The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 28

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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 28

“Madam. Look here. If you hold it up to the sunlight like this, you can see scratches that weren’t visible before. There’s a reason they do business in the shade on purpose. 50 francs for something like that? Even 5 centimes would be a waste!”

“Oh my… it really is!”

“Hmph! What a scammer. People should live honestly.”

Live honestly… Wait, I feel like I’ve heard that somewhere before.

When I glared at him with bewildered eyes, the guy winked at me, thinking who knows what.

“A, a scammer! I just… well… what I mean is… I didn’t think Madam would actually believe that price and just blurted it out!”

“You should consider who you’re haggling with. She clearly looks like a precious lady from a noble house who wouldn’t even know what haggling is, yet you expected her to bargain down prices like some neighborhood auntie!”

“Haggling?”

Then Mother, who had been quietly watching the two argue, tilted her head and furrowed her brows. Then she asked a completely unexpected question.

“But what is haggling?”

The merchant and Sebastien stopped fighting and turned around with shocked faces. I too momentarily doubted my own ears.

They probably never imagined there could be someone in this world who truly didn’t know what haggling was.

“Madam. Originally, there are no fixed prices in the market. Even when there are, sometimes they sell a bit cheaper depending on the situation, and that process of lowering the price is called haggling.”

Camille explained gently on behalf of the two men and me, who were all dumbfounded.

I knew Mother was raised like a flower in a greenhouse, but I never imagined it was to this extent.

“Ah! I’ve heard of it. But I was taught that trying to reduce the price of goods is an uncouth behavior…”

“Oh, Mother! I want this. Can’t you buy this for me? Wow, there are so many pretty sparkling things I don’t know which one to choose…”

Before Mother’s comments, which had no malice but made my head heat up just listening to them, could continue any further, I had to end it.

I grabbed whatever I could get my hands on – glass bead bracelets and necklaces – and laughed cheerfully.

“Really? Then… give me everything here.”

“Mother?”

“Why? If you don’t know which one to choose, just buy them all, right? They’re not even that expensive.”

I was momentarily speechless. I never expected Mother to pull the ‘give me everything from here to there’ move.

“You there, boy. Then how much do you think this should cost?”

Sebastien, who was suddenly pointed out, blinked a couple of times then began examining the bead bracelet from various angles with a serious expression.

Though his face still had plenty of youthful innocence, his eyes were as serious as any jeweler’s.

“There are air bubbles and scratches, but judging by the color, it does seem to have come from the East. Uncle, just be satisfied with 5 francs.”

“Ahem, cough…”

“Hmm. Or Madam. I know a few places that sell items suitable for you and Miss. Shall I guide you there?”

“5 francs! I’ll give it to you for 5 francs!”

The merchant, who had looked dissatisfied with the price Sebastien suggested, hurriedly lowered his stance.

Well, any merchant who knows how to make money wouldn’t want to lose a big customer right in front of them by being too greedy.

“Thank you. I almost suffered a big loss.”

“Hehe. It’s nothing.”

Hehe? Hehehe? Did Sebastien just laugh and say ‘hehe’? The kid who always went ‘hmph,’ ‘tch,’ or just cursed?

“By the way, who are you?”

That was what I wanted to ask. You, are you really Sebastien? Who are you!

Sebastien’s eyes narrowed. Despite being just a child, it was a mysteriously alluring fox-like smile that seemed to bewitch people.

“If you’re curious about me… come here. I guarantee the taste.”

Sebastien pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his back pocket.

[Maison de Roseannette. The place that sells the most delicious galettes and cider in Nantes]

The paper Bastian handed over had quite decent food illustrations, descriptions, and prices written on it. It was essentially a kind of delivery flyer.

“Camille! Call the carriage. Let’s have lunch at the place this gentleman recommended.”

“Thank you!”

Bastian kept smiling cheerfully until the very end.

The restaurant we arrived at was a place that could satisfy Mother’s standards. So that’s why his clothes looked neater than last time – he got a job?

Maybe it was my imagination, but Bastian’s shoulders seemed to be raised about a finger’s width higher than usual as he guided us inside.

“I’ve brought customers. One noblewoman and her children, three in total.”

Bastian naturally excluded Camille from our party as if it were obvious.

And no one pointed this out or felt hurt by it. Not even Mother, who had suggested eating here.

It was natural. A noble master and a commoner nanny eating at the same table? That could never happen.

“You’ve worked hard looking after the children all day. How about Camille goes and leisurely has some tea? Tell the coachman too.”

“Madam…!”

Camille’s eyes widened, then she took the coin Mother handed her and bowed politely.

The waiter forgot about taking our order at that scene and roughly tousled Bastian’s hair almost violently.

“What a good boy!”

Since he had brought not just any customer but one who seemed quite profitable, satisfaction dripped from the waiter’s eyes like honey.

“Do you know this child?”

“You mean Sep? He’s a kid who suddenly appeared on this street one day, but despite his young age, he’s unusually diligent, clever, and smart, so everyone’s quite fond of him.”

The favorable reaction made my shoulders rise with pride for no reason.

“You saw the paper this kid carries around, right? He came up with that idea himself too!”

With hearty laughter, the waiter patted Bastian’s back. Each time, his scarecrow-thin body swayed back and forth wildly.

But the waiter’s fondness for Bastian only went that far.

“Now, let me escort you inside.”

This was a high-end restaurant where waiters in elegant uniforms served food on silver trays to customers similarly dressed in gowns and suits.

There was no way a street urchin could set foot in such a place. Formal employment was even more out of the question.

The food came out one by one shortly after we ordered. But despite the heavenly aroma, I somehow had no appetite.

Did Sebastien eat lunch? How many hours a day does he work like that? Why did the kid suddenly change?

While I was eating half-heartedly, dessert came out – gâteau Nantes generously sprinkled with snow-white sugar icing.

As befitting a port city, you could smell the distinctive flavor of rum even from outside the plate.

I didn’t eat it and secretly wrapped a piece in my handkerchief. I was thinking of slipping it into his pocket if I happened to run into Bastian.

I had some things to ask him while I was at it.

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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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