Chapter 18
After his explanation ended, the marquis finally spoke.
“Our Arfedi Trading Company has been entrusted with the task of handling textiles from the Kupa Maritime Kingdom on behalf of the Empire. I hope we can use this opportunity to elevate the Empire’s prestige.”
“Yes, sir. Then, may I take a closer look?”
“Go ahead.”
Barun jumped up and strode toward the textiles.
For a while, everyone in the hall gathered in small groups, touching and inspecting the fabrics while conversing.
Only Bellia, who had already received a sample and had something made, remained still, while the expressions of the others gradually darkened.
After some time had passed, everyone returned to their seats.
“So, have any ideas come to mind?”
The marquis’s face also looked quite grim.
Since this was everyone’s first time seeing the fabric in person, a long silence followed.
“Well, my lord,” one baron cautiously broke the silence, “no matter how I look at it, this fabric is very different from what’s typically used in the Empire.”
Others from the trading companies nodded in agreement.
“Yes, I thought the same,” the marquis replied, his face darkening.
It hadn’t seemed that way during the explanation, but upon touching it up close, it became immediately apparent that this fabric would be difficult to use in Imperial clothing.
Since Arfedi’s main products were jewelry, they had to market the textile to nobles for the synergy to work.
However, the fabric was clearly too coarse and tough to be used in noble garments.
“This won’t be easy.”
Everyone present had spent their lives in the trade.
Just by looking at the marquis’s expression, they could tell whether a venture would succeed or not.
As the marquis’s face grew grim, the others began watching his reaction closely.
“How about this,” Barun said, standing up.
“Oh, do you have an idea?” the aide asked with a bright face.
The marquis also leaned forward.
“It’s heavy and tough, yes—but considering the Empire’s cold winters, it might not be a bad fit.”
With confidence, Barun stepped into the center of the room.
‘Barun isn’t wrong, but he’s too one-dimensional.’
To Bellia, this was reminiscent of the failing textile business from before her regression.
“What if we used this fabric to make coats? Currently, most winter parties in the Empire are held indoors. But if we design suitable coats, outdoor winter gatherings could become a trend. If we can start a fashion for outdoor winter parties in high society, then we might succeed in launching winter wear.”
Bellia averted her gaze from Barun and scanned the other faces in the room.
They were silent, but their expressions were gloomy.
Had Barun not been the marquis’s son, someone likely would have criticized him already.
Feeling foolish for having expected a groundbreaking idea from him, Bellia shook her head and opened her mouth.
“But brother, do nobles even wear coats?”
All eyes turned to the owner of the soft, graceful voice.
Barun frowned in displeasure.
“Bellia, this isn’t your place to speak.”
“Oh my, I spoke out without realizing,” Bellia said, covering her mouth with a hand and feigning remorse.
“Sorry, it’s my first time participating in such a meeting. The words just slipped out.”
Barun flinched at her seemingly innocent expression, and the marquis spoke up.
“It’s fine. We’re here to share thoughts and ideas about the textile venture. Go ahead and speak.”
With the marquis’s permission, Bellia slowly rose from her seat.
“Ah, Father. Yes. Um, well… nobles don’t usually wear coats, do they?”
Looking around for confirmation, Bellia slowly walked toward the center, where Barun stood.
“Just think about it. If a party is held in winter, which noble would wear a thick dress? It’s the same for men. Party venues are warm, carriages are heated—nobles never wear heavy coats.”
The marquis and others nodded.
Now standing beside Barun, Bellia picked up the fabric he had been explaining.
“It’s heavy, and the color is dull. Would nobles really consider a coat made from this luxurious? Even if outdoor winter parties became a thing, wouldn’t they opt for extravagant fur coats instead?”
Now only a step apart, Bellia looked Barun straight in the eyes.
“Tell me, brother. Would you wear clothes made from this? Even if it’s cold, would nobles drape this over their fine dresses or suits?”
“That’s…”
As Barun hesitated, Bellia gently pushed his slipping silver-rimmed glasses back up his nose.
Barun stiffened at her casual gesture.
“You wouldn’t wear it, right? Isn’t that so? Father, what do you think?”
“I suppose it would be difficult.”
The marquis cleared his throat—a habit Bellia recognized as a sign that he disliked an idea.
Seeing Barun’s clenched fists from her close position, Bellia inwardly sneered.
If he got this upset over one rejected idea, that was pathetic.
Hadn’t he been the one to crush her confidence over and over in the past?
And now he called this simplistic proposal an “idea”?
She was beginning to see the truth behind the reputation of Barun, who supposedly had assisted his father with the company from a young age.
Most likely, he had been pampered due to his status as the marquis’s son.
Otherwise, how could he present such an embarrassing idea with such confidence?
“Then, do you have a better idea, my lady?” he asked.
“Of course.”
Barun turned his head sharply.
Ignoring him, Bellia stepped forward again.
She had been waiting for this moment.
“The moment I saw the fabric, an idea came to me.”
The marquis leaned forward.
“What is it?”
“This fabric is, as I said—tough, dark, and heavy. Even as winter wear, it would be too heavy to wear comfortably. So rather than using it for noble clothing, why not apply it elsewhere?”
“Elsewhere?”
“Yes.”
“This fabric was sent from the Kupa Maritime Kingdom specifically to be used in clothing. Surely you’re not suggesting we make clothing for commoners just because it’s thick and durable?”
“Even if the kingdom sent it for clothing, they don’t use it for noblewear either. It’s used for commoners’ clothing—more precisely, for workers’ clothes.”
Bellia immediately countered Barun’s objection.
“They know it’s hard to use in clothing. Usually, this textile is applied to curtains or bed linens in noble households.”
“Did you research this?”
At the marquis’s question, Bellia nodded.
“Of course. I was going to attend this meeting, after all. Isn’t that the least I should do?”
‘You didn’t even do that and came in talking about winter coats?’
She glanced at Barun with that thought and continued.
“Oh, and I know why the Maritime Kingdom sent the fabric to the Empire. They wanted to test our technological prowess. And I have an idea about that.”
The reason the Maritime Kingdom sent a fabric unfit for noble clothing was simple.
Despite being a kingdom, they prided themselves on having superior culture, art, and technology over the Empire.
After losing the war long ago, they had always resented the Empire.
Unable to overpower it with military force, they aimed to dominate through culture and art.
It was no coincidence that their princess visited the Empire when their textile business was faltering and started a handbag trend.
In fact, when handbags became a full-blown craze, high-ranking nobles became aware of the political motives behind it.
But by then, the trend was in full swing, and stopping handbag production would’ve hurt the Empire’s pride, so they quietly buried the matter.
‘This time, the Empire can save face.’
“So what’s your idea?”
Bellia smiled confidently.
“I can show it to you here.”
“You can show it?”
Recalling how Angri had rushed in that morning, Bellia replied.
“Yes. But first, may I excuse myself briefly to prepare something?”
“So you’ve prepared something, then.”
“Yes.”
The marquis nodded, recalling that Bellia had received a sample several days earlier.
“Very well. Go ahead.”
It was the first time the marquis had seen Bellia’s eyes sparkle with such enthusiasm, and he smiled without realizing it.
Barun flinched at the sight.
“Thank you. I’ll be back shortly.”
Bellia stepped out of the meeting room to make her preparations.
“My lord, is there anything to prepare? All the fabric is already here…”
