The Villainess is a Millionaire Solver - Chapter 36

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 36

I read that name out loud.

“‘Lillibes Luxury Fashion Store’?”

“Yes. It’s one of the top five most luxurious wardrobe stores in the capital city. It belongs to Lillibes Oclair, the Viscountess…”

Benjamin stopped mid-explanation.

“Oh right, of course you’d know well. After all, who is our guild leader?”

Of course I know what a luxury fashion store is.

But Sophie owes 100 million to that luxury store?

Since I’d been watching her closely recently, I could immediately recall her appearance and demeanor… No matter how I think about it, it’s unexpected. With her face that shows no interest in worldly affairs, not wearing even small imitation earrings like the other maids. Sophie with her short hair who doesn’t even wear common hairpins?

“Whether she likes or dislikes luxury goods is her own preference, but Sophie seemed to have absolutely no interest in dressing up.”

“Maybe she already splurged to her heart’s content and lost interest.”

Benjamin cautiously proposed a hypothesis.

“Or maybe she completely separates work and private life. Perhaps she transforms into a glamorous butterfly after leaving the ducal mansion…”

“Those hypotheses make sense too, but from what I can see, I don’t think so. That’s definitely the face of someone with a story behind it.”

I frowned and fell into thought.

“It would be simple if I could arrange a tea time and get her to open up about her troubles. But I can’t do that with the maids. They’d obviously think I poisoned the tea. For the reason that I didn’t like the makeup Sophie did for me that day.”

“What a brutal world.”

“Right. That’s exactly it. Conversation between us is impossible.”

I sighed deeply enough to make the ground cave in.

In front of us, a middle-class young lady and her servants passed by. We could hear their conversation.

“Has your house cat’s toe eczema healed completely?”

“Of course, Young Lady! Thanks to your concern.”

What? Cat toe eczema? She knows such trivial details inside and out?

I couldn’t believe it.

‘Are they trying to annoy me?’

The sight of them chatting harmoniously was such a contrast to my current situation.

Crumple.

I just crumpled my innocent handkerchief.

“Shouldn’t it be illegal for young ladies and maids to get along well?”

“Please calm down. I’ll just look into it myself. I have very capable informants.”

Benjamin said kindly.

“Cheer up, Guild Leader. Since you’re making such efforts, the time will come when the maids recognize your heart too.”

“Right. At least Benjamin understands. I’m truly sincere…”

“I know. I understand. You want to find their weaknesses and make them your people who can never betray you, the heartless boss’s feelings, right?”

“…”

I had a feeling, and sure enough.

Even Benjamin doesn’t think I genuinely want to win the maids’ hearts.

Well. I wasn’t expecting it anyway.

I cleared my throat and turned my head.

Anyway, that’s that.

“Oh right, didn’t you say there was one more task for me to handle?”

“That’s right.”

Since there was one more assignment left, I opened my bag and said.

“Maybe because I missed the music box business right at the end, I keep getting interested in specialized businesses for specific people.”

What I took out was the bundle of thief materials disguised as scriptures. Benjamin’s face lit up when he saw it.

“What’s this? Are you also interested in that thief, Guild Leader?”

“Benjamin too?”

“Yes. My brothers and I were thinking of making money with this too. These evidence items shown in these materials.”

He flipped through the materials and pointed.

“Crime notice cards that the thief suddenly appears and posts. Locks broken like magic. Security devices rendered useless… If you pick up even one of these things at the scene, you can sell them for an enormous markup.”

“Right. As shown here…”

I casually pointed to the thief’s crime notice card and mentioned offhandedly.

“I was particularly interested in this notice card.”

“Yes, it is the first symbolic item that comes to mind when thinking of thieves.”

“Right? It’s really peculiar. Posting notice cards for items to be stolen makes the work twice as troublesome. The reason for doing it anyway must be for publicity, right?”

“Yes, exactly that. The thief wants to attract people’s attention. That strategy succeeded brilliantly. The price of such notice cards is actually…”

“6 million pe at current market rates. Right? Enough money to buy a thoroughbred horse.”

“You’ve already looked into everything? It’s worth that asking price. They’re great for decorating restaurants or tea salons when framed. Since they appreciate over time once you buy them, they’re excellent for investment too. You really have an amazing nose for money.”

“I’m like that.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Anyway, try to get some of these collectibles that trade at such high prices. Evidence from crime scenes is good, but especially try to get this notice card. However, the fact that I’m buying them must be thoroughly hidden.”

“That’s basic. What our Black Rose Guild’s next business venture is must be kept strictly secret.”

“Exactly! That’s it! Once you’ve collected all the items, have someone trustworthy deliver them directly to me. Disguise it as something like ‘a box containing new uniforms for department store employees.'”

After giving those instructions, I looked at Benjamin’s face and added.

“Sorry for the extra work, but you know what that means, right? A generous bonus?”

“Of course. Of course. Why would this be extra work? Everything that promotes our guild leader’s physical safety and peace of mind is all part of our guild’s business. Don’t worry about anything and just leave everything to me. I want to make this work long and steady.”

Benjamin said with sparkling eyes. Indeed, thanks to the generous deposits lately, he looked quite prosperous these days.

‘Long and steady.’

I muttered to myself. It was a phrase I quite liked too.

“Right. Let me know again when you have results.”

“Yes, Guild Leader!”

After parting with Benjamin, I left the park and got in the carriage.

The morning schedule was finished with this.

‘Now I can leisurely prepare for the afternoon schedule.’

I returned to the manor at a relaxed pace.

But…

As soon as I got out of the carriage, the butlers came running with troubled faces.

“Young Lady! You’re just arriving now?”

“Why? Is something wrong?”

“Well, Prince Siegfried Rene…”

“He’s supposed to come at 3 PM this afternoon.”

“He’s already here.”

“What?”

I was surprised.

“It’s only 1 o’clock now?”

“He says he mistook the time. He said he’d sit comfortably and chat with the Duke, but…”

How absurd. For someone of that status, wouldn’t his schedule be packed tight down to the minute or second?

What kind of prince is this leisurely?

Anyway, leaving the Empire’s Second Prince sitting around doing nothing is unthinkable.

Moreover, that counterpart happens to be Duke Carnel. The already frail Duke Carnel can’t handle an enthusiastic prince.

He must be counting every minute and second, wondering when his damn daughter will appear and take the prince away.

‘Zikren was the one who didn’t keep the appointment, but still, I should quickly prepare and go down to score additional points with the Duke.’

I can’t miss this opportunity. I hurried up to my quarters.

“Prepare me for going out.”

The maids were already waiting anyway.

“Yes, Young Lady! Here’s your dress! Let’s start by changing clothes!”

“Please choose jewelry while you’re dressing! Since today is a special day, how about the blue diamond necklace you usually boast about?”

“I’ll trim your eyebrows just a little while you’re putting on accessories! You’re already perfect, but just a tiny bit!”

Even without urging them, the maids were as quick as soldiers on a battlefield. They seemed more tense than usual. And I could sense a strangely excited atmosphere too.

‘What’s this?’

After thinking for a moment, I realized.

‘Come to think of it, is this the first time a prince has visited the ducal mansion? And the first time the young lady is going out with a prince?’

For a moment, the maids seemed rather cute to me.

‘Too bad. The kind of development you’re all imagining won’t happen at all.’

I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

The blonde hair, with just a few thin braids as decoration, was as beautiful as a legendary elf. The dress carefully selected by professionals was lovely.

But so what?

This beautiful appearance was nothing more than the flashy patterns of a poisonous mushroom to others.

Sure enough.

The moment I burst through the door like a hero, announcing ‘Father, salvation has arrived!’

“…There shouldn’t be any dangerous incidents involving your daughter today. Our brothers will take responsibility and…”

Zikren, who had been sitting in the hall conversing with Duke Carnel, immediately turned his gaze away the moment he saw me.

Like someone who had just witnessed something unseemly.

‘Does he think he’s not a poisonous mushroom himself?’

Today, as always, an upper garment that was nothing more than scraps of cloth. Dangling, flashy golden accessories.

Compared to the cold and dignified Duke Carnel, he even exuded a decadent atmosphere.

While secretly glaring at such a Zikren, I grasped the hem of my dress with both hands and curtsied.

“I had urgent business to handle, so I went to meet with guild employees. I apologize for keeping you waiting, Your Highness. And Father.”

“Yes, but you came faster than I expected.”

Duke Carnel immediately stood up with a face that clearly said ‘I’m saved!’

It was worth getting dressed, choosing jewelry, trimming my eyebrows, and shoving my feet into shoes.

“Of course. It’s not just anyone, but His Highness who has come.”

I said with a bright smile.

Though we had quite a commotion, thinking that I was going to collect payment made me feel generous.

I had already memorized the detailed instructions Queen Aunt had given me, and I had properly brought the wooden token that served as proof of contract.

I said to Zikren.

“Well then, shall we go on the inspection now? To see if there are any problems with the Imperial Palace mines that will fund the new department store business?”

Zikren looked at me and replied dignifiedly.

“Let’s do that, Princess.”

We bid farewell to Duke Carnel and went outside.

‘I need to make money and gather information while I’m at it. Especially, I must find out what kind of trap they’ve prepared. Preparation is important to perform well in actual situations.’

I had such thoughts while looking at Zikren. With the eyes of a hawk targeting a chick.

Unaware of anything, he cheerfully waved to people we encountered in the corridor.

“Well then, goodbye everyone! See you again next time!”

The prince with red hair and golden eyes, flashy accessories, providing service with a glamorous appearance like an actor walking the red carpet, immediately lowered his hand once people disappeared.

“Ugh… it’s throbbing. At this rate, the wound might open again.”

“It’s still not healed?”

“Just when it seems to get better, it keeps getting worse. My body just won’t return to normal. I need to quickly get the new item and test it.”

Zikren said while pressing firmly below his chest.

“Let’s hurry, Aristina. I’ve prepared everything perfectly. You just need to get in my carriage.”

With that, he pointed with his other hand to the distance. Seeing the imperial carriage standing there, I was startled.

‘Wait, what is that?’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————