Chapter 87

With a gleam in my eye, I said naturally,

"Doesn't Charlotte like clothes?"

"She does, but making them is a different field, so it's a bit awkward."

"Charlotte would probably find clothes that suit me. She's good at finding the right colors!"

"Um... that's true, but..."

Jerritt answered hesitantly.

I seized the opportunity and continued,

"What color does your brother like?"

"I like blue."

"I like blue too! But the duke says red suits me well."

I said, gently holding the hem of my dress.

"Everyone has a color that suits them, it seems."

Then I chuckled.

Even though I was beating around the bush, my intention was clear.

It was this—

Once you figure out your 'personal color,' it's hard to escape.

No matter how much you like a color, it might not match your image.

In other words, finding the color that suits you can create a significant synergy.

"Demian said yellow and green were good, but they didn't suit him, so he was upset. It seems everyone has different colors that suit them."

Of course, there was no color that didn't suit Demian.

"Suitable colors... preferences..."

"And Ivana..."

The more I spoke, the more Jerritt's eyes sparkled.

I pressed on.

"It would be nice if we could see the colors that suit each person at a glance."

After a moment, Jerritt's Adam's apple bobbed.

"Why didn't I think of that?"

It was a murmur of enlightenment.

"Thank you so much, Miss Ellie. I just had another good idea. Would you like to hear it?"

"Can I be of help?"

I cautiously took a step back.

"I'm worried I might be a bother."

That way, the other person would be even more eager.

"What are you talking about! This is all Miss Ellie's idea."

Jerritt shook his head vigorously, giving me the response I had been waiting for.

"Um... if you say so..."

I smiled shyly.

"Even if I say it's lacking, please do your best."

A big opportunity was right in front of me.

* * *

Jerritt and I had many discussions.

The ironing and personal color diagnosis were new attempts that couldn't be found anywhere else.

So, the price was the issue.

There was no salon that offered color diagnosis, made clothes, and styled hair.

"Therefore, we shouldn't charge the same as traditional dressmakers."

I agreed with this thought.

However, we couldn't arbitrarily set a high price.

Experienced tailors and popular salons already had their regular customers.

People might come to check out a new salon out of curiosity, but if the price was too high, their interest wouldn't translate into steady visits.

"First, we need to attract new customers... the problem is how to do that."

Jerritt seemed frustrated, pulling at his hair.

A way to attract new customers while maintaining the salon's dignity.

'That leaves only one option.'

I sipped the cocoa Jerritt had given me and said naturally,

"There was a director at the orphanage I was in who had a terrible personality. He rarely gave us cocoa because it was expensive."

Jerritt frowned.

"How could he? What a despicable person."

Although my words might seem out of place, Jerritt listened attentively.

"Yes, he was a terrible person. He would say he'd try a new shop first and then decide, without paying. He was really—"

I suddenly covered my mouth, startled.

"Ah... I said too much."

I pretended to regret my words, looking dejected.

"But he was still a good person. He took us in when we had nowhere to go..."

"Oh, my goodness."

Jerritt shook his head sympathetically.

"Don't worry too much. He deserved to die."

"But..."

"What a kind heart you have... Here, have some more cake."

Jerritt placed another cake in front of me.

Although I felt guilty for bringing up a topic unrelated to me, I swallowed my thoughts along with the cake and said,

"But they would keep buying if they found it good after trying it once. So, he wasn't all bad."

"But he's still a despicable person. Using things for free and then deciding to buy... Wait."

Jerritt chuckled but then his expression hardened.

"...Free at first."

He fell silent, as if a thought had struck him.

I pretended to enjoy the cake while observing his reaction.

I borrowed the director's name, but what I wanted to suggest was this:

Offering free personal color diagnosis.

'In other words, a limited-time free diagnosis service.'

The opening of a new salon was a topic of interest among noble young ladies, so we had to seize this moment.

When customers come, Charlotte would first give them a free comparison of which colors suit their image.

Then, she would recommend clothes that match their suitable colors and personal style.

If it feels too much like a sales pitch, it will fail. She should just make a light recommendation and leave the choice to them.

'But once they see it with their own eyes, they'll keep thinking about it every time they choose clothes.'

The realization that a color doesn't suit them.

If they have a clear image of their own color in their mind, we're halfway there.

If they return, Flint would make and recommend clothes that match their suitable color, preferred fabric, atmosphere, and frequently worn styles.

'And finally, styling using the iron.'

Such detailed consulting has never been offered before, so customers will be satisfied.

Word of mouth would spread naturally, and we could switch to paid color diagnosis at the right time.

By then, the nobles wouldn't mind the cost. Everyone would want to try it.

'Then, naturally, people will flock here.'

Since it's not a formal clothing store, it would be nice for the young ladies to come together.

The young ladies who meet at the salon will discuss which colors suit each other and which clothes are pretty. If they find it interesting, the salon's image will improve naturally.

Plus, the coffee house on the first floor where they can chat for a long time.

'Game over.'

I hoped Jerritt would understand this...

I watched Jerritt with anxious eyes.

After a moment of deep thought, Jerritt spoke seriously.

"That method seems like a good idea for us to try."

'Great!'

I rejoiced inwardly.

"Offering free color diagnosis and then encouraging repeat visits. It's important to attract new customers first."

"Wow, that's a great idea!"

I chimed in, smiling widely.

Some people can't take a hint, but Jerritt would push forward once given an idea.

'Perfect.'

I smiled contentedly, then suddenly remembered something I had forgotten.

The most important people, Charlotte and Flint. They had had a big fight.

Despite the long time that had passed, they hadn't returned.

'Ugh. What should I do?'

First, I needed to make them reconcile. I looked at Jerritt with a worried face.

"Um, but Charlotte and Flint had a really bad fight..."

Although only Charlotte was suffering.

"I'm worried they might quit."

"Oh, don't worry about that."

However, Jerritt answered nonchalantly.

Ding!

At that moment, the clear sound of a bell rang as the door opened.

Charlotte entered the salon with a small envelope in her arms. She said, looking back,

"Put that there."

Flint, who followed, was clearly carrying heavy loads.

"Got it."

He moved the items without a change in expression.

"Thanks. You can rest now."

"Is there anything else to do?"

"No. You can rest."

Charlotte replied lightly and began inspecting the items.

Flint, who had nodded obediently, stepped back for a moment and then approached her again.

"I'll help too."

"I can do it alone."

"I want to help. Call me if you need anything."

Then he squatted next to Charlotte, waiting obediently.

It was like...

"In the academy, Flint's nickname was Doberman."

Yes, he's like a Doberman.

"Even after fights, they always reconciled, earning them the nickname 'inseparable partners.' Now that they've divided their tasks, they'll probably fight less."

"Hmm..."

"Still, friends are friends, it seems."

Jerritt chuckled, but I couldn't join in.

That wasn't friendship.

It was the unrequited love of a stubborn, clueless man.

A love that made even the onlookers feel uncomfortable.

'If that's friendship, I have no friends.'

Of course, I don't.

'If I had a female friend my age, I could bring her here.'

I sighed and sipped my cocoa.

Well, bringing Demian would work too.

* * *

A few days later.

The usually quiet alley was lined with people.

"The young lady is waiting. When can we go in?"

"Diagnosis takes a while. We have to wait."

The servants sighed deeply.

"What kind of place is it to be so popular?"

"Indeed. I've never seen a salon this crowded."

It was always the case that noble young ladies were interested when a new salon opened.

However, their interest never lasted long. Until now.

Until one young lady, who had visited the Jemuel Salon by chance, praised it to the skies.

"We have to go there ourselves. I can't describe it with words!"

Such enthusiastic praise for just a salon.

I would have just smiled and thought she had found a good tailor, but...

'The atmosphere seems different today. And what did she do with her hair?'

Is this also because of the salon? What could be in that salon? Her appearance sparked the young ladies' curiosity, and they eventually followed her.