Chapter 88

"Would you like to come in?"

Finally, it was her turn. A lady accompanied by a servant entered together.

Usually, when one enters a salon, a woman called 'madam' would welcome them, but...

"Would you like to sit here first?"

The one who greeted her was a woman with blue hair, and she looked to be about her age.

'What? Is she the madam?'

Despite her confusion, she obediently sat in front of the mirror.

"Excuse me."

Charlotte, after a brief greeting, brought a bunch of colorful fabrics.

"Then, I will start the diagnosis."

She began comparing and placing the fabrics on her body.

"This color suits you better."

"It matches the atmosphere well."

"This one doesn't bring out your charm. How about this color?"

"It's much better. Your complexion looks brighter."

Charlotte spoke earnestly about various things.

She was familiar with the flattery of tailors and salons, but...

'Oh? It's really true?'

Charlotte's words were indeed true.

Her complexion changed with different colors. Her sickly face looked much brighter, and her cold demeanor turned into a unique chill.

'The difference is so noticeable with each color.'

Seeing the difference, her interest naturally grew.

"The diagnosis is complete."

"Huh? Already?"

She was surprised.

She had been so engrossed in the change in her complexion that she hadn't properly heard what was said.

'I don't even remember what was said!'

Seeing her anxious face, Charlotte smiled gently.

"The free color diagnosis is only until today, but based on the data just now, I can recommend clothes that suit you."

"Oh, really?"

Her eyes sparkled.

"Please recommend them. In great detail, for a long time!"

"Then, please follow me this way."

Charlotte guided her. Inside, Flint was waiting for another customer.

Despite his fierce appearance, he obediently bowed at Charlotte's gesture.

"Hmm. Understood."

He answered mechanically and brought in a bunch of clothes.

Charlotte, with a capitalist smile, said while dressing her up.

"Lady, this outfit suits you much better. A slightly clearer yellow. I think you should avoid colors with a brownish tint."

"Oh, really!"

"Additionally, adding white will make you look even more radiant."

As Charlotte said, it was true. Amazed, she clapped her hands and her eyes sparkled.

She thought she would listen carefully to everything this time, but when she came to her senses, the clothing recommendation was already over.

'I don't remember anything she said this time either.'

There was only one solution.

"I want to buy all the outfits you just showed me."

Just buy them all.

With a clear answer, Charlotte smiled more brightly than ever.

"We keep records of all our customers' preferences, so if you need any help, please let us know anytime."

On the way back to the mansion in the carriage, she suddenly realized something and felt a bit regretful.

'She said she would also touch my hair.'

She had been so focused on the clothes that she had forgotten about the other things.

'I can't. I'll have to go again next time.'

She thought it would be even better if she went with other young ladies.

She remembered there was a coffee house on the first floor.

It would be fun to wait on the first floor, catch the young ladies coming out of the salon, and chat with them, saying, "How was it? This place is really great, isn't it?"

She hummed a cheerful tune.

A few days passed.

Enough time for the interest in the newly opened salon to wane, but the popularity of the Jemyel Salon showed no signs of decreasing.

* * *

A few days later.

I hummed a tune. It was a song that flowed from my heart.

The Jemyel Salon was one of the popular topics among young ladies these days.

Although the free color diagnosis period had ended, the salon was still lined with people.

The line was so long that the coffee house was also packed with people.

The iron that Jerit made was also very popular. Several people asked why it wasn't for sale.

'But not yet.'

It would be more effective to sell it after the word of mouth spread a bit more. If it hit the market, other merchants would surely follow suit.

However, the real reason for the iron's success was Charlotte.

No matter how good the iron was, it was just a hot object in the hands of someone clumsy.

'So I have to wait until Charlotte's skills are more widely known.'

Hee hee. I was happily swinging my legs in the air when...

"Eli."

At the familiar voice, I snapped back to reality.

The duke was looking at me with a skewed expression.

'Right, I was having dessert with the duke.'

I had been so distracted by the thought of making a fortune that I had forgotten.

"Mouth."

"......"

Actually, it was more accurate to say that he was forcing it into my mouth rather than eating together...

'But it's delicious, so I'll let it slide.'

I obediently opened my mouth. The muffin, topped with a generous amount of whipped cream, was hard to fit in one bite.

The duke clicked his tongue.

"Even a sparrow would eat more neatly than you."

Still, he carefully wiped my mouth with a handkerchief.

"Damian."

At my call, Damian, who was sitting beside me, looked up.

"Why aren't you eating?"

"Huh?"

"You haven't touched anything."

The desserts in front of Damian were untouched.

'What's wrong with a kid who loves sweets?'

"Eat up. Come on."

I extended the macaron in front of me. Damian hesitated a bit.

"Hmm."

Then the duke tilted his head with a playful look.

"As far as I know, Damian doesn't like sweets-"

"It must be delicious, Eli."

Damian bit into the macaron before the duke finished speaking.

"How is it? Is it good?"

"Yep."

Damian nodded with a smile.

'So cute.'

I smiled and pinched his soft cheek.

"Your taste must have changed."

The duke muttered to himself with a smile.

"Your Highness."

At that moment, Franz entered.

"What is it?"

"A letter has arrived for Your Highness."

Franz's expression seemed a bit dark.

Something was definitely up. I quickly glanced at the letter in his hand.

One letter was blank, and the other had...

The royal seal.

'So it's here.'

I swallowed the rest of what was in my mouth, but it felt like my throat was blocked.

The duke glanced at the letter in Franz's hand and said indifferently,

"Burn it."

Then he brought another cookie to my mouth.

"Y-Your Highness!"

Ante, who was behind, waved her hands in surprise.

"Shouldn't you at least read it?"

"It's just going to be full of sarcastic remarks. Why bother?"

The duke's voice was filled with irritation.

But who burns a letter from the royal family...

It wasn't from a noble family, and their relationship wasn't good. There must be a reason for it.

'I have to read it.'

Having made up my mind, I tightly closed my mouth. The duke, noticing my closed mouth, asked curiously,

"Are you full?"

"......"

I shook my head silently.

My mouth remained tightly closed.

"Alright then."

His gaze fell on the letter in Franz's hand. The duke furrowed his brow.

"Reading it won't do any good."

He moved his hand, signaling to finish and eat this, but I kept my mouth tightly shut.

"Are you on a hunger strike?"

"......"

The duke let out a slow breath.

"I have no choice."

He gestured, and Franz handed over the letter.

Without needing a paper knife, the duke casually tore the seal and opened the letter.

"......What is this?"

The duke muttered with a blank expression.

What is it, what is it.

I quickly leaned forward and scanned the content.

'Hmm...'

I couldn't help but think the same as the duke.

Although it had the royal seal, the sender was the empress.

It read:

[Congratulations on your marriage. It's a great pity that we couldn't offer our congratulations from the royal family due to our circumstances.

I would like to invite you to the royal palace to make up for the missed congratulations.

I hear that your beloved ones have not yet held their debutante ball.

On the day the sun is highest, a debutante ball will be held at the royal palace.

We plan to invite other young ladies from noble families as well, so I believe it will be helpful for your entry into society to meet them in advance.]