The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 38

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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 38

Emily, who had finally calmed down, took off her apron and returned in comfortable clothes, setting tea and cookies down in front of me.

“With orders flooding in after the Exhibition, I almost forgot to send in my admission application, you know?”

“Were you that busy? Even in the midst of all that, you managed to get your recommendation letters. One was from Guillaume, right?”

“Yes. As soon as he returned to the country, he gave me a repair request and wrote it in lieu of payment.”

“A repair request?”

“It was for the phonograph parts he took with him. He must have used it so often that the needle and everything else was completely worn out, so I suggested he just buy a new one instead.”

What on earth did he record that he listened to it so frequently? Emily tilted her head, curious.

Instead of answering, I smiled softly.

What meaning did those words of love from his son, echoing hundreds or perhaps thousands of times over the vast ocean, hold for Guillaume?

I couldn’t even dare to imagine.

The conversation returned to the Academy that Emily would be entering.

“It’s the first time a woman is entering the Academy. Well, to be precise, it’s not the first time. There have been rare cases in artistic fields like literature or painting.”

“But it’s the first time for engineering, right?”

“Yes. So they need to build new dormitories and even restrooms, which means I have to wait another six months before enrollment.”

I was momentarily speechless at this problem I hadn’t even imagined.

“Th-then what do we do? Are you going to spend six months at the Workshop like this?”

Of course, there would be things to learn at the Workshop, so it wouldn’t be a complete waste of time, but…

“Ah! That’s not the case. Hehe, don’t be surprised. Do you know who solved this problem and how?”

I blinked with a cookie still in my mouth. Who could it be? Surely not Felix? …That definitely doesn’t seem right.

“It was Lady Violetta!”

Thud.

The half-bitten cookie fell from my mouth onto the table.

“Vi-Violetta? You mean the Marchioness of Satin?”

“Yes! I had no idea Madam was so interested in girls’ education!”

My mind went blank at this unexpected name.

“I didn’t know Madam had that side to her…”

It was beyond surprising—it was shocking. But thinking about it carefully, Violetta was someone who had personally led poverty relief and welfare policies in her previous life too.

‘Bastian even acknowledged that he didn’t starve to death thanks to her.’

It was ironic.

The Bastian she had abandoned in the slums with the intention of killing him survived thanks to her and ultimately brought about her downfall.

Neither she nor Bastian would have known that her good deeds would come back to her in such a way.

Good deeds rewarded, evil punished, what goes around comes around… ah, maybe not the last one? Anyway, I think it’s a fitting ending for a villainess.

The fact remains unchanged that she was a mistress who seduced the King and switched the Queen’s child to eventually claim the seat beside him.

At the same time, it’s an undeniable fact that she took charge of state affairs and diplomacy in place of the opium-addicted King, performing the Queen’s role admirably in her own way.

Moreover, unlike the Queen who was from Albion, a long-time enemy nation, she shared the common ground of being a fellow Loiret citizen.

Perhaps because of this, while the nobles despised her, among the common people Violetta was already revered at a level no different from a queen.

‘So how should I treat her?’

Ah, I don’t know. It’s not like I’ll be dragged to the Royal Palace tomorrow to face her, and even if we meet, it would be at least after my debutante ball.

I was already sick of worrying about the distant future. There was no need to add more concerns to that. I focused on Emily in front of me again.

“It’s really wonderful that even the Marchioness of Satin is offering her support.”

“…Right?”

What’s with that ambiguous silence?

Instead of pressing further, I stared intently at Emily.

As people with something to hide typically do, Emily couldn’t look me straight in the eye and kept avoiding my gaze.

“…Actually…”

There it is. After an awkward silence, Emily began to open up while fidgeting with her teacup.

“When your Father offered his support, I was purely happy. But after the Exhibition, as more people offered their support, somehow my shoulders feel heavy. Ah! That doesn’t mean I consider their feelings a burden or anything like that!”

Stopping mid-sentence, Emily hurriedly waved her hands in explanation. It was pitiful to see her defensive attitude when no one was going to devour her.

“Is it burdensome?”

Emily’s chin, wrinkled like a walnut, nodded up and down slightly.

“When I think about having to meet their expectations, I suddenly feel breathless. Am I really doing my best? What if I fail? I worry whether they might regret their decision to support me.”

While I could dismiss it as needless worry, considering her lowered self-esteem due to Emil’s harsh words, her reaction wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.

Expectations would feel burdensome, change would be frightening, and an untrodden future would be worrisome.

But I believe in Emily. With that passion that never gave up on inventing despite never being able to proudly reveal her own name her entire life, this time will surely yield different results.

“So what if you fail a little?”

“Pardon?”

“Do I seem petty enough to cancel my support just because Emily failed a bit?”

“Absolutely not!”

Emily jumped up in denial.

Then that’s settled.

“Good. If Emily can’t believe in herself, then believe in me instead. No, believe in the judgment of my Father and the other sponsors.”

“But…”

“I believe in Emily.”

“Miss…”

Emily’s eyes quickly became moist again. She buried her head without a word and her shoulders shook for a long while. When she raised her head again, her eyes no longer wandered as if she had finally found her path.

* * *

On the way back to the Estate, I leaned against the window. The constant rhythm of endless hoofbeats kept making my eyes close.

“Yawn… I wish Emily would have a little more confidence in her abilities.”

“I’ll wake you when we reach the Estate, so please rest a little. Miss Emily will surely be fine.”

“Really?”

Just as Camille was about to answer, the sound of something falling came from beyond the window.

“You bastard!”

The carriage jolted and came to an urgent stop. At the same time, my body floated upward.

“Wh-whoa!”

I would have been seriously hurt if Camille hadn’t caught me.

“I’m sorry, Miss. Some brat… ahem. A child suddenly jumped out from the Alley…”

“Did we hit someone?”

“No! No! That bastard is just putting on an act!”

Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be the worst-case scenario.

“I’ll go check the situation. Please stay here, Miss.”

Just as Camille was about to get out of the carriage.

Another small figure jumped out from inside the Alley, and a familiar voice hurled rough curses.

“Give me my money back, you bastard! If you crawl out after hiding, you’ll get beaten twice as hard!”

“…Bastian?”

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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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