123rd Chapter: Just Here to Trade. (4)
“Uh, um… There was some cosmetics that came in as a gift not long ago…”
“Cosmetics?”
“Yes, yes. It’s a skin care cream… from some baron…”
The maid stuttered, flustered by Meriel’s unusual demeanor.
Growing frustrated, Meriel turned to the Head Maid and asked what the situation was.
“Not long ago, a certain Baron Penris distributed gifts to each noble house. I believe he also sent a separate gift and letter to the Count.”
“Baron Penris? That’s a name I’m hearing for the first time.”
“It seems he just came to the capital this time.”
“And that’s why he distributed gifts. But he sent something to my husband and nothing to me?”
Although Count Ailzbur held a high position, he couldn’t compare to Meriel.
She was one of the few daughters of a marquis house in the kingdom and had complete control of the capital’s social scene.
“Shouldn’t he be trying to impress me, not my husband? How pathetic. Even if he doesn’t know the ways of the capital…”
She couldn’t help but feel insulted, even if it was probably because he just came from the countryside and hadn’t figured out who was in charge.
Cooling her flushed face with her fan, she asked again.
“Did he send him a better cosmetic?”
“No, I heard he sent a root of Mandragora to the Count.”
Meriel let out a hollow laugh.
“Just a Mandragora? He must be a really poor noble. But where did he get so much of this cosmetics? Clearly enough to gift all the maids.”
“I heard it was developed directly by Baron Penris’s merchant group.”
“Developed… directly?”
Meriel’s expression mixed admiration with ridicule.
A rural lord’s merchant group developed cosmetics without knowing the ways of the capital?
Normally, she would have laughed it off and ignored it.
But she couldn’t bring herself to do that after confirming the cosmetics actually worked.
After thinking for a moment, Meriel quickly made up her mind and turned back to the Head Maid.
“Cancel today’s gathering. Tell them I can’t go because I’m feeling unwell. And you, come along with me.”
She took the maid with the best complexion and asked in detail how she used the cosmetics.
Meriel examined the cosmetics she had obtained for a reasonable sum from various angles.
“Hmmm, should I use this or not?”
“Should I use this or not?”
If it doesn’t work, that would be a relief. If there’s even a slight chance of side effects, the future will become a hassle.
Of course, I would be ridiculed by countless noble ladies and young ladies, and my reputation, built up until now, would plummet.
But her intuition kept screaming.
Don’t let this opportunity slip away.
You must seize it before anyone else.
“Right, no one has experienced side effects. A few have noticeably improved. Let’s give it a try.”
Meriel washed her face clean and slowly began applying the cream.
“Ah, is this… what it feels like to apply morning dew?”
At first, it felt a bit sticky, but it was quickly absorbed into her skin. Soon, she could feel moisture building up from within.
This is it.
Convinced, Meriel evenly spread the cosmetics across her face and went to bed early.
Dramatic results won’t appear in just a day or two. However, when she woke up, Meriel didn’t miss the subtle changes.
“It’s clear. There’s an effect. It doesn’t show on the outside, but I’ve changed. And with no side effects so far, it’s definitely working.”
Stalling to keep an eye on it any longer would be foolish. Meriel had no intention of missing this great opportunity.
She immediately called for the Head Maid and asked.
“Where are Baron Penris and the merchant group staying?”
“They are staying at an abandoned house on the outskirts of the capital.”
“The outskirts’ abandoned house… Could it be that House of Ghosts? The Crow Mansion?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“They really must be out of money. Well, that’s actually good news. Hehe.”
Meriel was planning to monopolize this cosmetics line.
How much could a product made by a newly risen noble from the countryside sell for anyway? It doesn’t have any name recognition and the price shouldn’t be too high.
If she secures a monopoly contract now, she’ll be able to control the distribution volume.
That would not only help her maintain her beauty but also assist her in building wealth and power.
“Let’s go meet Baron Penris right away.”
After a brief moment of thought, Meriel commanded to get ready to go out.
*
A splendid carriage crossed the heart of the capital. A few Guard Knights led the way, clearing the path.
The people who were pushed aside grumbled but fell silent after confirming the noble crest stamped on the carriage.
Claude, who was waiting for guests at the improvised consultation office next to the mansion’s entrance, gaped at the spectacle.
“Wha, what the…? Is the queen making a visit? If that were the case, there would have been prior notice!”
Even knowing it wasn’t true, the majesty of the grand carriage and the guards made him feel intimidated.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the mansion, and the Head Maid alighted from it.
She seemed to have made some effort to tidy herself up, but still gave the shabby entrance a disapproving glance before speaking.
“This is Count Ailzbur’s wife. I heard Baron Penris is residing in this mansion. Is that correct?”
“Uh? Ah, yes, that’s correct.”
Claude nodded, his expression dazed.
With her chin held high, the Head Maid’s appearance was as luxurious as that of any noble. The number and armament of the Guard Knights were also not ordinary.
The armament was anything but ordinary.
I had seen many noblewomen in Seiron, but none had such an impressive presence.
‘Is the Countess at this level? Truly, great powers are different!’
In fact, even in Ruthania, there were few noblewomen as influential as Meriel, but Claude, who wasn’t yet familiar with the capital’s situation, had no way of knowing this.
One of the guard knights opened the wagon door to help Meriel descend with ease.
The mercenaries stationed around the mansion gaped at Meriel unconsciously.
‘Oh wow…’
Her beauty was reminiscent of a splendid rose.
She looked quite mature, but that only added to her elegant and dignified aura.
The mercenaries, who had lived humbly in the rural North, seemed like individuals they couldn’t dare approach.
While they had seen noblewomen and young ladies before in the North, compared to Meriel, they were akin to commoners.
Meriel gracefully accepted their gazes and surveyed her surroundings.
The head maid stepped forward again to state the purpose of their visit, but she raised her hand to stop her and spoke up herself.
“I’m Meriel from the House of Count Ailzbur. I’ve come to meet Baron Penris.”
“…….”
Claude and the mercenaries were left dumbfounded, their mouths agape. They looked ready to drool.
Belinda’s kick came flying through.
“Ah!”
Claude snapped back to reality only after receiving a painful blow to his shin.
“What are you doing? We have a guest!”
Belinda shot him a frustrated remark, clicking her tongue as she turned back into the mansion.
Rubbing his sore shin, Claude quickly put his mind to work.
There could be only one reason a noblewoman would visit a mansion rumored to be haunted.
‘The cosmetics must have worked!’
Claude eagerly rubbed his hands together and bent forward.
“Are you perhaps here to buy some cosmetics? I can guide you…”
“I’ve come to meet Baron Penris.”
“Let me explain first…”
“I’ve come to meet Baron Penris.”
Meriel smiled gracefully and repeated her words.
She seemed determined not to back down until she met the lord directly.
Claude sighed. She was not someone he could handle.
“Please, come in. He should be in the garden now. I will guide you.”
He felt anxious that the foolish lord might cause some trouble, wanting to handle it within his means, but he had no other choice now.
“Thank you.”
Meriel flashed a slight smile and entered the mansion, flanked by a few maids and knights.
As she stepped into the garden, she slightly frowned.
The gray, lifeless garden and the crows flying around the mansion were quite bothersome.
No matter how little money she had, she couldn’t tolerate living in a place like this for even a day.
‘It must mean there’s that little money. The transaction should be easy then.’
She eased her mind a bit and followed the guide of the mansion’s servants into the garden.
Ghislaine was crouched in a corner of the garden, feeding the crows.
“Lord, Count Ailzbur’s lady has come to visit.”
“Hmm, really?”
Ghislaine slowly rose from his spot. A crow casually settled on his shoulder.
“Pleasure to meet you. I am Ghislaine Penris.”
“Ghislaine Penris here.”
Caw!
Meriel jumped, startled by the crow’s caw.
‘Is this guy Baron Penris? He’s too young!’
Meriel scanned Ghislaine from head to toe and felt a bit flustered. He had a tall, handsome appearance and seemed younger than his title suggested.
It’s rare for someone his age to hold the title and land of a baron. If he came from a powerful family, it might make sense…
But considering how unfamiliar the name Penris sounded, he was probably just some ordinary noble who couldn’t stretch his influence to the central region.
‘Looks like he just got lucky snagging a small territory. His father probably divided the fief for him.’
Still, for a rural noble, his ability to remain calm in front of her was commendable.
Hiding her complicated feelings, Meriel slightly lowered her head.
“I am Meriel from the House of Count Ailzbur. To get straight to the point, I’ve come to discuss the cosmetics made by your barony’s merchant group.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
Ghislaine’s eyes sparkled.
Worrying about the elegance it took to beat around the bush, she was relieved to find him quite direct.
“Let’s go inside and talk.”
Ghislaine entered the mansion leisurely, a smile gracing his lips.
‘Looks like I’ve caught a big fish.’
Hearing the name of the House of Ailzbur jogged his memory. The lady in front of him was someone who held the high society of the capital in her palm.
Just a rumor about her using a certain type of cosmetics would have them flying off the shelves across the capital in no time.
Seeing a proud lady come to him personally, he felt he might achieve his original purpose quicker than expected.
*
As soon as Meriel entered the reception room and sat down, she dove right into the main topic.
“You’ve just developed the cosmetics and brought them to the capital, right? I’m here to propose an exclusive contract regarding those products.”
Quite direct, indeed.
“An exclusive contract, you say?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. I will purchase all the produced quantity. You’ll only need to focus on development while I handle distribution.”
She even added a hint of a threat.
“If you want to establish a position in the capital, you’ll need some backing. Other nobles and merchant groups will try to undermine you. I can help you avert that. Conversely, if you refuse, doing business in the capital won’t be easy.”
No unnecessary back-and-forth games here.
Ghislaine nodded, understanding her point.
“Well, as long as I can sell the cosmetics, I’m fine with it… but is the price a little on the high side for you?”
Meriel smirked internally.
‘Who is he talking about money in front of?’
This is why you can’t have lengthy discussions with clueless people.
“The Count Ailzbur is one of the most prominent wealthy families in the capital. If I can’t manage it, then no one can. How much is it?”
“One hundred gold per item.”
“What…? One hundred gold for each one?”
Meriel tilted her head, unsure if she’d misheard.
Ghislaine emphasized again with certainty.
“One hundred gold per item.”
That was the moment her elegant smile began to crack.
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