Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 57

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 57
* * *
“Your timing is perfect. A building has just come on the market in front of East Gate Plaza.”
The moment I settled into the chair across from the Master’s office, he slid a document toward me detailing the real estate location and price for the café venture.
‘The price is quite reasonable.’
The location was excellent, the floor space generous, and it was a three-story building with a basement level included.
“The price is lower than I expected.”
“That’s because it’s in the East Gate area. If you wanted to secure a property like this near Goddess Plaza on the Academy’s West Gate side, you’d need to spend more than double the gold coins.”
“The symbolic value of the Goddess’s fountain must account for that.”
Landmarks played quite an important role in property values here as well.
“However, I discovered something interesting. I had my subordinates count the foot traffic for a week, and the actual flow of people doesn’t differ nearly as much as the building prices do.”
“So the West Gate Plaza side is inflated because of the Goddess’s fountain, while the East Gate real estate is undervalued.”
“Precisely.”
The Master smiled knowingly.
“Excellent. Let’s contract this building immediately. What about the donation matter?”
“The permit has been approved. We’ve also been granted tax exemptions on the merchant guild’s annual income for one year.”
Everything falls into place so smoothly. In terms of group projects, it was like hitching a ride on a limousine bus driver.
‘Could the ride quality really be this good?’
For someone like me who had suffered through terrible luck and single-handedly operated the bus on every group project, this was a refreshing shock.
‘Could it be that getting stuck with group members who ignored my messages and scraped Wikipedia for sources throughout my four years of undergraduate studies was just momentum building toward this moment?’
“Miss Deborah Simour. Now that we’ve settled on the location, what matters next is deciding what to sell and how.”
At his words, I stopped reminiscing about those gloomy days and pulled documents from my bag.
“I’ve drafted a menu list for the shop.”
The Master scanned the paper I handed him with interest, then slightly furrowed his brow midway through.
“Everything looks good, but what about removing coffee from here?”
“Why? I think coffee is our most competitive menu item.”
“Why is that?”
“After drinking it at Maison D, my sleep time decreased while my concentration improved dramatically. I didn’t feel drowsy even with less sleep, so I could dedicate that time to research instead. Thanks to coffee, I was able to develop improved formulas much faster.”
To lay the groundwork for persuading the Master, I deliberately drank a cup of that bitter, tasteless coffee every time I visited Maison D.
‘It was quite the ordeal.’
“Is that so?”
“Ask the staff. They’ll confirm I always drank coffee when I left. That beverage clearly has remarkable effects.”
“If it enhances concentration, it would be better to distribute it through apothecaries instead. The color and taste are both completely unappealing.”
“How does Maison D prepare their coffee?”
“They crush the beans, place them in a filter, and steep them with hot water.”
“The staff mentioned it’s made from roasted beans, so it’s already undergone one round of processing when it arrives?”
“Yes. A merchant from Ferdin Duchy roasts the green beans and sends them to us. Since the price difference between roasted and green beans isn’t significant, we chose the former to save time.”
I was beginning to understand why Maison D’s coffee tasted absolutely dreadful.
‘Either the merchant sent poorly roasted beans, or Maison D failed to store them properly. Either way, the beans lost their freshness, which is why the flavor and aroma were so terrible.’
I knew that beans taste best within two weeks of roasting. I paused briefly before speaking.
“What if we brought in fresh green beans and roasted them on-site?”
“The preparation process would take too long and become unnecessarily cumbersome.”
Master’s expression made it clear he couldn’t fathom my obsession with coffee. In the Empire, tea culture flourished so thoroughly that he undoubtedly believed there was no room for a beverage from a small duchy dismissed as barbaric.
But I desperately wanted to sell it.
‘Because I’m absolutely craving an iced Americano right now.’
How could I possibly abandon this devilish drink once you’ve tasted it—something you can never escape from?
‘Honestly, it’s a menu item for myself.’
I could endure ramen and fried chicken somehow, but without coffee, I had no confidence in enjoying the rest of my life ahead.
“Master, once you hire kitchen staff, connect me with them. I’ll participate directly in recipe development.”
“Your enthusiasm is remarkable.”
“That’s because I’m confident. Coffee—the primary contributor to formula development. I’m certain I can sell this well.”
As I kept insisting stubbornly, Master’s expression grew intrigued.
“I should try it experimentally. Three cups should be enough to see proper results, wouldn’t it?”
“…Well, try it first.”
* * *
“This is the Frat House main building.”
Isidore, who was showing me around the Epsilon facilities as a new member, suddenly rubbed the dark shadows beneath his eyes. As fatigue settled over his usually fresh face, a decadent atmosphere emanated from him.
‘He’s pulling off dark circles?’
The more I looked, the more wondrous his appearance became.
“Knight Isidore, you look particularly exhausted today.”
The Fifth Princess, standing beside me with her hands clasped behind her back, clicked her tongue disapprovingly.
“…I simply cannot fall asleep, so I haven’t slept properly in days.”
“Is something troubling you?”
“That’s not quite it.”
“You must maintain a regular schedule. It’s common knowledge that sleep deprivation harms the skin. You must never forget that you are the flower of the Empire and the face of our Epsilon!”
Having been teased relentlessly about being this year’s flower, Isidore’s expression darkened considerably.
“Your Highness, aren’t you attending classes?”
“One can skip a day or two, can’t one?”
“It seems you skip regularly, which is why I mention it. The Crown Prince is deeply concerned that you might become the first member of the royal family to be expelled from the Academy.”
The Princess suddenly pretended not to hear and fluttered her fan rapidly. Isidore, having silenced her, guided us toward a large building with an elegant navy-blue roof.
“This building is used by Epsilon for academic meetings and various gatherings. And this wing on the left is an annex exclusively for young ladies.”
The prestigious club possessed a massive structure called the Frat House near the Academy, with separate salons for men and women.
‘For a mere social club to own buildings on prime real estate like this. The nobility’s extravagance here transcends imagination.’
The fortunate thing was that Epsilon’s Frat House was located near the café building I would be opening. I planned to spend idle time in the lounge here and frequently check on how the café business was progressing.
“This hall on the left houses a library created with support from senior members. That corridor has been arranged as a permanent exhibition space, receiving donated artwork.”
Since the Academy’s very purpose was to serve as a social club, both internal and external support was extraordinary.
‘It reminds me of the tight-knit alumni networks of my homeland.’
Had I, as someone from Simour, failed to enter one of the four major clubs, I would have faced considerable disdain in High Society afterward.
‘That’s why Deborah waited for Aracron to accept members this year instead of joining last year when she came of age.’
I silently clicked my tongue and surveyed my surroundings.
“There are also plenty of spaces for hobbies. We have a magical research lab and a practice room for ensemble performances, so feel free to use them if you’re interested.”
As I listened to Isidore’s warm voice, I slowly surveyed the beautiful interior of the building, lined with masterpieces and sculptures.
‘Using a building like this for free. That’s genuinely incredible.’
“Oh, and there are various clubs within Epsilon, so please apply if anything interests you.”
“Deborah Simour!”
Just then, the Fifth Princess, who had been holding a fan to her lips, suddenly called out my name with intensity.
“Yes?”
“Join the Mana Research Circle. Let’s have an in-depth discussion about magic together.”
‘So that’s why she brought me here.’
Still, magic-related research wasn’t a waste of time. Though I lacked mana sensitivity, I was genuinely interested in leveraging mana—that boundless, high-potential energy—to earn money.
“Of course.”
At my cool response, her golden eyes shimmered with delight.
She was a VIP customer and royalty a rank above me. There was no harm in becoming closer.
“Your Highness. It’s already three o’clock. The professor may arrive late, but you must depart now.”
Concerned about her attendance record being dangerously low, the Maid beside her whispered worriedly to the Fifth Princess.
‘Deborah Simour wasn’t even at risk of expulsion.’
After Thierry, the Fifth Princess also seemed suspicious, but I rationalized it away as mere coincidence.
“Hmm. It’s unfortunate, but I should be going.”
She suddenly glanced at me and began fidgeting anxiously with her hands.
“Is something the matter?”
“Well! Since we’re now part of the same Social Club, how about a firm handshake?”
“I’d be delighted.”
As I lightly clasped her hand, the Fifth Princess broke into a radiant smile.
“See you soon!”
She waved both hands enthusiastically several times like a fool before dashing toward the Magic Department. Isidore watched her receding figure in silence, then muttered something quietly.
“…Another nuisance has appeared.”
“What was that?”
“Let’s take a walk around here. I have something important to tell you.”
“You seem unusually tired today, Knight Isidore. Perhaps we should save important matters for another time.”
“I have enough strength to talk and walk.”
He chuckled softly and walked toward a quiet path.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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