The Villainess Is Annoyed by the Male Leads Again Today - Chapter 1.12

Standing in front of the door, I took a deep breath and opened the door to the Count’s drawing room.

He was frowning, lost in thought while looking at documents on the desk by the window.

I swallowed hard.

“Count, you called for me?”

Only then did the Count’s gaze turn towards me.

He pushed a newspaper that was on his mahogany desk towards me.

“Yes, I won’t say much. Read it.”

“Alright.”

What he handed me was tomorrow’s newspaper from New Usopeer, the largest newspaper company in our country.

My eyes widened as they followed the words on the paper.

[<Asuka Empire and Riman Kingdom. The Prelude to Their War>

-What is the cause of conflict between the Asuka Empire and the Riman Kingdom?

The Riman Kingdom has stated that if the Asuka Empire doesn’t back down in this conflict, they will close the Silk Road…]

“They say they’ll close the Silk Road. And I suppose this is the weapons research you mentioned.”

The newspaper prominently featured articles about the political situation between the Asuka Empire and the Riman Kingdom, signs of war, and content about weapons manufacturing research being conducted in the Asuka Empire. This was the news I had been waiting for.

‘I shouldn’t be happy about a war breaking out… I really shouldn’t!’

Now, the awkward family meal times and introductions with strange guys are over! For the first time in a while, a deep sense of happiness welled up. I couldn’t hide my overflowing joy and grinned brightly. Then I asked the Count in a loud voice.

“Count! So when can I leave? When will you sell the supplies? You have to be clear about the profit distribution. It’s a contract, after all!”

“……”

The Count silently looked at me with a peculiar expression.

Feeling a bit sheepish at his expression, I cleared my throat and asked again calmly.

“Ahem, so does this mean I won’t be receiving any more introductions?”

I failed.

“That’s right.”

But what does it matter if I’m a bit excited?

My business is going to be a huge success, and I’ll become filthy rich, which means I won’t have to deal with the Count anymore.

Now, calmness is a word I no longer need to worry about.

“Kyaa!”

I jumped up and down excitedly in front of the Count.

After bouncing around like that, when I suddenly came to my senses and looked back at the Count, he had the warmest smile I’d ever seen since possessing Lora on his face.

Along with slightly widened eyes, as if a bit surprised and intrigued by my behavior.

But the smile quickly disappeared when I looked at him quizzically.

The Count soon resumed talking about business with a serious expression and voice.

“I heard you’ve purchased all the goods. Initially, we planned to buy only half the amount, but Dawson seems to be quite capable.”

That’s not right. I was the one who ordered it?

“Well, you could say it’s a collaboration between Dawson and me.”

“I see. Continue to proceed that way. Remember once again that you must not be mentioned in the press or anywhere else regarding business matters.”

I tried hard to emphasize my share, but he brushed it off lightly and reminded me once more.

I struggled to smooth out my furrowing brow and nodded obediently.

“Yes. I will Count.”

“Good, now rest.”

“Have a good night, Count. I’ll take my leave now.”

Thud-

After calmly greeting him as before and leaving, I looked back once at the Count’s door, the largest in this house. Then I turned away indifferently. It was a movement without a trace of lingering attachment.

“I’ll escort you.”

Demian guided me on the way to my room as well. With his perfectly straight back and tightly pressed lips, he was the epitome of a butler.

Step, step-

After quietly escorting me to my room, he gave a slight bow and walked in the opposite direction.

I turned my head and watched the gray back of the head for a moment. Suddenly, I felt that his back view was familiar.

“I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere.”

His fine gray hair and round crown seemed to overlap with someone else’s.

Just as I was about to remember something, he disappeared around the corner of the corridor. The lingering image also vanished.

I don’t know. I’ll remember it someday.

Stopping my thoughts, as soon as I turned the doorknob, Irena popped out.

She must have been waiting anxiously. She looked me over worriedly.

“My lady! How did it go? You didn’t get scolded too much, did you?”

“That’s not why he called me. It was because the plan I had was going well.”

“Oh my! Congratulations, my lady.”

“It’s really fortunate.”

Irena congratulated me with a strange expression as if she didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. I reminded her once again of my previous proposal.

“Have you made up your mind?”

“Hehe. Please give me a little more time.”

I saw a glimmer of hope.

Satisfied with that, I turned my gaze and saw an elaborately decorated table.

“Alright. But what’s that?”

“I prepared it to comfort you, my lady… but since something good happened, let’s have a party!”

On the table next to the terrace, there were cookies, tarts topped with plenty of fresh fruit, and colorful macarons decorated with red roses.

I could vividly imagine her bustling about in the middle of the night to prepare this to cheer me up after being scolded by the Count. So I gently appealed to her again.

“Wow. You know me too well. I wish you would come with me.”

“Hehe. Please give me a little more time to think.”

“You’re quite firm.”

Smiling, I approached the table, sat down, and called her.

“Irena, you sit down too. You should celebrate with me.”

“Yes, my lady!”

Irena quickly came and sat down.

Compared to how she trembled on the first day, this was truly remarkable progress.

I guess that means I’ve become that much more comfortable.

And so, intoxicated by the sweet desserts, I fell asleep savoring the happy feeling that everything was going well.