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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Head-On Competition
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Bell's fingertips trembled as if to show just how shocked she was.
Since I'd already been caught, I smiled confidently.
"Yes."
"Why, why?!"
"Because we have to win in a head-on battle!"
Shock colored both their eyes.
"That's why I didn't show you while we were preparing!"
Her voice was full of resentment.
"Yes. You would've opposed it if you knew we were going here."
"Of course! Th-this is ridiculous."
See?
That's why I waited until everything was ready to tell them.
"It's not. It's totally possible."
I understood Bell's surprise and fear, but that's exactly why I chose this place.
When we were selecting the store's location, I received the information I'd asked Delia for.
I'd expected details on why May's shop failed, but Bell's story came first.
The guy who abandoned Bell got engaged to the head baker.
And Marigold was thriving.
It was already the best, but hearing it had gained even more fame lately made my blood boil.
'Bad people always live well.'
I couldn't just stand by and watch them succeed after ruining one person's life.
I had to crash into them head-on and win!
I didn't think Bell's baking was inferior to that baker's at all.
I believed in Bell's skills and that she could overcome her trauma.
"No. I can't do business here!"
Bell cried out vehemently.
"Bell."
"I can't here..."
"Bell!"
I raised my voice to stop her blind opposition.
Startled, Bell shut her mouth.
I soothed her under that gaze full of betrayal.
"I told you I believe in your skills. We saw it at the Apology Day market. It's delicious. It'll sell for sure."
"......"
"And it's not just about a head-on battle that made me choose here. There's another reason."
"What's the other reason?"
The resentment in her eyes lessened a bit.
"We do need to win the competition, but it also has the advantage of a steady flow of customers."
As many as Marigold's success brought lines of people waiting.
Those who absolutely had to have Marigold's desserts might not budge, but those tired of waiting would look around.
Then they'd spot a pretty decent dessert shop nearby.
What to do?
Some would head to Maybell out of impatience.
Bell still looked confused, but May let out a sound of realization.
"Ah... We're going to steal some of Marigold's customers?"
"Yes, exactly."
"But can we compete?"
"Of course, we won't match the front shop at first. It's an established place."
Injustice flickered across their faces again.
Their eyes said why take such a risk.
"We prepared a lot."
Since deciding to open, they'd brainstormed signature menu items every single day without fail.
Even after the exhausting Apology Day market, they'd researched new recipes.
Their effort and skill were real.
"We did work hard."
Bell mumbled, looking embarrassed.
"I believe in that effort. Don't worry about the competition. Just focus on doing our best."
I squeezed Bell's hand tight, and she bit her lower lip.
"You can do it, Bell."
Bell averted her gaze.
I deliberately followed her head to meet her eyes.
"You'll do great, Bell."
I looked at her with the sparkliest eyes I could muster.
My gaze earnestly conveyed: I believe in you.
Then Bell sighed deeply, as if she couldn't help it.
"Okay. I'll give it a try."
Yes!
With Bell on board, May had no choice but to nod reluctantly.
Thank goodness I'd convinced them both.
"Let's do our best! Maybell will succeed!"
My bright shout drew soft chuckles from them both.
At their whatever attitude, I smirked inwardly.
I'd persuaded them nicely, but I hadn't given up on avenging Bell.
I'd crush them with our sales!
I protect my people.
Once May and Bell had calmed down, they properly toured Maybell.
They were satisfied with the interior that matched all their requests.
After setting the opening date for Maybell, I made a request of them.
"I want you two to run Maybell. I won't step forward."
"Weren't you going to join us, miss?"
"You said you'd help."
May cried out like she'd been betrayed.
"I'll drop by sometimes. But if possible, I want you two to handle it. And keep my investment a secret."
The store's revenue would be my emergency fund.
It was best to be cautious about appearing publicly.
"May, please."
I pleaded under May's pouty gaze.
"I got tricked."
Her voice was colder than expected, making my heart sink.
"I didn't mean to trick you."
May erased her expression and glared fiercely.
"You deliberately didn't tell us the location."
W-well, yeah. That was a trick.
"I'm sorry about that."
"And now you're handing off the store too. We've been completely fooled by you, miss."
May's stern face left me flustered.
She'd always smiled at me like an older sister, so I didn't know what to do.
"You can do it too, May. I'm entrusting it to you because I believe in you..."
As I floundered with excuses—
"Pfft!"
May covered her mouth and giggled.
Confused and staring blankly, Bell winked at me.
"It's punishment for tricking us."
I'd been had.
"When did you two plan this?"
"We didn't plan it. I just caught on."
Bell added that she'd been shocked at first too, drawing a hollow laugh from me.
"You don't want to be out in front, right, miss? Got it. I'll do my best."
She hadn't heard the details, but May seemed to understand my situation.
And so, we decided to leave Maybell entirely to them.
'I should prepare for the opening just in case?'
Back at the mansion, I pulled out stationery right away.
* * *
With Maybell's opening prep done,
I'd thought I'd have some free time, but a sudden schedule threw me into chaos.
To be precise, it was planned, but I hadn't expected it to be this big.
It had never happened before.
"Miss, how about this? You bought it before but never wore it."
"Yeah, it's pretty."
I nodded at the yellow dress in Nanny's hands.
Nanny eyed the dress disapprovingly before rummaging through the closet again.
"Who throws a party like this out of nowhere? The nobles are in an uproar."
"Well, no helping it."
Not that saying so made her agree.
The imperial decision was truly unavoidable.
In three days, Luciano's birthday party was set.
Since I'd possessed this body, there'd never been a birthday party for Luciano.
Imperial Consort Isabel had always blocked it desperately.
But for some reason, this time a notice came that it would be held suddenly.
I could only guess it was to keep the Bennett family in check.
The nobles were thrown into frenzy because of it.
"Miss, what about this? It seems cuter than the yellow one."
This time it was a pink dress.
"That's nice too."
Nanny's eyes widened as I nodded.
"You're picking so casually? It's been ages since a public event—put some thought into it!"
Since the party invitation arrived, Nanny had been even more frantic.
"Nanny, just pick something."
"No way. I want you to be the prettiest and cutest!"
At Nanny's whining, I shook my head seriously.
Then I declared confidently.
"Nanny, fashion's finish is the face. I'm already perfect."
I even slapped my chest with my palm, earning a strange look and headshake from Nanny.
"You're something else, miss."
I'd take that as praise.
* * *
The long-awaited day of Luciano's birthday arrived.
I wore the deep navy dress Nanny picked.
I tied my hair in a half-up style and slipped on white new shoes.
They were cute shoes with a slight heel for the dress, unlike my usual flats.
The shoes pleased me most of all.
"Nanny, am I pretty? Pretty?"
I bounced around excitedly asking.
"Oh dear, miss, careful. Those have heels—you'll trip or twist your ankle."
"Got it. I'll be careful."
I stopped bouncing and answered obediently, so Nanny draped a shawl over me.
"Whoever's daughter are you? So pretty."
Nanny's praise brought a beaming smile to my face.
Even I thought I looked pretty all dressed up after so long.
It was the tenth compliment I'd wheedled out of Nanny, but I wasn't tired of it.
"Espin. Ready?"
Just then, Father's voice called.
"Nanny, I'm off!"
"Yes, have a safe trip."
With Nanny seeing me off, I headed to the imperial palace.
Father complimented me first in the carriage.
"Espin, you look especially pretty today."
"Thank you. Father, Mother looks stunning too."
"It's a shame I can't see you dressed up like this more often. Let's join Mama's gatherings more."
"I'll think about it."
Father, who'd been gazing at me warmly, asked cautiously.
"Espin, it's been a while for official events like this?"
"Yes."
It was my first since Imperial Consort Isabel's second tea party.
Unlike Luciano, Prince Steven held birthday parties yearly, but I hadn't attended.
"I trust our daughter, but be careful."
He must be uneasy since it had been so long.
"I'll handle it fine."
I smiled brightly in response.
Father's expression turned odd.
"Espin, hearing that makes Father somehow more anxious."
Worrywart.
"No need to worry. Just trust me."
As Father's face grew more uneasy, I gave my brightest grin.
But for some reason, his expression soured even further.
We arrived at the palace quickly.
It wasn't late, but people were already there enjoying the party.
'So this is how parties work in rofan world.'
My eyes darted around taking it all in.
"Espin. Don't wander—behave yourself?"
"Got it."
Father earnestly warned me before vanishing into the crowd with Mother.
I waved until his worried face was out of sight.
Adults mingled with adults and kids with kids in places like this.
'I'll just kill time appropriately until Luciano shows.'
As I approached the food to grab a quick bite—
"Oh my, isn't that Espin?"
