Chapter 67
To produce our new skincare line, Ere Essence—named after me (Eilene) and Raymond—we officially launched preparations that day.
We rented a huge warehouse and purchased a massive water tank and tons of empty bottles. The plan was to fill the tank with water, add a few drops of my healing saliva, and once the water shimmered with magic, bottle it up. But the key was to use just a tiny amount—too much, and it could literally heal wounds on the spot.
Raymond’s men helped with the whole process, and they’d continue managing the day-to-day operations. So after discussing with Raymond and Melas, we decided it was best to reveal my healing ability to the team.
“Everyone, gather around. Lady Eilene has something to say,” Melas called out.
The men, who had just finished cleaning the water tank, wiped sweat from their brows and came over, curious. I already knew some of them, but others had come from the estate recently, so all eyes on me made me a bit nervous.
What I was about to say wasn’t exactly something I was proud of. I took a deep breath and summoned all my courage.
“Before we get started, there’s something I need to tell you. I know you’ve probably wondered why we’re just collecting water and bottles for a cosmetics line. Well… the truth is, my saliva has healing properties, and that’s what we’ll be using.”
It was always a little embarrassing to say out loud. I nervously opened my eyes, expecting weird looks—but instead, I was met with wide smiles and sparkling eyes.
“Seriously? That’s amazing, Lady Eilene!”
“No way! You’re incredible!”
“So it was you who healed His Grace that day!”
The moment the truth came out, they all burst into excited praise. Honestly, I was overwhelmed—it was way more enthusiastic than I’d expected.
One of them—a young boy named Nyx, who’d come from the estate and wasn’t yet an adult—ran over and made a cute, pleading request.
“Lady Eilene! I got a bruise on my elbow while cleaning the tank… Can you kiss it better?”
“Aw, let me see.”
I was just about to go to him when—Raymond suddenly stepped in, his arm shooting out to block me. He looked stern.
“Nyx, don’t you think that’s a bit rude to Lady Eilene?”
“O-Of course, Your Grace! I meant no offense! I apologize, my lady! I’ll get back to work right away!”
Nyx, thoroughly intimidated by Raymond’s deadly glare, bolted back to the tank.
“Wait—hold on…!”
My outstretched hand just waved awkwardly in the air. I sighed and gave Raymond a small glare, hands on my hips.
“Raymond, seriously? What was that for?”
“I didn’t like it.”
“Come on! It was just a little thing! He was trying to bond with me. It was a chance to get closer to the team!”
He stayed quiet, his expression still sulky.
I was disappointed I’d lost the chance to connect with Nyx, but the warm acceptance from the rest of the group lifted a weight from my heart. I used to be embarrassed by my healing saliva—but now? I was starting to feel proud.
“Yes. Time to start loving myself a bit more!”
With that boost of confidence, the business took off smoothly.
We started with one shop in a popular part of town where nobles often visited. We handed out samples, gave free demonstrations, and quickly built a solid customer base.
In just a few days, Ere Essence became a sensation.
Noble ladies and wives were desperate to get their hands on it. Their maids began lining up outside the shop at dawn. Despite the high price, the product was so effective—some said it could revive dying skin—that it earned the nickname “The Elixir of Life.”
And so, our bank account started growing rapidly.
“We’ve made 80 denai in just one month,” Raymond said, surprised.
“Told you so,” I replied proudly.
Once the business stabilized, Raymond’s men handled operations so he could return to his official duties in the capital—attending social events as the Grand Duke.
Naturally, his appearance at parties caused quite a stir, especially among noble young ladies. After he rejected Navienne, they believed the opportunity to become his bride was open again. After all, he was royalty, one of the top five most handsome men in the empire, and—except for the brief scandal with Adrien—he had zero romantic rumors.
Even his tense relationship with the Emperor wasn’t an issue, as everything looked peaceful on the surface.
But obviously, the best person for him… was me!
Even though we could only exchange greetings in public and had to keep our distance, just watching him from afar made me happy.
Raymond was always careful not to show any special connection between us in public. Still, every once in a while, he’d invite me for a dance—just enough to seem appropriate for the Emperor’s fiancée.
But since he never danced with anyone else, it started drawing attention.
At one party hosted by Count Hyren, a young lady sitting beside me at a table—Helena Kitten—leaned in and spoke quietly.
“Lady Eilene, may I speak with you for a moment?”
“Oh, sure.”
We stepped aside, and Helena brought her face closer to whisper so others wouldn’t hear.
“I’ve noticed you seem close with the Grand Duke. I suppose nobles of your status would be friendly.”
Her eyes sparkled with expectation, and I instinctively leaned back a bit, overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.
“So… I was wondering if you could help me.”
She suddenly grabbed my hands.
Help you… with what?
She leaned in even more, making me nervous.
“Help me get close to the Grand Duke!”
Oh boy.
I could already imagine what she was thinking: since the Emperor and Raymond are cousins, and I’m engaged to the Emperor, maybe she could become the Grand Duchess and we’d all be royal besties.
It made sense—she was ambitious and saw the Grand Duchess title as her ultimate goal.
But little did she know… Raymond and I were secretly allies opposing the Emperor.
What on earth was I supposed to say to her?
I hesitated, flustered, when just then—the doors opened and Raymond entered the ballroom. A wave of admiration rippled through the crowd of ladies.
“Look, there he is! Will you help me?” Helena asked eagerly.
“Huh?”
“Come on!”
Before I could react, Helena dragged me straight over to him. Now we were both standing awkwardly in front of Raymond.
“Greetings, Your Grace,” Helena said with a graceful curtsy.
“G-Greetings, Your Grace,” I mumbled, flustered, copying her belatedly.
When I looked up, Raymond was hiding a laugh behind his hand, clearly amused at how clumsy I looked.
Ugh! How annoying!
While I was cringing with embarrassment, Helena beamed at him.
“You must be tired from the trip, Your Grace. You look wonderful as always.”
“Hmm? And who might you be?”
“I’m Helena Kitten, daughter of Count Kitten. This is my fifth time introducing myself to you.”
Raymond forgetting her even after five introductions was one thing—but the fact she counted them? Wow.
I nervously watched his face.
“Ahh,” he said, as if remembering something.
Hope lit up in Helena’s eyes.
“The way you were acting, I thought you were the host’s daughter. But the Hyren family has no daughters.”
“Hyren family… only has five sons,” he added thoughtfully.
Her eyebrow twitched at the dismissal, but she still forced a polite smile.
Raymond, for his part, didn’t seem to care at all about her reaction and got lost in his own thoughts.
I glanced at him in confusion—and the moment our eyes met, his expression softened into a gentle smile.
Of course, Helena noticed it immediately. She quickly looped her arm through mine and started acting all chummy.
“Oh, that’s right! You and Lady Eilene know each other well, don’t you? We’re very close friends, you know!”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
“Of course! We’re practically inseparable!”
She hugged my arm tightly like we were besties. Since when?!
She was so convincing she could win an Oscar—Leonardo DiCaprio would be impressed.
Still, something did change, even if just a little.
When Helena claimed we were close, Raymond’s eyes showed the tiniest flicker of interest.
If before it was a solid -100… now maybe it was +2?
