some problem?”

“It’s not exactly a problem, but he’s someone who wears a mask. There are rumors that there’s something terrible behind the mask. What if he’s a monster…!”

Ah.

I remembered.

Ricardo’s description.

‘Behind the mask were hidden burn scars. There was no more pain, but the red marks still remained on Ricardo’s right cheek.’

That description appeared in the latter half of the work.

The reason for wearing the mask wasn’t revealed, but perhaps it was largely to hide the scars?

If so, it would be easy to score points by preparing cosmetics that could cover the scars.

Ricardo said it was to become friends, but there’s no way that’s true.

It was definitely to propose business.

Then what I need to prepare from now on is cosmetics to bring!

He definitely wouldn’t prefer something that only lasts briefly.

Because he wouldn’t like spending a long time for just a brief meeting.

I need something that can improve durability.

Something that can be made thick like foundation or concealer!

Rather than just worrying about it here, it would be better to go to the village and find substitutes.

But I’m confined here.

I need to escape from here.

Someone to help me…

I rolled my eyes around.

Lili who’s been whimpering that Ricardo is no good since earlier?

She’ll absolutely shout opposition.

Disqualified.

Contact Ricardo?

No, no, it would be troublesome if he thinks that stalker cast magic to meet him after all that.

Disqualified.

The culprit who confined me to my room, the Middle-aged Man?

Would that work?

Disqualified.

Then Felix who freely comes and goes from Sillia’s manor?

…

I got up and scribbled on a piece of paper that was on the desk.

Then I folded it like a note and handed it to Lili with a serious expression.

“Lili, could you quickly send this to Felix?”

Lili stopped chattering and paused, then her eyes lit up as she nodded enthusiastically.

Then she received the note with both hands, held it preciously, and ran out of the room.

Alright, my personal escape rope!

***

Early lunch with sunlight pouring down.

Felix, who had finished sword training, was sitting on the staircase munching on a sandwich he had prepared.

Then a young man approached Felix and handed him a strangely folded paper.

“This was sent from the Ebennain Estate for you, young master.”

“Huh? From who?”

“Miss Sillia sent it. She also said to deliver it as quickly as possible…”

“What?”

Felix immediately snatched it and rolled it around before unfolding the note.

Please get me out of here quickly.

Only this one sentence was written alone on the paper.

Thinking that perhaps Sillia’s Older Brother was harming Sillia again, Felix ran to the stables without even preparing.

The fact that she even sent a note meant something had definitely happened.

Father had told him not to go to the Ebennain Estate for a while as punishment for not properly protecting Sillia, but what if something happened to Ria in the meantime!

Felix took a fast horse and headed to the Ebennain Estate.

And now.

“Haaaaah.”

Felix let out a sigh.

He had rushed over only to find Sillia sitting there drinking tea with a bright smile on her face.

“Why on earth did you call me, Ri…!”

“Shh.”

Sillia covered Felix’s mouth with one hand.

As he widened his eyes and fell silent, Sillia made a fist with only her thumb extended with her remaining hand.

Then she pointed to the window behind them.

“Let’s stage our romantic elopement.”

“What?”

No, seriously what?

She’s read so many books, does she even know what that means?

How are her memories coming back for her to say such things?

Felix felt heat rising to his face.

Show me a man who wouldn’t get heated hearing such words.

As he stammered without being able to answer, Sillia sighed with an exasperated expression.

“Don’t you get it when I hint? I want to go to the village but I’m locked in my room right now. To go to the village, you need to carry me on your back and help me escape.”

“You could just talk to the Count. If we get caught, it’s not just you but me who’ll get in trouble too, you know?”

“This big sister will take care of that, so don’t worry.”

“If you could take care of it, do it yourself! I already came here prepared to get scolded by Father!”

“Since you’re going to get scolded anyway, you might as well get scolded after helping me escape.”

“Are you even my friend!”

“I asked for rescue because we’re friends, didn’t I?”

“Ugh.”

Seeing Sillia talking with such a bright smile, Felix felt the back of his neck grow hot.

Grr, he frowned, squeezed his eyes shut, and pondered.

Certainly, whether he just left or helped Sillia escape, he’d get scolded either way, but wasn’t there a way to get scolded less?

Flash.

Suddenly an idea flashed through his mind.

Felix, who had been stroking his chin in thought, raised his gaze and looked at Sillia seriously.

“Can you do some acting in front of the Count?”

***

Knock knock knock.

“Excuse me, Count. This is Felix Galdrid from the Galdrid County.”

“Come in.”

With permission, Felix entered the Count’s study.

I deliberately followed behind Felix, and the Count’s eyes widened briefly when he saw me.

The Count withdrew his gaze from me and looked at Felix.

Then, perhaps a bit nervous, the sound of him swallowing could be heard softly.

Bow, Felix lowered his head in greeting and began lying to the Count with a serious expression.

“I apologize for visiting so suddenly. The thing is, Sillia says it’s difficult for her to be here.”

“…What?”

“The reason she collapsed before was also because she didn’t want to return to the manor where Brother Kiel is…”

“…”

“Sillia says she’d like to stay with us for just a day, even briefly. Would that be alright?”

“Is this true?”

The Count asked in a calm but gentle voice, seemingly trying not to frighten me.

I cowered as if frightened and hid behind Felix.

Then, lightly grasping the arm in front of me with both hands, I nodded.

Even I thought it was too cringeworthy.

Acting like a timid little girl hiding behind her older brother at my age made me wonder if this was really right.

But there was no other way.

I had to appeal as much as possible that I was afraid of Kiel in order to escape from here.

Silence flowed through the study.

My heart was pounding.

Honestly, I thought Felix and my acting just now was award-worthy, but what if it didn’t work.

My eyes met the Count’s.

Worried he might read my mind, I flinched and quickly averted my gaze.

The silence continued for several more minutes.

The prolonged silence was finally broken by the Count’s voice, lower than usual.

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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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