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"Come to think of it, there were those clothing designers we recruited last time, weren't there?"
For months, she had been paying salaries to the designers she had recruited to thwart Leticia's business, without giving them any work.
"Then, shall we gather those designers and start a clothing business?"
Businesses have trends and limitations, so once they are somewhat established, it is difficult to maintain them by simply resting on one's laurels.
To continue the fame of the Farnese Duchy, it was time to expand into a new business.
And above all.
"If I dominate the clothing business, I can crush that Leticia's pride."
It was an opportunity to show that the Farnese Duchy's wealth was not due to her ability, but entirely to her own.
If that were the case, investors might re-evaluate her business acumen and invest again.
However, there was a critical problem.
"I need funds to start a new business..."
She was already juggling debts to pay immediate bills.
"Is there anywhere I can get money invested?"
Feidan frowned, thinking of the collateral branches and noble families she usually interacted with.
"To think I have to grovel to those guys with my dignity..."
She didn't like it.
Feidan, with her chin stroked and lost in thought, suddenly remembered someone.
"Yes, that person...!"
The next day.
The place Feidan was looking for was...
"The Grand Duke's residence is definitely on a different scale."
It was Zahir's Grand Duke residence.
Yesterday afternoon, Feidan remembered what Deon had said at the charity bazaar.
"If you ever need my help, come and find me anytime."
She heard that Deon lends money to people in difficult circumstances and charges interest.
He was a very suitable helper for Feidan, who needed money.
"It's a bit uncomfortable considering the matter with Leticia..."
Now, her anger towards Idris, who had taken Leticia away, was greater than her anger towards Deon, who had once courted Leticia.
Besides, Deon was royalty, so it seemed less damaging to her pride than asking for help from collateral branches or other noble families.
With that thought, she sent a letter requesting a meeting right away yesterday...
The reply came back last night.
[I happen to be free tomorrow, so come and visit.]
It seemed that Deon's words that he hoped for the victory of good were not false; it was a friendly reply.
Feidan, with anticipation, followed the butler into the drawing room.
Deon was waiting there.
"I thought it would be nice to meet you again, but I didn't expect to see you this soon."
"I remembered that Your Highness told me to contact you comfortably. I contacted you just in case, but I didn't expect you to accept so readily. Thank you."
"Those words weren't empty. Sit comfortably."
A pre-prepared tea was placed in Feidan's seat.
Deon moistened his throat and started the conversation first.
"Sorry to call you, but I have other plans for lunch. Can we get straight to the point of why you came to see me?"
"Ah, yes!"
Feidan put down the tea she had picked up without even taking a sip.
"Actually, I'm preparing a new business. But... as you might guess, investors have all backed out because of this."
"Oh dear. Those who aren't confident in their own judgment tend to be swayed by public opinion."
"Yes! They're people without any backbone! Who has been leading the Duchy until now, yet they're swayed by mere public opinion like women..."
Feidan, who had become excited and raised her voice when Deon took her side, realized her dignity late and calmed down.
"Anyway, so I need funds to proceed with the new business... I heard that Your Highness arranges large sums of money."
"So you need my help?"
"Yes... If possible, I'm asking you to help me."
Deon didn't answer immediately, but took his time, drinking tea.
Feidan watched him, placing her hand on her knee. Her hands were sweating from nervousness.
Deon was her last hope, and she was that desperate.
And finally, the answer came.
"I will help you."
"Are you really?"
"I said before, didn't I? I want a conclusion where the good triumph."
The color quickly returned to Feidan's face when she heard the answer she wanted.
"Thank you! Thank you, Your Highness!"
But Deon's words had a premise attached.
"Of course, I'm not a philanthropist either, so I don't intend to help while bearing only the risk."
"What do you mean...?"
"Pay interest for as many days as you borrow the money. Arranging a large amount of cash is a burden for me too."
Indeed, moving a large sum of cash was difficult.
That's why Feidan came to see Deon.
But even so, what made her hesitate about his proposal was...
'I heard that many people ruin themselves after borrowing money like this.'
As if reading Feidan's mind, Deon asked.
"Is there a reason to hesitate? Unless you're a moth flying into a flame for a business you're not even confident in."
At those words, Feidan trembled.
If she hesitated here, she would become a thoughtless person who borrows Deon's money and ventures into a shabby business.
Her towering pride ached as if it were piercing her.
'Either way, I have to repay the interest even if I borrow money from others, right?'
Feidan hardened her resolve with Deon's provocation and opened her mouth with determined eyes.
"I will accept Your Highness's proposal."
Without knowing that Deon's eyes were flashing eerily as he looked at her.
On the way to work at the boutique.
I heard news about my father from Wigg.
"I looked into Baron Cloel, and he left the capital by train yesterday morning."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I confirmed it with the station staff as well."
'What on earth is going on?'
I was relieved that he had left the capital, but at the same time, I couldn't shake off a sense of unease at his sudden change of attitude.
But there's no need to dig into what's going on and create trouble.
"Good work."
Soon the carriage arrived at the boutique.
As always, as we entered through the back door, Madam greeted us.
"Lady Leticia, Countess Florence's daughter has come to see you."
Along with the unexpected news.
"Countess Florence's daughter? Why...?"
Miss Lwen Florence.
None other than the lady who drank poison in the Imperial Palace.
She sent a letter of absence, saying that she needed to focus on recovery during the bazaar.
Seeing her come like this, it seemed that she had fully recovered.
"Prepare some cool dandelion tea."
"Not black tea?"
"Yes. Dandelion tea."
I asked Madam for tea and then entered the drawing room, leaving Wigg behind.
Then Lwen was startled and stood up from her seat.
"Duchess... Ah, no. Miss Cloel!"
"It's been a while, Miss Florence. Are you feeling better?"
"Thanks to you. Thank you so much."
Just as Lwen was about to say something more, an employee came in, put down the tea, and left.
Lwen tilted her head at the tea in front of her.
"Is this flower tea?"
"It's dandelion tea. I thought you'd like dandelion tea better."
The tea that Lwen drank at the Empress's tea party at the palace was black tea containing poison.
Even if she had fully recovered, the memory and fear of black tea would remain.
But rather, Lwen's eyes became watery.
'Um... Did my actions rather remind her of the trauma?'
I was wondering if I had done something unnecessary.
Lwen suddenly grabbed my hand.
"...Miss Florence?"
"Really, thank you so much. Miss Cloel. If it wasn't for you, I would be now..."
Tears dripped from her eyes.
I was flustered and just moved my lips.
I was always familiar with the social world's response, armed with pretense and adequate kindness, so sincere praise was unfamiliar and awkward.
"If you're so thankful, I'm embarrassed... Actually, helping you was more because if I ignored that moment, it would bother me for the rest of my life than for you."
"But despite that, there are people who ignore those moments. There are also people who intentionally create such moments."
There was anger in Lwen's eyes as she mentioned the latter.
I seemed to know who she was thinking of without even asking.
"Actually, I wanted to come and say thank you sooner, but I waited because it seemed like you were busy even after the bazaar. I thought I should say hello in person rather than by letter."
"Good job. I'm happy to see your face looking better."
Lwen, who seemed to have gained a strange confidence from my words, sparkled her eyes and continued to speak as she took something out.
"And I have another purpose..."
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