The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 5

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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 5

“Of course, it would be the Baron Charmeuze who is respected by everyone.”

“Can someone who has never received a single warm touch or affectionate embrace in childhood truly be respected by everyone?”

For a moment, Madame Severin was at a loss for words. While she hesitated, I drove in the wedge with a mocking tone.

“Yes, perhaps Antoine, raised under your discipline, might become a fine baron. Someone smart, cold, and able to distinguish what serves his family’s interests.”

“Of course. That’s precisely why we need to provide proper education from now on…”

“But I want my younger sibling to grow up loved, to share that love with others, and become someone respected by all in that way.”

It’s a common story. Parents who used to beat their children when young are abandoned later when they grow old and can no longer control their children through force.

If Antoine becomes such a person in the future, it would be troublesome for me too.

The original work already made it obvious which country it was modeled after, judging by the names of people and places. If it follows the history of that country exactly…

I shuddered involuntarily as the cold blade of a guillotine seemed to flash before my eyes.

‘If I had to be reincarnated, I’d rather be a rich family’s dog or cat.’

Anyway, that’s why I need to raise him well from now on. I steeled my resolve once again.

“Well, that’s only if he’s taught by a qualified teacher. In that regard, you’re disqualified both as a teacher and as a nanny.”

I pulled out a neatly folded paper from my pocket and tossed it in front of Madame Severin.

Recognizing it, Madame Severin let out a strangled sound through her teeth.

“Adelaide? What is that?”

“Evidence showing where the nanny was last night.”

“Ma, Madam! You mustn’t! That’s… it’s nothing!”

“Give it here, dear.”

Mother immediately unfolded the paper and read it.

“…When the midnight bell tolls, I’ll wait in the stables. Please wield your whip of love on me like that time… Wh-what is this? Madame Severin! What on earth is going on? Explain what this disgusting letter is!”

“No, no, Madam! I, I am innocent! This is unjust!”

“Now I see it wasn’t my son who was corrupted, but you.”

Mother’s voice finally rose.

“How could you! I, I trusted you… sob… but…”

“Eleonore, getting angry is bad for your health. Calm down, calm down…”

“Do I look like I can calm down right now? Haa… ha…”

Mother’s face flushed instantly with shock and anger.

“Call the stable hand immediately… ugh!”

Finally, Mother clutched her chest and collapsed into Father’s arms.

In the end, Father settled the situation.

“Madame Severin. I think it would be best if you looked for another estate. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can write you a letter of recommendation.”

Madame Severin protested in despair as if her world had collapsed.

“But, but! Master. I truly did my best for the young master! Please, just give me one more chance!”

“Thank you for your hard work all this time.”

Madame Severin, who had instantly withered like a dried fish, just moved her mouth wordlessly for a while.

Then, realizing that no excuse could change this situation, she left the room with her head hung low.

“Antoine. It’s all over now. Were you very scared? I’m sorry, if I had known this would happen, I would have left you in your room.”

Though he didn’t understand the adults’ conversation, Antoine seemed to sense the serious atmosphere and was burying his face in my sleeve.

“Sniffle… *cough*!”

Cough?

No way. It can’t be. It won’t be.

I carefully pushed Antoine’s head away.

And screamed.

“Antoine! I told you not to get snot on the silk!”

* * *

“Sigh. Just when I thought I found someone trustworthy. I feel so sorry for Antoine. And Adelaide too… how upset she must have been all this time, unable to say anything out of consideration for her sick mother. Maybe we should raise them ourselves after all?”

Eleonore, having barely calmed down, pressed her forehead against the window to cool her fever and let out a deep sigh.

Her heart was still throbbing with betrayal and shock.

Charles glanced at Eleonore once, then picked up his pen to write a notice for hiring a nanny.

“Tsk. Don’t talk about dying, dear. Are you trying to collapse again? We’ll just find someone better. But Ellie, doesn’t Adelaide seem a little… how should I put it, different today?”

Charles was about to say ‘strange’ but hastily thought of a substitute word.

“Love… love and respect…”

What was I learning when I was Adelaide’s age? Charles searched his memory.

He couldn’t remember clearly, but it probably wasn’t much different from Madame Severin’s educational policy.

No, since there were only boys in the household, it was like the military.

Military power, political power, wealth.

He had lived according to a thoroughly planned schedule as if only those things were the means to earn everyone’s respect.

Unable to bear it any longer, he had run away from home.

Only after traveling around the world and becoming an adult did he realize that those weren’t the only ways to earn people’s respect.

Take Eleonore right beside him, for example.

Though she was much weaker and gentler than him, Charles found himself unconsciously adjusting his appearance whenever he entered her room.

“Right. According to that woman’s logic, the most respected person right now should be on the battlefield. Not in a cathedral.”

But how did Adelaide come to understand at the tender age of ten what I only barely grasped after becoming an adult and broadening my perspective?

Adelaide’s expression had been too serious to dismiss as mere coincidence arising from an innocent child’s pure way of thinking.

As if she had experienced it firsthand.

Charles’s contemplation was interrupted by Eleonore’s scolding.

“Since you’ve been home for so long, of course the children would seem unfamiliar! That’s why I told you to visit home more often!”

“Do you think I enjoy leaving my own home to wander around outside?”

Even as he raised his voice in bewilderment, Charles put down his pen and glanced at his wife, feeling sorry for leaving her alone.

As his wife said, the children were growing so fast that they surprised him every time he returned from his journeys.

Especially Adelaide had grown so much that she could barely wear the dresses and shoes he brought as gifts a few times, which made Charles increasingly concerned about her changes.

“I didn’t know Adelaide cared for her younger sibling so devotedly.”

“Well… Adelaide is ten years old now. She’s at an age to mature.”

“If she matures twice over, she’ll completely overpower her parents, won’t she?”

“Honey!”

Eleonore widened her eyes like a rabbit and raised her voice.

Charles chuckled and approached his wife, resting his head on her shoulder.

But today’s Adelaide seemed to have grown in more than just body.

The moment he met his daughter’s eyes, where violets and sea waves seemed to mix and ripple, he found the girl before him strangely unfamiliar.

Whether she had truly matured, or if something had happened…

“Maybe I should look for ways to work from home after all?”

“That would be wonderful for me… Sigh, but we need to find a new nanny before you leave.”

“Hmm. Speaking of business trips, since Adelaide has matured, how about giving her a nice gift as praise?”

“Well… that’s not a bad idea. Then we should call some merchants soon…”

Though what the children really want is something else. Swallowing her remaining words, Eleonore also buried her head in her husband’s embrace.

* * *

Madame Severin and the stable hand were immediately expelled that day.

Until a new nanny could be found, Antoine and I had to stay within the estate.

But I felt no boredom or stuffiness at all.

It wasn’t just because the Charmeuze Estate and garden were so large.

Everywhere I looked, there was my beloved home that I had missed, scenery I thought I’d never see again.

Especially the huge fountain in the center became Antoine’s and my favorite spot due to the increasingly hot weather.

“Older Sister! Let’s play at the fountain today too. Please?”

“Are you trying to get scolded again for getting your clothes wet?”

“Hehe…”

With an embarrassed laugh, Antoine tugged at my arm.

Has he gotten a bit stronger already, or am I imagining it?

“Huh…?”

Antoine, who had been running ahead, suddenly stopped and tilted his head.

“Who is that man?”

“That person is definitely…”

Today there was already a visitor at the Fountain.

And an incredibly welcome guest at that.

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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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