The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 77

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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 77

“That person may be Father’s only Younger Sibling and Family he’s lived with for decades, but to me he’s just an unwelcome guest who barges in a few times a year and ruins the Estate’s atmosphere before leaving. He’s never once acted like a proper Uncle…”

And this would be the same for Uncle as well.

What kind of existence was I to Uncle? Had he ever, even once throughout my two lives, truly regarded me as his Nephew?

I hoped there hadn’t been.

“More importantly, Camille, how was the Academy? Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve heard your story yet…”

When I changed the subject, Camille stared at me intently for a moment, then placed her hand on my shoulder. And she smiled with her lips pulled up so tightly it felt ominous.

“I’m relieved that Miss didn’t forget ladylike conduct even while I was away. I think it would be fine to study some more advanced stages now.”

“Uh, um. Right now is time to play with Antoine though…”

I made excuses about Antoine while turning my head over my shoulder.

But Antoine isn’t there.

Younger Sibling who was at the end of the Corridor just moments ago is nowhere to be seen now.

“The young master went to have snacks with a Maid a little while ago. He said to bring Miss’s portion separately to the Study, so shall we go in now?”

“W-wait…!”

Antoine! How could you abandon your Older Sister! Even in the original story, you abandoning me wouldn’t happen for at least ten more years!

“You came back right away without even resting properly, aren’t you tired?”

This is absolutely, absolutely not something I’m saying because I don’t want to have lessons. I’m just being considerate of tired Camille first…

“If you skip any more lessons, Madam will cut my salary too.”

…If that’s the reason… then you should have lessons…

“Since you’ve learned most of the Social Circle etiquette, from now on I’ll teach you in earnest about the Royal Family and Noble Families that lead this country, and about the Social Circle debut, which is the most important thing for Miss to live as a lady.”

If until now it was content I had to memorize with my body, from today it’s content I have to memorize with my head.

“For ladies, the Social Circle debut is a very, extremely, tremendously, incredibly important event that determines a lady’s life. Do you know why?”

Well, it’s to sell the asset you’ve carefully raised for a long time at the highest price. I pretended to think about my answer for a moment while pondering how to make this response sound less sarcastic.

But no matter how much I tried to soften it, nothing pleasant came from my mouth. As my silence grew longer, Camille must have thought I didn’t know the answer and began explaining.

“The Social Circle debut is simply a declaration announcing to everyone that Miss has become an adult. In other words, it means that after the debut, you can directly step forward and do everything that Miss had to do through adults’ words until now.”

My mind went blank for a moment at the unexpected answer.

I see. The Social Circle debut was a moment to announce that I had become a proper adult before announcing that I had become merchandise in the marriage market.

“What kind of adult will Miss grow up to be? I’m very much looking forward to it. When that time comes, the world will be more free than now, won’t it? In such a world, how far will Miss be able to do what you want to do… Just imagining it makes my heart race.”

Camille’s eyes, always calm and composed, were now sparkling like a child listening to an adventurer’s tales.

“At the Academy, I experienced the future in advance. That’s the only way I can describe that time. Even when I attended, no. Come to think of it, that wasn’t even proper enrollment.”

After speaking rapidly in an excited voice, Camille stopped talking and shook her head. Come to think of it, it hasn’t been long since the Academy started accepting female students, so how did Camille attend the Academy?

“Among the people the old lady knew, there was an Academy professor. I worked as that person’s secretary, and thanks to their consideration, I was able to listen to lectures while pretending to work without the students knowing.”

“Ah…”

I briefly thought of Monsieur Laurent. Just like the man who wanted to go to the Academy more than anyone but couldn’t due to lack of money, here was a Woman who learned at the Academy but was never a formal student for even a moment.

I could understand why the two got along so well.

“Ahem. Anyway, unlike me who didn’t even wear clothes similar in color to the uniform for fear of causing trouble for the professor, seeing Emily confidently walking around the campus in Academy uniform was quite… a strange feeling.”

Camille’s gaze was now looking not at me in front of her, but at the distant Academy campus.

“How envious I was of the sight of female students holding thick major textbooks and international students using different languages from ours debating the same topic! I was briefly lost in futile thoughts, wishing I had been born just ten years later.”

Finally, Camille covered her mouth with her hand and laughed softly. This was the first time I’d seen Camille look so happy since she walked Pearl Street with Monsieur Laurent.

“The only criteria for distinguishing students there were major and depth of knowledge, and it was wonderful to see them interact with each other regardless of status, country of origin, gender, or age.”

“Really? That sounds like saying heaven exists.”

Camille smiled bitterly, reading the real meaning hidden in my words.

“Of course, those who want to discriminate will find some fault to discriminate anyway. But as long as they feel pride in the name ‘top educational institution,’ they’ll have to be careful with their words and tongues.”

Please be cautious in words and actions. I truly hoped so.

Returning to the pleasant story, Camille began to envision the future she wanted to see, following the future she had witnessed.

“When those people graduate from the Academy and start being active in their respective fields… the world will surely change. For the better. I believe so. And I hope Miss will live freely doing what you want to do in that good world. Not hiding behind like now just because you’re a girl.”

…Huh?

I was nodding thinking it was a good idea, but my head stopped mid-nod. What am I doing, why, and how?

I just, for a life as long, thin, and lustrous as silk thread, dumped all potentially troublesome situations on adults… no, entrusted them to adults, that’s all?

“Um, Camille…?”

“The Miss I’ve seen can do anything if you set your mind to it, so I wondered why you keep trying to hide behind others, and I thought about it in my own way, but I couldn’t think of anything other than that reason.”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Miss can do anything and become anything. I’ll make it so. So that when such a world comes, you won’t feel regret about your own shortcomings like I do! I’ll pass on all the knowledge I have!”

Please listen to what I’m saying…!

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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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