Don’t Ask For Mercy From The Villainess - Chapter 7. General Store’s Owner

Unlike the Vonzarto general store and jewelry shops where nobles frequented, the Moncharto general store was usually visited by commoners. Some nobles visited the place, but they only came to see if there were any interesting items that they have not yet used. There were also many items that caught the eye of high-ranking nobles which became a trend among them.

‘I can’t believe I’m here again.’

Jessica stopped by this place three years later after her marriage. Jessica thought hard on how to enter the place, so they met when she ‘accidentally’ heard the talk about buying and selling information at the Moncherto general store.

The hidden owner of the Moncharto general store, who was also an influential figure, sympathized with Jessica as they both had similar circumstances. She eventually grew to become a powerful Duchess thanks to her.

‘Eventually, she died in my hands, but…’

Later, the Third Prince ordered her to deal with the owner who had hindered his way in ascending the throne, and Jessica didn’t refuse his command. Back then, she thought that it was for the best. The only option she was given had made her become an ungrateful person.

Jessica abandoned the person who had helped her when she was in trouble.

‘Not now.’

She would never do that this time. Jessica still didn’t know why she got another chance to live again. She wasn’t a faithful believer, and she could only curse those who killed her out of vengeance. But then, she returned to the past and came back to life.

For whatever reason, she got another opportunity. Jessica would get revenge on those who had killed her as she thought that this was the best way to treat the opportunity she had been given.

And to atone for her sins for the rest of her life toward the people she had killed recklessly. That was her goal.

“Aren’t you… going in?”

Alter carefully asked Jessica as she stood in front of him. She was staring at the general store’s sign and didn’t seem to think about moving. The commoners murmured when they saw that a noble woman, the young lady of the Marquis, was frozen in her spot.

“Why is a noble family’s carriage in front of the general store?”

“I know, there’s nothing to see here.”

“If they’re blocking the way like that…I was going to buy toys for my child today, but I guess there’s no hope to do that.”

Alter didn’t listen to the complaints of the commoners and spoke to her, then Jessica turned her head around. The sound of murmuring died down as the crystal-clear eyes looked around the situation. She didn’t find fault with them nor say anything either, but they were intimidated by her for no reason, so the commoners closed their mouths.

Then after that, the atmosphere changed in an instant. Her face brightened as she revealed a smile towards Alter after gazing at her surroundings expressionlessly. People around her exclaimed at her expression that changed like a warm spring day.

“We have to go now.”

The eyes that were as cold as ice, curved up like a crescent moon, with her beautiful blue pupils shining like a glowing Sapphire. The corners of her mouth raised beautifully together with the jewel-like eyes, and her cheeks flushed red which seemed sweet enough that you could smell its fragrance.

Who would hate a noble young lady who just went into a general store where commoners usually go and buy things? In fact it was as if they were really looking forward for the noble lady to do so. The commoners who had been spouting negative comments about her a while ago suddenly changed their attitudes toward her.

“Let’s go.”

When Alter opened the door into the general store, people whispered to each other as they stared blankly at Jessica’s back who was walking in a noble manner.

“Did you see that? Here?”

“I heard the Marquis has a very beautiful young lady……….”

“Oh my God, how can the world be brightened with only one smile?”

The Marquis’ coachman heard the voices of people gabbling and smiled delightedly. Two people wearing hoods were also looking at them.

“Is that young lady an informant?”

“Do you know that young lady, Your Highness?”

“I know her.”

“She can come here even if she wasn’t an informant. It’s a general store, and there are a lot of interesting things that young noble ladies would like.”

At Salipe’s presumptive words, Vivache, an aide who was standing beside him, spoke in a low voice. Salipe didn’t even give him a look as he spoke carefully in case anyone might hear him.

‘She didn’t look like someone who would go to the general store.’

He didn’t think he would be wandering around leisurely in this kind of situation. Salipe was lost in thought and said nothing when he noticed the spite hidden in her flowery-like and fancy face, it was the same with Vivache who also shut his mouth. Salipe opened his mouth a little while after Jessica entered the general store.

“Count Spilito.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Go find out more about that young lady.”

“Pardon me?”

Prince Salipe, who had never shown interest in women before, asked him to gather information about Jessica, and Vivache questioned him without realizing it. When Salipe’s sluggish eyes turned to Vivache, he hurriedly lowered his head after realizing his mistake.

“I understand.”

At his response, Salipe finally turned his gaze away and walked forward. Vivache followed him with a sigh of relief.

The robe fluttered as the wind blew, but his gaze was calm. Salipe didn’t forget the purpose of leaving the Imperial Palace today. He procrastinated for a moment due to the interesting appearance that enticed him, but it was clear why he came here.

It was a situation where the Crown Prince of the Empire had yet to be decided. His father, the Emperor, has started to set the competition among his brothers. Salipe heard this news when he was starting to get irritated by his brothers’ mischief, as he needed to keep them in check.

‘Spies of the neighboring empire.’

He learned of the fact that one of his brothers was secretly communicating with another empire. He came out today to confirm that and happened to see Jessica on the way.

“Where is it?”

“It’s Sichuan Street.”

“Hurry up.”

“This way. Your Highness.”

There was no one to stop him from taking a step forward without any hesitation.

***

“Welcome!”

As she entered the Moncharto General Store, a woman with a silvery voice welcomed her at the entrance. She was the one who led them deeper inside from the front door.

“You’ve made a precious step in the noble family section! I’ll show you inside.”

The Moncharto General Store was an exclusive place that dealt with commoners. It was also a place where visitors were given special treatment. Where else can commoners in the empire enter a store and have individual guides? Many commoners visited this place because they could experience having servants, which were exclusive only for nobles. Of course, the prices were also cheap.

“Oh, welcome!”

While they were listening to the guide’s words, a somewhat special person came out from the hallway to meet Jessica and her companions.

“….!”

“I’ll lead you the way inside!”

Jessica and her companions walked slowly alongside the woman. The interior of the general store was bigger than how it looked from the outside. After walking for a brief moment through the hallway, a display stand that showed up in their view was so extravagant that anyone’s eyes would have opened wide.

Unlike the expensive shelves, the items inside it were cheap. Accessories and toys commonly used by commoners were placed inside for camouflage purposes.

Jessica, who had Anna behind her, couldn’t take her eyes off the woman who came out to meet them in admiration.

‘Isanna.’

She was the owner of the Moncharto General Store who was faithful toward her but whom she betrayed. Her legs felt like they were going to give out when she saw her moving and alive.

She kept thinking that she had to pull herself together, but she still couldn’t hide her slightly trembling legs. While escorting her from behind, Alter gently grabbed Jessica’s arm as she stumbled.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine, Sir Knight.”

The face that turned pale quickly regained expression as soon as Alter had given her assistance. Isanna, who was guiding them, looked at her with an interesting look.

She bowed her head slightly when she made eye contact with Jessica, but when she saw her twinkling eyes, Jessica opened her red lips and said…

“Are there any red jewels here?”

Isanna’s eyes changed.

“There are a lot of red jewelry, Ruby, Garnet or Spinel, which one do you want?”

“A Red Diamond.”

Isanna squinted at her for a moment, it was as if she was judging Jessica after thinking about what she said. It was hard to tell whether the immature noble lady came here to show off her money or just wanted information.

Jessica understood it as she had known Isanna for a long time. That expressionless face was a look that she often made when she felt a little irritated. Isanna’s eyes on people were accurate before, but the true intentions of Jessica in the present time is yet to be known, so she couldn’t open her mouth so hastily.

“I’d like a Red Diamond with the light of the Imperial Topaz if possible.”

Isanna bowed deeply to Jessica, who opened her fan and spoke in a haughty manner. The mention of the Red Diamond followed by Topaz meant that Jessica would either buy or sell information.

Isanna, who understood the sign, immediately showed a polite attitude. It was a classic way to pretend to be a guide and knock down the price of the information.

‘Of course it won’t work on me.’

“I’ll show you around.”

At the end of her remark, Jessica walked behind Isanna who led the way ahead. Alter and Anna, who were staying behind her, tried to follow along but Isanna warned them.

“The knight escort and the maid cannot follow along.”

Alter’s expression changed at Isanna’s words. Jessica didn’t interfere. This was something that Alter and Anna had to figure out. Alter took a step forward with keen eyes and opened his firm mouth to speak toward Isanna.

“I have to stay with the Lady.”

***

[The prince is starting to make a move!]