Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 58
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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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5. Golden Butterfly
‘The café opening is drawing near now.’
The Rose Garden of Simour bloomed with roses of every hue, growing more resplendent with each passing day. I wandered among the full blossoms, consumed by anxiety.
‘Time really does fly.’
After settling on a location—a decision I’d agonized over extensively—the business progressed as smoothly as flowing water, and the season shifted from spring into the oppressive heat of summer.
Since Blanche handled the practical matters, I, who had overseen the planning, suddenly found myself with nothing to do. Yet as my body grew comfortable, my anxiety and tension only intensified, making it unbearable.
‘I can’t sleep.’
This is my second life, and though I have a cheat-code partner involved, it’s still my first business venture.
‘I boasted loudly to the Master about launching a franchise business, but he gave no response. If the business fails, it will truly be agonizing.’
The investment in equipment and interior design had been substantial, so failure would deal a heavy blow.
“Sigh.”
I wanted to secure more capital, but the old iron sword I’d salvaged from the Auction House remained utterly incomprehensible no matter how much I examined it.
‘If I had holy water seeds like Diela, the artifact’s true value would be revealed.’
Should I pester Father to find me some holy water seeds? But when I considered making such a request, I hesitated.
‘My conscience aches too much.’
It hadn’t been long since I’d lost the pink diamond, so I felt I should restrain myself for a while.
I embraced my restless feelings and wandered through the Rose Garden before making my way to the Library. There was no point in standing idle—it only multiplied my worries.
“Lady Deborah Simour! You’ve come?”
When I appeared at the Library after a long absence, Arin, who had been organizing books, flushed and scurried toward me.
‘Oh, how adorable.’
The lightweight emerald-colored dress and green hair pin suited her perfectly. It seemed she’d purchased various things with her recent wages. Since I paid not only research fees but also compensation for gathering rumors circulating within the Academy, the monthly sum she received from me was considerable.
‘Rather than being kind but stingy with money, a demanding employer who pays generously is far preferable.’
Better an exacting employer who pays well than one who treats you like a daughter but is miserly with compensation.
“What book are you looking for?”
Having diligently familiarized herself with the Library’s collection, she spoke with enthusiasm.
“Materials on mana formula theory—prepare the basics for me.”
“Of course.”
While she rushed toward the section on formulas, I picked up a suspicious note lying on the desk.
“Hmm.”
It was a note describing the books Beleck Simour was searching for.
‘He’s made it deliberately difficult by specifying only the author. With such a common name, there would be quite a few people sharing it.’
There was something intentional about this.
‘Slave number two dares to show territorial behavior toward slave number one.’
On one hand, it’s quite impressive. Despite the humiliation I’ve inflicted upon him, Beleck Simour still hasn’t come to his senses. He clearly intends to find fault with Arin, drive her out, and reinstall his own retainer. Fortunately, since Arin is clever, she managed well even while I was preoccupied with opening preparations.
‘The authority wielded by the family Librarian is greater than I expected.’
Having a Librarian as a retainer offered the advantage of acquiring desired books immediately using family funds rather than personal money. I’d even subtly asked Arin to procure a first edition of a famous romance author’s novel that money alone couldn’t buy. It was no coincidence that among the new arrivals, artifact-related texts particularly useful to Beleck Simour were unusually abundant.
I set down the note and approached Arin, who was browsing through the collection.
“Is the Librarian work manageable?”
“Yes. It’s enjoyable. I truly love reading books. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to access rare magical texts.”
‘Fortunately, she seems to genuinely love this work.’
“Then I’ll need to become a permanent staff member.”
Arin had no experience as a Librarian, so she was currently hired on a temporary basis to fill the vacancy.
“Pardon?”
Arin tilted her head, not understanding since I had muttered in Korean.
“It means you should perform brilliantly and make an impression on Father—so he’ll keep you employed for as long as I want.”
“I’ll work even harder!”
Her pale green eyes sparkled with determination.
“To compensate for your lack of experience, sincerity is important, but you need to do something that stands out.”
“I need to demonstrate something uniquely my own, then.”
“Exactly.”
A contemplative expression crossed Arin’s face.
“There’s a way. Create catalog cards to make book searches easier.”
I explained to Arin the concept of indexing—an index system.
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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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