The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 27

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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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The Villainess Establishes a Department Store

Chapter 27

However, my grand dream had to be set aside for now, unfortunately.

“Regrettably, we’ll have to make the railway model out of wood. The mine our family owned dried up of ore veins even before I was born.”

How could this be. My expectations that had swelled sky-high burst with a pop like a balloon in an instant.

“Then… then nothing comes out of it at all now?”

“Well… there are still places where iron ore comes out, but it’s not worth investing in. I was planning to completely shut it down once the remaining miners leave.”

No wonder. I didn’t think I saw any mines among the inheritance list that my parents left behind when they passed away.

“Still, how about investigating once more? When the railway industry gets into full swing, iron ore and stone prices will surely rise.”

“Hmm.”

“You never know. There might still be something left deep down that couldn’t be found back then due to insufficient technology.”

This was a future even I didn’t know about. Perhaps that’s why I couldn’t confidently push Father.

Success would be a jackpot, failure would just waste money.

Fortunately, wasting some money wouldn’t ruin our family, but I could understand Father’s concerns.

“Keeping it costs maintenance fees, but closing it completely makes me worry about potential possibilities. Then there’s only one conclusion.”

Father took out a fountain pen and business card from his pocket, scribbled something on the back, and handed it to an Exhibition Hall staff member.

“Tell them I’ll visit officially soon regarding smokeless gunpowder consultation.”

As expected. Father seemed to be thinking along similar lines.

* * *

Because Father canceled the departure too late, he had quite a few things to resolve.

But I never expected ‘getting grabbed by the collar out of nowhere’ to be one of them.

“Marquis de Charmeuze!”

“I heard the news. What on earth is going on! Breaking contracts like that!”

As we were leaving the Exhibition Hall, or more precisely Father was, he got grabbed by the collar by an investor who was going to suffer losses due to Father’s impulsive actions.

“This seems like it’ll take a while, so you can return to the Estate first. Or since we’re already out, you could look around more.”

Leaving behind what sounded like last words, Father was dragged away. It happened so suddenly that there was no time to stop it.

“Will Father… be okay?”

Unlike me who was full of worry, Mother seemed surprisingly composed.

“Your father will be fine. What do you want to do? You can look around more, or we can go back as Father suggested.”

Hmm, what to do.

Looking at Antoine’s eyes, it didn’t seem like he’d quietly return to the Estate.

But staying at the Exhibition Hall longer wasn’t appealing either, as more people were crowding in as time passed, and I was starting to feel my limits too.

“I know! Should we eat out at Port Nantes? Camille. You’re coming with us too.”

“Eat out?”

Mother headed straight to Port Nantes. But where the carriage stopped wasn’t the fancy restaurant Mother would normally go to, but Guillaume’s Building in the middle of Nantes Market.

“My condition isn’t too bad today, so I thought it might be nice to get some sea breeze. You can stay in the carriage if it’s too much, what do you want to do?”

“I want to go with Mother!”

Of course we should go together! Mother firmly held mine and Antoine’s hands in both of hers. Behind us, Camille followed with quick steps, holding up a parasol.

Nantes Market was incomparably larger and more splendid than the market near our Estate.

And above all, the atmosphere of the streets themselves was young.

Unlike the elegant signs filled with history and tradition made by the Craft Guild of Rier Street, the shops here were all overflowing with personality, filled with their owners’ tastes.

The shop owners, having once been sailors or dealing with them, used friendly speech, and their good-natured soliciting didn’t discriminate against anyone.

“Coral necklaces that came in yesterday! Madam, please take a look!”

“Items brought with great difficulty from the far East! Please take a look!”

And Mother was no exception. No, rather, being obviously a wealthy lady, she became the number one target.

“Oh my! How pretty. Adele, shall we take a look at this?”

Mother was a natural noblewoman who had never been to places like markets and had never even thought of buying anything there.

But today seemed to be an exception, as her large amethyst-colored eyes were sparkling brightly.

Mother’s cheeks were flushed red, having suddenly encountered hundreds and thousands of items after only choosing from things merchants had selected in the Estate’s Drawing Room.

The items sold in such places were nothing but crude imitations.

But Mother looked at such things with more interest than when jewelers brought diamond necklaces.

Mother, who had awkwardly kept her distance, not knowing how to respond to the friendly merchant’s jokes, was now giggling like a girl.

Each time, the image of Mother in my memory gradually faded and a new picture was drawn over it.

Mother, who had lain powerlessly in bed, was now walking the streets with lively steps.

Her always pale and gaunt complexion was now rose-red with healthy color, smiling brightly.

Her frail voice that always repeated only apologies while looking at us was now chattering like a bird and giggling at the merchant’s jokes.

That alone was enough for me to forgive the merchant trying to overcharge Mother.

“Normally this should cost 50 francs, but if you buy it with this bracelet and ring together, I’ll give you all three for 80 francs just for today. Wouldn’t it make special memories to share them with the young master and miss!”

“Is that so? Then show me other things too. Something suitable to wear together with my husband, not the children.”

50 francs, let me see, how much is that… No. There’s no need to calculate. How many times is he inflating the price of those cheap glass beads?

I take back what I just said about forgiving him. Good heavens, even selling water in a desert wouldn’t involve such profiteering.

“Antoine. I think the reason that man is bald is because the hair that should grow on his head grew on his conscience instead. Don’t you think so too?”

“What’s conscience?”

“…”

Right. It was a difficult concept for a four-year-old. Anyway, I had to stop Mother before she got ripped off like this.

That’s when it happened.

“Hey, that’s too expensive. There are scratches here and air bubbles inside, and you want to charge 50 francs for this? Mister, are you only doing business today?”

“What?”

A kid about my height butted in and blocked the space between Mother and the merchant.

It was the typical boldness and friendliness of errand-running kids commonly seen at the port, but the moment our eyes met, I couldn’t help but be shocked.

‘Sebastien…?’

That very Sebastien, who had consistently shown not friendliness but rude attitude in both my previous and current life, was bargaining on Mother’s behalf.

Am I dreaming right now?

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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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