Chapter 72: Stealing Yeuju's First Love
9. The Forgotten Extra's Conclusion
Philia looked down at the invitation in her hand with great excitement.
The paper, which carried a faint scent of perfume, bore a concise invitation in neat handwriting.
It detailed the location, time, and dress code.
'This is my first time at such an event.'
Even to Philia, who had visited numerous boutiques both domestically and abroad, this small, invitation-only party for a select few after the boutique's opening was something new.
“Miss, we have arrived at Nivea Boutique.”
Philia unfolded her fan and stepped out of the carriage.
The Veris street, usually bustling with people, seemed even more crowded today.
'Today is the opening day of the fairy perfume boutique on the opposite side.'
The duchess had advertised it quite loudly, claiming it was a specially developed perfume.
Many of the noble ladies around her said they would attend Tatiana's event, but Philia was different.
She wanted to be a trendsetter, not a follower.
So, naturally, she chose Nivea's boutique.
“Even so, I didn’t expect it to be this empty.”
In front of the store, there was no one else besides her carriage.
She stood in front of the store's door, looking uneasy.
The door, decorated with roses and lilies on frosted glass, was not in the imperial style.
Philia took a deep breath and entered.
Inside, there was someone who had arrived earlier.
Rumors in the social circle already suggested that Regina was vying for the position of empress.
Regina could be brazen, Karina could be oblivious, or perhaps both.
“Pleased to see you, Miss Gwen.”
Regina had a slightly flushed expression. The two of them waited awkwardly as time passed.
Ding, the door opened again, and this time Helen Enrique entered.
She gave a light bow and stood to the side as Rella came down the stairs.
Dressed neatly, she smiled brightly.
“Welcome, I am Rella, the perfumer of this boutique. Thank you for participating in our boutique event.”
After saying this, she led them inside.
The interior was decorated with colored glass and mosaics, resembling a castle in a foreign land.
A staff member was assigned to each of the three women.
They helped them try each fragrance and provided a brief explanation.
The three women each chose a perfume, with Helen opting for a light scent, while the others chose 'Karina.'
Philia and Regina looked at each other with peculiar expressions.
It was inevitable to buy the same item since they were pre-made, but it didn't feel good to choose the same one.
“Then, I will take you to the second floor.”
The people who had taken their perfumes disappeared, and Rella led the three women to the second floor.
“Here, we have our first products, body products that serve as the base for each perfume.”
Rella introduced bath salts and lotions.
To them, who usually bathed with tea leaves or flower petals, the bath salts were unfamiliar.
“They contain special ingredients found only in the Saba Sea, making the skin softer and smoother. Additionally, they emit a subtle fragrance from the body for a long time.”
“Does it have the same effect as spraying perfume?”
Helen showed a slight interest at Rella's words.
Spraying perfume was generally taboo among conservative knights.
“While it won't have the complex scent of perfume, you will be able to enjoy the base note's fragrance for a long time.”
Helen quietly walked towards the display after Rella's explanation.
After the introduction, they were taken to private rooms for a fragrance test.
Five different scents were prepared, and each of the three women chose a different one.
“Really, what an interesting idea.”
Philia looked around with sparkling eyes.
It was the perfect way to alleviate the discomfort of choosing the same item.
“By the way, isn’t Lady Pionea coming today?”
Regina raised her hand and asked.
Her real purpose was to meet Karina.
Rella was slightly taken aback but soon regained her composure and continued with a smile.
“Lady Pionea will probably come after the final course.”
The three women blinked, having never heard of such a thing.
Rella confidently led them to the third floor with a smile.
The exotic atmosphere of the first and second floors was maintained, but the background had changed.
The walls were adorned with tall conifers, as if they were in a forest, and the sky was red like a sunset.
The air felt different, as if they were in a quiet forest.
“This is a special welcoming magic spell, courtesy of the current Magic Tower Master.”
At Rella's words, the three women looked around and headed inside.
There were three doors made of flowers and trees. Following the staff's guidance, each woman entered a different room.
Inside, a woman who had been waiting for her stood up.
“Welcome, Miss Philia Gwen. I am Mina, your masseuse for today.”
Philia smiled awkwardly at the unfamiliar term.
“Yes, you will see exactly what it is if you trust me.”
Mina's eyes seemed to burn with determination.
Philia hesitated for a moment but nodded. Her curiosity outweighed her fear of the unknown.
Following Mina's guidance, she undressed and put on a bath towel.
'So that’s why they asked me to wear something easy to take off.'
Inside, there was a one-person wooden bathtub with a visible ceiling.
The color of the water inside was different.
“The same bath salts you purchased are used here. Think of it as a preview.”
As she submerged her body in the bathtub, she felt her fatigue melting away.
Philia closed her eyes slightly.
The three women came out.
Their expressions were relaxed, as if their bodies had become soft.
Regina closed her eyes as she received her tea.
Although it was a bit awkward to entrust her body to a stranger, the effect was truly excellent.
“I never knew my body was so stiff.”
Philia felt pain as Mina pressed various spots. Mina said she tried to use as little force as possible, but there were times when it was really unbearable.
However, after Mina's hands passed over her, her body definitely felt refreshed, so she endured it all.
“I want a personal masseuse.”
Among the three, Helen was the most captivated by the massage.
For someone who exercised a lot, this massage was the best experience.
“Have you ever been to Abana Kingdom, Miss Gwen?”
Philia shook her head at Helen's question.
Although it was a small country, she had only heard of it but never visited.
“I have been there. It’s famous as a resort.”
Regina interjected, and the three women began to chat.
The awkwardness from earlier seemed to have melted away as their bodies relaxed.
“By the way, when is Miss Pionea coming?”
Regina muttered, glancing at the stairs.
“Why are you so eager for the duchess to arrive?”
Philia asked Regina, finding her behavior strange.
After all, the emperor's fiancée had not yet been decided, making them rivals.
Her eagerness to wait for Karina in such a setting was incomprehensible.
Regina blushed slightly and turned her head.
She had first seen Karina at the previous banquet.
Standing next to the emperor, who exuded a powerful presence, Karina's calm demeanor left a deep impression on Regina.
Moreover, she gracefully rejected Sir Raymond's pledge, even arousing the emperor's jealousy.
“Yes, she is beautiful. And impressive...”
Philia clicked her tongue at Regina's response.
“What are you talking about?”
“Indeed, the duchess is a striking beauty.”
Helen nodded in agreement. Encouraged by someone taking her side, Regina clasped her hands and her eyes sparkled.
“Really. Until now, I had only heard that Her Highness the Duchess was the most beautiful person in the empire.”
Philia had to agree with her.
In the past few years, the most talked-about person in the social circle was the duchess.
Even after reducing her social activities after marriage, her name continued to be mentioned frequently among people.
In comparison, Karina was rarely mentioned.
Unlike Tatiana, who only attended mandatory events, she often represented the Pionea Dukedom at most events.
“It’s really strange how little she is mentioned.”
Philia stroked her chin and muttered.
People seemed to have thoroughly excluded the Pionea duchess from the social circle.
“What are you talking about so animatedly?”
Karina suddenly appeared, and Regina jumped up from her seat to greet her.
“We were just talking about when you would arrive.”
Karina smiled softly and bowed her head.
“It’s an honor that you waited for me. Did you enjoy today?”
“It was really wonderful.”
The three women recalled the special moments they experienced today.
The private space that made them feel as if they were in a forest, even indoors.
The massage they received for the first time was also very satisfying.
Everyone would be eager to use this facility.