The Villainess Is Annoyed by the Male Leads Again Today - Chapter 1.7

“Since these items have little value now, buying a large quantity won’t cause much loss. If things turn out as you say, we’ll gain enormous profits.”

The Count, having finished speaking, stroked his chin and examined me carefully. It was a new look that seemed both emotional and reminiscent.

“Yes, Lorazie, even if what you say isn’t true, we won’t lose anything. I accept.”

Soon after, permission was granted. A smile slowly bloomed on my face.

“However, you must not appear on the surface of the business.”

Of course. What’s with that newfound look?

Recently, with the economic boom, it had become a trend among noble women in the capital to set up businesses to create their own secret funds.

However, Count Epine was still a conservative to the bone who believed that the highest virtue for a woman was to support her husband from behind the scenes.

Still, for now, my top priority was to leave this house, so I quietly agreed.

“Yes, I’ll follow your wishes, Count.”

After my agreement, we adjusted the detailed contract terms.

“I’ll pay 30% of the contract money tomorrow. That should be enough to purchase about half the quantity of goods you planned. I’ll talk to Dawson, the administrator.”

“Alright. Then let’s agree that you’ll provide the rest when news of the Silk Road being blocked arrives.”

“Let’s do that.”

After we both signed the completed contract and certified it with a magic scroll, he promptly dismissed me.

“You may go.”

I quietly bowed and left. After closing the door, I couldn’t hide the smile that was bursting out.

Irena, who was waiting in front of the drawing-room door, flinched for a moment seeing me like that, then asked with an expectant expression.

“My lady, did the conversation go well?”

“Yes, Irena. It went very, very well. Don’t follow me, but could you bring something to drink to my room? I’m hoarse from talking so much.”

“Yes, my lady. But while you were talking with the Count, the second young master came to the Count’s drawing room. He said he would come to see you when the conversation was over.”

She bowed her head deeply, her eyebrows drooping into a frown, as if sorry for delivering bad news.

“Is that so? Then I’ll wait in the drawing room, so tell him to come.”

Having finished my conversation with the Count on a good note, I was in the mood to overlook whatever he might say.

Besides, his coming to pick a fight wasn’t much of a big deal.

‘I hope it’s fresh content today.’

I headed to my room with this carefree thought.

***

Back in my room, I called another maid to prepare some light refreshments.

As I was munching on cookies, word came that Lindel had arrived.

“My lady, the second young master has arrived.”

“Tell him to come in.”

Entering the drawing-room, he scanned my room from the doorway and then plopped down on the sofa without being offered a seat.

He stretched out his long legs, resting one on the other, and lifted his chin arrogantly. Then he started the anticipated provocation.

“What did you talk about with Father? It’s absurd that someone like you can freely enter Father’s drawing room.”

The content was trite as always.

I, who had been slightly expectant, quickly became bored and sank back into the sofa.

“I discussed business with the Count. And well, it seems he didn’t mind someone like me as long as it helps the family.”

“What? You, doing business? Ha, that’s not even funny. Didn’t I tell you not to do useless things?”

Lindel is an amateur. How can he be so transparent? Honestly, I found it somewhat cute now.

“It helps the family, you know. I don’t understand why this is useless. And whether it’s productive or useless was judged by the Count.”

“Hey.”

“Are you thinking that the Count’s judgment is useless? I’ll relay that to the Count exactly as you said next time.”

My resolution to let things slide gently today had disappeared and the devil inside me fought with him.

Lindel’s face turned almost bursting red as he clenched his fists and trembled.

Irena’s hand at the door twitched, not leaving the vicinity of the doorknob.

She probably intended to call someone if I got hit. Even this situation was now amusing and fun. Since I wouldn’t be seeing them for long, I might as well tease them thoroughly before leaving.

The second son was more fun to tease than the first.

“What? This is really! After all this time I’ve let you off…”

As he got angry, I got more excited. A lot more.

“Whut? Dis is weally~ Aftew all dis time I’ve wet you off~”

When I exaggeratedly mimicked his expression and tone, Lindel now looked beyond anger to truly dumbfounded.

He looked at me as if I were a crazy person.

“Now I see, the reason you’ve been like this lately is because you’ve lost your mind.”

“Now I shee, da weason you’ve been wike dis wately is becuz you’ve wost youw mind~”

But there’s no such thing as stopping halfway in my dictionary.

Now even his trembling fists had unclenched in bewilderment.

At that dumbstruck expression, I maintained a blank face outwardly, but inside I was laughing like crazy.

“I shouldn’t have bothered with you.”

“I shouldn’t have bovered…”

Bang-!

Lindel unfolded his crossed legs and stood up abruptly, leaving as if he couldn’t bear to hear anymore.

“Oh my, are you going to break the door like that?”

I delivered the perfect finishing touch, calling out to his retreating back.

“Ahahahaha-“

“My lady…”

“Hahaha- Isn’t it so funny, Irena?”

After he left, I rolled around on the sofa laughing for a while. Then, wiping away tears, I sought agreement from Irena.

But Irena looked at me as if she was seeing something pitiful.

Feeling embarrassed, I straightened my posture.

“What? After all, I’ve endured, can’t I even do this much?”

“But I’m worried about how the second young master might react later…”

“What can he do? At most, he’ll come to my room to pick a fight.”

However, this was my big miscalculation.

***

He presented me with a big “gift” that day as payback for my sarcasm.

“…so, as a brother who wishes for Lorazie to find a good match as soon as possible, I’m saying this. If she gets married, won’t Lorazie also grow up?”

During the weekly family dinner, that bastard dropped the bombshell suggestion of my marriage talks, that is, meeting various young nobles.

I gritted my teeth and looked at the Count.

“Count, may I say something? You made a promise to me, didn’t you?”

“Speak.”

“The time you promised me hasn’t come yet. We shouldn’t proceed with marriage talks that might turn out differently in the future depending on the results. It would lead to scandal for both me and the other party.”

The Count nodded as if he understood. Just as I was about to feel relieved, Lindel interjected into the conversation.

“But Father, if it’s something with no set deadline and uncertain results, shouldn’t we prepare for other futures as well?”

“No…”

“It’s already the time when marriage talks are happening for decent young nobles of Lorazie’s age. Shouldn’t she at least meet various young nobles at this point?”

“Wait…”

“Otherwise, when the results of the promise turn out differently later, there might be no suitable matches left for Lorazie. Isn’t Lorazie’s situation different from other young ladies?”

He cut off my attempts to interject and expressed his opinion to the end.

Anyway, that guy would pay dearly to me someday. I couldn’t just stay quiet either. I opened my mouth to refute his words.

“But,”

“That’s enough. Lindel has a point. Lorazie, you should also meet the young nobles your brother has chosen until your business is completely finished. Even if it’s not at the level of formal marriage talks, we should show that you’ve entered the marriage market.”

But the Count concluded decisively. Of course, the other family members didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping this.

Knowing that once the Count made a decision, it wouldn’t be reversed, I gritted my teeth and answered.

“Yes, Count.”

After the meal, as I was coming out grumbling like mad, the second son followed me.

“Lorazie.”

He called out to me in an unusually kind tone.

When I turned around, he smirked. His complexion was quite lovely, probably pleased with his victory.

“Look forward to it. I’ve carefully selected some very decent young nobles.”

“I’m so looking forward to it. How wonderful they must be.”

Sparks flew from our eyes as we faced each other. I could clearly imagine what kind of men he had chosen.

I was really looking forward to it.

I hoped there would be many who were close to him.

Because I was going to ruin it spectacularly.