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‘I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t been able to pay proper attention to Felix.’
It was certainly a happy thing that they had opened their hearts with difficulty and confirmed their true feelings for each other.
She no longer had to worry about how to push him away, and she no longer had to pretend to be lovers in front of people.
But the problem was that they had never done anything ‘lover-like’ with him since they became lovers.
‘I’ve been too busy taking care of Piyo and studying day and night…….’
Thanks to that, Piyo safely completed Shedding and grew into a more majestic Dragon.
Ayla smiled awkwardly and opened her mouth.
“You’re right, we’ve been too busy lately. Is there anything you want to do after the exam?”
At her words, the corners of Felix’s lips slowly rose. His eyes rolled around as if contemplating.
“Well, first of all…….”
It was just as he was about to speak.
Several female students passed by the table where the two were studying, chatting.
With a topic that they couldn't pretend not to hear.
“Have you tried the Yuriette Cosmetics that came out this time?”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s really good, isn’t it? I was a little suspicious because the price was low, but the quality seems much better than Flor Cosmetics.”
“I know. I was worried when the Flor Cosmetics store suddenly closed down, but I’m glad that even better products came out instead.”
“That’s right. Sharon Atelier products are too expensive and not very effective.”
A subtle smile bloomed on Ayla’s lips as she listened to the students’ chatter.
Just two weeks ago, the cosmetics brand that Princess Peony had been preparing for a long time finally opened successfully in the capital city.
This was made possible by Donovan’s completion of the drainage construction, which allowed for a stable supply of Momon Fleur.
And as expected, the new cosmetics made by Yuria were a huge hit.
Despite having prepared plenty of stock, the store’s operations were temporarily paralyzed as the products sold out in just a few days.
Thanks to this, Yuria had become so busy these days that it was hard to even see her face.
Ayla transparently reported the business status and sales figures to her every day.
In fact, that was why she had been so busy lately.
It wasn’t enough to entrust the operation to Peony alone, as there were many things to take care of, from planning new premium and low-cost lines to expanding stores.
Thanks to that, Yuriette Cosmetics had firmly established itself in people’s minds in just two weeks.
‘At first, some people sneered that it was cosmetics only commoners would use, but I guess this proves that product quality is what matters.’
Looking back now, it seemed that the early stock depletion was a stroke of genius.
Now, there was a long line in front of the store every day, with everyone eager to try the new cosmetics.
“By the way, I heard that Princess Peony is the one who invested in Yuriette Cosmetics?”
“I know. How did she come up with that idea? Her foresight is really amazing.”
“And look at the people she’s with. The owner of the Black Dragon and the Heir of the Argenta Noble house…….”
As the students moved away, the surroundings became quiet again. Felix smiled and looked at Ayla.
“It’s very popular these days. That cosmetics brand.”
“It’s all thanks to Peony and Yuria’s hard work.”
“But Ayla came up with the initial idea for the business. You’re really talented.”
At Felix’s admiring gaze, Ayla could only smile awkwardly.
Just then, someone approached them and slammed a stack of books on the table with a thud.
“Are you two studying alone again? Let me join you. I might fail if this goes on.”
When they looked up, Princess Peony was standing there looking down at them with a sulky expression.
“Was class late? Judging by the fact that you’re coming now?”
At Ayla’s question, Peony sat down with a relaxed smile.
“Well, that’s partly true…… but I actually ran into someone on the way here.”
“Who?”
“Freya. She was walking alone with a face like she was dead?”
Peony openly sneered.
“Her face was a mess. Her eyes were so dark…… It seems like there are a lot of problems in her Noble house.”
Ayla raised her eyebrows slightly at Peony’s words.
Come to think of it, Freya had hardly been seen at the academy these days.
Soon after, Peony continued in her unique cheerful voice.
“I heard that Count Arman’s management rights might be transferred to another investor. They’re selling off all their assets at bargain prices…… It seems like the situation is serious.”
As soon as Flor Cosmetics closed down, Sharon Atelier’s sales soared for a while, but that was only temporary.
This was because Yuriette Cosmetics had stolen all of its customers when it opened.
As sales plummeted again, the Arman Noble house’s fortunes quickly began to decline.
Since there were already many businesses underway, the Noble house could not afford all the investments.
‘Originally, around this time, she would have brought in Yuria to revive Sharon Atelier.’
If that had happened, the Arman Noble house would have accumulated wealth again, and Freya, the eldest daughter, would have succeeded in her engagement with Darian.
But thanks to her bringing in Yuria first, the Arman Noble house was eventually driven to the brink of bankruptcy.
Peony burst into laughter as if she felt relieved.
“Maybe we won’t see Freya at the academy anymore. The tuition here is quite expensive, you know.”
“Is the situation that bad?”
“Yeah, creditors are barging in every day. Well, it’s her own fault for starting so many things that the Count couldn’t handle.”
Hearing those words, Ayla suddenly remembered the rude things Freya had said to her as soon as she became a commoner.
Then, this whole situation felt like a punishment for laughing at her back then.
‘How does it feel to lose everything and become penniless, Freya?’
A subtle smile spread across Ayla’s lips.
In the midst of all this, she suddenly felt someone staring at her.
‘……Rosia?’
Rosia, standing in a corner of the library, was silently staring at Ayla.
Her condition was clearly not normal. Bloodshot eyes, disheveled hair, expressionless face.
Only the tightly clenched hem of her dress revealed the emotions that were building up inside her.
A few students were subtly moving away from Rosia.
‘Freya was practically her only friend…… and now she’s lost even her.’
Rosia was glaring at her with resentful eyes, but Ayla gave her a relaxed smile.
‘Either way, the day I get rid of Rosia is not far off.’
If she could only uncover the secret of the parental test manipulation Magic, she could destroy her.
Now that Freya had fallen and one obstacle had been removed, all that was left was Rosia.
Ayla was going to tighten her grip on her throat with a more relaxed mind.
A chilly night air seeped in through the open window.
Rosia, who had been pacing around the room for a long time in the cold wind, clenched her fist as if she had made up her mind.
‘I can’t stay still any longer.The image of Ayla, whom she had accidentally encountered in the library after class, kept lingering in her head.
That relaxed attitude, smiling at her like a winner. She clearly had a hidden agenda.
She had been careful and cautious, as the Empress had told her, but now she could no longer stand to see that.
‘That damn cosmetics store is probably her doing too. The Arman Noble house fell because of her.’
On the surface, it seemed that only Princess Peony was involved in the business, but Rosia did not believe that.
She still vividly remembered the words that Freya had complained about nervously.
‘When our father went to find the Flor Cosmetics manufacturer, the workshop was already empty!’
‘Thanks to that, the Jordik Merchant is now caught up in a lawsuit for breach of contract. Someone must have taken the manufacturer away in advance.’
‘I was suspicious that Princess Peony was in charge of the business, so I followed her, and it turned out that Ayla and Felix had caused a ruckus at that store a few months ago. They must have contacted the cosmetics manufacturer back then.’
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