Chapter 22: I took away Yeju's first love.
I couldn't say anything in response to Nivea's shocking words.
Losing her sense of smell as a perfumer was like losing everything.
"Have you been to a big hospital? There might be a way to treat it."
"I went, but they said the chances are slim."
Was it because of the fire?
Or could there be other psychological factors?
I was at a loss for words, overwhelmed by the suddenness of it all.
I didn't want Nivea to retire like this.
I was the one who had persuaded her to come out of her shell and take on the challenge again.
It might have been a small pang of guilt, but I wanted her to be the one to take revenge.
"Please reconsider retiring. It would be too futile to give up like this after all you've been through."
"If more people are needed, I'll provide them. I'll also arrange for bodyguards and a safe house for the two of you to live in. Nivea."
I held her hands tightly and said,
"Don't give up on your revenge."
She had watched her lifelong business be trampled by those in power, which made her even more hesitant.
I pleaded with her again, earnestly.
"Revenge isn't just about hurting someone. Show them how much better you can do and how successful you can be. No matter how much Tatiana tries to bring you down, you can show her this success."
Her eyes, which had been dark like those of a dead person, briefly sparkled. It was fortunate that her competitive spirit hadn't completely died out.
I needed something to reignite her passion.
"Don't step back now. Think of Rella too."
At the mention of Rella, her lifeless eyes lit up.
Her dream was to pass the boutique on to Rella. I was willing to support her in every way to achieve that dream.
There were few people in this empire who could stand up to Tatiana, the Grand Duchess, and I was one of them.
After explaining this, Nivea's eyes were brimming with tears.
"Will you really help me?"
"Of course. Whatever you want, whatever you need. Just tell me. There's nothing I can't get in this empire."
Nivea nodded at my words.
After a long and arduous persuasion, we decided to draft a contract.
The contract was filled with conditions that heavily favored Nivea, but I didn't regret it.
Compared to what she had lost, this was nothing.
"And, one last thing. I'd like Rella to be the chief perfumer."
I had granted her every request, but this was a bit difficult.
"Even if Rella is talented, she's still a novice. You'll definitely need more experienced perfumers."
"It's not because she's my daughter. Rella has a genuine talent for this. If you trust her, she will create a perfect product."
Then, with a voice full of anger, she added,
"All I need is Rella. We will humiliate that woman with just the two of us."
Her resolute demeanor left me speechless.
If Nivea was this confident, perhaps it was worth giving Rella a chance.
"Alright. Let's do it this way. Summer is approaching, and our family will be hosting the annual masquerade ball."
The grand masquerade ball, created by the first Duke of Pioneira who loved to party, was always a topic of conversation in high society.
This year, it would be even bigger and more splendid, considering my relationship with Aster.
"I want to debut your and Rella's new product at the ball."
In this era, marketing was limited to newspaper ads and word of mouth.
But there was a more powerful method.
It was to let people experience it directly.
"I'll let the guests try the product. At least a few hundred guests will attend, and I'll make sure there's enough perfume for them to use and have leftovers."
There was only a little over a month until the masquerade ball.
I knew it would be a grueling schedule, but it was a great opportunity, so I couldn't let it pass.
"I'll definitely make it happen."
"That's not all. If we get a good response, we'll launch it then, under your names."
With a perfume that could win the hearts of hundreds of noblewomen, I could trust Rella's abilities.
Moreover, it would boost her reputation, so if we succeeded, it would be a huge gain.
"I understand. Thank you, Lady. I'll create a perfect fragrance to uphold the reputation of the Pioneira family."
I saw her off and returned to my room.
I sat at the table to organize my thoughts, which had been put on hold.
The bracelet has two functions.
One is to measure affection, and the other is to choose options.
'Maybe there are more functions I haven't discovered yet.'
But a more fundamental question lingered.
Perhaps the reason I lured my former fiancés was because they were created for Tatiana from the start, as she had said.
She never appeared in the original game, so I couldn't understand how she could do such a thing.
"Thinking about it alone won't help."
I got up and called for Lily.
"I'm going out, so prepare the carriage."
"Really? But you're not fully recovered yet."
"Exactly. That's why I'm going out."
To catch a tiger, you have to enter the tiger's den.
To understand a madwoman's mind, meeting her in a public setting was the safest option.
Besides, my current appearance was enough to stir her conscience, making it a perfect opportunity.
I got into the carriage with Lily, who was worried.
I didn't forget to bring the bracelet, just in case.
The carriage arrived quickly in front of the Duke's mansion.
Originally, noble families would set a specific time for visits.
But Tatiana didn't follow this rule.
She would just drop by unexpectedly.
'After all, we're friends, right?'
She always said that, so I planned to treat her the same way.
The world still didn't know that Tatiana and I had fallen out.
As I got out of the carriage, I saw the butler of the Duke's mansion rushing out.
"Ah, welcome. Lady Pioneira. What brings you to the Gloucester mansion?"
"I came to see a friend. After nearly dying in a fire, I realized that putting things off is pointless. Could you call Tatiana for me?"
I put on the gloves Lily handed me and stared at the butler.
He was flustered and silent for a moment before leading me to the parlor.
As I walked through the corridors of the Duke's mansion to the parlor, the maids' whispers and stares clung to me like sticky glue.
I spoke loudly to Lily, as if for them to hear.
"Even if a guest drops by unexpectedly, don't forget your duties. Always remember that your attitude can tarnish our family's reputation."
She replied with a determined voice, understanding my meaning.
"Of course. I'll make sure no one says the Pioneira family's servants are rude."
Only then did the maids scatter.
Seeing the butler's ears turn red, it seemed he understood the shame of the situation.
"This way. Her Ladyship will be down shortly. Please wait a moment."
In the parlor, I waited for Tatiana while drinking tea.
How much time had passed?
Tatiana, who seemed to have rushed out, entered the room.
"Why are you here, Karin? You came all the way here."
"I didn't come to a place I shouldn't. Why?"
"No, I was just surprised you came without any notice."
Surprisingly, Tatiana was fidgeting and at a loss.
I wanted to toy with her.
"I nearly died in a fire recently. After such a close call, I realized that putting things off is useless."
Her overly dramatic reaction to the words 'fire' and 'near death' was absurd.
I asked her to clear the room.
Tatiana hesitated for a moment but soon complied.
Lily didn't want to leave, but I managed to get her to go.
"I'm glad you're safe. I was so shocked when I heard the news."
"I just got a bit hurt. But the shop owner lost her sense of smell, and I'm really worried about her."
Tatiana, who hadn't heard this news yet, almost dropped her teacup.
Her blue eyes wavered like reeds, looking as if she was feeling guilty.