The Villainess Builds a Department Store - Chapter 9

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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 9

After swallowing down the heat that kept rising within me several times, I was finally able to open my mouth.

“Use this to buy some medicine to apply.”

“….”

I rummaged through my pocket and held out whatever coins I could grab.

Bastian didn’t budge and just stared intently at my face.

His blood-red eyes looked directly at me. I felt a chill run down my spine at his sharp gaze that showed no emotion whatsoever.

When he showed no reaction, I forcibly shoved my purse into Bastian’s pocket.

“Go quickly.”

And when I gave him a slight push, only then did Bastian startle as if awakening from a dream, then instantly disappeared through the crowd.

Without a single word of thanks.

“Th… This! Miss! What on earth are you doing! To a worthless gutter rat like that!”

The Baker’s Assistant belatedly threw a fit.

“What business is it of yours how I spend my own money?”

“Ugh….”

Over his displeased face, grumbling about ‘this is why naive children who don’t know the ways of the world’ floated transparently.

I know well enough that this isn’t a fundamental solution.

But no matter how grand and magnificent the plan I’ve made for him might be, if I turn away from the Bastian right before my eyes, then who exactly is that plan for?

Empty pity and sympathy cannot fill a hungry stomach.

I knew that fact better than anyone.

‘Sorry, Adelaide. My situation isn’t very good either…. But it’ll be resolved soon! Hang in there!’

‘I can’t lend you money, but I’ll pray every day for your family to rise again.’

‘I’m disappointed, Adelaide. I never knew you were such a materialistic person!’

The painful memories that surfaced made me feel uncomfortable.

That’s when it happened.

“Adelaide? Are you alright? Your complexion is pale blue…. What’s all this about?”

Guillaume, who appeared late after pushing through the crowd, demanded an explanation.

He must have been quite absorbed in the toys, as he wore a ridiculous hat on his head and held toy carriages and soldier dolls in his arms.

After hearing the situation, Guillaume clicked his tongue once and patted the Baker’s Assistant’s shoulder.

“Adelaide didn’t do it with bad intentions. Anyway, you sold your bread too, so you didn’t lose anything. So just let it go.”

“Sigh…. Understood. But please warn the Miss firmly. There’s no need to show mercy to those kinds of people.”

The Baker’s Assistant finally glared in the direction where Bastian had disappeared before returning to his workplace.

“Adelaide?”

“…Yes, Guillaume.”

“Let’s talk about the details when we get home.”

You did well though. Guillaume added in a voice small enough for only me to hear.

“But next time, don’t step forward yourself and call an adult instead. You almost got hurt.”

“I’m sorry. It was money Parents gave me to buy toys….”

Guillaume’s large hand settled on top of my head.

“I’m not trying to scold you for that. Rather, I’m worried. I’ll buy you the toys. You deserve it for doing a good deed.”

I just nodded silently.

* * *

“We really need a nanny.”

At my muttering, Antoine, who had been sucking on the toy soldier we bought last time, stopped and stared at me blankly.

“Antoine, spit it out.”

“Pteh!”

Ah, how good. Seeing how well he listens to his Older Sister, Antoine was definitely an angel.

What kind of angel, you ask….

Hmm….

A junkyard angel…?

‘Since he’s an angel, he might be a bit clumsy at organizing toys!’

I let out a deep sigh and began organizing the toys scattered everywhere.

This was the toy soldier we bought that time, that was the Eastern bamboo flute Guillaume brought the day before yesterday.

And wooden blocks that constantly targeted people’s soles were scattered everywhere like landmines.

The servants diligently organized everything every hour, but Antoine turned the playroom into chaos in an instant.

The reason was simple.

Boredom.

Playing gets old after a day or two; we were tired of playing at the fountain or observing ants.

We needed new stimulation and endless dopamine.

I pleaded that if there was no nanny, couldn’t we just go out with a maid instead, but Mother was firm.

‘No! After what happened just recently…. For now, let’s play at Home with Mother. Okay?’

When Mother, with her pale face that looked ready to collapse, said this much, I couldn’t keep being stubborn.

I hoped we would find a good nanny soon.

It was while I was offering what must have been my umpteenth prayer.

“Adelaide, Antoine. Are you here?”

“Mother?”

The playroom door opened and Mother entered with her pale face.

Mother wasn’t alone. At the unfamiliar face that followed her in, Antoine and I just stared blankly at each other’s faces.

“Miss Bouvines, these are my children. Adelaide, my eldest, and Antoine.”

A woman with lustrous black hair elegantly pinned up like bird feathers was gazing at Antoine and me with lapis lazuli-colored eyes.

She appeared to be in her late twenties or older, but due to her clean skin and straight posture, she seemed more suited to the title of lady rather than madame.

“Hello?”

I didn’t know who she was, but since Mother brought her personally, I should greet her first.

When I urged Antoine, who was being shy and didn’t want to come out from behind me, my Younger Sibling hesitantly followed my lead and bowed his head.

“Hellooo….”

His trailing voice showed no trace of confidence.

“From now on, instead of Madame Severin, Miss Camille Bouvines will take care of you two in place of Mother. So you must listen well, okay?”

It wasn’t even a long sentence, but seeing Mother close her eyes and gasp for breath made my heart sink for a moment.

She still hasn’t fully recovered.

“Miss Camille isn’t nobility, but she’s a wonderful lady who finished her studies at a girls’ school and learned refinement and dignity while serving as a companion to the Countess of Rohan. So always behave politely and learn well. Especially you, Adelaide.”

No wonder her posture was different from other nannies.

Camille was closer to a governess, that is, a private tutor, rather than a nanny.

“The Countess of Rohan’s letter of recommendation said she can not only read and write, but also compose poetry, play piano, draw, embroider, and even dance. The Countess taught her like a granddaughter in her later years, so it must be true?”

Camille nodded gracefully with a smile.

‘Education….’

One of the things I regretted most after the Family’s downfall was no longer being able to learn.

“Please take good care of us, Miss Bouvines.”

“Please feel free to call me Camille. It’s my honor to meet you.”

At the thought that I could finally satisfy my lacking thirst for knowledge, I already liked Camille.

* * *

Aside from meeting the new nanny, Antoine needed a friend.

“Antoine, come here for a moment. Don’t you need a friend?”

“A friend?”

“Over there, go to Mother and say ‘Mother, I want to make friends.’ Don’t mention that I told you to.”

Antoine nodded obediently, then approached Mother who was dozing in the sunlight and tugged at her skirt.

“Mmm…? Antoine? What’s wrong?”

“Mother, I want to make friends.”

“Friends?”

“Did I do good?”

Antoine turned his head toward me with a bright smile.

Mother’s suspicious gaze followed, but I desperately pretended not to notice.

“Hehe.”

…Sigh. Well, at least the child is kind-hearted, so it’s fine.

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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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