Please Don’t Come To The Villainess’ Stationery Store! - Chapter 37

The store of ‘Vaveloa-Hesman’ was less than 100 meters away from my stationery store. It was right in front of the academy’s gate and was a good commercial area where a carriage would go in and out every time.

Right in front of the district was a flag of Vaveloa Duchy.

It was much closer to the academy than my stationery store, so if they sold something similar to me, I would lose all my customers to them.

It wasn’t known whether Hildegart started a new business in front of the academy because of me. But she must be trying to interfere with me. Surprisingly, it was the exact same method she used in the past.

I looked around the building where construction was in full swing.

The construction materials were piling up on top of each other with magic. There were workers moving materials and wizards measuring the land busily.

I was watching the situation with my arms folded when a wizard approached me.

“This is a construction site, please move a bit.”

I asked him in a clear voice that was neither small or big.

“Ah, is there something coming here?”

“It is a general merchandise store… It is a store for children, you could see it like that. The Duke’s money is great, isn’t it?”

I folded my arms when I heard the wizard answer back sincerely.

They were busy measuring the land and discussing how to build it.

“How long do you think construction will take?”

“Ah, it’s so big. So it will take about two weeks. That is what my client asked for.”

The wizard answered my question sincerely. He seemed to think that I was some sort of official here.

There was a reason why there were so many wizards working to build quickly. It meant that my stationery store would be buried quickly, which had only started to get popular in the academy.

It was obvious that a large building would be built to catch everyone’s eyes.

At this rate, I would be on the same train as the past Meldenique who always had her businesses ruined.

‘I tried to find a way to live comfortable without taking revenge…’

Why do you keep messing with me?

“I understand.”

After attracting children, I was going to enjoy a happy life petting their cute heads.

‘You’re going to interfere with my life like this?’

No matter how hard I thought about it, this was self-defense.

I turned around and walked back to my stationery store.

You think you’re the only one who can dirty methods, Hildegart?

‘I’ll have to go back to the stationery store.’

Now that Hildegart used this cowardly move, I had to create an opportunity to save the stationery store.

Though vaguely, I luckily knew the trick Hildegart used.

‘How should I deal with it? Just like removing cancer cells, you can remove them.’

I walked outside the stationery store, thinking about all kinds of things outside the construction site.

‘The first thing I need to do is…’

But it was just then.

Someone grabbed my wrist roughly while I was organizing my thoughts.

What the. I’m already busy to death, what kind of guy just shows up and touches another person’s body like this?

I turned around and looked at the person who grabbed my wrist rudely.

‘Huh? Duke Hesman?’

Appearing at an unexpected time, he grabbed me by the wrist like a male lead in an old movie.

This bastard, it’s not even a different year when he would come, but he would come when he’s not even about to die.

He spoke with arrogance.

“I don’t know if you know, but the Vaveloa and Hesman duchies have agreed to work together.”

I scratched my chin while looking at the prickly beard around his mouth.

“…aha, is that so?”

“We started a children’s business early this year, so we’re starting with the Academy.”

‘This is a bit surprising. Am I becoming a direct rival?’

But I didn’t pay attention to the cheating man, so I answered as dryly as I could.

“Fighting. I’m rooting for you. I hope you hit big.”

Are you angry that I answered completely different from your expectations?

His temples were red.

“We’ll be able to crush your little business.”

“Ah, yes.”

I ignored him and shook off his strong grip and took a step.

“Answer properly, Lady Meldenique.”

“Ah, I don’t have the hobby of responding to spam messages.”

Duke Hesman’s face was all messed up.

How does it feel to be only read and then chewed up? Let’s flirt, you bastard.

“Whether it’s the Academy, or the young spirits who haven’t debuted yet, they’ll all be ours.”

“……”

“So a small business like this, get it together before it goes into ruins. Let’s call off the excommunication and call it a day.”

He raised his lips as if he were being kind and generous.

Why do you keep forgetting. I’m not the Meldenique Vaveloa of the past.

“Whether it ruins or not, I will decide my future.”

I took a step away from him.

But he blocked me once again.

“…I wonder, for saying you will decide your future, you’ve always been ruined, haven’t you?”

The word ‘ruined’ coming from his red lips scratched my temper.

It’s true that Meldenique in the past had always been ruined and broken.

However, it was even more irritating since Lenox Hesman always contributed to my poor performances.

I snorted at him.

“Ah, whatever. If you bother me again, I said I would make it a ‘national affair’, but I guess you forgot?”

“I swear I never had an affair. It’s not fair to say that I’m a cheating man.”

I stared and him and thought seriously.

‘One murder would’ve saved me from being patient three times…’

Lenox looked at me arrogantly.

I looked around with a long sighing to stabilize my mind and body.

Something strange was shining behind him. The face was wrapped with something. It was like a small egg.

But there was no time to keep an eye on something. Right now, I had to deal with the man in front of me, so I couldn’t afford to care about anything else.

“I don’t think you understand. Listen well. You went on a trip with Sheria alone.”

“There was no physical relationship.”

“Everyone in the social world considers you two lovers.”

“That-.”

“Have you ever argued against them? You also went to a cocktail party together. You two were perfect partners. Don’t you think so?”

He clicked his tongue at my firm voice.

“We were just business partners, how many times do I have to tell you!”

“No, well… can you say that you didn’t have any feelings for her? Even if you weren’t trying to make me laugh, your actions made me laugh enough.”

Lenox, who was staring at me as if he were bothered, soon threw a bracelet in my hand.

“Take it.”

I was surprised when I saw the bracelet he gave me.

“It’s the gift you always begged for.”

“Ha…”

It was Meldenique who clung to Lenox and admired the things he gave Sheria.

Meldenique was envious of Sheria who received all kinds of magic artifacts and sermons from him.

He must still think that I’m a pet dog begging for his attention.

“Are you doing me a favor right now?”

I held the bracelet in my hand tightly as if I was trying to break it.

“Yes, a favor. Ah, I’ll make something certain. You said you’re going to make me a cheating man?”

He looked around and whispered in a low tone.

“Who would believe you?”

Lenox looked down at me with arrogance and urged me to answer.

Is it carrot and sticks? Then, it’s my turn to answer.

“It doesn’t matter if they believe me or not though?”

He didn’t know, but I had already started taking his stuff, starting from Dominique.

‘If you keep blocking my way, I’ll take everything from you.’

It was at that time when it felt useless to exchange words anymore.

At a distance, something wrapped up began to run fast. Then it raised its hands and stood in front of me.

A girl a little taller than half his height opened her small mouth and stared at Lenox. A prettily done head shook quickly in the air.

“You, you trash like bastard! I, I believe in Miss Meldenique’s words!”

I was flustered.

I looked at the back of the head of the young girl, who seemed to never have said anything harsh with her mouth.

‘W-what the.’

The girl came in front of me, blocked me and clenched her fist, staring at Lenox.

If I don’t stop her, she could be beaten.

But I couldn’t say anything.

‘Wait. This voice is similar to the kid who just came here. That face…!’

It was Princess Melissa, the youngest princess of Hesman Duchy and Lenox’s younger sister.