Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 60

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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 60
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“What is that?”
Pedestrians passing through East Gate Plaza in small groups turned their attention to the massive banner hanging on the building.
“Isn’t that saying a dessert shop is opening there next week? I noticed they were doing construction quite loudly recently.”
“I figured that much. But I’m curious about those two blank characters.”
“It seems intentional, like some kind of word game.”
“Why would they do that?”
“How would I know?”
A day passed, leaving only mysterious curiosity in the minds of onlookers, and the next day the banner changed.
“This time there are six characters. Did they intentionally leave it blank to show 6 days remaining?”
“Why would they leave spaces like that?”
“I’d like to ask the shop owner directly, but there are still 6 days left….”
“It keeps making you curious as you pass by. It even pops into my head right before I fall asleep.”
“I’ve never seen a shop hang such a strange banner before opening. It’s not even displaying the shop’s name.”
“Thanks to it, both you and I can’t help but pay attention as we pass by. I’m actually curious enough to want to stop by once it opens.”
More and more passersby began discussing the curiosity-inducing banner.
“That repertoire just keeps repeating.”
“It must be introducing the shop’s menu.”
“Indeed, it does seem that way.”
But defying expectations, with 3 days remaining, a fruit was written on the banner instead.
“A peach? Why are they suddenly pretending to be a fruit shop?”
“This isn’t even a quiz game.”
Two days before opening, public interest in the shop intensified further. Some people even made special trips to East Gate Plaza just to join conversations about the mysterious banner.
“What is that now?”
Those who had been staring with faces unable to comprehend the emotional message squinted their eyes upon seeing a massive object being carried by twenty strong men working together. A mysterious object wrapped in white cloth with “D-2” written on it was erected beside the fountain near the dessert shop building.
“Judging by how it appeared in the plaza, it seems to be a donated facility.”
“It looks like the dessert shop donated it. The reveal dates match.”
“Why do they keep teasing us like this instead of just revealing it? How frustrating!”
Among the virtues a noble should possess was the principle of never losing composure in any situation, never rushing, and maintaining dignity with a leisurely demeanor. However, some people were beginning to lose patience from the excessive provocation.
“There are still two days left, and this is supposed to make sense? I pass through here every day, so I can’t help but think about it.”
“How exasperating.”
The day before opening.
A completely different banner from the existing white one was hung. It was even larger, and the background was purple.
“Finally, the shop name has appeared.”
“It means a joyful reunion in ancient language.”
【Armand】
Above the smoothly written characters in highly legible script, a stylized seal was drawn. While onlookers marveled at the refined design of the seal, they inwardly expressed bewilderment.
“A seal? Is this really a dessert shop?”
“…If we just wait one more day, we’ll find out.”
“According to my sources, it’s a dessert shop.”
“Who’s saying that?”
“My friend.”
In just one week, word of mouth about Armand had spread throughout the Horun District. Now, not only Academy students but also knights, mages, the Imperial Court, and even priests were waiting.
For the grand opening of this mysterious shop called Armand.
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The morning of the big day had arrived.
‘I didn’t sleep a wink all night.’
I greeted the morning without a moment of rest, my heart pounding the entire time.
The shop would open at ten o’clock.
‘If I leave now, I should arrive just in time.’
I rubbed my heavy eyelids and rang the bell, and the servants prepared breakfast. My stomach was too unsettled to eat, so I just had tea before preparing to leave immediately.
The scenery of the Horun District rushed past the carriage window. As we drew closer to East Gate Plaza, my heart thundered so loudly it felt like it was beating right beside my eardrums.
‘Just twenty minutes until opening.’
I pulled my robe down low and got out near the plaza alley, then checked my pocket watch as I walked toward my shop when I stopped short.
‘What is all this? Are these really my customers?’
A considerable crowd was swarming in front of my shop.
It was like watching people line up from early morning when a famous foreign brand first landed, or when limited-edition items were released. People passing nearby, curious about what the commotion was, joined in, and the crowd around the shop kept growing.
‘I never expected it to catch on this well.’
I’d been running viral marketing using banners to spark curiosity, and the response was far better than anticipated. I’d even seen Academy students discussing what the phrase written on my shop’s banner meant.
They’d wondered why I’d left blanks in what appeared to be menu descriptions, and when the donation monument appeared, they became even more interested. Since the people of this world didn’t live in a flood of advertisements and information, unique marketing methods seemed to occupy their minds more easily.
Meanwhile, I caught the sound of young noblewomen chattering nearby and perked up my ears.
“This shop is opening today, right?”
“I was so curious I couldn’t help but come.”
There were quite a few young noblemen as well as noblewomen.
“Is this really a dessert shop?”
“That’s what I heard, but I can’t figure out why a dessert shop would have such an elaborate seal like that.”
One young nobleman pointed at my donation monument with his finger.
“My superior has been nagging me since the day before yesterday to come find out what that thing is, so here I am. Honestly, opening one shop and making such a fuss about it.”
“Don’t complain so much. At least it gives us something to talk about. Seems like someone who’s sensitive to High Society trends.”
“Well, I suppose that’s true.”
‘It really is important to become a topic of conversation in High Society.’
Once influential nobles started gossiping, it would spread like wildfire and become a major issue.
Feeling the power of word of mouth, I looked up at the large object hidden beneath the cloth. It was something the Trading Company had donated after receiving permission from the Horun District Administration Office.
Ten minutes before the shop’s opening, my staff came out and began untying the rope that was tightly bound around the cloth.
“Ooh!”
“It’s truly magnificent.”
“It’s so beautiful.”
As the cloth slipped down and the object’s identity was revealed, people burst into exclamations of admiration.
‘The surrounding reaction is good at least. That thing cost me quite a bit of money though.’
The Horun District Administration Office welcomed the high-quality facility I had donated with open arms. I even managed to secure a full year of tax reduction benefits for the Trading Company.
The Clock Tower.
It was the structure I had donated to this plaza. Standing approximately seven meters tall, it was fitted with a superior mana stone and staffed with the Empire’s finest clockmaker, so I’d heard it kept time with virtually no margin for error.
The crucial detail was that when people looked up to check the time, they would see the logo I designed and the café’s name: Armand.
Placing “Armand” discreetly, much like a luxury watch brand, was entirely intentional. If it were too blatant, the nobility would bristle with resistance. It served as both a landmark and an indirect advertisement simultaneously.
I found myself hoping the first location would be a roaring success.
I was clasping my hands together earnestly as the opening drew near.
Dong—dong—dong—
As ten o’clock arrived, a clear, melodious bell chime rang out from the Clock Tower across the plaza.
The Clock Tower had an hourly chime function too. This was incredibly impressive.
The Master had entrusted this to the Empire’s finest clockmaker, and they’d even added such auxiliary features. When people’s attention was drawn by the sound, they would naturally gaze upon the clock and see the Armand shop name alongside it.
The moment the bell ceased, the purple curtain bearing the seal that had obscured the storefront descended as if unveiling a masterpiece. The scene felt so dramatic that even I, the proprietor, found myself moved to tears.
“Wow. That’s magnificent.”
“Quite impressive indeed.”
The signage bearing the logo and lettering came into view.
I had stripped away all the intricate lattice work and designed the exterior to convey an open, airy feeling. Since terrace seating was the most popular spot at dessert shops in this area, I had judged that installing such large windows would be nothing but beneficial.
The natural light would be even better too.
I found myself overwhelmed with profound emotion standing before my first shop, the tangible result of my own hands.
My tuition fees had melted beautifully into this place.
It was a work infused with the tears of a poor architectural engineering student who had transmigrated into this world as a villainess just before her graduation examination. The seed capital was none other than a pink diamond.
No one would ever know just how much poignant history and remarkable circumstance lay embedded within that three-story building.
The Master had implemented my sketches beautifully.
While I remained immersed in deep emotion, the gathered crowd hesitated, reluctant to take the first step forward.
“Hmm. Are we allowed to enter?”
“Since it opens at ten, we should be able to go in.”
“Let’s go in!”
Pulling the large hood attached to my robe deeper over my head, I urged the spectators forward and hurried inside. Behind me, a flood of customers—not bundles of cash, though they might as well have been—streamed in.
The first day of business had begun.

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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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