Isn’t Being A Wicked Woman Much Better? - Chapter 94

—————

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

—————

Chapter 94
I couldn’t help but be taken aback. Michèle had essentially just declared that she would meet me—that she knew who I was.
I had no intention of revealing that I was the owner of Armand for the time being.
Without realizing it, I must have been staring intently at Michèle’s face, because her deep green eyes began to flutter rapidly.
“Why… why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Ah, I see.”
The Fifth Princess, sensing the awkward tension flowing between Michèle and me, interjected into the conversation.
“For a renowned gourmet like yourself to praise it so highly—is it truly that remarkable? Wouldn’t a restaurant offering diverse menus and ingredients provide far more to study than a shop that merely sells beverages?”
At the Fifth Princess’s question, Michèle suddenly launched into an impassioned tirade.
“Armand is not merely a dessert shop!”
‘Oh my! What a start.’
The puppets attached to her fingers clattered wildly, and I bit my lip to barely suppress a gasp.
“It is a place where consideration for guests runs deep. Especially toward young ladies, who comprise the primary clientele.”
“In what way?”
“Skirt pockets are far smaller than trouser pockets, so young ladies often forget to carry pocket watches.”
“So the Clock Tower serves a useful purpose—allowing young ladies who’ve forgotten their watches to confirm the time for their appointments.”
“Precisely.”
Michèle was attributing meaning to something I had stumbled upon by mere chance.
“The paper cups are surrounded by resistance magic so delicate and intricate that even I, a puppeteer, am astounded. Strictly speaking, they are more hygienic than ceramic or glass cups.”
I see. Arin truly had thought of so many things.
“Furthermore, the establishment always attends to satisfying all five senses.”
She continued speaking in a crisp, measured tone.
“The fragrances that drift through the air have a profound effect on taste. Armand presents various scents suited to the weather through a service called ‘Tea of the Day,’ stimulating the desire to taste yet another dessert that complements the aroma.”
She seemed to have researched the shop from multiple angles like the true gourmet she was, and she was discussing aspects I had overlooked—focusing entirely on strengths rather than weaknesses.
‘What is this incredible blessing?’
As I expand the shop through promotion and franchise opportunities, I felt I could make excellent use of her analysis. After all, packaging things to appear more impressive than they actually are is tremendously important.
“I intend to include Armand in a guidebook I’m distributing to acquaintances.”
‘Not only in a paper, but in a guidebook as well?’
Michèle made yet another enticing remark.
“How many stars?”
“Five stars.”
“Is it the first?”
“It is.”
If a gourmet so renowned that even the Princess knew of her added my shop to her recommendation list, I could reap tremendous promotional benefits. Moreover, five stars seemed to carry a positive meaning.
‘She is kind and good-hearted…’
Apparently, I had been gazing at her with tender eyes without realizing it.
“Why… why?”
Michèle flinched again, apparently thinking I had glared at her.
“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
I brushed off the question vaguely.
“Where… did you see them?”
“I’m not sure. Perhaps just someone who resembles them.”
“Oh, you don’t mean someone you have ill feelings toward, do you?”
“Of course not.”
She touched the nape of her neck with a somewhat melancholic expression. When the atmosphere grew awkward once more, the Fifth Princess nodded while crossing her arms.
“Now that I hear the explanation, I fully understand why you wish to explore that place.”
Michèle cleared her throat with a soft sound and opened her mouth.
“I’m certain the owner of Armand is not merely a merchant chasing profit, but rather a high-ranking noble with refined taste.”
Surprisingly, the part about being a high-ranking noble was correct—though originally they had been a commoner. Michèle clasped her hands together, her pale cheeks flushing crimson.
“Perhaps they might even be an elegant and cultured noblewoman. In fact, they’re the person I most wish to meet recently.”
‘I’m sorry, but I have no intention of meeting you.’
“I’d love to have a conversation about what moved them to create such an establishment…”
Michèle sighed and murmured.
“Since most Trading Company owners operate without stepping into the spotlight, it won’t be easy. I don’t even know their face, so I’m not sure why I’m so desperate to meet them.”
“I understand that feeling well.”
The Fifth Princess spoke softly.
“The moment I saw Deborah Simour at the truth-finding conference, even without exchanging a single word, I felt like we could grow close.”
“If we do meet, I might not be able to contain this excitement. I want to make a good first impression, you see.”
“Sincerity always resonates.”
“I made a doll—do you think she would accept it?”
“How could anyone refuse a doll crafted by one of the Empire’s finest doll makers?”
The sudden mention of a gift caught me entirely off guard. I couldn’t very well reveal that I was the shop owner without warning, yet the plan had never accounted for this.
“Isn’t that right, Deborah Simour?”
“…Yes, of course.”
I had to work hard the entire time to conceal my agitation.
‘It’s autumn—why am I sweating so much?’
After the gathering ended, I found myself sitting in a suitable spot near the Frat House, gazing up at the deepening sky. Though the heavens were cloudless and blue, the wind had grown far colder than early autumn, shaking the trees with fierce intensity.
* * *
At the male Frat House in Aracron, a game of billiards was in full swing. Since Philaf Montes had appeared at a gathering for the first time in ages—confined to his quarters by a disciplinary order from Duke Montes—many Young-siks who had arrived late were present, making the atmosphere noisier and more chaotic than usual.
“Ah, what a shame. I should’ve aimed a bit to the side.”
“What’s shameful about that? It’s my turn now.”
Philaf Montes, gripping the long cue, rubbed the chalk roughly and took his stance. Soon, one of the onlookers stepped forward with a question.
“Philaf. Why are you aiming left? I think that yellow ball seems to be in the easiest position to pocket.”
“I changed my mind. It’s no fun if it’s easy.”
“You might lose to me that way.”
“If I lose to you, I’ll demolish Montes Castle.”
Philaf Montes scoffed and struck the white ball with enough force to make it crack. The cue ball bounced twice off the table’s edge and struck the purple ball in its rather difficult position with perfect accuracy, sending it tumbling into the pocket.
“Wow!”
Cheers erupted loudly at once.
“Success.”
Philaf Montes, having successfully sunk every remaining ball scattered across the billiard table, carelessly tossed the cue aside and reached for a juice from the row of drinks lining the bar of the pool hall.
“Philaf. What have you been up to lately?”
An executive from Aracron approached him.
“Why ask if you already know? Father’s been relentless, so I’ve been cooped up at home.”
“It seems you’ve been under considerable stress. You’ve lost quite a bit of weight.”
The executive observed Philaf, whose jaw had grown sharp and angular. With the weight loss, his already pointed eyes had become even more fierce.
“Stress… How eloquently you describe what is essentially a nervous breakdown.”
As Philaf muttered in a low, growling voice, the executive clicked his tongue knowingly.
“It’s because of the rumors about Miya and Diella growing closer, isn’t it? However, there’s no need to worry. I heard that after Diella suffered a crushing defeat in the equestrian tournament, he’s been so shaken that he’s devoted himself entirely to swordsmanship lately.”
Philaf raised an eyebrow with a puzzled expression. In truth, he hadn’t paid much attention to news from that quarter during his confinement. As Father had said, he had already given Miya much.
‘I gifted her expensive jewels and even secured her entry to a club that no fallen noble could set foot in.’
Though she was his savior and he could offer further patronage if she wished, he had no intention of taking an active role, unwilling to cross his father’s wishes.
Rather, what had irritated Philaf throughout his confinement was Isidore’s sudden action.
He heard that the fellow, who rarely engaged in public activities, had suddenly entered an equestrian competition and won the championship. Moreover, he had inexplicably attributed the glory of victory to Deborah Simour—the more he thought about it, the more it grated on him.
He probably struck every heroic pose on the platform. Most knights entered equestrian tournaments for the sake of appearing impressive before ladies, after all.
As Philaf’s lips tightened, he caught the sound of executives chatting nearby. While listening intently to their conversation, a bitter smile suddenly crossed his face.
“Philaf. Where are you going so suddenly?”
“Never mind.”
He replied in a cold voice and quickly strode out of the secret room.
* * *
‘I’ve been sitting here too long. It’s getting cold. I should head back inside.’
After spending some time on a shaded bench near the Frat House, enjoying the cool breeze, I walked toward where my carriage awaited.
“Hm…”
As I approached the carriage, a fragment of memory suddenly surfaced in my mind, and I halted mid-step. Near my carriage, bearing the Simour seal, stood a carriage I recognized well—one made of deep ebony wood, adorned with the seals of the Four Great Spirits.
‘That’s the Montes House quadriga.’
What was it doing here?
The Spirit Hall was quite far from the East Gate.
“It’s been a while, Deborah.”
As I stood there bewildered, I came face to face with someone decidedly unwelcome.
“You seem to be doing well.”
It was Philaf Montes.

—————

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

—————