Countess Youngae’s Money-Sweeping Makeup Shop - Chapter 55

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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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55

 

Just the two of us came?

 

Well, it’s a table for two, so I guess that makes sense.

 

I stared at Ricardo with some disbelief.

 

“Who were you hoping I’d bring? I thought Ricardo might make a move or something, so I deliberately came with just the two of us, ahem.”

 

More precisely, I was worried that if we stayed there, Ricardo might end up having a confrontation with Lucian over dinner at our shop.

 

When I told Ricardo that Lucy was actually Lucian, it went exactly as I expected.

 

Even though Ricardo doesn’t show many expressions, he clearly looked shocked.

 

Later, when I talked about the contract, his expression was subtle.

 

To put it simply, it was close to an incredulous look.

 

He said something like ‘Isn’t carefully reading contracts the basics of any deal?’ and expressed doubt about how I even became the owner of the tower, just like I had.

 

Of course, it also meant that if he wanted to make a move, he should do it here.

 

I figured it would be better to let him openly show his feelings rather than keep wavering and being distracted.

 

Honestly, Ricardo didn’t seem like the type to play push and pull games.

 

Even if I did it from my side.

 

Anyway, for that reason, it seemed like it wouldn’t interfere with work.

 

So I thought it would be better to set the stage clearly rather than leave things ambiguous.

 

Then if I end up liking him, I like him, and if not, then not.

 

After all, Ricardo properly draws the line when it comes to work anyway.

 

Ricardo’s ears turned red.

 

Is that a good sign?

 

I grinned and waited for the food after finishing our order.

 

I rested my chin on both hands and made eye contact with Ricardo.

 

Come to think of it, shouldn’t it be okay to talk about that now too?

 

Since both our relationship and business are in a stable phase.

 

“Ricardo, I have a secret.”

 

“A secret?”

 

“Actually, the first time we met wasn’t at the ball.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“We met in the village, remember? What did you say to me back then? ‘Some strange woman has attached herself to me, how annoying?'”

 

“I said that to Sillia…?”

 

“Yes! So when you didn’t recognize me at the ball, I thought it worked out well.”

 

“Why, why would you think that…?”

 

“Well, because you were Youngsik, whom I wanted to become friends with.”

 

“Did my younger brother ask you to?”

 

“What exactly does that brother of yours do? Even managing human relationships to that extent. At that level, it’s love, really!”

 

“Actually, even if Sillia was someone my brother asked me to meet, I wouldn’t mind.”

 

“Huh? Why?”

 

Ricardo looked out the window, then turned his head to meet my eyes.

 

And resting his chin on his hand, he whispered in a small voice that only I could hear.

 

“I was determined that even if other things got taken away, I would never let Sillia be taken from me.”

 

Unlike his calm expression, there was a hint of playfulness creeping into his voice.

 

I flinched and unconsciously opened my mouth.

 

Wh-what does that mean!

 

I could clearly feel heat rising to my face.

 

I immediately straightened my posture and placed both hands on my knees.

 

Clenching and unclenching my fists.

 

I lifted my fists from my knees and put strength into my eyes, making a serious expression.

 

“Th-then if you get taken away, if you can only save one thing, you must save the makeup business first! I’ll hit them with a pot and escape!”

 

“My priority is Sillia…”

 

“No! From today, it’s the makeup business! Come on, repeat after me! The makeup business is first priority!”

 

“Sillia is first priority.”

 

“Makeup business first priority.”

 

“Sillia is…”

 

“Berinea is probably about to have lunch too.”

 

“Isn’t this too much?”

 

“Hehe, then what should Ricardo say?”

 

“…Makeup first priority.”

 

“That’s right, good boy!”

 

Pat pat pat, I stroked Ricardo’s hair.

 

Ricardo closed his eyes, then opened them softly again and looked at me with a somewhat dissatisfied expression.

 

I smoothed down his disheveled hair and pulled up the corners of my mouth in a big smile.

 

“Don’t worry. I’m someone who made even the owner of the Mage’s Tower obedient and escaped on my own!”

 

“I know. That’s why I’m a bit worried.”

 

“Why?”

 

Ricardo, who had been hesitating, looked at the table and then slowly moved his gaze to my eyes.

 

The heat that had been in my ears spread to my cheeks, and his large hand very carefully wrapped around one of mine.

 

“What if my brother also falls for such a Sillia? I hope no more competitors appear.”

 

“Hmm, do people usually fall in love after getting hit with a pot?”

 

“It could happen. And my brother looks similar to me. What if Sillia likes him?”

 

“Are you trying to control my love life too?”

 

“…I’m sorry. I got too emotional. If you do end up liking him, there’s nothing I can do, but I think I’d be very upset.”

 

Seeing Ricardo in a slightly gloomy mood made me want to laugh.

 

This kind of jealousy is cute.

 

I fidgeted with my fist and opened it.

 

Then I naturally interlaced my fingers with Ricardo’s hand.

 

Surprised, his eyes widened and I felt him flinch with a tremor.

 

“Sillia?”

 

“Do you think I develop feelings that easily? Maybe as friends, but the kind of feelings that could develop into this kind of relationship?”

 

“No.”

 

“Right, I don’t. For now, money and makeup are my top priorities. I’d only start caring about love a little after those two things are satisfied.”

 

“Is that so.”

 

“But the fact that I’m giving you this much attention means that Ricardo has become somewhat special to me now. Wasn’t it hard to get this far?”

 

“It would be a lie to say it wasn’t hard.”

 

“So that’s why you don’t need to worry! Got it?”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

When he nodded, I smiled brightly and shook our joined hands left and right a few times.

 

Then I let go of his hand when I saw the food coming out.

 

For a brief moment, Ricardo didn’t let go of my hand, but when I glanced toward the food, Ricardo quickly released my hand.

 

As our hands separated, the food was placed on the table.

 

My stomach, which had been fine until just now, reacted as soon as I saw the food.

 

I’m hungry!

 

Let’s eat quickly and energetically finish the remaining time!

 

Fighting, I thought as I grabbed my fork.

 

But maybe because I had just been holding hands with Ricardo?

 

Somehow I felt like I was holding the fork strangely.

 

I fidgeted and tried holding it differently several times, but eventually held it the way I had initially and started eating.

 

***

 

After finishing our meal, we headed straight to the shop to rest a bit more since we had time left.

 

We were passing by Berinea’s shop when it happened.

 

Crash!

 

“Yeongae!”

 

“Waaaaah!”

 

“Berinea.”

 

“Oh, did I startle you? Sorry, Ebennain Yeongae~!”

 

My heart nearly dropped when Berinea burst out through the door.

 

I clutched my chest with both hands and gasped for breath, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart.

 

Berinea scratched her cheek and ran over to hug me.

 

I was about to hug her back when I felt someone gently grab my sleeve from behind, making me turn my head.

 

“Sillia.”

 

Is she telling me not to hug her?

 

Is she jealous even though Berinea is a woman?

 

Pfft, I burst into laughter.

 

Then Berinea let go of me and grabbed one of my hands, pointing at Ricardo with a serious expression.

 

“Yeongae, did you end up deciding to date him?”

 

“…What? Whaaaat? No, no! We haven’t done anything yet, what are you talking about?”

 

“Ah, so you’re not dating. Good thinking! Yeongae is too precious for that.”

 

“Ahaha! Why? Ricardo isn’t inferior to my looks, is he?”

 

“Jealous men are no good. Who gets jealous over hugging a friend?”

 

“Isn’t that kind of cute though?”

 

“Oh no, no. Wake up from the brainwashing, Yeongae~!”

 

She stomped her feet with an expression that looked like she was about to cry.

 

Unlike Berinea, Ricardo was rubbing his brow and squeezing his eyes shut.

 

“We need to work soon. We’re going to rest, Berinea.”

 

“Then Yeongae, how about resting at my shop? I happen to have something I want to talk about too.”

 

“We need to prepare right away, so to the shop…”

 

“I have a business proposal I’d like to make!”

 

“Where should we go, Yeongae Sichel?”

 

“Come in here.”

 

Berinea smiled brightly and ran to the shop, opening the door wide.

 

I linked arms with Ricardo, who seemed displeased.

 

When I made a bright smile, Ricardo’s lips twitched before he sighed and gave a faint smile.

 

***

 

I was in a hurry this morning so I couldn’t properly look inside the clothing store.

 

Berinea’s clothing store had various clothes lined up throughout the spacious area.

 

From jackets to shirts, dresses, and so on…

 

Each piece of clothing looked sophisticated.

 

I had seen various clothes while running the makeup shop, but my taste definitely seemed to favor clothes designed by Berinea.

 

My eyes sparkled as I walked around, then I discovered a particularly eye-catching outfit.

 

It was that pink dress I had fallen in love with at first sight before.

 

My steps stopped without me realizing it.

 

My heart fluttered just like when I first saw it.

 

It felt like I was facing a dream.

 

“This is the dress you said you liked, isn’t it, Yeongae?”

 

Berinea suddenly appeared beside me, making a “hmph” sound and showing a refreshing smile.

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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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