Chapter 124: Just Here to Trade (5)
“That’s ridiculous!”
Meriel was flabbergasted by the outrageous price and stammered.
“100 gold?! That’s way too expensive! Who’s going to buy it at that price?”
“Too expensive? Even the famous luxury brand ‘Sharnel’ sells for over 100 gold, right?”
“That’s a jewel! It doesn’t wear out like cosmetics!”
“But this will be a luxury item of even greater value.”
Ghislaine retorted confidently. Meriel bit her lip slightly.
“Do you really think it will sell for that price?”
“Of course! Just the fact that the Countess visited here tells you that, doesn’t it?”
“……”
Meriel couldn’t refute that. While 100 gold was indeed a bit hefty, it wasn’t an amount that a wealthy lady couldn’t pay.
“W-well then, how about we at least contract for distribution in the capital? If I help, it will be much easier to establish a presence there.”
Ghislaine merely shrugged at that suggestion.
“This is an item that will sell even displayed in a sewer.”
Meriel bit her lip again. She had no more words.
Ghislaine was right.
Once this product started to create buzz, it was guaranteed to sell.
To monopolize it, one would have to steal the technique and shut people up.
But she wasn’t that cruel of a person.
“Hmm…”
A sigh escaped Meriel’s lips.
Even having such a great product was a problem. She needed to offer something as appealing as the cosmetics, but there was nothing that valuable.
Claude, enchanted by the sorrowful aura emanating from her, poked Ghislaine’s back, suggesting they just give her what she wanted.
But Ghislaine didn’t even blink.
“I can’t play the fool.”
Still, it was best to maintain a relationship with Meriel.
After a brief contemplation, Ghislaine decided to offer something else instead of distribution rights.
“Countess, you certainly have a good sense. You came here first, after all. While an exclusive contract may be difficult, I can offer you a chance to gain social prestige.”
“Prestige?”
Ghislaine pushed a big box that she had prepared to the side in the reception room toward Meriel.
Meriel opened the box curiously. Inside were over 50 cosmetics.
“What is this…?”
“How about leading the trend before the rumors spread? Your reputation will last quite a while. The more costly the gift, the greater its value.”
Meriel nodded and smiled.
“You’re saying you want to use me to promote these cosmetics?”
“Well, if rumors are going to spread anyway, wouldn’t it be better if we both benefited? I save time, and you gain prestige. This is a token of gratitude for being the first to recognize our product.”
It wasn’t a bad proposal for her either. In social circles, being the first to set trends has a huge impact on one’s reputation.
Just discovering this cosmetic first and recommending it to those around her would surely earn her a reputation for having good taste.
She would indeed gain a reputation for having a keen eye.
If that’s the case, the high price becomes an advantage. If the cosmetics aren’t something anyone can easily use, it will elevate the social status of those who do.
“Alright. I’ll accept that proposal.”
She readily agreed and grabbed the box. If an exclusive contract couldn’t be secured, at least she intended to gain some fame.
“I’m off now. Don’t worry about promotions.”
Meriel stood up without hesitation.
She needed to attend the banquet quickly and make her move before more rumors spread.
As soon as she returned, she planned to sift through all the invitations and attend the earliest gathering.
Ghislaine slightly bowed his head in greeting.
“Take care on your way.”
The crow perched on his shoulder also bowed its head in follow suit.
Caw!
*
Not long after Meriel stepped out, rumors about the cosmetics began to spread widely.
There were even people coming to inquire solely because of her guarantee, despite not having verified the effects.
Even at an exorbitantly high price, nobles did not hesitate to purchase the cosmetics.
Though it might be hard to keep using them due to cost, since they were products that Meriel used, many thought it worthwhile to buy and try at least once.
Claude and Belinda squealed with delight at the flood of incoming orders.
“This is amazing! Incredible!”
Gold coins piled up like mountains in the mansion. With this money alone, they could sustain the territory for a year.
“Hahaha! My lord, why don’t we just drop everything and do business here? This is the most convenient!”
Claude, engrossed in counting money, even started babbling nonsense.
“Even at this price, they’re selling like hotcakes! Shouldn’t we make more?”
Strike while the iron is hot.
Before the rumors spread throughout the kingdom, they needed to establish a proper branch in the capital and prepare to ship orders received from the territory.
Despite Claude and everyone else around him urging action and causing a commotion, Ghislaine remained unmoved.
“Wait. There’s still more to do.”
“What more is there? We need to hurry back to the territory and gather the stock!”
Though Claude urged insistently, Ghislaine stood firm.
“Hmm… It’s about time I got some news. Have I not heard any rumors yet?”
Thanks to Meriel, the spread of rumors and sales began to accelerate faster than expected.
But the real target he was aiming for had not yet appeared.
A few more days passed, and just when the first batch of goods was about to run out, a neatly dressed elderly gentleman visited the mansion.
“I’m the butler of the House of Marquis Branford, albeit inadequately. Might you be Baron Penris?”
Ghislaine’s eyes sparkled.
The awaited fish had finally taken the bait.
*
Ghislaine had intentionally not sent gifts to the House of Marquis Branford. That way, they would come to him directly.
The Marquis Branford was the Minister of the Interior for the royal family, the leader of the Crown Prince Faction opposing the House of Duke Delphine, and the most powerful noble in the kingdom.
All affairs of the royal family reportedly went through his hands.
As a great lord of the East with a solid foundation and a former military commander before entering the court, he also wielded influence over the military.
For the butler of such a family to come seeking just a few cosmetics—that would have shocked other nobles.
Once the formalities were out of the way, the butler immediately got to the point.
“Is it true that using these cosmetics will make the skin clear?”
“That’s a vague question. They do have a positive effect on skin condition. Haven’t you heard about it from the rumors? What is it you’re curious about?”
“Is it possible that using this could improve the skin temporarily, only to worsen again?”
“Well, the skin’s condition depends on care, so the effects are proportional to how consistently it’s used. It may vary slightly from person to person.”
The butler persistently asked about various things, such as the ingredients and any cases of side effects.
She pestered him with relentless questions. What are the ingredients? Are there any side effects, and so on?
Ghislaine waved her hand dismissively, her expression showing annoyance as she bluntly asked,
“You mentioned you’re from the House of Marquis Branford. Is the young marquise interested in trying this?”
“Well….”
The butler hesitated, trailing off awkwardly. Ghislaine looked down at him as if he were insignificant and smiled.
“What are you hiding? I’ve already heard that the young marquise has been holed up at home wearing a mask. Everyone’s whispering about it, but how is that a secret? Did you think I’d not catch on just because I’ve only been here for a short time?”
“…That is correct. The young lady plans to use it.”
“See? How wonderful it is when you speak honestly.”
Ghislaine chuckled and pulled out the cosmetics.
“Take a couple and try them out. I’ve poured all my knowledge into creating these products. I have some expertise in herbalism and medicine, you know.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie. After all, at this moment, Ghislaine held a wealth of cutting-edge knowledge that no one else knew.
The problem was that while she knew the results, she didn’t understand the principles.
Ghislaine shamelessly continued,
“If there’s no effect from this, then we’ll need to look at other options, and we can talk again then.”
“…Understood.”
As the butler turned to leave, Ghislaine added,
“By the way, I also know how to cure the ‘Eternal Punishment’.”
The butler pretended not to hear her and didn’t respond at all.
Given that he was well aware that ‘Eternal Punishment’ was an incurable disease, he assumed that Ghislaine was just boasting.
With this familiar reaction, Ghislaine pouted and grumbled,
“People are so unbelievable. Should I bring that priest from back then?”
*
Marquis Branford examined the cosmetics brought by the butler, shifting them about.
“Is this the popular skincare product these days?”
“Yes, it was mentioned by Count Ailzbur’s wife.”
Marquis Branford muttered dismissively.
“I don’t think there will be much effect.”
Even though he wielded significant power over the kingdom, he was currently troubled by two pressing issues.
One was the Duke Delphine.
The Duke, who had been loyal to the royal family, was recently gaining power and becoming increasingly aggressive.
The Crown Prince Faction was being steadily pushed back by the Duke Faction nobles, and their influence was dwindling sharply.
The other issue was his daughter’s chronic skin disease.
“If this doesn’t work either, does that mean I’m out of options?”
While the Duke Delphine’s matters were a recent headache, his daughter’s problem had persisted for a long time.
For some reason, patches had begun to spread all over her face and body one day.
It would be one thing if it ended there, but her symptoms worsened when exposed to sunlight, leading to itching severe enough to keep her from sleeping. She became unable to go outside.
But it wasn’t like she had a severe illness. Nobody knew the cause of the problem.
Receiving divine healing from a priest provided only temporary relief, with the symptoms returning shortly after.
He’d tried all the so-called effective remedies, but the symptoms remained unchanged.
“I’ll bring it to her myself.”
Marquis Branford slowly made his way to his daughter’s room.
She had cut ties with the outside world, isolating herself in a dark room.
With the housekeeper going into seclusion as well, the atmosphere of the home had grown gloomy.
It was entirely understandable that she didn’t want to show her disfigured face to others.
He himself felt his heart ache every time he saw her worsening condition.
But he could no longer leave things as they were.
“I can’t delay the marriage any longer.”
Marquis Branford had been pushing for a political marriage with a neutral noble family to counter the Duke’s dominance.
But his daughter kept asking for more time, delaying the wedding.
“Tsk, there’s a limit to consideration.”
Marquis Branford had been accommodating her feelings, which was why he had postponed the wedding date until now, but there was no way to keep delaying it forever.
I had delayed the wedding date, but I couldn’t put it off forever.
I needed to solidify the Crown Prince Faction before Duke Delphine’s power grew any larger.
Clunk.
When I opened the door, only a few candles welcomed the Marquis.
The windows were tightly shut and covered with curtains, and the expensive magical lights were nowhere to be seen.
The Marquis’s daughter, Rosalyn, was reading a book by the faint candlelight.
‘At this rate, it’s no different from being a prisoner locked in a tower.’
Glancing around the room, Marquis Branford clicked his tongue inwardly but outwardly handed over the cosmetics nonchalantly.
“Rosalyn, try this. It’s a beauty cream that’s been quite popular lately. They say it’s good for the skin.”
Only then did Rosalyn slowly lift her head.
“Will that even help?”
Her tone was calm, yet it carried the feelings bubbling up from deep within her chest.
Marquis Branford briefly looked into his daughter’s bloodshot eyes before speaking again.
“It was recommended by Count Ailzbur’s wife.”
“…”
At that, Rosalyn fell silent.
She knew Meriel well. She had admired her since childhood.
Meriel only used reputable products and had led social trends. She wouldn’t have recommended something useless.
“Just leave it.”
“Understood. And the marriage will proceed soon. Just know that.”
At that, Rosalyn suppressed her emotions and replied.
“Are you really asking me to marry in this state? I won’t be loved for life; I’ll just be treated like a monster. You want me to live being laughed at and ignored by others?”
Marquis Branford coldly interrupted her.
“It’s for the family.”
“Does my life not matter?”
“The family is more important.”
Then Rosalyn brought up another point.
“Will the Crown Prince truly be satisfied just by looking at my face? When he comes to power, won’t he resent a father who forced this marriage upon me? Do you really think the alliance between our families will still hold then?”
Marquis Branford spoke as if it were absurd.
“Who cares if he resents? Family alliances are always like that. By the time he’s of marrying age, he should be able to calculate enough benefit.”
While Rosalyn valued personal relationships, Marquis Branford was judging strictly from a political perspective.
Neither side could be deemed right. Each person values relationships differently.
After finishing his words, Marquis Branford turned and left the room.
“Sigh…”
Rosalyn exhaled deeply and slowly stood up, beginning to apply the cosmetics on her face.
It was hard to tell whether she was applying cosmetics or tears.
*
A few days after starting to use the cosmetics.
Rosalyn gave up completely and shoved the cosmetics aside.
‘As expected, it’s useless.’
While her skin looked better after using the cosmetics, the spots didn’t disappear.
The redness remained, and with the added sheen, it looked even weirder.
Crash!
Looking at herself in the mirror, Rosalyn twisted her face and threw a glass sitting on the table.
The sound of breaking echoed out of the room, but no one approached her chamber.
She spent her time alone in the dark room, just hoping this pain would end someday.
At that moment, someone sauntered towards the front gate of Branford Mansion.
“Hey, is the Marquis in? Don’t say he isn’t because I’ve already found out everything.”
The guard asked the visitor in a stiff tone.
“Who are you?”
“Tell him Baron Penris is here. I need to see him now.”
The one who came to visit Marquis Branford was none other than Ghislaine.
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