Chapter 73: I took away Yeju's first love.
Finally, the day of the store opening arrived.
I arrived at the boutique early and looked out from the first-floor glass showcase.
On the opposite side of the store, I could see Tatiana's perfume boutique, which had opened with great splendor.
It was decorated with flowers and balloons, and even magical effects were added to make it look more luxurious.
"I didn't expect her to open before us."
Nivea muttered with a bitter smile.
Since Tatiana's first product was a special bath salt containing unique ingredients, I thought it would take quite a bit of time to develop the technology.
"Is it a perfume boutique?"
"Yes, I heard it's a perfume boutique. There's a rumor that the Duchess herself managed it, so expectations were high."
Nivea seemed quite anxious.
She looked uneasy, perhaps recalling the past incidents with Tatiana.
"Don't worry so much. At least we have different concepts, so there shouldn't be any overlap."
After comforting Nivea, I turned around.
I clapped my hands to get the attention of the employees, who were buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
"Customers will be arriving soon. This is our first time welcoming them, so everyone, stay sharp."
Everyone seemed full of enthusiasm.
I just nodded at them and left.
After all, I would only get in the way if I stayed.
As I got into the carriage, I glanced at Tatiana's store.
What could she be thinking right now?
Nivea's perfume boutique was a huge success.
The nobles didn't hesitate to spend money, and some products were sold out, making the workshop busy.
At least the start was good.
I couldn't help but smile as I looked at the sales report from the past week.
I had never worried about money since I was reincarnated into this world.
But this was the first time I had earned money with my own efforts, and my heart was pounding.
[These days, everyone in the social circle is busy discussing which combinations are the best. Especially since they heard that His Majesty the Emperor uses it, many want to give it as a gift to their fiancés.]
After reading Filia's letter, I thought it wouldn't be bad to make a gift set.
And the first gift should go to my parents and Aster.
Thinking of Aster made me feel embarrassed again.
No matter how much our relationship was based on mutual benefit, being rejected like this wasn't easy.
I got up from my seat, and Pio, who had been sleeping at my feet, suddenly lifted his head.
"I have someone to meet."
Pio said confidently, puffing out his chest.
The maids, with Lily at the center, had taken such good care of him that his fur shone.
Moreover, he had a pink ribbon tied around his neck, making him look harmless.
But I couldn't take a dog with me.
"Are you bored because you've been at home all day?"
Pio's body trembled slightly, as if I had hit a nerve.
After all, in a program I saw in my previous life, they said walking was very important for dogs.
Since wolves are canines, maybe they need walks too?
"Alright. But you have to be quiet."
[Pfft, who do you think I am, a real dog?]
Despite his words, his tail was wagging vigorously.
I patted his head a few times and got up.
As I carried Pio out, Lily was waiting.
"Are you taking Pio too, Miss?"
"Yeah, he wants to go for a walk."
We turned around, showing our displeasure.
Lily loudly complained about who to tell about this incident.
"We should immediately report this to His Majesty the Emperor. How could they treat Miss, who risked her life to save someone, like this?"
The duchess's maid turned pale at her words.
As we were about to open the door and leave, the maid rushed over.
The maid, unsure of what to do, bowed her head.
"I-I overstepped due to my excessive loyalty. Please forgive me."
If we left like this, Tatiana would likely hear something bad, so the maid had no choice.
I whispered to her as I passed by.
"I won't tell Tatiana, so just say you observed."
As I passed the woman and went inside, Allison, who looked anxious, greeted me.
Allison let out a long breath, seeming relieved, and muttered.
Lying on the examination table, Lily undid the buttons on my back.
Lily, having finished her task, tactfully left. Pio, who had followed me, tried to stay but was carried out by Lily.
"Then I'll start the treatment."
Allison began by removing the bandages and disinfecting the area.
While carefully disinfecting, she slowly started talking.
"From an objective standpoint, he doesn't seem to be doing well. He's poor and looks depressed."
Allison's voice darkened.
I decided to ask her directly. If there was a problem between them, it would be troublesome for me.
After all, the best scenario would be for all three of us to be together.
"I know that Robert was accused of embezzling research funds to try to treat the late Professor Gregory."
"No, that's not true! Robert never did that!"
Allison shouted, sounding truly wronged.
"Professor Gregory... He did have an incurable disease. But what we were developing wasn't a cure for any specific illness."
Allison began to explain methodically.
The treatment they were developing used magic to restore diseased areas to their original state.
According to her, it could easily treat not only injuries but also diseases in organs.
"It might not have been able to completely cure him, but if we had continued our research, Professor might have lived for another three years."
"Then why was Robert framed?"
"We don't know. The president suddenly burst in and conducted a financial audit... and took Robert away."
Allison looked truly wronged.
But if she was desperate, perhaps she secretly embezzled the funds.
"Moreover, I was in charge of the research funds. If there was any embezzlement, I should have been taken away... but strangely, Robert became the target."
From her words, I understood how things had unfolded.
Putting someone in a crisis and then offering a helping hand from behind was Tatiana's main tactic.
"The Duchess might have had a hand in it. Didn't she immediately offer a helping hand when the incident broke out?"
"T-That's true, but there's no way she would do such a thing."
Allison jumped up from her seat and shouted.
Her face was flushed, as if she felt personally insulted.
"Her Highness saved us. Although she's sensitive, she wouldn't do such a thing."
I saw a very familiar expression on her face.
It was the same look the male leads who betrayed me had.
They got angry at my rational judgment and blindly defended Tatiana.
This was because they initially had a high level of affection for Tatiana.
The affection the male leads had for Tatiana and the affection other extras felt were on different levels.
Moreover, with the original work's suppression power lowered, the extras' affection for Tatiana had also decreased.
The only ones who had blind affection for Tatiana were the male leads she had manipulated.
What exactly is happening?