The Villainous Noblewoman Is About to Be Forced into Love, Isn't This Wrong?-Chapter 57: Is a businessman’s bottom line unshakable?

"Nervous?" Liana looked at Loraviel, who sat across from her.

A week had passed, and today was the day of the knight's examination and the mage's examination.

Since Loraviel had to participate in both, she had left early for Lisad Square.

This examination was crucial. Countess Ruth's poison was already prepared—Liana could collect it at any time.

If Loraviel passed, Liana would have a perfect excuse to celebrate.

"A little," Loraviel admitted. She wasn’t very confident, but having come this far, she had no choice but to push forward.

Liana wasn’t accompanying Loraviel just for support—though that was part of it. The real reason was the small bottles in her bag.

After a week of refinement, she was confident that she could dominate the market in this primitive world of cosmetics.

"Do your best."

"...Your Highness Liana..." Liana was actually cheering for her?

"The bet with Olivia may be over, but what I told you still stands. I've gotten used to having someone beside me at night. So, even if you're not doing it for yourself, at least do it for me."

"I understand."

"Your Highness, we’ve arrived," the carriage stopped at the meeting point with Tali.

Tali wasn’t here yet.

"Once you're done with the examination, come find me here." Liana took a seat in the same spot as before and ordered a fruit juice, nothing else.

"I understand." Loraviel bowed and left.

Liana wasn't worried. Tali would come. She was a merchant, and a merchant doing business in Venus territory wouldn't dare ignore her.

Besides, Liana had arrived early.

And sure enough, she didn’t have to wait long before a small figure, carrying a bag, hopped her way toward her.

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"Good morning, Your Highness Liana." Tali sat across from her, speaking with a polite but distant tone. "I’m only here today to honor our agreement. I don’t want to leave a bad impression on you."

"I thought about it after I returned, and when it comes to profit, you should understand this better than anyone—a merchant's bottom line is non-negotiable. We can’t afford to share trade secrets with others. So I’m sorry, but I have to reject your offer."

"I hope you understand. That’s all I came to say. I still have business to handle, so I won’t stay."

"Don’t be in such a rush to leave." Liana tapped the table lightly.

Tali frowned but remained seated. "Is there anything else? I’m a bit short on time, Miss Liana."

A merchant's bottom line? That was a joke.

As long as the profits were big enough, merchants had no bottom line.

"Why don’t you take a look at what I brought before making a decision?" Liana placed two small bottles on the table.

"...What is this? Something to drink?" Tali wrinkled her nose.

"Surprised that there are things even you don’t recognize, Miss Tali?" Liana chuckled, pulling a lipstick from her bag. "I’ll need you to cooperate with me for a moment."

"That won’t be necessary. I don’t wear makeup unless it’s for an important business deal. Makeup ruins the skin, and it’s not worth it for just any occasion."

"If you don’t try it, you won’t believe me." Liana waved her hand dismissively. "Fine, then. If you’re not satisfied, this gold coin is yours."

She placed one gold coin on the table.

Tali shook her head. "This isn’t about money."

Two coins.

"..."

Three.

"..."

Tali silently pocketed them.

"...Why did you stop?"

As expected. Merchants have flexible morals.

"I could keep adding, but it’s a waste of time. If I put down ten gold coins, you’d wonder if I’d go up to eleven. It’s pointless to keep raising the stakes because, whether it's ten or a hundred, you wouldn’t refuse my deal." Liana exuded confidence.

"...Since you put it that way, refusing again would make me seem difficult." Tali closed her eyes. "Fine. Let’s see what your makeup skills can do."

A few moments later, Tali stared into the mirror.

To an outsider, it might have looked like she’d been punched in the face.

"...Liana, is this revenge? You knew I had a business meeting after this." Tali clenched her teeth, but her professionalism kept her from snapping.

"Relax." Liana poured a bit of liquid onto a cloth and pressed it to Tali’s face.

Ten seconds later, she wiped gently.

"See? It’s gone."

The makeup vanished effortlessly.

"This is just a more convenient method—quicker than usual. That alone isn’t enough to make people need it."

It had to be irresistible—a product people couldn’t live without.

"How does your skin feel?" Liana asked.

Tali hesitated, touching her cheek. It felt hydrated, far less dry than before.

"Wash your face with water, then apply this." Liana handed her another bottle.

This time, Tali didn’t argue. She quickly took it and applied it.

A cool, refreshing sensation spread across her skin. She had never felt this level of moisture before.

"This is makeup remover. It effortlessly wipes away cosmetics while hydrating and protecting the skin."

"The other one is lotion. You don’t need me to explain—you already feel the difference, don’t you?"

Liana smiled.

This was an irresistible temptation.

"...Now, we can have a proper discussion, right?"

"Wait a moment."

"Oh?" Liana smirked. She was certain no merchant could reject this product—was Tali really about to refuse?

"I need to cancel my next appointment."

With that, Tali sprang into action.

"Miss Liana, under no circumstances should you let anyone else see this!"

"That depends on your performance." Liana grinned playfully.

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"I’ll be right back!"

Tali hurried to settle the bill at the counter.

Then, as if worried Liana would finish her drink, she ordered another glass of fruit juice—and even some snacks.

Finally, with a graceful leap, she vaulted onto the rooftop, vanishing into the distance.

Clearly, she was desperate to close this deal.

Not only had she paid willingly, but she was so eager to return that she sacrificed elegance for speed.