Countess Youngae’s Money-Sweeping Makeup Shop - Chapter 40

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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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40

 

My inner selves stood up and began to applaud.

 

What a truly touching story.

 

My heart felt all warm and fuzzy.

 

Pebello and Dian? I hope both of them do well.

 

Hehe, I smiled as I folded the letter and rolled up my sleeves.

 

Now I need to send a reply and go look at the shop.

 

I asked the Middle-aged Man for help and found out about several decent shop properties for sale.

 

Of course…

 

“Sillia, wasn’t your birthday a few days ago? Do you want a building as a gift? If so…”

 

“No, no. I’ll decide on the building myself. I wanted to buy it with my own money from the start. If I’m really short on funds, I’ll borrow from you, Father.”

 

“Borrow? You could just accept it as a gift.”

 

“The gift is getting a list of good shops. This time, I want to do business with my own strength alone.”

 

“…Do as you wish. I’ll bring it to you by tomorrow at the latest, so go back now.”

 

“Yes! Thank you, Father.”

 

I had a hard time stopping the Middle-aged Man from trying to get a small stake in my business.

 

The Middle-aged Man seemed curious about what kind of business I was planning to do.

 

But I just smiled and avoided the topic, only discussing what I needed before leaving the study.

 

It’s not a restaurant, but I need to check estimates for basic hygiene and how much remodeling is needed, so I have to go out even if it’s bothersome, right?

 

I let out a deep sigh, wrote a reply to Pebello, then prepared to go out.

 

***

 

I decided to look at the shops with Ricardo, so he came to pick me up by carriage at the appointed time.

 

Today I wanted to do makeup with a somewhat puppy-like feel, so I drew my eye corners downward to create a soft atmosphere.

 

Even though I made quite a big change, Ricardo was quick to recognize me.

 

Of course, it seemed he did think about it, as I could see his eyes focusing intently through his mask.

 

At this rate, I thought he’d soon figure out on his own that I was the woman who bumped into him on the day we first met.

 

No, it’s been over a month now.

 

If I don’t tell him, he won’t notice.

 

Even if he finds out, what can he do now? I’m the only one who can cover your scars!

 

Thinking that way, my worries disappeared.

 

Whether he figures it out or not.

 

With my mind feeling lighter, I could clearly see the pros and cons of the buildings.

 

This one’s too big, this one looks like it’ll rot easily, this one’s a good place for bugs, this one’s decent but it’s in a corner…

 

Middle-aged Man, do you have some grudge against me?

 

Why isn’t there a single place that makes me think “this is it”?

 

I frowned and massaged my forehead with my hand.

 

This is what you call a Middle-aged Man.

 

I kept sighing deeply as I headed to the last building.

 

“Yes! This is it, this is the one!”

 

The last building was perfect for setting up a makeup shop.

 

Not too big, not too small,

 

And the sunlight comes in well!

 

Clean, sturdy,

 

A street that sells high-end products that would catch the nobles’ attention!

 

My target demographic is nobles, after all.

 

I sparkled my eyes as I carefully examined even the inside of the building, then turned to Ricardo.

 

“How’s this place? I think this is the best one I’ve seen so far!”

 

“Hmm, it doesn’t seem bad. Since it’s on a main street, advertising would be easy too.”

 

“Right!”

 

“However, there is one thing that concerns me.”

 

“Huh? Why? Is there some problem?”

 

“It’s because of the shop next door.”

 

“The shop next door?”

 

I turned my head.

 

There was the ‘Sichel Clothing Store’ that had displayed the dress of my dreams on the first day I began living as Sillia.

 

My expression brightened as I came in front of the clothing store and looked at the clothes inside the glass window.

 

Today as well, beautiful and sophisticated dresses were on display.

 

“How pretty. That dress I saw back then was really beautiful too.”

 

“…Do you like this place?”

 

I heard Ricardo’s voice from behind me.

 

I turned my head and tilted it curiously.

 

“Is there some problem with this place?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

As if I had asked a difficult question, Ricardo hesitated to answer while pointing to his forehead above his mask.

 

After pausing for a while, he continued speaking with a sigh.

 

“A strange woman owns that clothing store.”

 

“How do you know that? No, who is she?”

 

“…Berinea Sichel. She’s Yeongae.”

 

“Berinea, Berini…”

 

Wait, that Berry? Ricardo’s business partner from the original story?

 

So she ran a clothing store before their collaboration!

 

I became curious about what kind of person Berinea was.

 

She seemed really cheerful and good-natured!

 

Like she’d really enjoy decorating things too!

 

Really, really want to become friends with her!

 

“Berry- I mean, couldn’t I meet Yeongae? Since I might become the person next door, I’d like to meet her!”

 

“You probably can’t meet her right away. Recently she left only a letter saying she was going to look at clothes and disappeared.”

 

“She’s really serious about clothes!”

 

“She’s someone with no sense of responsibility for business. Even though she has a shop, she just leaves it to anyone and goes off traveling.”

 

“She can travel a bit, why are you being so harsh…!”

 

“Right? Right, Yeongae! Ricardo isn’t even the owner of the shop but he always nags so much-.”

 

“Waaaah!”

 

I suddenly flinched in surprise at a woman’s voice that hugged me from behind and joined the conversation.

 

Purple hair with a lot of red tint draped over my shoulder.

 

However, that hair wasn’t long.

 

Just about the length you’d think of for a bob cut?

 

She smiled brightly, and under her drooping eyelids, pinkish-red eyes looked at me.

 

The moment I met those eyes, I felt like I might really get sucked in.

 

My heart was pounding so hard I couldn’t easily speak, then she released her hands that were holding me, turned me around, and grasped both my hands with hers.

 

It was just like a waltz movement.

 

“A-Are you Yeongae?”

 

“Yes- I’m that Berinea Sichel! The ‘lazy’ owner of this clothing store.”

 

She seemed to emphasize the word ‘lazy’ when she spoke, but I didn’t pay attention to that.

 

Because I wanted to exchange even one more word with Berinea!

 

I looked at Berinea with sparkling eyes like an artist who had met their muse.

 

“That pink dress you had on display about a month ago was so beautiful! I wanted to buy it and wear it someday when I become rich, so, um, I really wanted to become friends with you!”

 

“Really? Such a cute and pretty Yeongae wanted to become friends with me? What an honor! But what brings you here? Are you here to buy my dress?”

 

“Ah, I’m planning to open a shop next door. I came to greet the dress designer I fell in love with at first sight.”

 

“Hmm, I see. But why is Ricardo with you? Don’t tell me- are you lovers?”

 

“What? No, no no! No! He’s my business partner, so we were looking at the shop together.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Berinea glanced at Ricardo behind her, then turned her head toward me.

 

“I really hope the shop next to mine is Yeongae’s shop! I’d love to see Yeongae every day? Oh, do you have any plans later? I’d like to have a meal together!”

 

“Really? I don’t have any plans-”

 

“Yeongae has plans with me, Berinea. You just got back, so why don’t you go unpack your luggage?”

 

Thud.

 

Suddenly, a strong force grabbed my wrist.

 

As I was pulled along by the force, I found myself leaning against Ricardo’s chest.

 

I blinked my eyes.

 

Today’s plan with Ricardo was simply to look at buildings and purchase one if we found a suitable place.

 

The only thing after that was writing the purchase contract, but was there something else?

 

Is he interfering with my dinner plans with Berinea because he doesn’t want to lose a friend?

 

I looked up at Ricardo with sharp eyes.

 

Though it probably didn’t look very threatening due to my droopy eyes.

 

“Jesuert Youngsik, we just need to write the contract and we’re done. Are you really going to leave Yeongae Sichel like this?”

 

“Yes. Writing the contract will take a long time. If you want to have dinner, you can do so with me afterward.”

 

“Hmm, are you jealous?”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“I’m asking if you’re jealous that Yeongae Sichel might make a new friend.”

 

“Why would I be jealous of Berinea making a new friend?”

 

“What you’re doing right now is jealousy. Be honest, Youngsik. You like Yeongae Sichel, don’t you?”

 

“Yeongae, please don’t say such things. I feel like I’m going to be sick.”

 

Ricardo covered his mouth with the back of his hand and turned his head sharply to the side.

 

Since he’s wearing a mask, I can’t tell if he likes it or dislikes it.

 

Anyway, he doesn’t mind me becoming friends with Berinea, right?

 

I stared at Ricardo for a moment, then stepped out of his embrace and approached Berinea again.

 

Her face was beaming with a bright smile.

 

I hesitated for a moment, then gently took Berinea’s hands in mine.

 

Then I blushed slightly and made my eyes sparkle.

 

I looked into Berinea’s eyes as brightly as possible.

 

“Yeongae Sichel, if you’re not busy, could you wait for me for a moment? Ah! You can unpack your luggage, and I’ll come find you as soon as the contract is finished!”

 

“You want to have dinner with me?”

 

“If Yeongae is okay with it!”

 

Berinea thought for a moment, then pointed at Ricardo with her index finger.

 

“Is it okay not to bring Ricardo? He looks like he’s about to kill someone.”

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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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