IVHMH 19

Tirzen sat on the bed and cautiously opened his mouth while watching his younger sister’s expression.

“We need to make a special tea, Roena.”

“What for?”

“It’s for Lady Mares.”

“What kind of tea should I make? Something to help her sleep? Something to calm her mind? Or something good for her beauty? Or maybe…”

Hearing that the tea was for Elysia, Roena got excited and started talking rapidly.

Making tea was Roena’s hobby.

With extensive knowledge of plants, Roena was skilled at creating unique teas that others didn’t know about.

Some of these teas were so effective that they could be considered medicine rather than just a beverage.

“I need Creati.”

“No way!”

Roena widened her eyes in disbelief and looked up at her brother.

‘I must have heard wrong or he said it wrong. Of all things, the tea he wants me to make for her is Creati!’

“Lady Mares is in a difficult situation. She needs that tea to get out of it.”

“No! There are plenty of good teas out there. Why ask for something like that?”

Roena firmly rejected her brother’s request.

She couldn’t understand how that tea could possibly help Elysia.

“Lady Mares is being talked about for a marriage with Gustavo. He’s worse than you think. He’s the one who ordered your kidnapping.”

Tirzen calmly explained everything, making sure Roena fully understood the danger Elysia was in.

He mixed the facts he knew with words that would tug at Roena’s emotions. He especially emphasized that Elysia didn’t want the marriage.

“She has to deceive everyone successfully. Otherwise, her reputation will be ruined, and she’ll never be able to show her face in high society again.”

As she listened, a worried look appeared on Roena’s face.

Although she was still hesitant, more than half of her was already convinced by Tirzen’s words.

“That… tea can be dangerous.”

“Lady Mares is wise. She’ll handle it well if you help her.”

When Roena finally gave a positive answer, Tirzen reassured her gently.

Whoosh! A bottle of liquor flew by, and Barus leaned to the side to dodge it.

The bottle missed him and crashed against the wall, shattering into pieces and scattering across the floor.

“If you’re going to do a job, do it right!”

Gustavo fumed, irritated that Barus had dodged the bottle so smoothly.

He had spent a lot of money on the job.

“The people we hired are the best in the business.”

“And those ‘best’ got caught in a few hours?”

“I didn’t expect the other side to react so quickly. Still, they haven’t figured out who’s behind it.”

“You think that’s an excuse?”

Gustavo flipped the table in front of him. A loud crash echoed as it fell over.

The bottles and glasses on top crashed to the ground.

But that wasn’t enough to calm his anger.

Gustavo punched Barus and stomped on him repeatedly.

“Ugh!”

Barus clenched his teeth against the pain in his abdomen.

“If you mess up, you should be groveling for forgiveness, and yet you keep running your mouth!”

“Ugh… I was… wrong.”

Barus barely managed to say the words before collapsing to the floor. Seeing no more response from him, Gustavo stopped hitting.

He decided to drown his remaining rage in alcohol.

Leticia entered the room, making Elysia lower the book she had been reading.

Some maids had witnessed Elysia arguing with Ada in the garden yesterday. It seemed Leticia had heard the story and came to prod her further.

“May I come in?”

“You already did.”

Leticia shamelessly asked despite already crossing the threshold, so Elysia gave her a curt reply.

“Still, it felt polite to ask.”

“You’re supposed to ask before you act.”

Despite the sharp words, Leticia approached with a bright smile.

“You know you’ve been really edgy lately? I heard you even got scolded by the Duchess yesterday.”

“It was just a minor disagreement.”

“I think you’re acting out because you’re under a lot of stress.”

‘Acting out…?’

Leticia’s way of speaking reminded her exactly of Ada.

Sensing Leticia had an ulterior motive, Elysia waited for her next words.

“Nothing relieves stress like shopping. We haven’t gone out in a while, right? I’m sure there are tons of new arrivals. Want to go?”

Leticia’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

If she wanted to go shopping, so be it. Elysia had no intention of ruining her fun.

“Does shopping really relieve stress?”

“Of course! It’s so fun to browse and choose new things.”

“Perfect. I wanted some fresh air too. Let’s go.”

“I’ll go ahead and prepare the carriage. Come down soon!”

Overjoyed, Leticia practically danced her way out of the room.

‘I’ll enjoy shopping properly today, too.’

Feeling good about giving Leticia a pleasant day, Elysia followed.

They took a carriage to Dreze Street.

Dreze Street was divided into several zones.

Since the goal today was stress relief, they headed to the area full of upscale shops and got out of the carriage.

“I heard Mignon got a lot of new items in. Let’s start there.”

“Sure.”

Elysia readily agreed.

Mignon was a boutique that sold accessories popular among young ladies.

It was perfect for today’s purpose, and Elysia silently praised Leticia for the choice.

“Oh my! Lady Beck and Lady Mares! We hadn’t seen you in a while and were starting to worry something had happened.”

The store clerk greeted both of them but focused her attention on Leticia.

She knew well that although Elysia paid, it was Leticia who made her open her purse.

While the clerk eagerly showed Leticia the newest items, Elysia browsed a different display.

She was looking for a bracelet that wasn’t too expensive.

It didn’t have to be pretty either, since she wasn’t going to wear it anyway.

“What are you doing over here? Everything here is last season’s.”

Leticia, who had been browsing the new arrivals, grabbed her hand.

Knowing Leticia had already picked out some favorites, Elysia ignored her and gently pulled her hand back.

“That one looks like the bracelet you gave me before.”

Elysia pointed at a bracelet inside the case, prompting the clerk to take it out and show her.

“It’s not new, but it doesn’t go out of style, so it still sells well.”

Elysia thanked her and held out her wrist.

Though the bracelet didn’t suit her, she admired it as if she loved it.

“Oh my! What do you think, Leticia? Doesn’t it look great on me?”

“Eh, it’s okay.”

Leticia responded halfheartedly, wanting to drag Elysia to the new arrivals.

Elysia gave a radiant smile, pretending to be thrilled.

“I lost the bracelet I was going to give to Her Majesty the Empress the other day.”

“Y-you did?”

Leticia hadn’t expected the conversation to go that way and looked uneasy.

“I guess I was punished for being too reckless in trying to get on Her Majesty’s good side through your gift. I should have treasured it more.”

“If you lost it, there’s nothing you can do.”

“I feel bad for you.”

“It’s fine. You can always buy another one.”

“Then I’ll take this one.”

Elysia gently brushed her hand over the bracelet on her wrist, as if it were precious.

Leticia stared at her in confusion.

“I’ll cherish it from now on since you’re giving it to me. Thank you, Leticia.”

“…!”

Finally understanding, Leticia’s face crumpled. Her big eyes welled up with tears.

She had been thoroughly humiliated before, so she had likely brought some emergency funds with her.

Elysia had chosen the bracelet based on her estimate of Leticia’s budget.

“I don’t think there’s anything else worth seeing here. I’ll head to the next store. Come join me when you’re done.”

Watching Leticia shakily open her coin pouch, Elysia walked out of the store.

The staff were equally stunned.

Leticia had never paid while shopping at Mignon before.

And now Elysia had left wearing a cheap bracelet.

What Leticia pulled from her pouch wasn’t even gold—it was copper coins.

The employees, who had expected a big sale, muttered angrily as they cleaned up.

It was the unluckiest day they’d ever had working at Mignon.

“She didn’t buy anything.”

“How could she? No money.”

“She asked to see all the new stuff without a dime?”

“Freeloaders are like that.”

“What a jinx! Let’s sprinkle salt or something.”

They deliberately spoke loudly enough for Leticia to hear.

No one had ever seen her pay for anything in all the years she’d shopped there.

They had tolerated her arrogant attitude while she brought in sales, but now that wasn’t the case.

Leticia, her face flushed with shame, quickly left the store.

She had come to relieve stress, only to walk away humiliated.

“It’s fine. I gave her one, so I’ll take ten in return.”

Leticia consoled herself as she made her way to the neighboring shop where Elysia was waiting.

Seeing her come in, Elysia beckoned her over.

Thinking Elysia was going to give her a gift this time, Leticia approached happily.

“What do you think of this? Isn’t it pretty?”

Elysia pointed at a small brooch pinned to her chest.

Leticia didn’t think it was particularly pretty but nodded anyway.

“I want this too. Every time I wear it, I’ll think of you.”

“Hey, Elysia…”

“I’ve already looked around here. Shopping is so fun. Let’s check out the next shop!”

“That brooch…”

“Thanks, Leticia.”

Elysia smiled brightly and slipped out of the store before Leticia could stop her.

Leticia tried to follow but was stopped by a staff member.

“You need to pay before you go.”

“Fine! I’ll pay. How much?”

Leticia snapped and paid the amount the staff mentioned.

Now, she had only one coin left in her pouch.