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That, that… … There was a cosmetic product that I received as a gift a while ago… … ."

"cosmetics?"

"Yes, yes. It's called a skin beauty cream… … . A certain baron… … ."

The maid was flustered by Meriel's unusual appearance and kept stammering.

Maryel, feeling frustrated, turned to the head maid and asked what was going on.

"A while ago, a man named Baron Fenris distributed gifts to each noble house. I believe he also sent a separate gift and letter to the Count."

"Baron Fenris? That's the first time I've heard that name."

"It seems like this is your first time coming to the capital."

"So that's why you returned the gift. But you sent it to your husband but not to me?"

Although the Earl of Ailsburgh was powerful, he was not as powerful as Meriel.

She is the eldest daughter of one of the few marquises in the kingdom, and has complete control over the capital's social circles.

"You should be nice to me, not your husband. How pathetic. Even if I don't know the capital's circumstances, it's like this… … ."

It may be because I had just come up from the countryside and didn't yet know who the real power was, but I couldn't help but feel hurt by my pride.

She asked again, fanning her face to cool it.

"Did you give him better cosmetics as a gift?"

"No. I heard that they sent a mandragora root to the Count."

Meriel let out a hollow laugh.

"You're just saying that? You must be a very poor noble. But where did you get these cosmetics? You have so many that you give them to all your maids."

"I heard that it was developed directly by the Baron Fenris."

"You… developed it yourself?"

Meriel made a subtle expression that was a mixture of admiration and laughter.

A country lord who didn't even know the capital city developed cosmetics.

If it were normal, I would have laughed at it and ignored it.

But now that I've confirmed that cosmetics actually work, I can't bring myself to do that.

Meriel hesitated for a moment, then quickly made a decision and looked back at the head maid.

"Cancel today's meeting. Tell her I'm not feeling well and can't come. And you, follow me."

She brought in the maid with the best looking skin and asked her in detail how she used cosmetics.

Meriel looked around at the cosmetics she had received for a reasonable price.

"Hmm, should I use this or not?"

If it doesn't work, that's better. If even one side effect occurs, the future will be tiring.

Not only will you be laughed at by countless ladies and gentlemen, but your reputation that you have built up until now will also go down the drain.

But her intuition kept screaming at her.

You can't miss this opportunity.

That I have to get it before anyone else.

"Yes, no one had any side effects. Some people got better enough to notice it. Let's give it a try."

Meriel washed her face thoroughly and began to slowly apply the cream to her face.

'Ah, this is… … . Is this what it feels like when you apply morning dew?'

At first, it felt a little sticky, but it was quickly absorbed into my skin. Soon, I could feel moisture rising from within my skin.

This is it.

Confident, Meriel evenly applied cosmetics to her face and went to bed early.

There is no way to see dramatic results in just a day or two. But when Meriel woke up, she didn't miss the subtle changes.

'It's clear. It works. You can't see it on the outside, but it's different. And since there have been no side effects so far, it's definitely effective.'

It would be foolish to waste time waiting a little longer. Meriel had no intention of missing this great opportunity.

She immediately called the head maid and asked her.

"Where are Baron Fenris and the company staying?"

"I am staying in an abandoned house on the outskirts of the capital."

"The abandoned house on the outskirts… … Could that be the ghost house? The Crow Mansion?"

"Yes, that's right."

"You really don't have any money. That's a good thing. Hehehe."

Meriel intended to monopolize this cosmetic.

How much would be sold for a product made by a nobleman who just came up from the countryside? It is not yet well known and the price would not be that expensive.

If we tie it up with an exclusive contract now, we can control the amount of goods distributed.

This will not only help you maintain your beauty, but also help you accumulate wealth and power.

"Let's go see Baron Fenris right away."

After a brief moment of deliberation, Meriel gave the order to get ready to go out.

* * *

A magnificent chariot of four horses rode through the heart of the capital city, with several knights escorting it ahead to clear the way.

The people who were pushed out grumbled, then closed their mouths after checking the noble family crest stamped on the carriage.

Claude, who was waiting for a guest at a makeshift counseling center set up next to the mansion's entrance, opened his mouth wide at the sight.

"What, what is it… … . Is the queen coming? If that's the case, you should have been notified in advance."

Even though I knew it wasn't true, I couldn't help but feel intimidated by the atmosphere of the fancy carriages and escorts.

The carriage stopped in front of the mansion, and the head maid got out.

The maid opened her mouth as she glanced at the dirty entrance with discontent, even though it seemed like she had cleaned up in her own way.

"This is the Countess of Aylesbury. I heard that Baron Fenris resides in this manor. Is that correct?"

"Yes? Oh, yes. That's right."

Claude nodded with a bewildered expression.

The maid, with her chin raised, was dressed as luxuriously as any noble. The number and armament of the knights guarding her were also extraordinary.

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I have seen many noble ladies in Seiron, but none with such great prestige.

'The Countess is like this? I guess the great powers are different.'

In fact, even in Rutania, there were only a handful of noblewomen with as much influence as Meriel, but Claude, who was still unaware of the capital's circumstances, could not have known about it.

One of the knights opened the carriage door and helped Meriel out easily.

The mercenaries guarding the mansion opened their mouths without realizing it when they saw Meriel.

'Hmm… … .'

It was a beauty reminiscent of a gorgeous rose.

He looked quite old, but that gave him an air of elegance and class.

Mercenaries who lived a rustic life in the northern countryside seemed like untouchables.

They too had seen ladies and noblewomen in the North, but compared to Meriel, they were no more than commoners.

Meriel looked around, meeting their gazes with familiarity.

The maid stepped forward again to state the purpose of her visit, but she raised her hand to stop her and spoke herself.

"I am Meriel of the House of Ailsver. I have come to see Baron Fenris."

"… … ."

Claude and the mercenaries just stood there with their mouths open, as if they were about to drool.

Belinda's kick came flying.

"Ahh!"

Claude only came to his senses after being hit in the shin.

"What are you doing? We have guests!"

Belinda gave an annoyed remark and clicked her tongue as she went back into the mansion.

Claude shook his head quickly, rubbing his sore shins.

There was only one reason why a noble woman would visit a mansion rumored to be haunted.

'The cosmetics worked!'

Claude rubbed his hands together and bowed his waist.

"Have you come to buy cosmetics? Let me guide you… … ."

"I came to see Baron Fenris."

"First, let me explain… … ."

"I came to see Baron Fenris."

Meriel smiled elegantly and repeated the same words.

He seemed determined not to back down until he met the lord in person.

Claude sighed. This isn't someone he can handle.

"Come on in. He's in the garden now. I'll show you around."

I was worried that the lord of the underworld would cause an accident for no reason, so I wanted to handle it within my own line if possible, but if it went like this, there was no other way.

"thank you."

Meriel smiled faintly and entered the mansion accompanied only by a few maids and knights.

She frowned slightly as soon as she entered the garden.

The crows flying around the grey, dead garden and mansion were quite annoying.

Even if I had no money, I couldn't live in a place like this for even a single day.

'You don't have that much money, right? It'll be easy to trade.'

She felt a little more at ease and followed the mansion servant's instructions into the garden.

Giselle was crouching in the corner of the garden, feeding the crows.

"Your Majesty, the Countess of Ailsbury has come to see you."

"Um, really?"

Jiselle slowly got up from her seat. A crow landed leisurely on his shoulder.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Giselle Fenris."

Caw!

Meriel flinched at the sound of the crow's cry.

'Isa is Baron Fenris? He's so young.'

Mariel looked up and down at Jiselle and felt slightly embarrassed. He was tall and looked young.

It is rare for one to receive the title of baron and fief at this age.

If you come from a fairly powerful family, that might be the case… … .

Given that the name Fenris was unfamiliar to most ears, it was likely that he was just some ordinary noble who could not extend his influence to the center.

'I guess I just got lucky and got a small piece of territory. My father must have split it up for me.'

Still, for a country nobleman, he was worthy of praise for maintaining his composure even when faced with himself.

Meriel bowed her head slightly, hiding her complicated feelings.

"I am Meriel of the Ailsburgh Counts. Let me get straight to the point. I came to talk to you about the cosmetics made by your highness the Baron."

"Oh, is that so?"

Jiselle's eyes lit up.

I was worried that noblewomen were people who were good at beating around the bush while pretending to be elegant, but they were actually more fiery than I thought.

"Please come in and let's talk."

Jiselle, who was leisurely entering the mansion ahead of them, smiled.

'A big shot has been caught.'

When I heard the name Countess Ailsburgh, I remembered. The noblewoman before my eyes was someone who held the capital's social circle in her hands.

Even if just a rumor spread that she was using a certain cosmetic product, it would sell out in an instant, to the point where it would be sold out throughout the capital.

Seeing that a snobby lady came to see me in person, it seemed like I would be able to achieve my original goal faster than expected.

* * *

As soon as Meriel entered the reception room and sat down, she got straight to the point.

"You just came to the capital after developing a cosmetic product, right? I came here to sign an exclusive contract for that product."

As expected, he seems like a pretty hot-tempered person.

"What do you mean by exclusive contract?"

"It's literally true. I'll buy all the products that are produced. You just develop them and I'll take care of the distribution."

She added a hint of threat.

"If you want to establish yourself in the capital, you will need support. The other nobles and the upper class will try to keep you in check. I can prevent that with my own power. On the other hand, if you refuse, it will not be easy to do business in the capital."

There was no needless pushing or pulling.

Jiselle nodded as if she understood.

"Well, I don't mind if I can sell a lot of cosmetics… … but the price is a little high. Is that okay?"

Maryel snorted inwardly.

'Who are you talking about money in front of right now?'

That's why I can't have long conversations with people I don't know.

"The Earls of Ailsburgh are one of the wealthiest families in the capital. If I can't do it, no one else can. How much will it cost?"

"100 gold each."

"What… … you said? How many for 100 gold?"

Mariel tilted her head, wondering if she had misheard.

Jiselle emphasized once again with certainty.

"Each one costs 100 gold."

It was a moment when a crack appeared in Meriel's elegant smile.