The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 32

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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 32

“Adele. You can’t read the newspaper at the dining table.”

I smiled sheepishly and lowered the newspaper onto my lap. However, I had already read the large letters that said ‘Loire Development Project.’

“Do you really like that newspaper so much when it’s nothing but text without a single picture?”

“Yes. Just like Camille said, being able to see what’s happening in the world at a glance while sitting in one place. The world has really become a wonderful place.”

Mother burst into laughter at my childish muttering. She looked just like a blooming flower, which made me feel good too.

Now that the Loire development project was beginning in earnest, I had no intention of sitting idle waiting for Guillaume to return.

You never know what might happen with people’s affairs.

Just in case something happened to Bastian or the future changed strangely, I needed to secure my share in advance so I could feel at ease.

When I glanced sideways again, I saw numbers in units that made my head spin, talking about loans and budgets.

Instead of ignoring my opinion, Mr. Rivers had referenced it and announced a market development plan.

Although the standards he proposed were much stricter than I had thought, an opportunity had finally come for them too.

‘Hmm. Should I ask Father to build a shop, no, a building in my name around here? This place will definitely be in the future…’

Just then, as I was trying to recall my memories, I heard Mother’s voice.

“Oh right, you said you’re starting dance lessons today?”

“Yes. I have to go to the dance hall right after eating.”

“Can Mother come watch too?”

“Me too! Sister, I want to go too!”

I nodded readily and temporarily erased the numbers from my mind.

“Dance is the language of gestures and conversation. And when learning a language, you must first learn the spelling and pronunciation.”

Camille demonstrated the five basic foot positions that form the foundation of dance.

She had only moved her feet back and forth, but the graceful movement was like a deer walking, naturally drawing admiration.

‘Nothing to admire. I already know all this, don’t I?’

Even if my body doesn’t remember, my head remembers, so somehow it will work out…

“Lower your shoulders, straighten your back, lengthen your neck. Don’t stick out your bottom.”

It will work…

“Straighten your knees. Be careful not to roll your shoulders, and don’t lower your head.”

It should work… but…?

“Why isn’t it working?”

“No one does well from the beginning.”

But this is my second time, you know?

My assumption that I could follow along quickly was nothing but my own delusion. It felt like my head and body were working separately.

“So Sister can’t do something too…”

Antoine, won’t you be quiet?

Only after creaking around in place for a long time was I able to imitate the most basic waltz steps.

“I want to try too!”

Perhaps watching from afar had become boring, as Antoine quickly joined in. Phew, finally I could rest.

When we wrapped Mother’s shawl around his waist instead of a skirt, he smiled brightly and fluttered the cloth, temporarily relieving my fatigue.

“Miss Antoinette. Would you like to dance together?”

“Hehe!”

As I held hands with Antoine and spun around in place, a strange sensation of my body floating halfway enveloped me.

The floating feeling like flying in the sky and the spinning view in front of me made me burst into giggles without realizing it.

‘I’m happy.’

For a brief moment, I could forget about thoughts of Bastian and market development.

“Ugh…”

“Antoine! Good heavens, Camille. Call someone immediately!”

Though as a price for that, Antoine threw up all of his breakfast.

“So everyone was here!”

Had the commotion in the dance hall reached Father’s ears too?

The door burst open and Father strode across the dance hall, patting Antoine’s back.

“Tsk, Antoine needs to rest for a while. But I’m hurt, you know? Leaving out the head of the family from such fun!”

“Oh my, I thought the head of the family was busy with the head of the family’s work.”

“Ahem, hmm. Participating in family affairs is also the head of the family’s duty. So… my dear, would you permit me to be faithful to my duty?”

Father bowed in an elegant posture fit for a royal court and kissed the back of Mother’s hand.

Mother, her earlobes flushed red, took Father’s hand.

As the two stepped into the center of the hall, Camille sat at the piano.

To the three-beat melody, Mother’s back drew an elegant curve as she leaned back gracefully.

The sunlight streaming through the long windows flowed down Mother’s neck like a golden waterfall.

Father lightly caught her delicate body, lifted Mother up in one motion, and embraced her again.

In the world reflected in my parents’ eyes, only each other existed. I willingly decided to step back from their private world.

The sight of the two dancing, entrusting their bodies to each other, was so beautiful that it was regrettable it couldn’t be captured in photos or videos.

Truly. I’m happy.

“Antoine. Shall we go now?”

“Huh?”

Antoine clung to me saying let’s stay longer or dance together, but I put my finger to my lips and shook my head.

Let’s let them have some time alone for now.

* * *

Sebastien woke up clutching his hungry stomach. Another damn day had begun.

Moving his fingers and toes slowly, Sebastien carefully unfolded the handkerchief he had been clutching all night.

The handkerchief with lace decorations around the edges and the owner’s initials embroidered with silk ribbon in the corners would surely keep him from worrying about starving for a week if he sold it.

But he didn’t want to sell it. Yesterday too, he had hesitated for a long time in front of the shop before finally just returning.

Even though the owner herself had told him to sell it and buy food.

Whenever he tried to sell it, the face that had babbled useless things like telling him to live honestly, that he was better than other guys, and thanking him for that, would float before his eyes.

Once his body began to move somewhat, Bastian wrapped the handkerchief around his forearm and secured it. Then he pulled down his sleeve to hide it.

He was sick and tired of repeating what happened last time.

Today too, if his feet carried him around, he wouldn’t starve.

If he was lucky, the restaurant staff where he had guided customers might throw him a piece of bread.

In that regard, he was quite lucky.

It was all thanks to learning to read and write from the workhouse priest.

Sebastien, who had set out to Nanterre Street looking for work or customers, raised his eyebrows high at the unusually bustling atmosphere.

“What’s this?”

Squeezing through the crowd with his small frame, he saw a notice.

“Hmm…”

They were going to build a new market, and street vendors could also open shops if they wanted.

However, only if they paid a deposit or took out a deposit loan.

At first glance it sounded revolutionary, but looking closely, it ultimately meant the rich would divide it among themselves.

What crazy bank would lend such a large sum to street vendors of unclear identity?

The second notice posted alongside was about recruiting workers for market construction.

“Petty bastards. If you’re not affiliated with the guilds, they only pay half wages? Are they telling those without money or connections to starve to death?”

Sebastien’s eyes, which had been reading the notice indifferently, widened when he saw the last line.

[Lunch provided]

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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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