Countess Youngae’s Money-Sweeping Makeup Shop - Chapter 60

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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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60

 

The young man’s smile remained unchanged.

 

He showed not the slightest hint of displeasure.

 

I felt bewildered that his face remained perfectly composed when I expected it to contort.

 

But I too maintained my expression while earnestly conveying the meaning of ‘so what?’

 

The young man who had been silently staring at me soon smiled gently with his eyes.

 

“I haven’t introduced myself. I’m the second son of House Jesuert, Casual Jesuert.”

 

“Ah.”

 

I haven’t prepared the pots at the shop yet.

 

I was about to open the shop door but hid the key back in my hand.

 

“Jesuert Youngsik, it’s an honor to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

 

“Wow, you’ve heard a lot about me? How is it, my reputation?”

 

Casual bent his waist and leaned his head forward.

 

Though it was close enough for our foreheads to touch, I met those golden eyes without blinking once.

 

Unlike Ricardo, a nauseating heavy fragrance tickled my nose.

 

I clasped my hands behind my back while trying to keep my brow from furrowing.

 

I secretly wrote a curse word on one palm behind Casual’s back.

 

“It’s a bit difficult for me to say with my own mouth.”

 

“Are you embarrassed?”

 

“Mm-hmm.”

 

“Why? I want to hear it in Yeongae’s voice, is that difficult?”

 

“…They said you’re trash.”

 

“Hm? What did you say?”

 

“They said you’re a thug who likes other people’s things.”

 

“Haha, who said such a thing? My brother? How mischievous. All I did was ask for a few fruits.”

 

“Fruits.”

 

Aren’t fruits the entire business I’ve built up?

 

Casual pulled his head back and sighed regretfully in a playful voice without showing any displeasure.

 

He showed such a perfect image of a brother who loves his sibling that I momentarily doubted Berinea’s words.

 

But thinking I might lose my business if I let my guard down, I bent my knees and moved largely to the side.

 

Having instantly escaped from in front of Casual, bewilderment appeared on his perfectly smiling face.

 

Puhaha!

 

A loud laugh burst out.

 

He laughed out loud with “haha” sounds, wiped the tears that had gathered in his eyes, and stepped away from the door.

 

Then he raised both hands and shrugged his shoulders as if surrendering.

 

“Aren’t you being too wary? I really just want to become friends. You’re so close with my brother, but I can’t even talk to you?”

 

“I’d be grateful if you would do that.”

 

“Hmm, I’m more fun than my brother.”

 

“Ricardo has a more interesting face than Jesuert Youngsik.”

 

“That face is funny indeed!”

 

“Yes? I’m more attracted to people who please the eyes and mind rather than those who speak amusingly.”

 

“So- you’re saying I lose to Ricardo in looks?”

 

I shrugged my shoulders like Casual, as if to say think whatever you want.

 

Then the amused smile completely disappeared from his face.

 

Casual looked like a cursed doll that might kill someone.

 

When he stared at me with his eyes losing focus, I got goosebumps.

 

Taking advantage of Casual’s pause, I opened the door and went inside.

 

Thanks to the security magic, Casual wouldn’t be able to enter.

 

He probably had no intention of entering anyway, as when I finished organizing brushes inside the shop, Casual had disappeared.

 

Is he retreating for today?

 

Even while feeling a strange uneasiness, my memory of Casual gradually faded thanks to today’s overwhelming work.

 

***

 

“Now, this is smudging.”

 

“It looks more natural somehow.”

 

“The important thing is to accurately decide which parts to smudge before starting.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Think about it. If you’re drawing a clear flower but make everything spread and mix, will the flower’s shape be visible?”

 

“It wouldn’t be visible.”

 

“It’s the same thing. If you make everything spread, even the most well-matching colors won’t catch the eye properly.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Lucian, standing with his hands on the desk in front of the full-length mirror, nodded.

 

I stood beside him watching his earnest makeup application, helping with makeup when there were lacking parts or areas Lucian wanted.

 

This was already the 5th lesson.

 

Lucian was more of a model student type than I expected, asking questions with proper etiquette when curious and seemingly studying hard for reviews.

 

I even considered training Lucian, whose skills improved dramatically each week, and officially hiring him as our shop’s new makeup artist.

 

After all, if the contract couldn’t be broken, this would be Lucian’s lifelong workplace.

 

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

 

I, who had been watching Lucian with a chuckle, suddenly came to my senses.

 

After quickly turning my head, I covered my mouth with one hand and coughed.

 

“Ahem, just. I was wondering if it’s okay for a mage to use cosmetics I made.”

 

“Do you think something terrible happens just from contact? That’s not it. It explodes when one side exerts strong force while trying to influence the other side.”

 

“That sounds complicated.”

 

“I’m saying contact isn’t a problem. Of course, it would be dangerous if either of us touched while awakened.”

 

“Is this related to what you said before about not being able to save me?”

 

“That’s right. The awakened state is unconscious. At that time, the power automatically tries to influence whoever it touches, even unintentionally.”

 

I organized the cosmetics while thinking these conditional restrictions were indeed difficult.

 

Lucian moved to another place while I was organizing.

 

Then he returned and handed me several empty containers.

 

There was a thin shadow palette divided into sections, an empty container with a mascara brush attached to the lid, and a foundation container.

 

“I made them as requested, but are these what you wanted?”

 

I opened them, examined and touched various parts for confirmation, then smiled with satisfaction.

 

“Yes, that’s right. You implemented them well.”

 

“If they’re right, give them back. I need something to duplicate in order to duplicate.”

 

I placed the empty containers back on his outstretched hand.

 

Then a crystal orb and a small glass necklace were pressed into my hand.

 

“You know what this is, right?”

 

“I know this one is called a vision stone, but what’s this one?”

 

“You’re going to do it in a few days, right? The lake.”

 

“How did you know?”

 

“You didn’t book a single appointment for a whole week.”

 

“They say one day there is about 3 days here. In about 20 days, I should be able to do anything and come back.”

 

“What if you fail?”

 

“If I fail, I’ll look for another method while getting plenty of rest. So what is this?”

 

He roughly messed up his hair, then groaned and squeezed his eyes shut.

 

“It’ll probably break anyway, but if you take it intact and face danger, push the spirit’s power into it as much as possible.”

 

“Isn’t this made with magic?”

 

“That’s right. So definitely drop it away from your body before pushing power into it. Then it’ll explode big. At the same time, I’ll be able to know your location, though briefly.”

 

“Weren’t you unable to come?”

 

“That’s right. I can’t go. But someone I know who knows those coordinates will go.”

 

“Someone you know?”

 

“There is. Someone who’s not particularly close but found it strangely amusing and has been settling down here. She told me to give this to you too.”

 

“To me? Is it someone I know?”

 

“Maybe? I don’t know. She seemed to know you though. She’s strong, so she’ll probably be able to help.”

 

Who could it be? Is there someone I know who can go to the spirit world?

 

I tilted my head, but no one particularly suspicious came to mind.

 

I nodded, saying I understood for now.

 

Then I shifted my gaze back to the video stone.

 

“Why did you give me this? I can’t use magic.”

 

“I know. That’s why I gave it to you. That’s an experimental video stone for storing magic.”

 

“Storing… If I store magic in advance, I can use it anytime?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Amazing.

 

This was something I had grumbled about before!

 

With this, I can make video calls anytime.

 

My eyes sparkled as I gripped the video stone tightly with both hands.

 

But why are you giving this to me?

 

When I sent him a suspicious look, Lucian’s eyes immediately turned to the side.

 

“Did you put a curse on it or something?”

 

“Why would I do that?”

 

“Then why are you giving it to me? Video stones are expensive.”

 

“Well, there’s… Lena said so.”

 

“What?”

 

Lucian’s face suddenly turned bright red.

 

He covered his mouth with one arm, squeezed his eyes shut, and screamed shrilly.

 

“He-Helena is lonely because she can’t see you often, so it’s not like that!”

 

“Helena? …Are you close with Helena?”

 

“Why! What! Can’t I be close with her? Does Helena belong to you?”

 

That’s not the problem.

 

Why are you close with Helena?

 

Why are you acting like you like Helena?

 

The original story’s progression has already collapsed.

 

All the events where they became lovers because of me have disappeared, so why are they close?

 

Could it be that no matter what happens, the ending will be according to the original story?

 

If it follows the original, Ricardo will also do business with Berinia.

 

And since he succeeds with that business, does that mean this business I’m doing with him now will fail?

 

Just because it’s not part of the original story?

 

My head felt dizzy.

 

If that’s the case, do I need to completely separate Ricardo from the business for this business to survive?

 

Ricardo has been helping from the beginning, so to suddenly suggest that…

 

No, no. Why are you only thinking negative thoughts?

 

These are all just what-ifs.

 

It might not be true.

 

I couldn’t keep worrying alone and creating misunderstandings like this.

 

I quickly shook my head left and right and looked at Lucian seriously.

 

Lucian flinched when our eyes met, but I didn’t care and stared persistently into his amber eyes.

 

“Lucian, how did you become close with Helena? No, do you like Helena?”

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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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