Chapter 59
The Harem Palace.
Empress Marianne was in high spirits that morning, humming a tune as she sipped her tea.
It had been the most pleasant morning she’d had in a while.
“I hear the Grand Duchess’s cosmetics shop burned down. Such a pity.”
“They say the maids at the Grand Duchy have been groveling since early morning trying to soothe her fury.”
“Of course. Queens was the Grand Duchess’s prized business venture. Now that it’s completely gone up in flames, imagine how she must feel.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“Pour me another cup, the tea tastes especially good today.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As her teacup was being refilled, her beloved son Serhi entered the room.
“Mother.”
“Come in, Serhi.”
“Mother, today my teacher praised me, saying my mana sword has grown even stronger.”
“Oh my, really?”
“Yes, the magic stone you gave me was very effective.”
Looking proud, Empress Marianne patted Serhi’s head.
“Keep training diligently, that is how you’ll grow stronger.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Marianne hugged him tightly, stroking his hair with affection.
He was so precious to her that she would gladly give him the very best of everything.
The stronger Serhi grew, the greater his influence would become.
News of Queens Cosmetics burning to the ground spread quickly, shaking high society in the capital.
“Have you heard? Queens Cosmetics was completely destroyed by a fire!”
“I saw it myself. I was out late last night and saw the city guards rushing about to put out the blaze. Turns out it was Queens Cosmetics.”
“Can you believe it? Who would dare set fire to the Grand Duchess’s business?”
“More pressing is—where are we supposed to buy our cosmetics now?”
In the capital of Camel, all cosmetic shops had either been bought out or crushed by Queens. Queens was the only option.
“This is terrible. I just ran out of my cosmetics…”
“No choice but to travel out to the provinces and buy from the branches there.”
Queens Cosmetics had branch stores in several provincial cities across the empire.
Now that the main store had burned down, the noble ladies of the capital had no choice but to rely on those branches.
“I don’t think you’ll need to travel.”
At that moment, a lady entered with fresh gossip.
“I hear a new cosmetics shop is about to open right across from where Queens used to be.”
“Oh my, really?”
“Yes, I saw it myself. They’re doing interior renovations. It should open soon.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. I’ll have to visit once it opens.”
The noble ladies, disappointed by Queens’ destruction, quickly shifted their interest to the news of this new shop.
Elia held Jasper’s hands.
“Sis, you’ll do great, right?”
“Of course, my lady. Leave it to me. After all, these are the cosmetics I created myself.”
“Of course I trust you. But if anything happens, you must contact me right away, understood?”
“Got it. Now please let go of my hands, or I won’t be able to get on the carriage.”
“Oh, sorry.”
As soon as Elia let go, Felix immediately wrapped Jasper in a tight hug.
“Sweetheart, how will I survive without you?”
“Stop whining and focus on helping this business succeed.”
“Of course. How could I ever let the shop my darling manages fail? I’ll make sure to send only the finest-quality cosmetics.”
“Thank you, Felix.”
“Sis, hurry up and get in the carriage.”
Elia had to pry Felix off Jasper—otherwise, he would’ve gone on forever with his displays of affection.
She had known for some time that the two were a couple, but she hadn’t expected them to flaunt it so openly.
“Try to restrain yourselves in front of children, will you?”
At Alexis’s remark, Felix only waved gloomily.
Jasper, smiling warmly, climbed into the carriage and waved through the window as it departed.
Felix didn’t move until the carriage was completely out of sight.
“Let’s go already, mister.”
When Elia tugged at his sleeve, Felix spun around with sudden determination.
“My lady, once this business succeeds, know that I’m taking a vacation with Jasper.”
“You’ll get your vacation. But first you’d better work hard to make this business succeed. Isn’t that right?”
“Of course. I’ll work my hardest so we can go on that trip.”
His eyes burned with conviction—Felix was determined to win that vacation.
Elia found it promising.
It meant he’d work diligently, motivated by Jasper.
She could make the most of his talents that way.
Using outstanding talent to its fullest was always a joy.
[Elly, you’re wicked.]
Even Gaji admitted it.
Elia didn’t deny it.
Across from the burned-down Queens Cosmetics, a new shop called Beautiful Line opened its doors.
Fortune was on their side.
With Queens gone, all the customers flocked straight to Beautiful Line.
Elia launched with an opening event—free samples for everyone.
The result was a smash hit.
Customers who tried the samples were so impressed that they lined up to buy the full products.
The shop sold out daily after opening, with its skincare line flying off the shelves.
The ingredients were high quality, the fragrances delightful, and even the packaging was luxurious—capturing the noble ladies’ hearts instantly.
“Isn’t this so pretty?”
“This one too, just gorgeous.”
These were cosmetics you could proudly carry in your bag without shame.
“Queens’ packaging always looked clunky, but this is beautiful.”
“And the unicorn decoration on the cap—so lovely!”
“It really makes Queens pale in comparison.”
A fresh wave of cosmetic fever swept through high society.
In her office, Elia beamed as she reviewed the sales reports Jasper had sent her.
“This is huge. Absolutely huge.”
Seeing her grinning nonstop, Alexis finally commented.
“Elly, looks like you’ve made a fortune, huh?”
Elia smirked and handed him the report.
“Look at this—it’s insane.”
“Impressive. Who knew cosmetics could be this popular?”
“For young ladies and noblewomen, cosmetics are essential. Until now, Queens monopolized the market, but now their store’s gone up in flames.”
“So all the customers flocked to the new shop.”
“Exactly. It’s all luck—pure luck!”
“True enough. By coincidence, your rival suffered a disaster…”
Elia narrowed her eyes at him.
“Duke, don’t tell me you’re feeling sorry for Queens Cosmetics?”
“Uh…”
“That shop belongs to the Grand Duchess. There’s no reason to pity them, understood?”
“Alright, I get it.”
“To establish ourselves in the capital, we must overcome such rivals. We can’t afford weak sentiments.”
Alexis, though unmatched in martial ability, was not particularly skilled at politics.
“We have to become the top nobles in the capital.”
High society in the capital was a battlefield.
Without power and money, one couldn’t even set foot there.
Influence was everything—without it, you weren’t even worth a word.
Complete disregard.
And that was humiliation.
“Just trust me, Duke.”
“That’s reassuring, Elly.”
“You’re not good at politics yet, so if you’re unsure, ask me.”
“I will, Elly.”
Elia knew Alexis wasn’t cut out for political strife, so she intended to support him.
‘The capital doesn’t understand how vital the North is. They don’t realize their comfort rests on our shoulders.’
It wouldn’t hurt to teach them.
To show the nobles of the capital that without the North, they too would crumble.
Only then would they stop underestimating it.
[Elly, your fighting spirit’s blazing today.]
‘Of course. I’m going to show the capital’s nobles what we’re made of.’
Gaji shook his head.
“Elly, let’s head to your self-defense training.”
That day, Alexis had morning affairs to attend to in the office, so their usual training session had been postponed until after lunch.
