FELICIA'S OFFER

"Pardon me but how? Anyone wouldn't want to associate with a commoner. And if even I am to be a patron of my own, I do not possess a large quantity of money to begin with. It won't work, My Lady." Yulie said, immediately giving up before not giving it a thought. 

Rachelle could see her sadness as she immediately turned down her request. Seems like she has been trying to accumulate a Patron however she couldn't find one for years. 

"What do you mean, it won't work?" Rachelle smirked which made Yulie look confused. Rachelle sounded so confident, even positive that this would work. "What if I were to tell you that I'm interested in making you bloom more?" She asked. 

Olivia arrived with refreshments, put them on the table and poured the two teas into their teacup. "Olivia, can you get me my stationery, please? A piece of paper and a pen will do." She added, looking at Olivia as she lifted her teacup and drank once more. 

"Yes, my lady." Olivia commended and went out once again of the parlour tree to grab whatever Felicia wished to have. She just came back but got sent away once again. 

"Now, where were we? Oh yes. I want to become your patron, but if you're uncomfortable with having someone as your boss, then why not become a boss of your own?" She asked, picking a cake from the 3 tier cake stand.

"What?" Yulie's ears seem to become deaf with her offer. It sounded so ridiculous hearing that. She went silent, flabbergasted with her offer. Where the hell can she find such a big amount of money to shoulder?

"Oh, but thinking of it, I don't want to handle working. Patrons basically own people so I won't do it to you." She said, slicing the cake that she got. "Instead, I will make you a patron yourself. You don't want to be controlled by someone, right?" She asked.

Her eyes were like those of snakes, preying and observant. Despite her calm demeanour, Yulie felt like she was trapped in a powerful aura that hid behind Felicia's facade. The young woman who was not even in her 20s made her feel like she was being watched by an unknown force. 

"A-A Patron requires nobility privileges, My Lady. I am simply nothing but a commoner. I am not a noble at the least so I don't think it'll work." She tried to sound firm knowing the danger looms in this room. 

She didn't know why she would feel danger with the young Lady at all. She clearly looks like she could be blown by a powerful gust of wind. But something else seems very unclear to her. 

"Oh dear, that's not a problem at all," Rachelle answered, chuckling at her small concern. She hadn't spent her gold at all except for the dresses that is. Other than that, it's rusting in her account. 

"Didn't I say that I would make you a patron of your own? I will provide you with the money to acquire a position of your own. Let's say, for example, a money worth to become a Viscountess?" She suggested, her fingers on the rim of her teacup, looking straight into Yulie's eyes to show that she was not joking. 

Appalled by how brazen this sounds like, something inside Yulie was starting to like where this is going. Of course, she was speechless and all, but the offer was too good to resist knowing that it would make her much more powerful than before. 

"Before anything else, My Lady but why are you doing this to me? You could've picked someone else to become one of your people. But to a worthless commoner—"

"Can you stop berating yourself? If you want to become at the top, be confident and think about every opportunity that has been given to you. You're not worthless. You're simply a gem hidden amongst the rocks that surround you. Your potential for me is limitless, I can tell you that." Rachelle cut her off before she could berate herself. 

It sounded so pathetic to her no offence, but she would rather be confident with her outstanding capabilities as a seamstress.

"Also, I wanted to earn as early as possible. This works like a trade for the two of us. I purchase you a nobility rank in return, make me your sole investor. Not only as your investor but as your model." Rachelle said, expressing her desire. 

"With me wearing one of your future creations, you'll attract more women, creating a divided situation where your competitors would face problems. Of course, there would be future problems but you have me, so it's a piece of cake." She added, sounding so self-asserted. 

This woman is scary. She had already thought of her moves to conquer Yulie's doubts and questions. She came fully prepared for this moment. 

"But why do you have so much faith in me?" Yulie asked, she gave a vague idea as to why she's spending her wealth on her when she can't even deem if she's capable of becoming the top seamstress. 

'Yes... Why am I doing this?' Rachelle asked herself. Why? There seemed to be something that she had forgotten. 

"I told you, I can see your potential emitting on you. With your talent and my fame, we'll become global icons of fashion. You'll earn more than what I'm about to give you right now. Just prove to yourself that you're wealthy, because if I can give you a portion of my power, I can also take it back from you." She answered immediately, pushing away the thought that looms in her head. 

"I see... I understand. But can I ask for more time to think about this? Your offer sounds very assuring but I am still not sure whether to accept your offer. My apologies, My Lady." Yulie asked, still unsure despite Rachelle giving her an offer for a lifetime. 

"Oh, of course, why not? I will. In the meantime, I will also prepare the contract so that there will be no violations committed and once you made up your mind, you'll be able to add more clause and sign it immediately. Although it sounds like I'm forcing you or rushing you, understand that it is not my intention to force you or anything." Rachelle responded, smiling sweetly at her.

"Alright, thank you. Is there anything else that you want to discuss with me?" Yulie asked as she drank her tea, curious if there was anything that she would like to discuss with her once more. She's actually hooked up with discussing such matters with her.

It makes her realize that she should not take Rachelle lightly or she'll face some serious trouble.

"Oh right! thank you for reminding me. Actually, I want a new batch of clothes but not dresses." She informed Yulie. "I need an outfit, similar to how men are dressed with white long-sleeve polo with lace or buttons in the chest. Some trousers also if it's possible." She requested. 

"What?"

"You must be shocked to hear why a woman wants such an outfit. That's because I'm about to learn how to use a sword to protect myself against any harm that may come to me. I got the permission earlier, the reason why I came late. I apologize for that again." She smiled, sipping her tea while looking at Yulie who was shocked to hear what she said. 

In Yulie's eyes, she sounded like a woman who wouldn't even flinch if she were to face monsters. Is there such a woman whose mind is way more practical than others? She couldn't believe the lady. 

Among all the noble ladies in this continent, even the current Empress, this lady in front of him is an oddball. She talks about how swords aren't considered taboo, or the business that isn't for noble ladies. 

Yet here she is, breaking the boundaries that were set since the ages. A rule breaker and above all, maybe a future trendsetter. 

"Aren't you afraid to face backlashes, my Lady?"Yulie asked after such a long pause, still in disbelief. "Why would I care about them? I know what's best for me. If that means I'll get stronger, then I don't care what others will say behind my back. Set yourself as your number one priority. You don't get treated like that these days." She answered, speaking facts. 

It's true, men these days won't prioritise anyone except for their wealth or either someone else. If she was prioritised, Felicia wouldn't starve for years and be treated crap by her own family. 

"Alright. Should I add frills so it would still have a touch of feminine look?" Yulie asked Rachelle. Frails? For what? 

"Frills? What for and where would you place it?" She asked, quite curious. Her brows knitted, why would she put frails for a men's wear?

"Uhm at the sides of the sleeves. It could also be added at the sides of the trousers. Even at the end of the sleeves." Yulie suggested while Felicia imagined what it would look like based on her description. 

Oh dear, it looks messy and similar to that one dress that Helena decided to give her. She would resemble a damn clown if she were to add frills to men's wear. 

"N-No... Thank you for the offer but please, no frills. It will make me look like a clown if I wear it." She politely declined her offer, trying not to sound so offended. But as much as she wanted to avoid hurting Yulie, she would rather be frank and tell her. 

"No! It's okay, My Lady. I also think that it's too much. Very well, I shall make it." She answered. She also found her suggestion very weird while trying to imagine it. And true to what Felicia said, it does resemble a clown's outfit.