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CHAPTER 100…….
What she handed me was a letter.
When I looked at it curiously, Luwen smiled sheepishly and explained.
“We’re planning to have a tea time at my house next week. I was wondering if you might be able to come.”
Opening the invitation, I saw it was set for Thursday next week at 3 p.m.
When I stayed silent after checking it, Luwen seemed to think I’d misunderstood her intention and hurried to add,
“Oh, of course, since you must be busy, you can refuse. I just… wanted the other young ladies to know you’re a good person.”
“…”
“I know it’s a bit strange for me to say that, considering I used to spend time with Elise…”
Her trailing voice and apologetic look made it clear she genuinely meant well.
“Anyway, really, it’s fine to say no. But if you do feel like coming, anytime—”
“I’ll go.”
At my prompt reply, Luwen’s eyes widened.
“R-Really?”
“It’s an invitation from Lady Florence just for me, isn’t it?”
And, well—
It might be a little childish, but I didn’t mind the feeling that I was now enjoying the things Elise once had.
I smiled and gave my firm answer.
“Then I’ll see you that day.”
A week later—
As promised, I attended the tea time at Count Florence’s estate.
“Welcome, Lady Cloel!”
The one who greeted me as I stepped down from the carriage wasn’t a butler, but Luwen herself.
“Lady Florence…? Isn’t this usually a busy time with preparations?”
“My mother and the head maid handle all that. What’s more important is greeting our first-time guest.”
Luwen led me to the greenhouse in the rear garden of the estate.
As we entered, the half dozen noble ladies already there turned to look at me.
“We have a new guest joining our gathering today. As you all know, she’s Lady Cloel—my savior.”
With so many eyes on me…
‘This feels just like introducing myself on the first day at a new school.’
Compared to large social events where you face an undefined crowd, this kind of small, close-knit meeting somehow felt more intimidating.
Of course, I had once been the darling of high society—
—but since my marriage, I’d hardly participated, and in particular, the memories of being falsely accused and driven out in my previous life were far stronger, making that era feel distant.
‘Still, there’s nothing hard about this.’
I put on my business smile and greeted everyone smoothly.
“It’s been a long time since I was invited to such a gathering. I’m pleased to meet you all.”
“Welcome, Lady Cloel! I’ve been wanting to meet you ever since that incident.”
“Yes, you saved Luwen’s life. As her friend, I wanted to thank you.”
One by one, the ladies, at first awkward and hesitant, greeted me.
They were probably uneasy not only because I was new to them, but also because—
‘While they spent time with Elise, whether they meant it or not, they must have spoken poorly of me.’
Now they must feel more embarrassed than anything.
Not that it mattered to me.
‘It’s not like I trust them as people anyway.’
Luwen was different—having been helped by me, I could believe the gratitude she showed.
The others would likely turn their backs on me if a similar situation arose again.
Still, the reason I’d accepted Luwen’s invitation was—
“Oh my, isn’t that the new release from Mariposa?”
—for this kind of interest.
‘Attending social gatherings like this is a perfect way to subtly showcase clothing.’
And there was one more decisive reason for attending—
“Seeing it up close, the fabric and design are so elegant. With hunting season coming, I might buy one.”
“Oh, then I’ll go too! I bought a dress for hunting season recently, but it’s so uncomfortable. Eilie, want to come?”
“Hmm… no. I think I’ll buy riding clothes this time. It’s an outdoor event, and dresses feel too restrictive.”
I blended naturally into the role of listener, focusing on their talk about the hunting season.
‘Customer conversations are the best source of ideas.’
And indeed, their discussion gave me a new inspiration.
On the way back from tea time—
I smiled in satisfaction as I recalled the conversation and the idea it sparked.
“Hunting is honestly kind of dull. Even though it’s an outdoor event, the ladies mostly just sit quietly and chat.”
“That’s true. It’d be nice if we could do something active, even if not hunting like the men.”
“But what could you do in a dress?”
“What about horseback riding? Like riding along the lakeshore or something.”
“Oh, that sounds fun.”
“W-Wait, I don’t know how to ride…”
“Me neither.”
“I’m not very good at it either. How about we all learn to ride while the men are hunting?”
The old-fashioned notion that women should just sit still and wait for the men was fading.
Voices seeking their own enjoyment were growing louder.
From that change, I got my idea for this season—
‘Not dresses—riding clothes.’
Dresses already sold year-round for all social occasions.
And other boutiques sold them too.
Of course, people tended to like the familiar with a small twist rather than something completely new—
—but I felt it was time to make a variation.
‘I need to tell Amon about this idea right away.’
Instead of returning directly to the grand duke’s residence, I had the carriage turn toward the boutique.
But Madame’s expression when she greeted me was unusual.
“Um, Lady Leticia.”
“What is it?”
“Viscount Cloel is here to see you.”
At the sudden, unexpected name, I frowned.
‘So much for acting like he’d never come again.’
As I suspected, that letter must have had another purpose.
I’d never expected him to stay quiet forever, but I hadn’t thought he’d come back this soon.
“I told him you wouldn’t be coming in today, but he’s been standing at the entrance refusing to leave…”
Madame didn’t give details, but I could imagine the scene he’d made out front.
‘Well, I can’t avoid him forever.’
It was something I’d have to face sooner or later.
After sending Madame away, I took a deep breath and entered the reception room.
There was the familiar, unwelcome face.
“Leticia?”
“…Father.”
“At last I see your face! That woman outside told me you weren’t working today, but clearly she was lying—how arrogant of her.”
Before he could insult Madame further, I cut him off.
“What brings you here? Last time you said you were too ashamed to show your face after apologizing.”
He flinched, then coughed and changed the subject.
“Ahem! No matter what, a father and daughter can’t live without seeing each other. I was away on the Eastern Continent, so I’m late in checking on you.”
I didn’t ask why he’d been to the Eastern Continent or what he’d done there.
I had a rough idea, and I wasn’t curious.
But he brought it up himself.
“That’s actually why I came. I brought something from there that could be useful to you.”
He opened a box that had been sitting on the floor.
Inside was a fabric of unfamiliar texture.
“This is a very rare and expensive cloth from the Eastern Continent. Thin and soft—if you made a dress from it, it’d be like butterfly wings.”
Then I understood why he’d come.
‘He’s here to sell this fabric.’
Unfortunately for him, what I saw in that fabric was black.
