Countess Youngae’s Money-Sweeping Makeup Shop - Chapter 54

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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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54

 

A blank canvas…

 

Usually here, don’t people talk about something closer to relationships rather than blank canvases?

 

Is it because we’re talking seriously?

 

It was definitely strange and absurd somewhere.

 

Even so, my heart was beating fast.

 

I was excited as ‘me’ the makeup artist,

 

and I was also excited as ‘me’ Sillia Ebennain.

 

I shouldn’t be thinking like this.

 

Once I start paying attention to it, I keep paying attention to it.

 

It felt like I heard someone asking where my tongue was positioned right now.

 

With Ricardo, if by any chance, really by any chance…

 

Wait, wait!

 

What are you doing? Do you want your business to fail?

 

No!

 

Won’t you get your head straight?

 

I’m sorry!

 

I shook my head rapidly back and forth and slapped my cheeks with both hands.

 

Then the crumpled paper in my tight grip came into view.

 

Right, this.

 

I need to tell Ricardo about this.

 

I tried to turn my head but felt my body tilting.

 

“Oh.”

 

It was hard to maintain balance because of the fast speed and rough ride.

 

I frantically flailed my hands in the air, trying to grab onto anything.

 

Am I going to die so pathetically again just when I was about to show off?

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Something wrapped around my waist like a belt with a snap!

 

At the same time, it pressed firmly against my abdomen.

 

“Huk!”

 

“Sillia! What are you doing suddenly turning around?”

 

I flinched in surprise at the loud voice.

 

When I stared with wide eyes, Ricardo was glancing at me with a furrowed brow.

 

Come to think of it, he’s not wearing his mask today.

 

Did he come out in a hurry?

 

The scar on his right cheek was clearly visible.

 

When our eyes met, I could feel my heart beating roughly down my back.

 

His ears are red too.

 

I could see a heat that usually didn’t catch my eye.

 

Come to think of it, Ricardo was someone who was difficult yet not difficult at the same time.

 

Looking closely, he seemed like someone whose heart was completely visible.

 

Even now, I can see it so clearly.

 

Until now…

 

My heart stopped for a moment like being on a roller coaster just before dropping.

 

Tears welled up and my vision became slightly blurry.

 

Thump thump thump again.

 

It felt like my emotions were being pushed to the extreme and my body couldn’t handle it.

 

No, no, no!

 

Stop it right now!

 

I, I am, so…!

 

I opened and closed my lips, then quickly turned my head forward and forced my mouth corners up to create a bright voice.

 

“Sorry! I have something I want to show you. But ‘Sillia’? This time I didn’t make any mistakes, so I don’t think I can just let it slide-?”

 

“Ah, I apologize. What would I need to do for you to let it slide? …Money?”

 

“Everyone seems to think I’m someone who can be bought with money. Lucian said that too! Though it’s not entirely wrong.”

 

“Lucian? You met the owner of the Tower?”

 

“Yes? Of course? Since that person is the kidnapper after all.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Anyway, I’ll think about the money after hearing the amount. Make the first offer!”

 

“I don’t think you’d be satisfied with just any amount anymore.”

 

I heard a very faint laugh near my ear.

 

It was just an ordinary laugh, but it felt like feathers tickling my heart.

 

Feeling a tickle that made it hard to stay still, I gripped the reins tightly for no reason, enough to make my palms sweat.

 

“Th-then how about we call each other by our names?”

 

You’ve lost it, Sillia-!

 

Everything spun before my eyes.

 

My face turned bright red and I stuttered while my heart pounded wildly in my head.

 

Ricardo didn’t even answer.

 

But, still! We’re already doing business together!

 

And, well, we have a not-bad relationship too.

 

What’s wrong with that?

 

Unable to think properly, my mind stubbornly tried to convince my reason.

 

As I kept insisting, the horse gradually slowed down.

 

Moving slowly at walking pace, I felt a gentle weight on my right shoulder.

 

Smack smack.

 

I could hear the sound of lips touching and separating.

 

Gentle breathing seemed to brush past my ear too.

 

With my shoulders raised high and my body full of tension, I heard a calm voice.

 

“Are we close enough for that kind of relationship?”

 

Huh?

 

Ar-aren’t we?

 

W-we’re not just acquaintances-!

 

I turned my head to the side opposite from where Ricardo was probably raising his shoulder.

 

“Then are we in a relationship where we can’t do that? We’re not fighting, and even friends call each other like this.”

 

“Friends, you say.”

 

“That’s right, friends! Her Highness the Crown Princess said so too. That friends call each other by their names.”

 

“Must we be friends?”

 

“You don’t like being friends?”

 

“I’d prefer if the word ‘friends’ wasn’t included in our relationship.”

 

“B-but, rom-whatever it is, doesn’t everything start from being friends?”

 

“We might remain just friends. And this is my resolution.”

 

“What resolution?”

 

“My resolution to become a unique relationship for Sillia.”

 

He definitely wasn’t being this forward before, so why is he suddenly like this?

 

It’s not burdensome, but at this rate my heart is going to jump out of my mouth.

 

What am I supposed to do when he pours out such smooth words with that pleasant voice!

 

I felt like I couldn’t breathe, but I let out a trembling breath and squeezed my eyes shut.

 

I was about to bite my lips when I pushed Ricardo’s face away with one hand.

 

Then I turned my head toward Ricardo and looked at him.

 

“Then it becomes difficult to define our relationship, doesn’t it? Ricardo.”

 

“…We don’t necessarily have to put a name on our relationship, do we? Sometimes names create frameworks after all.”

 

“What do you tell people when they ask?”

 

“Hmm, that Ricardo Jesuert is courting Sillia Ebennain.”

 

“Whaaaat?”

 

“Isn’t that correct?”

 

“Young Master Jesuert, why have you become so straightforward all of a sudden?”

 

“I received advice. That if I don’t properly convey my intentions, you might choose someone else.”

 

Ricardo’s gaze lingered on me for a while before turning forward.

 

This time, he didn’t seem particularly flustered.

 

His expressionless face seemed to be tinged with darkness.

 

Does he get this anxious when jealous?

 

Who is he being so wary of?

 

A brief silence followed.

 

Then, a single word slipped from Ricardo’s lips.

 

“…Do you like him?”

 

“What?”

 

“That person called Lucian. There were quite a few rumors about how beautiful he is.”

 

The hand around my waist pulled me closer.

 

As if he was tense.

 

Was Lucian handsome?

 

What did Lucian look like again?

 

He seemed like a bratty elementary school kid I wanted to smack.

 

I didn’t look at him properly, so I couldn’t remember well.

 

The shock of Lucian being Lucy probably made it worse.

 

I pursed my lips and gently caressed the back of Ricardo’s hand holding the reins with my pinky finger.

 

I was the one touching him, but somehow I felt embarrassed.

 

I tried to ignore my burning ears and looked straight ahead.

 

“I’m not sure. He didn’t have a memorable appearance. There’s no point in remembering a kidnapper’s face anyway, right?”

 

“I see.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Ricardo’s thumb caught my pinky finger.

 

His thumb tensed as if he wouldn’t let go.

 

But it didn’t hurt.

 

“Ricardo, I like it when my canvas is attractive.”

 

“Attractive.”

 

“It would be better if it were clean, but I prefer making attractive things even more attractive.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“So if you want to become my favorite canvas, you need to take good care of your skin. The burn scars are actually part of Ricardo’s charm!”

 

“What should I do?”

 

“I’ll tell you once we arrive. Oh, would you like to work at the shop with me today? Are you busy?”

 

“Yes. I’m busy.”

 

“Oh, um, then I’ll write you a letter…”

 

“But isn’t time something you make? I’ll help you at the shop.”

 

“Is that okay? Don’t you have work to do?”

 

“In return, I trust you’ll give me appropriate compensation.”

 

“Ricardo, you’re surprisingly scheming.”

 

“I’ve always been like this.”

 

Ricardo chuckled softly as he looked down at me.

 

He’s trying to make me fall for him right now!

 

…Ah, he was originally handsome anyway.

 

Come to think of it, it’s the same whether I fall for him or not.

 

As soon as we arrive, I should explain the contract I’m holding and tell him that one of the people he sent was Lucian.

 

I wonder if he’ll look shocked?

 

Hehe. That should be fun.

 

With a heart full of excitement and anticipation, I held tight to the reins until we reached the village.

 

***

 

As soon as we arrived at the village, I went straight to Berinia’s Clothing Store, bought a dress, and changed into it.

 

Then I went to the shop and quickly did makeup for both myself and Ricardo.

 

At the same time, I had Ricardo use the communication stone to tell the Count’s Mansion that I had escaped from the tower.

 

The Count seemed to not understand properly, but since it was almost time to open the shop, I quickly ended the call.

 

Having barely managed to prepare safely, we opened today’s shop with four people: myself, Ricardo, and the forcibly conscripted Lucian—no, Lucy—and Lili.

 

As soon as break time came, I asked Lili to watch the shop and rushed outside with Ricardo.

 

Ricardo followed me out without showing any signs of confusion, and we headed straight to the restaurant.

 

Following the staff’s guidance to our seats, Ricardo blinked.

 

“Are we the only two here today?”

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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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