Countess Youngae’s Money-Sweeping Makeup Shop - Chapter 56

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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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56

 

I was staring at the dress as if enchanted when Berinea’s words made me flinch and come to my senses.

 

I cleared my throat and scratched my cheek.

 

“Was it that obvious? You’re right, this dress.”

 

“Would you like to try it on?”

 

“What? Is that okay?”

 

“If you like it after trying it on, you can place an order!”

 

“What, so this was a sales pitch? I almost fell for it completely!”

 

“Aww, you didn’t fall for it?”

 

“Should I try it on anyway?”

 

“Try it on! If you don’t try on clothes that caught Ebennain Yeongae’s eye, you’ll regret it later!”

 

“That’s true.”

 

When I nodded with a serious expression, Berinea also nodded seriously following my lead.

 

Her expression melted into a smile as she took out the dress, hung it on a hanger, and guided me to the dressing room.

 

“I’ll help you change clothes. Tell Ricardo to wait here.”

 

I let out a small laugh at Berinea’s coy manner and waved goodbye to Ricardo.

 

“Wait well for me.”

 

Then I went into the dressing room and changed clothes.

 

I thought the dress would be terribly stuffy, but it was more comfortable than expected.

 

It didn’t feel tight at all and breathing was fine too.

 

Though I probably couldn’t overeat in it.

 

Still, it definitely shaped my silhouette, so I stood in front of the mirror for a while, checking myself from various angles out of curiosity.

 

Feeling satisfied, I left the dressing room and approached Ricardo, who was leaning against the wall.

 

“Ricardo! Look at this. How is it?”

 

No answer came immediately.

 

It was awkwardly quiet, so I forced my lips into a smile and tilted my head.

 

Then Ricardo made an “ah” sound and cleared his throat.

 

“It suits you very well. This is the first time I’ve seen Berinea’s dress fit someone so perfectly.”

 

“What? Anyone looks beautiful in dresses designed by Yeongae, don’t they?”

 

“No. Everyone else felt subtly off somehow. I’ve never seen anyone suit it as well as you do, Yeongae.”

 

“Really?”

 

When I looked at him suspiciously, Ricardo’s lips twitched before he turned his gaze aside.

 

“Really. I think I’ve fallen for it.”

 

Though his expression showed no trace of embarrassment, his eyes that couldn’t easily return and his increasingly reddening ears conveyed his sincerity.

 

Feeling ticklish, I remained silent, then thinking this was inappropriate in front of Berinea, I quickly escaped to the mirror.

 

I held the hem of the dress and looked at myself in the mirror.

 

Beautiful.

 

The makeup I wanted and the dress I wanted.

 

Everything is just what I wanted.

 

As I smiled broadly, Berinea approached from behind and smiled brightly along with me.

 

“How do you like it, Yeongae?”

 

“It’s truly a beautiful dress. Just wearing it makes me happy.”

 

“That’s the greatest compliment I could hear.”

 

“I’ll definitely buy this next time.”

 

“You’re not ordering it now? Oh, I’m not pressuring you. Just curious.”

 

“Well, I usually don’t spend money on myself easily! I feel like there might be more places to go besides here.”

 

Even though I’d become a noble, it was still difficult to buy lots of things freely.

 

I know I’ll regret being too frugal, but still.

 

I fidgeted with my fingers awkwardly.

 

“I’ll buy it for you.”

 

From behind, Ricardo looked at us and spoke matter-of-factly.

 

What? This? But this looks quite expensive!

 

Berinea, who heard Ricardo’s words, blinked her eyes then nodded calmly.

 

“Really? Yeongae, Ricardo says he’ll buy it for you! Just a moment.”

 

“No, it’s fine! You don’t need to buy it for me! I’d rather buy it myself!”

 

Before I could finish speaking, Berinea had gone far to the counter and was writing something down.

 

I don’t like this. Receiving something from someone without compensation like this.

 

It all feels like debt I have to repay.

 

I made a groaning sound and turned around to look at Ricardo.

 

“What is it?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“You don’t need to buy it for me, so why did you say you would?”

 

“Because I wanted to buy it for you. And I think I should give you some advice too.”

 

“Advice?”

 

“Don’t be stingy when it comes to dressing yourself up. Especially if you’re doing business with nobles.”

 

“…Why?”

 

“Nobles often evaluate and treat people based solely on their clothes and accessories. The more you look easy to handle, the harder your work will become.”

 

“Wouldn’t it be better to look less flashy? I’m a count’s daughter, so if I show off too much…”

 

“It’s the opposite. The lower your rank, the more showing a flashy appearance proves you have the ability to match it. That builds trust.”

 

I see.

 

Thinking about it, Ricardo was right.

 

When I go to shops with lots of cosmetics, I often feel like the makeup artists there must be incredibly skilled.

 

While I was nodding, Ricardo signed the paper that Berinea brought back.

 

After I changed back into my clothes and came out, Berinea gave me a thumbs up, saying she’d make it pretty and send it to me.

 

Seeing Berinea looking so excited, I couldn’t say anything more and ended up smiling and thanking Ricardo.

 

After the unexpected shopping time ended, we followed Berinea as she moved.

 

We arrived at a room secretly hidden like a VIP space.

 

It seemed to be where Berinea worked, as papers with various designs were scattered across the table.

 

She guided us to a red sofa, then quickly gathered and cleared the papers to one side and brought a few sheets from her desk.

 

“I didn’t know I’d be making this proposal so quickly. I’m roughly planning to propose something like this, so I wanted to ask what you think in advance!”

 

When I received and read the paper, I realized my business plan I’d given Ricardo had really missed the point.

 

Berinea’s business proposal was clean and organized with only the key points – truly like a textbook proposal.

 

The content was Berinea’s proposal to add an option where she would send a catalog with organized designs and staff to recommend clothes that match the makeup.

 

I closed my eyes and thought carefully.

 

It would certainly be nice to get clothing recommendations too, but I don’t think nobles would be interested in that.

 

They usually decide on clothes first and then do makeup to match those clothes.

 

It’s unfortunate, but I’ll have to decline Berinea’s proposal…

 

“The current proposal won’t work. We need to change the consumer base for this option.”

 

Ricardo’s words brought light into my mind.

 

Consumer base!

 

Right. To popularize makeup, the current consumer base isn’t enough.

 

Merchants and commoners besides nobles should be able to enjoy it too.

 

I looked at Ricardo with sparkling eyes.

 

“Then we can create options for commoners!”

 

“That won’t work.”

 

“…What?”

 

“If non-nobles start using the shop together now, there will be strong backlash from the nobles. Sales could be cut in half.”

 

The cold answer made me feel absurd without realizing it.

 

It wasn’t wrong though.

 

Nobles don’t particularly like using the same places as commoners.

 

But it’s absolutely necessary for popularization!

 

I frowned and glared at Ricardo.

 

“Our business can only grow bigger if the consumer base expands. We need to popularize makeup.”

 

“But we can’t take risks when we’re just finding stability.”

 

“We can just separate the shops. With a downgraded version.”

 

“The sales would likely be negative. I’m sorry, but I oppose this. Adventures can wait until our shop grows bigger.”

 

“No. We need to do it now. If we do it later, the stereotype that makeup is only for nobles will form and make it harder.”

 

“The money from nobles will be more than what we get from commoners. And Yeongae can’t alternate between both places to do makeup.”

 

“We can train the current employees and have them work as makeup artists at that shop!”

 

“Would people come if it’s not Yeongae doing it?”

 

I clenched my fists and trembled with my arms.

 

That’s not necessarily going to happen!

 

People might come because they’re curious about what makeup is.

 

If we sell cosmetics together, there will definitely be profit!

 

I turned my head from Ricardo toward Berinea.

 

“Yeongae Sichel, do you happen to have any dead stock that absolutely won’t sell?”

 

“Dead stock?”

 

“Yes. Clothes that are unintentionally neglected due to size mistakes or lack of popularity.”

 

“Not much, but there would be a small amount. But why do you ask?”

 

“Then would you sell those clothes to me?”

 

“What? There’s no reason not to, but what will you use them for?”

 

“I’m going to use them for the adventure that Ricardo opposed. If it goes well, how about we collaborate additionally?”

 

Ricardo’s expression, which had been changing well until just now, was frozen like a statue.

 

Even though I was sulking, I pulled my lips back in since I didn’t completely fail to understand Ricardo.

 

Playing it safe is good.

 

But playing it safe won’t create presence.

 

I let out a deep sigh and shrugged my shoulders.

 

“Ricardo, you’re staying out of this business venture, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Fine then. I’ll try it alone. But,”

 

“But?”

 

“If my business makes 5 times the profit or more, grant me one wish.”

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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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