CHAPTER 30
“You know His Majesty doesn’t have an heir right now.”
“That’s true, but… His Majesty is still in good health, and he has not just the Empress, but concubines and even consorts.”
“Right. The Emperor has more than a few women. But do any of them have children?”
“It is strange, honestly. The Barte royal family has always had trouble producing heirs, but it’s never been this bad.”
“Exactly. People are starting to get worried. If something were to suddenly happen to the Emperor…”
“Don’t say such ominous things.”
“No, I think it’s entirely possible. I’ve heard something recently — apparently His Majesty’s condition… might not be so good.”
The gossip that started with Kyle had spread all the way to concerns about the Emperor’s health.
A faint smile touched Everett’s lips as she quietly listened to the conversation.
“As expected of nobles — the amount and quality of information they have is astounding. I need to speed up the project.”
“Alright, alright, that’s enough now.”
Even harmless chatter could become problematic if it went too deep.
Realizing that discussing the Grand Duke’s marriage and the Emperor’s health were two very different matters, Lady Charlet stepped in to put a stop to it.
She walked with Everett to see her out.
“It’s always nice, but today’s session was especially good, Miss Naz. I think everyone found the new format refreshing.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried you might be upset since I changed the approach without saying anything.”
“Oh, of course not!”
Lady Charlet waved her hands animatedly.
“Talking together like this really made everyone feel more connected. So, Miss Naz…”
She drew out Everett’s name in a sweet tone.
“About that thing you’re planning — instead of going through the trouble of doing it yourself, how about continuing to do it here like today? I’ll take care of everything so you don’t have to worry.”
The noblewomen’s gatherings had started at Lady Charlet’s suggestion.
But Everett had no intention of remaining her guest indefinitely.
“She must’ve realized the vibe among the ladies has definitely changed because of the tarot cards.”
It would be easier to leave everything to Lady Charlet.
But if she did that, Lady Charlet would remain the host, and Everett would always be just a guest.
After several gatherings, Everett had come up with a new business idea:
Naz Salon.
The most common question the ladies asked her was about Ice Kuna.
Ice Kuna was only sold at Marcia’s shop in the capital.
Though originally a drink for commoners, noblemen often visited just to enjoy Ice Kuna.
Some daring noblewomen had also been seen entering Kuna, but such cases were rare.
Everett thought: What if there were a space where they could drink Kuna freely?
If she created a members-only secret club, she wouldn’t be a guest anymore — she’d be the owner.
“Miss Naz? Hmm? Stay with me on this, please.”
Once again, Lady Charlet tried to dissuade her from opening her own salon.
And that only confirmed to Everett that her instincts were right.
The day Everett decided to create the Naz Salon, she explained her plan to Marcia.
“I’m going to open a members-only club where noblewomen can drink Ice Kuna comfortably while getting tarot readings.”
“Hm, I get what you’re planning. But where exactly would this be? Surely not here. And your tarot shop is too small, isn’t it?”
“I’m going to buy the two buildings next to the tavern.”
“Those run-down ones?”
That corner of the plaza was filled with old buildings.
Marcia had done some minor renovations for the tarot shop, but most shops in the area remained untouched.
The popularity of Ice Kuna had briefly boosted business in the area.
But not enough to bring lasting synergy. Some shops opened for a few months, only to shut down again.
The buildings next to the tavern were among them.
“But why buy both? Why not just one?”
One of the buildings was a single-story wooden house, and the other was a two-story structure.
Both had basements.
“I’ll turn the first floor of the one next door into a workspace for making Kuna. You’ve always said the kitchen was too cramped.”
“Oh, well, yes, I did say that…”
Marcia made Ice Kuna in a small room next to the kitchen.
When sales were low, the space had been manageable.
But with demand increasing, she practically lived in the workshop.
She had wished for more space but never seriously considered changing things.
Everett’s suggestion brought a smile to her face.
“With a bigger workshop, you’ll be able to produce a lot more Kuna — and it’ll be less work for you too.”
“Thank you, miss. I was only daydreaming about it… So, what about the other building?”
“The first floor will be a shop selling accessories. The second floor will be my tarot shop and personal library.”
“Oh, so are you going to close the current tarot shop inside Kuna?”
Marcia felt oddly sad, even though expanding meant success.
Of course, Everett understood her feelings.
“There are more customers at Kuna now. You should take back that space and use it more fully.”
“Well, that would be nice…”
Marcia gave a hollow chuckle.
“Will you use the basements as storage? Those two buildings were originally one, so the basements are probably connected.”
“Exactly. That’s why I want both buildings.”
“Because of the basement?”
“Yes. I’m going to decorate it more luxuriously than any noble mansion’s. And there, noblewomen and ladies can drink Ice Kuna.”
Of everything Everett had ever said, this sounded the most ridiculous.
Still, Marcia knew Everett never spoke thoughtlessly.
That’s why she silently listened.
A secret club in a basement where noblewomen drink Ice Kuna?
Marcia felt a sudden headache and downed a glass of cold water.
Everett chuckled quietly at her reaction.
“I knew you’d be surprised. Sounds a little crazy, right?”
“No, not crazy… just something I’ve never even imagined, so it’s hard to picture.”
It made sense.
There were already more than enough social clubs for nobles.
The plaza’s main strip had several clubs for young nobles.
Some were open to all, others ran in strict secrecy.
But none were exclusively for women.
“Miss, is that Lady Charlet giving you a hard time? Wouldn’t it be easier to let her host and just keep going comfortably?”
“That would be fine, but in that case, I’m always just a guest. It may seem like I’m at the center, but I don’t actually have any control.”
Finally, Marcia started to understand Everett’s thinking.
“When I talk with the ladies, I can tell they’re all looking for a place where they can relax and talk freely. Tea parties are just… tense. Everyone’s constantly watching each other.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
“That’s why I’ll make a salon that only invited members can enter. The small size is a perfect excuse to limit entry.”
Marcia let out a short laugh.
“And there’ll be a rule — everyone must wear the same color dress and a mask.”
“Masks? What is this, a masquerade ball?”
A hidden space underground.
Where you don’t reveal who you are and don’t ask who anyone else is.
In a quiet, secretive salon, they’d enjoy a rare moment of freedom.
“I’ve already ordered pewter cups from Pan. Not the large tavern mugs — elegant, teacup-sized ones.”
“You know… this might actually be a brilliant business. So now Ice Kuna will be the signature drink for both men and women?”
Marcia burst into laughter.
Once she understood something, her drive was unmatched.
Soon after hearing Everett’s plan, she bought the buildings and began renovations.
As Everett continued her tarot consultations, she casually dropped hints about the Naz Salon.
As planned, noblewomen who caught wind of the rumor grew curious.
A place where they could drink Ice Kuna without concern for anyone’s gaze.
A secret club where they could always meet Tarot Master Naz.
It was more appealing than any other gathering.
Although requests to join flooded in, Everett had already decided who the first members would be.
“Welcome.”
One of them arrived a little earlier than the others.
She wore the black dress and mask as instructed, but her prominent cheekbones made it clear she was Lady Charlet.
Wearing a slightly sour smile, she approached Everett.
“Miss Naz, I could have arranged a much nicer place for you… Why go through the trouble of doing your salon in a basement like this?”
