Chapter 46: CHP 46

'If everything goes on like this, maybe it will be possible to earn 10 billion soon. I hope.'

I quietly explored the area around Armand, wearing a robe to hide my identity. And I couldn't help but feel astonished by Isidor's power of influence.

'It by far exceeds any expectations I had.'

There were many young noble gentlemen, sitting on the edge of the fountain with their legs crossed, holding cups.

'Even though many of them frowned upon Isidor until recently, now they are imitating him. Well they are just an eyesore for me, an eyesore that helps my business.

It wasn't my intention to have everyone imitate Isidor to this extent, buying something from Armand would have been suficient.

Everyone here seems to have money and lots of interest in social trends.

But why are there some young ladies imitating me?'༼⁠⁰⁠o⁠⁰⁠；⁠༽

There were some young ladies who were walking near the fountain caring a smoothie in their hands.

'Ah, I know. It must be Isidor's halo effect!'(⁠ﾉﾟ⁠0ﾟ⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠~

I nodded my head in admiration for his amazing powers, finished looking around the surroundings and got back in the carriage.

'I think it was the right decision to show off a light demonstration first. Take-out...'

Beverages can be sold without space restrictions, so I really wanted to make this item a success.

In my previous life, when I worked part-time at a cafe of a similar size to Armand, I found out that the takeout sales were similar to that of the indoor  sales, sometimes they even rose in comparison to the indoor sales.

'This item could more than double Armand sales, if things go on like they are now and it doesn't seem impossible for that to happen.

Because of the good weather, green lawns and an abundance of parks, the people of the Empire often enjoyed going on picnics and for this reason, sandwiches or cake packaging services have become common sense. And there is no law that says drinks can't be packaged too.

It is more convenient to simply get a take-out instead of carrying heavy mugs and kettles in a basket.'

It was an idea I had in my head since I first thought of opening a cafe. So, when I made a contract with Arin Oslot, I put in a clause asking her to study water resistance magic, which is basically a 'waterproof' function for paper cups.

Since Arin has an attribute for transformation magic and can use preservation and scent amplification magic to flowers, I guessed that she could also learn waterproof magic, and I was right.

In the Horun District was a fairly large paper factory, that could make our takeout containers, and the leaking problem was easily solved by applying waterproof magic on the paper.

I recalled the conversation I had with Arin.

...

"I think that what you want is possible. I have seen a similar type of magic attribute being cast in the library so that the famous sword doesn't rust."

Arin said seriously.

"Does it need a lot of mana to be cast?"

"If it's an item that doesn't need long lasting durability it doesn't consume a lot of mana. The biggest issue is time, for how long you want it to last."

"Since it is a disposable paper cup, there is no need to keep the waterproof function for a long time."

...

'That day I felt a big urge to hug her and jump around excitedly.

But I couldn't even do that, I had to protect my dignity as the wicked one.'ಥ⁠_⁠ಥ

"Princess Deborah, you have arrived!"

"Yes."

When I entered, with a solemn face, Arin, who was immersed in her research,  cheered up and approached me happily.

I gave Arin a room in one of the separate buildings where the Seymour vassals lodging was, to use as a laboratory.

On her desk were many magic stones and paper cups scattered and sheets of paper with the results of the research, densely written on them.

'Oaa! I am somewhat touched. I should give her an extra bonus since I have the money, after all the smoothies were a success'

I smiled inwardly when I saw a handkerchief laid out on the desk.

'It seems that Arin is also cheering for a knight in the jousting competition. I am curious who it is.'

"Princess Deborah, please have a sit. II-I will prepare you a cup of tea."

'She is nervous.'

"It is alright. I just came to see how the research is progressing."

Since Arin was uncomfortable being alone with her employer, I implied that I would depart early.

"I see. You must be very busy these days with all the lectures at the Wizard Association, my Lady."

Arin said in a sad tone while her big eyes suddenly started to get moist, startling me.

'Did I do or say something wrong?'(⁠╬⁠⁽⁠⁽⁠ ⁠⁰⁠ ⁠⁾⁠⁾⁠ ⁠Д⁠ ⁠⁽⁠⁽⁠ ⁠⁰⁠ ⁠⁾⁠⁾⁠)

"You should take care of your health, Princess Deborah."

"Yes...Of course."

I muttered while fiddling with my cold sweaty fingers.

'Her gaze is budensome.'

"Oh... Princess Deborah, thank you so much for suggesting to get me formally hired as the Seymour family librarian."

"You showed me your love and dedication for books, and also my father recognized your abilities."

"Hihihi... I am really happy. I feel like I have already become one of your vassals Princess Deborah. Ahh! I have to show you the results of my research, wait a minute please."

Arin brought a chart with the results of the experiment, along with a dozen paper cups.

"This cup had the best result so far and doesn't require much mana."

The cup Arin handed me had a much finer mana coating than the one that was currently used by Armand.

I poured some water in it to test it just in case, and the cup didn't disintegrate.

"If the magic circle is carefully crafted, a large number of paper cups can be produced with low-quality mana stones, and the Wizard Association has gathered many of them and doesn't use them, they just stored them away."

'Good, because if the production cost was expensive, I would have given up on the takeout idea.'

"And for how long does it last"

"For about 24 hours."

"Not bad at all. I will put a patent on this idea, your attribute magic is very useful."

'Once you try it, it is impossible to get out of patenting profitable business ideas. I will state in the contract that the patent profit distribution will be fifty-fifty.

I know that Arin did all the work, but I will still take 50% of the profit..This is practically a slave contract…'(⁠٥⁠↼⁠_⁠↼⁠)

I looked at Arin, feeling conflicted about the fact that I was practically profiting from her work, shamelessly.

'But I can't back down now.'

Arin hunched her small shoulders, under my intense gaze. I already had a naturally fierce appearance, so, my intense gaze must have surprised her

"PP- Princess Deborah..."

Arin hesitated a little and then opened her mouth.

"What is it?"

"Aaa, this is something I made, it's nothing special, but still I..."

Her shoulders were shaking like that of a squirrel in front of a predator, then she suddenly held out the handkerchief that I had seen previously neatly folded on the desk.

'It was for me?!ヽ⁠(⁠｡⁠◕⁠o⁠◕⁠｡⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠.

So it was not meant to be given to a knight participating in the jousting competition.'

"But why are you giving it to me?"

"I made it with you in my mind, Princess Deborah. Please, take it."

Bewildered, I accepted the purple handkerchief from Arin.

'Oh?! It's cold.'

It was a handkerchief that had the same function as a cooling pack. Besides that she must have sprayed some perfume on it since it smelled good.

"It will be hot standing in the sun while you watch the jousting competition, you can use it to wipe off your sweat, and it will make you feel refreshed, my Lady."

"Hmm. I will use it well."

I thought I would feel refreshed if I wrapped it around my wrist, so I tried it right then, but suddenly Arin gasped.

"What?"

Blood was dripped from Arin's nose. She quickly covered her nose with a handkerchief and burst into tears.

"II-I'm sorry, Princess Deborah. I can't believe that I'm having a nosebleed right now."

'I must have given her too much work and she got a nosebleed because of fatigue.'(⁠ ⁠⚈̥̥̥̥̥́⁠⌢⁠⚈̥̥̥̥̥̀⁠)

Even though I vowed to live as a villainess, I felt needlessly remorseful in that moment.

"Take it easy with work Arin."

'I am not just saying this just because I was the one who entrusted her with so much work.'(⁠｡⁠ﾉ⁠ω⁠＼⁠｡⁠)(⁠´⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠.̫⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠'⁠)

"I'm so happy light now that I cod die."

I felt sorry for Arin, who was muttering something but I didn't understand her because she stuffed her nose with handkerchiefs,  so I quickly got up from my seat to leave.

"My ady, ext time I will efinitely reat you o some tea."

'I don't understand what you are saying.'😭

"Hmm. Alright... I am going to leave now."

I got out of the lab as fast as I could so that she could take a much needed break.

....................