The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 29

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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 29

 

Fortunately, as soon as we came out of the restaurant, I was able to find Bastian quickly. He was the only boy so enthusiastically promoting the shop with such a passionate voice.

 

“Can I go say hello to him for a moment? He helped us at the shop earlier, and thanks to him we had something delicious to eat.”

 

“Only until the carriage arrives. Can you tell him Mother says thank you too?”

 

I nodded and bounced across the street.

 

As I got closer, the smile gradually disappeared from his face, and by the time I had completely crossed the street, he had returned to his usual prickly demeanor.

 

“What?”

 

Now this was the Bastian I knew.

 

“What are you doing here anyway? And what was that smile earlier? Hehe? Hehehe? I didn’t know you were the type of kid who could smile like that?”

 

When I first met him, he got angry after I saved him. The second time we met, his grumpy way of speaking made me want to punch him.

 

Bastian turned his head away, avoiding my eyes.

 

“…I’m working honestly.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“You have to do whatever it takes to make a living. Somewhere right now, not just smiling but—”

 

“Have you ever thought about becoming an actor?”

 

Stop. I understood roughly what he was trying to say.

 

Come to think of it, the future Bastian was also a man who could smile cunningly whenever necessary.

 

However, the uses of that smile were mainly limited to mocking someone, ridiculing them, condemning them, or when he needed to win the favor of noblewomen for business purposes.

 

Indeed, that skill didn’t develop overnight.

 

“Don’t talk nonsense about acting. That’s something only tall, handsome… anyway, only talented guys do.”

 

“What’s wrong with you?”

 

I was so dumbfounded that those words slipped out without thinking.

 

I’m recording this on a phonograph to play back to you in 10 years.

 

“Ah, forget it! Being pretty in the back alleys is just troublesome…”

 

For someone saying that, his guard was much more relaxed than before. Could he be weak to compliments?

 

“You’re much better than people who are ugly and don’t work honestly, or people who work cowardly relying only on their looks. That’s what I think.”

 

“…”

 

Bastian’s eyes narrowed and he stared at me silently for a long time.

 

Then he turned his head away with a whoosh, avoiding my eyes again.

 

Huh? What? Why is your neck red, Sebastien?

 

“Did you scratch yourself somewhere? Why is your neck so red?”

 

“Whether someone else’s neck is red or blue, what’s it to you!”

 

“Now even your ears are red? You’re not sick, are you?”

 

“Be quiet!”

 

Geez, how scary. If I tease him twice more, he’ll really explode.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“…For what?”

 

“For not doing bad things and living honestly.”

 

“Just how idle are nobles that they go around thanking people for such useless things?”

 

“Oh my, can’t you tell from looking at our mother?”

 

Bastian opened his mouth wide as if he was dying of absurdity and just rolled his eyes around.

 

“Anyway… thanks to you, we ate well. Mother said she liked the restaurant too.”

 

“Of course. I don’t want to get cursed at for recommending some mediocre restaurant.”

 

Someone might ask why he felt such responsibility for mere customer solicitation, but this thoroughness was exactly what would later propel Bastian to that position.

 

Knowing this, I declared with sincerity:

 

“You’ll definitely succeed. Maybe someday you’ll even become the owner of that shop.”

 

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, go away now. Can’t you see I’m busy?”

 

“Hey, there’s no one on the street right now. By the way, how does it feel to work honestly?”

 

Bastian, who had been waving his hand at me, mumbled his lips at my point, then answered hesitantly after a big sigh.

 

“Well… it’s nice not having to worry about getting cheated out of money.”

 

That’s a relief.

 

I was worried he might be suffering from child exploitation in a place without proper labor laws, but apparently that’s not the case.

 

“Right. Who would dare try to cheat you out of money.”

 

…The direction is different, but anyway, I’m relieved it’s not like that.

 

“You haven’t had lunch yet, have you?”

 

“That’s something only nobles like you eat. Someone like me can get by all day with just a piece of bread.”

 

“Eat this.”

 

I held out the cake I had brought earlier. Bastian just stared at the handkerchief and the dessert on it, then looked around and, confirming no one was there, quickly snatched it and stuffed it carelessly into his pocket.

 

“If you’re going to give me something, give me money. Making my hands all sticky…”

 

He never just says thank you nicely. But now I know his prickly reactions are actually because he’s embarrassed.

 

“Come to think of it, what’s your name?”

 

“My name?”

 

Of course I know Bastian’s name. Even his real name that he doesn’t know about.

 

But I had never heard it directly from him. Still, this is our third meeting, so shouldn’t we at least introduce ourselves?

 

“…Sebastien Bellueur. Just call me Sep.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Sebastien is too grand! I’m not some noble or anything…”

 

“I think it suits you well? Like a prince from a book.”

 

“Just like a noble to think that way…”

 

Geez. That mouth of his.

 

“Then I’ll call you Bastian. You know my name, right? Adelaide Valencienne de Charmeuse. Everyone calls me Adele though.”

 

“Adelaide Valencienne… Damn, why is the name so long?”

 

Bastian furrowed his brow and muttered several times as if trying to remember my name.

 

“Adele? Do you still have more to talk about?”

 

Mother called me from across the street. The carriage had arrived. I guess I should go soon.

 

“Adelaide!”

 

Just as I was about to turn around, Bastian called out to stop me.

 

When I turned my head, I saw Bastian frozen in place with a shocked expression.

 

Bastian kept twitching his nose bridge, fumbling with his lips, and rolling his lower lip to bite it.

 

I don’t know why he’s more surprised when he’s the one who called out.

 

“What?”

 

“Well… lately the atmosphere in the back alleys of Loire and Nantes has been unsettled, so don’t wander around uselessly and stay holed up in your estate.”

 

Is this a curse or concern…?

 

“Ever since Loire Central Station was built, bad guys from all over the country have been flowing in. Nantes will probably be the same soon.”

 

For a moment, something flashed in Bastian’s eyes. Too sharp to be called a flame, closer to a momentary glint than light.

 

“Especially since Nantes is a port. If those idiots who only know how to use force clash with the sailors, there’s no telling what might happen.”

 

“…Are you worrying about me right now?”

 

“Are you crazy? Anyway, that’s why I’m warning you never to come here again.”

 

Bastian saying this also knew well that there was no way I would walk here on my own two feet.

 

So in other words, it was unnecessary worry. It was unexpected since Bastian wasn’t the type to worry about someone for no reason.

 

“Okay. Thanks for worrying about me. You be careful too, Bastian… Oh no, I really have to go.”

 

It was fun to gently tease Bastian and watch his reactions, but I couldn’t keep Mother waiting any longer.

 

Behind me, Bastian was grumbling and shouting something, but I couldn’t hear any of it.

 

“You idiot! You should take the handkerchief with you! Geez, should I just sell it?”

 

Ah right. The handkerchief!

 

This was already the second time. Can’t be helped.

 

“Sell it and buy something delicious!”

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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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