Countess Youngae’s Money-Sweeping Makeup Shop - Chapter 43
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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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43
Something tickling touched the back of my hand.
Something so soft it felt too real to be a dream.
As I lifted my heavy eyelids, red hair and brown hair came into view.
A familiar color combination.
As my blurry vision gradually became clearer, I realized they were Felix and Lili.
Was the last voice Felix’s?
It was such a resolute voice.
I stared blankly up at the two of them, then raised my hand to stroke my hair.
“I’m fine, so don’t look at me like I’m about to die.”
“Miss!”
“Ugh.”
Lili hugged me tightly, embracing me warmly.
It was a bit difficult, but I could feel her genuine concern for me, so I patted Lili’s back.
Had she cried a lot? Lili’s eyes were bright red.
“I’m really okay. Goodness, how much did you cry? Lili, you’ll get puffy eyes.”
As I was comforting Lili like that, I felt someone’s gaze.
When I tilted my head as if asking what was wrong, Felix shook his head.
And his gaze briefly rolled to the side.
His gaze returned to me, and Felix’s lips twitched.
He suddenly ruffled his hair and let out a deep sigh.
Why the sigh? Did I do something wrong?
“Ah, seriously… Hey, Ria.”
“What?”
“Are you dating the eldest son of Jesuert?”
“Oh, here we go again? Why does everyone keep saying I’m dating Ricardo? What is this, some new form of bullying?”
“If you’re not dating, that’s fine. Just stop sticking to him so much.”
“Who are you to tell me to stop sticking around?”
You said hearing such talk is bullying. If you don’t want to hear it, you should keep some distance. Honestly, why do you stick to him so much?”
“Well, because he’s my business partner.”
“…What business? I haven’t heard anything about it.”
“What are you, my dad? There’s no reason I have to report everything to you.”
“That’s…”
Felix fell silent as if he had nothing to say, and I let out a deep sigh.
My head was throbbing from arguing with that kid right after waking up.
“I’m a patient right now, you know? If you came to pick a fight, go back. I’m going to rest.”
“Fine. Eat this and get better quickly. Rest well.”
Felix, looking a bit sulky, put a basket on the table and left the room.
Why does it always feel like something happens whenever I wake up from sleep?
I wriggled my tired body under the blanket.
I closed my eyes and buried my head in the pillow, then suddenly opened my eyes wide.
What did he bring?
Curious, I looked up at Lili from under the blanket.
“Um, Lili.”
“Yes?”
“Could you check what Felix brought?”
“Oh, just a moment!”
Lili hurried over to check inside the basket.
But she didn’t answer right away and tilted her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m wondering why he brought this.”
“What is it?”
Lili’s hand in the basket lifted up green grapes.
“Grapes?”
“Yes, grapes. But usually people eat purple grapes. I’m wondering why he gave you unripe ones.”
“Huh? Unripe ones? Aren’t they green grapes?”
“What’s that?”
“Oh, never mind. Nothing. I’d like to try one, could you wash them and bring them to me?”
“Yes!”
Lili nodded and headed out of the room with the basket.
Does Sillia like those kinds of grapes too?
When I had a cold or wasn’t feeling well, I used to splurge and buy Shine Muscat grapes to eat.
It was a gift to myself for all the hard work before getting sick.
If they were unripe grapes, I thought Sillia had quite peculiar tastes.
***
After my body had recovered somewhat, I was able to check the letter that had arrived a few days ago.
The sender of the letter was Ricardo.
It seemed that even Ricardo had heard about me collapsing from overwork.
When I checked the letter’s contents, it contained light greetings and, as expected, advice to take care of my health.
What was a bit unusual was that unlike before, the word “dear” was added.
Suddenly? Was he finally acknowledging me?
He had always seemed to acknowledge me, but receiving written acknowledgment like this felt different.
With the word “dear” written there, it felt like getting a 100 on a dictation test with a “Well done!” stamp.
I felt like going to the Middle-aged Man to brag about it.
As I read the rest with a grin, it said that the remodeling had been completed during the two days I was bedridden.
“Finally!”
The opening was really just around the corner.
I contacted Ricardo saying I would come see the completed shop today and started preparing to go out.
Well, I tried to start.
“Ab.so.lute.rest! No way! I can’t let you go this time!”
“Strawberry tart? Chocolate macarons?”
“Don’t tempt me with such things! The Middle-aged Man said he’d fire me if you go out!”
“Cunning guy.”
“Pardon?”
“Huh? I didn’t say anything.”
“Anyway, you can’t go out until next week. If there’s business, tell them to come to you!”
“But the building can’t walk here on its own.”
“Well, couldn’t you ask the young master of House of Jesuert?”
“For what?”
“You could ask him to connect with a video stone and show you. The wallpaper was just put up recently, so the smell will be strong anyway.”
“Video stone? What’s that?”
“I don’t know exactly either. I only caught glimpses of the Middle-aged Man and young master using it…”
“Hmm.”
“But! I do know it connects to other video stones!”
Ah, so it’s like a video call.
But it seems like it would be quite expensive.
Do I have one too?
As I tilted my head and touched my chin, Lili seemed to read my thoughts and pondered before a look of despair appeared on her face.
“Ah…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Come to think of it, you don’t have a video stone, miss…”
“Really? Well, then I’ll just steal Kiel’s or father’s.”
“Whaaaaat?”
“That would work, right? If it’s something I can buy right away, father would buy it for me. Or I could pay for it myself.”
“I’ve felt this for a while, but you seem to have developed a refreshing personality since losing your memory, miss.”
“It’s because I’m upset about being rejected by His Highness the Crown Prince.”
After giving her a bright smile, I left the room with Lili.
On the first day, as soon as I came out into the corridor, all the stares clinging to me were incredibly annoying.
I even heard gossip about me?
But now there were no stares and it was quiet.
Even if they didn’t smile when they saw me, when we crossed paths they would bow and greet me politely.
What tremendous progress. Yes, yes.
I walked down the corridor organizing and predicting the events that would unfold ahead.
There’s no way Kiel would give me his,
and the count would need his too so he can’t give it to me,
so would he buy me a new one?
If I had a video stone, I could even send people on errands on days when I’m not feeling well.
To make my body suffer less, I need a video stone first.
Sillia doesn’t seem to be that healthy either, so I wonder why they didn’t buy her a video stone.
With those thoughts, I arrived at the nobleman’s study and knocked on the door.
What used to make me really nervous in the past, after coming here shamelessly to make demands several times, I felt no nervousness – only thoughts about whether he’d grant my request.
When the count gave permission and I entered the room, the count who had been moving his quill pen put it down.
“What is it?”
It was his usual calm question.
Even though I didn’t have a cold, I coughed and acted like I was still sick to appeal that I was still unwell.
“I have a favor to ask. *Cough*”
“What might that be?”
“I want to have a video, *cough*, a video stone. *Cough*!”
“A video stone?”
“Since I can’t go outside it’s frustrating, and I need to check on my business, it’s opening soon…”
To look pitiful, I covered my mouth with the handkerchief I had prepared and coughed lightly some more.
“So I was wondering if you could lend me one.”
The count looked at me with a bewildered expression, then squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed his brow.
He pursed his lips and let out a deep sigh.
“I’m sorry, but that would be difficult.”
“Then I’d like to buy one… Could you at least tell me where to buy one?”
“No, I can lend you one or buy you one. The problem is that you wouldn’t be able to use the video stone itself.”
“Why, why not?”
“Why, you ask. Video stones also operate using a type of magic power.”
“So what?”
“Because you can’t use magic. Have you forgotten that your body collapses even when trying to cast the lightest magic?”
“Ah…”
Right, that was the case.
This means I’ll just have to wait until next week.
No way! I can’t postpone the opening! I’ve already done the opening promotion!
What should I do.
I was racking my brain as hard as I could.
Tap tap.
The count’s finger tapped on the desk.
Then when it stopped with a tap, the count’s and my gazes met.
“Or there is one other method.”
“Oh, what is it?”
“Using the video stone in front of me. I’ll maintain the magic power while you use it.”
The count’s eyes gleamed strangely as he said this.
Since I haven’t properly explained what kind of business I’m doing, is he trying to find out this way?
Don’t tell me he’s going to ask for usage fees or some kind of commission?
As if the count noticed my suspicious look, he tilted his head.
“Do I look like a father who would steal money from his daughter? Even if you’re doing business, I have no intention of helping unless you ask for help.”
“You should have said that from the beginning. Father, please help me!”
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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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