IYSTDF 47

Chapter 47

“I guess I should have sold the clothing shop and opened the bar he likes after all…”

Sylvia was starting to sound like she didn’t even know what she was saying anymore.

“Sylvia, you don’t really mean that. You love making clothes too much.”

“But everyone…”

“Not everything people say to you is right.”

“…Everything they said was meant to help me. They weren’t saying it out of malice—they were sincere. I think I really did handle things poorly…”

Dahlia lifted Sylvia’s chin so she would look at her.

She had learned in her previous life that hurting someone didn’t require physical violence. Words could scratch or shatter just as easily. So Sylvia didn’t seem foolish to her. Still, there were things that needed to be said.

“No matter how many people say it, and even if they truly believe it without malice, that doesn’t make them right.”

Though these words were directed at Sylvia, they were also words Dahlia was saying to her past self.

Countless residents of the estate had praised Dahlia, claiming she was walking the right path. The Viscount and his wife urged her to work even harder, insisting that it was only natural.

They had pity for Lady Dahlia, sold off to loan sharks, yet felt relief that the estate thrived thanks to her. And some thought it a fair sacrifice, since she would marry and live comfortably—better off than them in any case.

Dahlia never blamed the people of the estate for this. They spoke out of necessity, not malice.

But living according to their wishes, for their sake, I was utterly drained.

The same likely applied to those criticizing Sylvia. They probably didn’t realize that their careless words were poison, slowly breaking her down.

They might even call her a successful young female manager and praise her, yet simultaneously criticize her for not considering her husband, claiming she wasn’t wise. They offered advice without remorse, thinking it was for her own good.

At home, as good family members or ordinary merchants, they layered words over her without a trace of guilt, thinking they were just being kind.

“You don’t need to fit yourself into that mold.”

“But…”

“Start by stopping yourself from being surrounded by those words. People come to ‘comfort’ you, right?”

“Yes… they bring flowers and food when they do.”

Sylvia’s voice quivered. Dahlia sighed quietly.

It was exactly because their kindness came with words that Sylvia had been shaken even more.

“What about Zephyros? It’s a place I’ve marked as my lifelong favorite.”

Zephyros was Sylvia’s beloved clothing shop. Dahlia remembered clearly the moment she first set foot there.

“Even when it was on the verge of failing, you made it look tidy and welcoming.”

Sylvia had faced Hanson’s nonsense firmly, prioritizing the customers above all else.

“So, should I have put Hanson in charge instead?”

“That’s unreasonable. If you left everything to Hanson, all the customers would have left.”

“But it hurts my husband’s pride… having a wife as the shop owner, it was my selfishness.”

“….”

Dahlia’s anger flared—toward those who had caused Sylvia to think this way, not at Sylvia herself.

“Sylvia. I’ll tell you a secret. If you promise not to tell anyone.”

“Of course. Lady Dahlia, you saved our shop and incurred a debt I could never repay because of Hanson… I would never betray you.”

Sylvia repeated her promise several times. Dahlia smiled and whispered:

“I plan to become the head of the family myself.”

“Ah…”

The declaration came from a completely unexpected direction. Sylvia didn’t know how to respond.

“Lady Dahlia, you’re an only child, right? And yet you’re inheriting the family—what a big decision.”

It was a natural assumption from Sylvia’s perspective, but Dahlia shook her head.

“No. I have two brothers.”

“Pardon?”

“And both are perfectly healthy. I don’t have a husband yet, but I’ll be getting married soon. Now, think about it. If it’s ridiculous for a woman to sit as shop manager with a husband around, am I being ridiculous to become head of the family with two male heirs waiting?”

“Oh, no. You can do that.”

Sylvia quickly shook her head.

She’s probably supporting me simply because she thinks of me as a benefactor.

But that was enough. Dahlia faintly smiled.

“Many will oppose me, just as Sylvia has heard. They’ll say it’s wrong, that I should leave the position to a male heir or my husband. My reputation could suffer greatly.”

“D-Don’t worry about such things!”

“….”

Dahlia looked at Sylvia instead of replying.

Don’t pay attention to what others say.

That was what Dahlia wanted to tell Sylvia—the continuation of what she had been saying.

“Ah…”

Realizing Dahlia’s intent, Sylvia’s previously hazy expression cleared a little.

“Then… even after hearing this plan, will you still treat me as Zephyros’ most important customer?”

“Of course. Regardless of what anyone says, that’s only natural, Lady Dahlia.”

“Then keep being the manager. Just… somewhere other than here in Ahmad.”

“Eh…?”

Sylvia’s expression became confused again.

Dahlia patiently explained her plan—a proposal to move Zephyros to the capital.

“It may seem sudden, but I’ve been thinking… what if we did it this way all along?”

In Dahlia’s previous life, Mieler had moved to the capital after gaining recognition and opened an atelier. Since neither this place nor the capital was familiar to them, it was a natural choice.

In this life, Dahlia planned to personally take him to the capital before he caught the Crown Prince’s attention, rather than leaving him in Ahmad.

If the Crown Prince’s taste hasn’t changed, he’ll like Mieler’s designs whether in Ahmad or the capital.

Mieler, beaten by local thugs, accepted Dahlia’s proposal without asking for any conditions. Sylvia, however, was different.

“Sylvia is a native of Ahmad. I thought you might not want to leave, so I couldn’t suggest it lightly.”

“What about Mieler?”

“He agreed. If Sylvia doesn’t go, he’ll open a shop under a different name, not Zephyros.”

“…Then it’s probably for the best for Mieler.”

“But he was concerned about Sylvia until the very end.”

“….”

“If Sylvia is okay with it, we’ll move Zephyros to the capital and run it together. I’ll invest in all the necessary paperwork and equipment.”

Hanson had gone missing, and the neighboring merchants were undermining her confidence under the guise of concern.

This was the perfect time to propose the move.

“This time, you’ll run Zephyros with Mieler, in a much larger market—the capital.”

It would benefit Mieler, Sylvia, and even Dahlia herself.

Yet Sylvia hesitated.

“It sounds like a dream… but…”

“Sylvia, do you have any attachment to Ahmad?”

“No. I’d be glad to go to the capital too… but it’s not so simple. The rent alone would be enormous.”

“If you agree, I’ll handle the investment.”

“…Can I really do it? I’ve heard it’s much more competitive there.”

Sylvia’s confidence had hit rock bottom. Dahlia persuaded her sincerely.

“Honestly, I do prefer Mieler’s designs. But running a shop is a different matter.”

Mieler was a genius at making dresses but lacked practical sense. The well-managed store, even with Hanson causing chaos, remained because of Sylvia’s skill.

“Sylvia, your ability as a manager is outstanding. You and Mieler complement each other. You’ll succeed anywhere.”

“….”

Sylvia lowered her gaze, lost in thought. Dahlia waited patiently without pressuring her.

After a while, Sylvia lifted her head, her expression noticeably changed.

“Thank you for believing in me. But could you give me a little more time to think?”

“Of course. Take your time and let me know.”

Leaving one’s home suddenly would be a huge decision. Dahlia leaned back on the sofa, watching the sun set outside.

“Is it all done?”

Roy peeked his head in.

“Yes.”

Seeing him rush over, Dahlia frowned. His movements looked awkward.

“You’ve been standing the whole time?”