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~Chapter 55~
The man holding documents and a pen looked at Riden and asked in a businesslike tone:
“Could you please state your name, where you visited, your reason for going there, and your current destination?”
“My name is Riden McKerry. I visited the salon at Baron Florence’s estate and I’m on my way to the shopping district.”
Just then, the man checking the empty carriage turned around and reported:
“All clear!”
The first man blinked a few times, then gave a polite smile and waved her through.
“Got it. Thank you for your cooperation. Oh, and… would you take a quick look here?”
He tapped the papers with his pen and angled them toward Riden. As she leaned slightly to look, he whispered so only the two of them could hear:
“I warned you, but you still went into the salon. Don’t tell me you actually fell for my mother’s performance?”
‘Why is he saying this to me…?’
Riden stepped back, cautious.
“We barely know each other. I think you’re being overly familiar.”
“I apologize if I offended you.”
He smiled mysteriously and stepped aside. Behind him, the scene was still busy as the checkpoint cleared up—Riden’s carriage was the last to pass.
“Wait a second.”
Another man came over and blocked Riden’s path, looking suspiciously at the other man.
“Damian. The anonymous tip said the possessed one is a young noble lady. Should we really let her go so easily?”
He kept glancing at Riden.
But Riden had nothing to hide. She wasn’t an evil god’s possessed, so she confidently replied:
“If there’s a possessed person, you should catch them. I’ll cooperate if you have more questions.”
“But don’t look at me like I’m already guilty.”
The man lowered his head slightly in apology.
“I’m sorry, my lady. But the report needs to be checked—”
Just then, Damian—Baron Florence’s second son—cut him off and stood beside Riden.
“I’ll vouch for her.”
“If she’s possessed, I’ll take full responsibility.”
“…Well, if you say so…”
The other man backed off. Riden got into the carriage and looked through the window at the gray-haired man still smiling mysteriously.
‘It’s nice of him to help when I’ve done nothing wrong… but why go so far?’
She didn’t even know him well.
“Baron Florence’s whole family really is a mess.”
She clicked her tongue and drew the curtain closed.
Later that day…
“To-day… is the day!”
Riden stood across the street from the Count’s estate, heart pounding as she watched the new store sign go up.
The old gloomy sign came down. A bright yellow one went up:
[Sunset Cream]
It had a logo of a glowing sunset and an orange. The slightly blurry print gave it a charming vintage vibe, which Riden liked.
The shop interior had been remodeled to match the “sunset” and “beach” concept—like a surfer grabbing a bite after catching waves.
‘I designed it and I love it!’
It was nearly 2 PM—peak foot traffic time. That’s when the store would open.
She watched people start to notice the new place.
Glenn, who had supervised the sign installation, crossed the street.
“How is it, my lady? It looks good, right?”
“Yeah. I like it.”
“Now it’s just time to open!”
“Thanks for all your help, Glenn. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Glenn beamed.
“I’m the one blooming flower in the lazy butler field!”
“…Uh-huh.”
He must’ve really liked that line he heard from Merrick back in Hagens—he kept repeating it. But Riden didn’t argue. Glenn was competent.
“But Glenn…”
“Yes, my lady?”
She pointed to the building’s second and third floors.
“When can I use those?”
The 2nd floor was a shared studio for painters, and the 3rd was where they lived. The Count and Countess had set it up to support young artists for Riden’s cultural development.
But the artists had gone on a trip and hadn’t returned.
“It shouldn’t be long,” Glenn said vaguely.
Riden frowned at the closed windows.
‘There’s probably a genius hiding up there!’
She had seen the list of artists, but the names were unfamiliar—some of them could be famous painters under different names.
‘If only there were people like Monet or Manet! That’d be amazing.’
Still, she told herself to focus on today.
At 2 PM sharp, Madame Madeleine opened the shop door.
Riden and Glenn settled into the café across the street to quietly watch.
‘Even if the shop becomes a huge hit, I won’t reveal it’s mine. I just want to be rich and anonymous.’
It was technically Count McKerry’s property, so if anyone investigated deeply, they could find out. But until then, she’d stay low-profile.
However…
5 minutes. 10 minutes. 15 minutes passed.
‘That’s weird.’
There were people on the street, the door was open, the packaging was pretty, the terrace cozy. The showcase was filled with delicious-looking desserts.
Even Glenn looked uneasy.
“Did we… fail?”
They hadn’t even used all the space—the store was small.
‘Maybe nobles aren’t into takeout desserts…’
But Madame Madeleine was so talented. Riden imagined taking her to the estate so everyone could enjoy her sweets.
“My lady, it’s only been an hour!”
Still, Riden was glum.
‘Come on, Glenn. I was dreaming of a booming grand opening! Isn’t that how it’s supposed to go in romance fantasy novels?’
“Go smell the showcase. Maybe something’s off.”
She expected the delicious treats alone to draw crowds. Maybe she should’ve added a dancing doll at the entrance or something…
Sighing, Riden stared at the empty shop.
Glenn, looking around anxiously, said gently:
“I think we just need more time. Saying we failed is too soon.”
“You’re right. It’s just day one. Let’s go back.”
‘Today doesn’t matter. What comes next does.’
The taste would speak for itself. Word of mouth would spread.
Just as she stood up, a familiar carriage pulled up in front of the store.
Before Riden could say anything, murmurs started spreading around.
