IWBQ 24

Chapter 24

. A Sincere Piece of Advice
2023.08.24.

“Lady Iris’s influence in society was simply too great. And women’s voices carried tremendous weight in politics as well.”

A force was needed to keep Iris in check within the social circle.
Ellis chose Jasmine as both the starting point and the center of that force.

She had invested no small amount of money, but was confident she would gain far more in return.

“When I met with Karan at the café…”

She had seen the desires flickering in the eyes of the women.

“There’s no way this can fail.”

That very day, Ellis went around the square and bought up all the failing general stores.

The signs hung by loose screws, the display counters were covered in dust—just the sort of places clearly on the brink of collapse.

Shops so obscure that even searching her memory, she had never once heard of them.

They were the kind of gift one would be embarrassed to present.

Jasmine, perhaps realizing this, only blinked her wide eyes in silence.

“Is this not enough? Should I have gone into debt for it?”

Since she had acted on impulse, even if Jasmine refused, she had no excuse.

“If it’s not enough…”

Ellis laid her hand on the envelope, pulling it back toward her.

“No!”

As though waking from a dream, Jasmine’s body trembled, and she slapped her hand down on the envelope with a thump.

“No, it’s wonderful! So wonderful that… my heart nearly stopped. What, this is really my own business space? This is an incredible gift. Honestly, may I accept it? Mother and my sister always scolded me for making a mess at home. They kept pestering me, so I was about to find a studio soon… This is such a blessing. Shabby? Inadequate? To me, it’s overflowing!”

Was Jasmine always this talkative? Ellis stared at her, bewildered, and slowly pulled her hand away from the envelope.

Jasmine quickly snatched up the envelope and eagerly checked the contract.

Without being asked, she requested a pen from Regina.

“I’ll give you fifty percent of the profits.”

Her words, spoken while seriously reading the contract, startled Ellis.

“Jasmine, there’s no need for that. This is purely a gift—”

But Jasmine raised her hand to silence Ellis—just as Ellis herself had done earlier.

“I want to stay on good terms with you for a long time, Ellis. That means I can’t owe you anything. Even gifts must stay within a reasonable range.”

Her reasoning made sense.

Still, fifty percent was far too much. After all, the only thing Ellis had done was advance Jasmine’s fame a little earlier than it might have come.

“If that’s how you feel, then I’ll accept. But taking fifty percent of your sales is unthinkable. As you said, if we’re to stay in each other’s lives for long, neither of us should be at a loss.”

“Then what should we do?”

“Let’s discuss it now. A way where both you and I benefit.”

“Bu… siness talk?”

“Yes, exactly. Business talk.”

Jasmine’s skin prickled with goosebumps.

Business! That would make me… a businesswoman!

It had been a vague dream since childhood.

She had always imagined selling the things she made.

But it was a dream she could never share with anyone.

Once, she confided in her sister—only to be ridiculed.

“You? A parasite dreaming such nonsense? You think you’ll make money? With those shabby little trinkets of yours? Just behave and marry off quietly. The only thing you’ll ever contribute is one less mouth to feed—though who knows if anyone would even want you.”

The wound from those words had forced Jasmine to bury her dream, never letting it show.

And yet, Ellis had recognized that dream first—and even given her a chance to make it real.

What made her happiest was realizing that Ellis’s expectations weren’t just empty fantasies.

The overwhelming response to her hair clips had already restored her broken self-esteem in an instant.

“Yes, let’s talk business.”

Seeing Jasmine’s eyes grow moist, Ellis handed her a handkerchief she had embroidered herself.

That day, the two shared a handkerchief, a mutual trust, and a glimpse of the glory awaiting them in the future.

After parting ways with Ellis, Jasmine floated home as though walking on clouds.

She clutched the contract they had signed to her chest like a treasure.

Even while holding it, she couldn’t quite believe it—so every now and then she stopped in her tracks to check again.

Not wanting anyone to see her like this, she firmly declined Ellis’s offer to escort her.

“I’m far too giddy on my own. It’s embarrassing. I wanted to show Ellis a more mature side.”

Now that they were both friends and business partners, she wanted to appear dependable.

To grin foolishly, all muscles slackened in joy, felt a little too childish to show today.

“I must restrain myself. We signed a contract, after all.”

She cleared her throat and composed her expression in the hallway before moving on.

“Excuse me.”

Suddenly, Iris appeared before her.

“Good evening.”

Iris smiled like an angel. At her breathtaking beauty, Jasmine forgot her attempt at composure and gaped.

“Ah… hello.”

Iris had always been an inspiration for Jasmine.

Not that she personally liked her—but Iris was undeniably beautiful.

Many of Jasmine’s creations had been made with Iris in mind as the imagined wearer.

A dream, a fantasy—since Iris had always ignored her existence.

And now, Iris was speaking to her. Jasmine wondered if she was dreaming and bit her tongue discreetly.

The sharp sting proved it was no dream, making her wince.

“Did I startle you by approaching suddenly? My apologies.”

Iris, apologizing? Jasmine now felt uneasy.

“What brings you here?”

“You’re Jasmine, aren’t you? The one who makes the hair clips.”

“Yes, I am Jasmine.”

She said my name.

Jasmine’s voice trembled.

“You look busy, so I’ll be quick. Jasmine, could you make one for me too?”

Startled, Jasmine hugged the contract tighter.

Iris wants my work? At this rate, I might just die of happiness today.

All her wishes were coming true in a single day.

She swallowed hard and asked,

“How much will you pay me?”

“You’re asking me… to pay? You want me to buy a hair clip?”

Iris repeated the question as if the thought had never crossed her mind.

“If you want my work, of course you must pay. There’s the cost of materials, my time—my own investment goes into it.”

“Oh my, Jasmine… you really don’t know how society works, do you?”

Nothing could be further from the truth. Jasmine admired society, and knew it better than most.

“I am Iris Wharton. Do you understand what that means?”

Iris smiled dazzlingly.

Her crescent-moon eyes were enchanting.

She stepped closer, pretending to smooth Jasmine’s dress.

“If I wear your hair clip, it will become famous. You’ll earn ten times more than if I paid you directly now.”

And Iris had reason for confidence.

Every gown, every hat ornament she had worn had gone on to set trends.

“You’ll give it to me, won’t you?”

Hearing the woman she admired make such a gentle request began to unlock the bars Jasmine had just managed to set around her heart.

Her fists clenched—and the contract crinkled with a rustle.

That sound jolted her back to her senses.

“Jasmine, when Iris comes asking for your goods, I want you to refuse her exactly three times.”

Ellis’s very first request.

Jasmine had agreed easily, never imagining Iris would actually come to her.

And yet, here they were.

Without hesitation, Jasmine replied,

“Forgive me, but no. Too many others are waiting already. I must go now.”

Unfamiliar as she was with rejecting others, Jasmine didn’t wait for Iris’s response—she hurried out of Wharton House.

Even inside the carriage, her mind spun. Too much had happened in a single day.

“Forgive me, but no. Too many others are waiting already. I must go now.”

Ellis had watched Jasmine’s rejection unfold in real time.

It was quite a show.

“What? Busy? Too many waiting? Has she gone mad? Does she even know who I am?”

Iris, who had never once imagined being refused, shrieked in outrage.

And shouting wasn’t enough—she stomped the floor and tore at her own hair.

One by one, her expensive ornaments clattered to the ground.

She then stomped on them, crushing them underfoot.

“Hair clips? Who needs such trifles! That pig thinks a silly knack with her hands makes her better than me? Daring to scorn me, Iris Wharton!”

How could anyone love themselves this much?

Her unwavering belief in her own greatness was, at least, impressive.

Still fuming, Iris stormed back to her room.

Her furious aftermath was quickly cleaned away by her servants.

Ellis waited until the hallway was pristine again before turning away.

Iris had no tolerance for things not going her way.

Thus, she grew easily agitated, quick to rage, quick to vent—without realizing such behavior only worsened matters.

Ellis unfolded Jasmine’s handkerchief.

As she peeled apart the dried blood stuck to it, a sting of pain shot through her.

“Your temper will ruin you.”

Staring at the embroidered handkerchief, Ellis muttered,

“At this rate, you’ll lose everything. Please, think for once, sister. If you collapse too soon, the game won’t be any fun for me.”

The advice she whispered into the air was, indeed, sincere.

Winter had finally ended.

The gloomy chill had lifted, and the New Year’s festivities began to celebrate spring’s arrival.

In Bedroca, when the Month of Sowing came, a three-day festival was held.

During this time, the royal palace hosted banquets for dignitaries from across the continent.

But these gatherings went far beyond eating, drinking, and merrymaking.

If one hundred people attended, then one hundred separate agendas were at play.

The curtain was rising on the kind of banquet where indulging carelessly meant losing everything.