Chapter 146
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 146
As if the crack that had appeared for a fleeting moment was a mere whim, Ferdinand’s voice soon returned to its usual tone.
“I’ll think about it.”
“You always say that, Your Highness. Honestly, I find it a waste of the riches we had to offer up to that Lady Aubrey. Of course, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the treasures you’ve secured, but still…”
Sir Otero could not hide his reproachful gaze.
“Why on earth is that woman so greedy? From what I hear, she’s nothing but a dreg within the family… My apologies. Rumor has it she’s been completely pushed out of the power structure.”
That was why Sir Otero found it even more absurd—the shameless behavior of Lady Aubrey, who demanded an astronomical sum as a settlement every quarter.
“If she asks, we give it. Did you think bringing in the precious Lady of Frezier would come cheap?”
Ferdinand’s expression remained unchanged.
“Of course, of course. You’re absolutely right, Your Highness.”
The problem is that the ‘precious’ Lady Sophia Frezier is busy stirring up all sorts of scandals with other young lords at the Academy.
Sophia had even been known to burst into tears at the slightest provocation, wailing that she didn't want to marry a ‘sickly man’ like the Crown Prince. The rumors had traveled all the way here.
Ferdinand showed no reaction, but his subordinates couldn't help but tremble with rage and humiliation.
But that was all.
Their master, as he always did, walked toward his bed—covered in a worn blanket—without much of a response.
Taking the hint, Sir Otero withdrew, saying, “Please, get some rest.”
Alone in the tent, Ferdinand opened the box he had tucked under the blanket.
A single handkerchief, so clean it contrasted sharply with his own blood-stained and dust-covered self, came into view.
Ferdinand stared at the handkerchief for a moment, but in the end, he couldn't bring himself to reach out. Click. He closed the box.
* * *
The Imperial Capital of the Brillant Empire.
Ash Tree Street, one of the most bustling commercial districts in the capital, was crowded with nobles out for a stroll, basking in the mild spring weather.
Ladies who had cultivated friendships walked in small groups, exchanging gossip under their parasols.
“Did Lady Tulia Frezier respond saying she would attend the tea party?”
When a lady wearing gloves with blue ribbons asked, another lady with exceptionally long eyelashes put on a dejected face.
“No. Even though I’ve sent thirty invitations already, I’ve received nothing but bouquets in return.”
“Oh dear…”
“Thanks to that, my bedroom has become quite fragrant, at least.”
In the Brillant Empire, sending flowers in response to an invitation was a gesture of polite refusal.
“I’ve sent over twenty myself and haven't received a single letter of acceptance. Don't be too downcast, Lady Florian.”
“Besides, we’re probably getting off easy. According to my brother, over a hundred letters arrive at the Frezier mansion every single morning.”
“Over a hundred?!”
The lady’s voice rose involuntarily, drawing glances from passing nobles.
Blushing slightly, she cleared her throat with a few dry coughs.
“A hundred invitations every day… that’s incredible.”
“But it’s to be expected. The members of the direct line, who used to stay only in the Frezier territory, have come up to the capital, after all.”
The rumors about the Frezier twins were already famous.
Even if Tulia enjoyed the Grand Duke’s favor, that was information more useful to the ‘adult nobles’ who were interested in the direction of power.
The younger ladies and lords were more interested in befriending the twins, who were celebrities at the Academy. There was also no small amount of personal desire to see their legendary beauty in person.
Curiously, however, the ladies’ interest had recently shifted more toward Tulia Frezier than the twins.
It was inevitable.
Because…
“Shall we head over to the White Tulip Salon in a bit?”
“Oh, I’d love to!”
The ladies looked over each other’s dresses. Not one of them was wearing a dark-colored gown.
Pale forsythia yellow, light pink, or a refreshing light green. Every single one was a lovely color that looked as if it had just been born on a spring day.
Even their leather shoes, which were typically difficult to dye in various shades, were matched to their dresses, making them look even more fresh and vibrant.
“It’ll be as crowded as a marketplace again today, but I simply can’t wait to see what new colors have come out this week.”
“I heard they’re opening a branch next month!”
“Really? Goodness, one or two branches won't be nearly enough to keep up with the demand.”
“They’ll probably open more over time, right?”
The ladies headed off to view the colorful paradise with excited hearts.
* * *
“Hoo. Quite a sight to behold.”
Seeing the lovely young ladies who looked as if they were wearing pieces of spring made me feel gratified.
“Do you know you sound like a hoodlum every time you say that?”
“Quiet, you little mutt.”
The little mutt—no, Klaus—wagged his tail and his eyes sparkled.
“I’ll be quiet if you give me a hug.”
“Can’t you see I’m wearing a dress?! You’ll get fur all over it!”
“I won't get any fur on it! You told me to stay away from you for five hours! You might as well have told me to drop dead!”
“How can a dog get more shameless by the day?”
“I’m not a dog.”
Klaus spoke with pride in his eyes.
“I am the Prince of Lupinus, heir to the lineage of the Wolf King.”
Little mutt.
In the end, I gave in and let Klaus onto my lap. Klaus (who looked exactly like a dog), nestled tightly in my arms, quietly buried his face in his front paws.
…Good grief. He’s handsome and cute at the same time.
This was a visual I simply couldn't push away, though in a different sense from his true form.
I ended up stroking Klaus’s fluffy ears and head while looking out the window.
It had been well over a year since I met the hidden male lead, Klaus, and planted the White Tulip seeds in the Belus territory.
The White Tulip business was a massive success.
Yes. It is human nature to risk even poisoning and death for the sake of beautiful colors.
Since The Milk Bread was based on such historical facts, people were bound to lose their minds over the diverse colors.
In particular, the colors I dubbed ‘pastel tones’—pale, soft colors like clouds—enjoyed explosive popularity among the nobility.
Well, I could have come up with more creative names.
But I just don't have the brain for that sort of thing.
So I simply decided to borrow terms from reality, and now Ramus Jeremiah, who has ascended to the rank of my 34,243rd servant, has reached the point of rubbing his hands together and flattering me, saying my naming sense is exquisite.
I mean, it’s only natural since I’m practically raking in the nobles’ money.
The fact that information becomes money also meant that money becomes information.
Ramus Jeremiah’s information guild had long since expanded beyond the scale of the Brillant Empire.
With Tulia Frezier—that is, me—as a wealthy patron backing him, he had already begun to operate on a continental scale.
In less than a year, he would likely be able to fully advance into the Summer Continent as well.
Through the window of the moving carriage, I could also check the attire of the commoners.
It had become incomparably brighter compared to last year.
The colors are definitely starting to show now.
Unlike the nobility, commoners couldn't spend a lot of money on adornment. Thus, they mainly wore undyed cotton, and clothes that weren't bleached white were naturally dull.
However, as the business of extracting and selling dyes from White Tulips succeeded, I sold the simpler colored dyes at significantly lower prices.
The nobility preferred diverse and rare colors anyway.
They were obsessed with pastel tones and practically went mad for gradations.
Since nobles didn't spare any expense on luxury goods, I just had to sell those at a high price.
Right. Commoners would want to make clothes out of those colorful fabrics too. People should be able to wear what they want to wear.
I leaned back against the carriage seat, feeling a sense of pride. Meanwhile, the carriage, which had been traveling diligently, arrived at the Imperial Palace a short while later.
“Welcome, Lady Tulia Frezier.”
The one who came to meet me was an attendant from the Empress’s Palace. Under his escort, I entered the garden of the Empress’s Palace.
“Ah. You’ve finally arrived. Welcome, Lady Tulia.”
Empress Carmi, who had been laughing while surrounded by noblewomen, saw me and offered me a seat.
“Tulia Frezier greets Her Majesty the Empress.”
“So formal. You must be tired from the journey.”
I bowed politely to the Empress and acknowledged the noblewomen with a nod before sitting in the chair the attendant pulled out for me.
A smartly dressed attendant poured fragrant tea with an orange hue into my cup.
I lifted the silver-white teacup to my lips.
“Lady Tulia. How is it? Is the tea to your liking?”
“It is very fragrant and wonderful, Your Majesty. The scent of the tea suits a bright spring day like today perfectly.”
Phew. Tulia. You’ve grown.
A kind and gentle smile on my lips, a voice that was shy yet lively, and fingertips as soft and supple as if I were grasping at a heat haze.
I had now reached the level where I could deal with the Empress of a nation while my mind was elsewhere.
Is it okay for a villainess like me to be this perfect?
Since the thought occurred to me, I checked my status window for the first time in a while.
[System: Status Window]
Tulia Frezier (17 years old)
Overall Rating: C
After all my hard work, my status window had become this wealthy.
Though that word ‘Pending’ is quite bothersome.
No matter how many coins I poured into Luck and Personality, or what I did, the word ‘Pending’ would appear, and the numerical value wouldn't rise.
What’s even stranger is the Beauty stat.
I hadn't invested any coins in Beauty.
But from a certain point, it started to rise on its own, or rather, the ‘Pending’ value rose and then became fixed like that.