The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 46

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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 46

“Wh… What?”

It was the most dumbfounded thing I’d said since starting my second life.

“What do you mean what? Did you think I’d just keep getting played by you forever? Ha! I should’ve hung that stupid look on your face at the passage entrance.”

There it was. Bastian changed his expression completely as if nothing had happened. For a moment, I even had the illusion of seeing a large tail wagging behind his back.

“Anyway, a place like this doesn’t suit me. If you need someone to play with, I saw there was a toy shop earlier, so go there instead.”

“For a place that doesn’t suit you, you observed it quite thoroughly?”

At my pointed remark, Bastian reacted sensitively like someone who’d been hit right on target.

“Ugh, well, it doesn’t hurt to know what kind of shops are here! Hmph… Maybe I could find work like you said…”

Really, he’s so dishonest. The Bastian who was just sneering about what he could possibly do here must have been from another world, right?

“Bastian.”

“What.”

I stopped walking and looked Bastian up and down carefully.

Every time my gaze moved up and down, those prickly, wary, spiteful eyes observed me in return.

But I knew that those bright red eyes could become as docile as a puppy rolling over when faced with profitable work.

I also knew how lovely a curve those thin lips, currently pressed tightly together with downturned corners, could form.

Knowing how magnificent a man future Bastian would grow into, his currently matchstick-thin limbs weren’t much of a problem for me.

Yes, I wanted him.

Respecting Bastian’s opinions and pride was all well and good, but it was too wasteful to let his infinite potential rot away like this.

“Do you want to work here? Really?”

“…Yeah.”

When I lowered my voice and asked seriously, Bastian also seemed to sense something and wiped the playfulness from his expression.

“Then use me.”

“Miss.”

Bastian’s eyes widened and Laurent let out a shocked exclamation. Camille was also watching the situation with considerable surprise.

“What on earth are you saying that makes no sense!”

“Monsieur Laurent. Wasn’t Monsieur’s job to be my secretary and guard?”

“I’ll inform your father.”

“That works out well. I was planning to tell Father that Monsieur Laurent trusts Camille’s word more than mine.”

When I pointed out what had happened earlier, Monsieur Laurent gritted his teeth with a displeased expression.

Despite his fierce look, he seemed to honestly acknowledge his mistake and didn’t interfere with me any further.

“I’m not telling you to beg or cling to me. And I’m certainly not telling you to abandon your pride. It’s quite the opposite. Use me as your ladder.”

“A kid who’s even shorter than me?”

Ha! Bastian burst into laughter with a tone that was beyond absurd and into ridiculous territory.

What do you mean I’m shorter than you? When we stand side by side, there’s barely any difference!

No, this doesn’t matter. I suppressed my momentary irritation and continued.

“I’ll tell you in advance, I’m going to use you too.”

“…Me?”

Bastian raised an eyebrow.

He seemed unable to even guess how I, who had everything and plenty of people around to order about, would use him.

That was actually fortunate. If he had realized what value he possessed earlier, he would have gone to find another investor—no, another adult—before I ever got the chance.

“Do you think kids as smart as you with such quick minds are common? From now on, I’ll clothe, feed, house, and educate you in advance, and when you’re an adult, I’ll squeeze you to the bone.”p>

Was it my imagination? Monsieur Laurent seemed to flinch for a moment.

“What harsh words… So, what are you planning to do? Take me to your house to play dolls?”

“A doll that can dress itself is tempting, but I already have plenty at home. There’s Antoine too.”

Huh.

Wait a minute.

“…Come to think of it, where is Antoine?”

A chill ran down my spine. I looked around belatedly, but Antoine, who hadn’t been there, didn’t suddenly appear.

When had Antoine disappeared—no, no. Had I even come out with Antoine in the first place? I was confused from that point on.

“Calm down. When I met you, you were alone.”

Bastian caught me as I was about to rush out to find Antoine and calmed me down.

“Th-then Antoine is…?”

“How would I know? If he wasn’t moving with you, he’s probably with your parents.”

Though it was a blunt reply, the fairly logical answer helped me barely remember what was more urgent than setting out to find Antoine.

“Let’s go back to my parents first. You come too.”

“Me? Why should I?”

“I was planning to recommend you to my parents anyway. Camille, Monsieur Laurent. Let’s head back.”

It was the moment I forced my trembling legs to take a step forward.

“Huh?”

“This way is faster.”

Monsieur Laurent scooped me up. Then he started running.

Over Monsieur Laurent’s shoulder, the bewildered faces of Camille and Bastian grew more distant.

I’m grateful, but next time it would be nice if you told me in advance.

I’m getting motion sick…!

* * *

‘I’m bored. Mother is only playing with Father, and where did Older Sister go?’

Not wanting to disturb his mother and father enjoying their tender moment, he decided to set off on a solo adventure when his beloved older sister was nowhere to be seen.

Antoine packed small sandwich pieces and a few cookie crumbs that had been prepared as finger food into a handkerchief and stuffed it into his pocket, like the adventurer in the book he’d read recently.

Because he forgot to tie the knot, instead of the round, cute bundle like in the book’s illustration, it became a dirty handkerchief and crushed sandwich, but he was too excited about the adventure to notice even that.

Antoine, who had set out onto the street with grand ambitions, let out a long exclamation at the sight of the town square filled with people.

“Woooow…!”

Antoine made his eyes and mouth into large circles as he frantically looked around. People with faces full of smiles were dancing to violin music.

The dance they were doing had no set form, no formality, and not even elegant and measured greetings. When their eyes met, they would exchange a glance and suddenly link arms.

Likewise, the music was also very rough and had an irregular beat, unlike what his mother or older sister usually played.

The pushing and pulling melody kept making his shoulders bounce. The sight of them spinning in circles made his feet move on their own.

“The young gentleman dances quite well!”

“Little one, would you like to try a bite too?”

Before he knew it, Antoine was mixed in among them, dancing. It was terrible movement, closer to gesturing than dancing, but the adults found him adorable and gave him generous applause.

For Antoine, whose only experience with festivals had been fireworks parties held at the estate, this was literally the first sight of its kind in his life.

After dancing and hopping around in place for who knows how long, Antoine, his face burning bright red as if it might burst, gasped for breath as he stepped out of the circle.

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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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