Chapter 23
“Why?”
“Well, this is a secret, but I’ll tell only you, my lady. You’re someone special to our salon now!”
“I won’t tell anyone. Go ahead.”
“It’s really a secret! Apparently, the head of the salon that the Doltan Duchy frequents is an old friend of mine, and according to her, the duchy is desperately pushing the young lady to become the crown princess.”
“Really?”
“Yes! Even when choosing clothes at the salon, they’re told to find out the Crown Prince’s taste. And—this is a top-tier secret—the Duchess apparently slapped the young lady over the matter. And since you became ‘Young Lady of the Year’… well, the Duchess even made a scene at the salon about that too. Do you know those three girls always around the duke’s daughter?”
“Oh, I know them.”
“Those three were assigned to her by the Duchess herself. I hear it’s due to some complicated internal family issues, but my friend calls the duke’s daughter a ‘living doll.’ A doll who can’t say a word.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes! She even said she enjoyed the last meal together.”
Responding to Lady Deliver’s question, Bellia smiled brightly, shaking off her wandering thoughts.
Gasps escaped from the other ladies’ lips.
Well, the letter wasn’t a love confession or a date proposal or anything like that—it was just asking if she’d like to meet again since the last meal had been enjoyable.
And in a tone you’d use with a friend, he’d also asked if she was curious about anything regarding Carlton.
Bellia accepted the invitation without feeling pressured.
‘While I’m there, I’ll try bringing up the academy.’
Bellia smiled sweetly at the other young ladies who now looked at her with fresh interest.
Spreading such rumors wouldn’t hurt—it would only help her social standing.
“What is she, anyway?”
“…His Highness the Crown Prince is a very kind person. That must be why.”
For the first time, the Doltan young lady opened her mouth.
Her voice was calm and her expression unchanged.
In contrast, the three girls seated beside her had turned pale.
“Yes, I think so too. He was a lot more considerate than I expected. He even poured the tea himself, you know.”
That part was actually true.
Just recently, these same ladies had been gossiping about the Crown Prince like he was cursed, and now they were turning it into a fairy tale.
As their eyes filled with admiration and turned toward her, Bellia smiled serenely.
“Oh, right. My family is planning a tea party in a few weeks—would any of you like to come?”
“A tea party?”
“Yes. I thought I’d host one to celebrate becoming this year’s ‘Young Lady of the Year.’”
“Oh right, congratulations, Lady Bellia. I meant to congratulate you back then…”
“Oh, thank you, even if it’s a bit late. And you probably already heard, but our family took over the textile business, so we’ll likely be discussing that at the tea party too.”
“By that you mean…”
“I get it! Oh my, then maybe we’ll even get to see gowns as beautiful as the one you wore as Young Lady of the Year!”
“Lady Saroni, don’t get your hopes too high.”
“My lady, may I be invited as well?”
The Doltan group had been entirely excluded from the conversation.
Bellia, now the Young Lady of the Year and receiving invitations from the Crown Prince, had completely overshadowed the Doltan young lady. The other girls’ eyes sparkled as they looked at her.
A new center of social power had just emerged—separate from the Doltan Duchy.
“Do something!”
Lady Deliver stomped her feet as she watched Bellia take complete control of the situation.
“You’re just going to let this happen?”
“And what do you suggest I do?”
“Canaria Doltan!”
“It’s not wise to call me like that in public. Deliver, don’t act recklessly.”
Lady Deliver flinched at the icy violet gaze.
“I’m only trying to give you advice.”
“You’re neither in the position nor of the status to do so.”
“If the Duchess finds out…”
“If she hears you called me by name at a tea party, I doubt you’ll get off unscathed either.”
“You…”
Lady Pio, standing nearby, gently consoled the stammering Deliver.
Ignoring them, Canaria calmly sipped her tea as she gazed at Bellia.
‘What is she up to?’
With curious eyes, Canaria watched Bellia until the tea party ended.
* * *
“Oh!”
“Do you like it?”
The final version had arrived, with all the flaws of the prototype corrected.
Bellia picked up the bag and examined it from all angles under the light.
On top of black leather, the tightly set diamonds sparkled dazzlingly—just looking at it was mesmerizing.
On top of that, it was lightweight enough that nobles could carry it easily with one hand.
“I love it.”
At Bellia’s words, Master Dorito, the workshop head, beamed with pride.
“You do?”
“Yes. What about the rest of the bags?”
Bellia glanced at the other bags behind Dorito.
They had the same basic structure but used different kinds, sizes, and colors of gemstones.
“Ah, the jewelers we work with had some delays in gem supply, so those are on hold for now.”
“I see. Just make sure everything’s on schedule. Did you show this one to Henri?”
“Yes, of course!”
“Good. Then she’ll handle matching it with the dress.”
Bellia nodded, satisfied.
The bag in her hands would be the first to debut at the upcoming tea party.
“It really is pretty.”
It looked even better in reality than she’d imagined.
Just holding something so sparkly lifted her mood.
“So, do you like the workshop?”
“Oh, yes! Absolutely!”
Dorito, in a stiff suit that he still wasn’t quite used to, fiddled with the hem and answered politely.
The workshop, which used to be dusty and cramped, had become as clean and upscale as any high-end salon.
Dorito watched Bellia closely, tense as she examined the unfinished bags.
At first, he’d treated her request as just another commission.
But even with the limited care he’d put into it, that one bag had changed his life.
The workshop, once filled with grimy tools and crowded workers, had now become part of the prestigious “Bellia Bags.”
The environment wasn’t the only thing that changed—the wages, treatment, and working conditions were now incomparable.
When signing the contract, the one thing this young lady had requested was:
‘Craftsmanship.’
She wanted perfection and care over speed.
In all his decades of work, Dorito had never found such joy in his craft.
When he poured his heart into his work, the compensation followed.
“We’ve assigned knights to the workshop, but you should always be careful with security.”
“Yes, we’re being cautious!”
“Good. I’ll come by again once the other bags are finished.”
Bellia smiled warmly and turned around.
“Shall we?”
Today, she wasn’t alone.
A robed figure, thoroughly hiding their appearance, nodded.
‘Who could that be?’
Seeing Bellia speak so politely, Dorito tilted his head slightly—then quickly bowed deeply.
* * *
“So? Now are you convinced?”
“That’s impressive. How did you even come up with it?”
As they walked through the bustling streets, Bellia adjusted her robe again.
“That’s a secret. But more importantly, what did you think? How do you think people in the royal family will react when they receive them as gifts? Her Majesty the Empress, or the concubines?”
“Hmm…”
Alendo stroked his chin and thought back to the bag they’d just seen.
“As luxury goods?”
“Yes.”
“Who would refuse something that sparkles with jewels like that? Especially considering the relationship with the maritime kingdom of Kufa—it’s a fine product. They won’t say no.”
At his words, Bellia broke into a big smile.
“Right?”
Before debuting the bag at the tea party, she was preparing some to give as gifts to members of the royal family.
Just as important as launching the product was gaining royal approval.
The Crown Prince’s reaction had been positive, so she expected the rest of the family would respond well too.
“Now that I’ve shown you the workshop, it’s your turn.”
Bellia extended her hand.
Alendo shrugged.
“Walking beside the Crown Prince is an honor in itself, but Lady Bellia, you are so heartless.”
Bellia narrowed her eyes and stared at him.
“You’ll get it. Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m some kind of scoundrel.”
Alendo chuckled, shook his head, and pulled a letter from his coat.
