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Chapter 17
Cheryl said this at a social club last year:
“If anyone can move my heart, no matter their status or gender, I’ll make them my business partner. But honestly, it’s disappointing that I haven’t met anyone like that.”
Many nobles tried to win Cheryl’s favor, but in the end, they gave up.
Becoming her business partner was as hard as reaching for the stars. At best, they could hope for little perks, like a discount at Iris Dress Shop or a salon priority card.
But today, at the party she thought would be the worst, Cheryl tasted a miracle.
It had been ages since her heart had pounded happily like this.
The grain drink was nutty and refreshing. It wouldn’t be popular with everyone, but it fit Cheryl’s taste perfectly.
‘She must have planned the hot and salty food on purpose. Lukewarm water wouldn’t quench the thirst.’
Then, the cool and sweet grain drink was served. Cheryl was amazed at Lady Solia’s careful plan.
‘Even though I like hometown grain foods, I never eat them in front of people. Wouldn’t it seem tacky for a countess?’
She could tell it wasn’t a coincidence. How did Solia know her taste? Cheryl was shocked at her information-gathering skills.
‘My tea shop at Gallery Sforza has been getting complaints for rude service.’
Unlike when her café first opened and earned four stars in Blue Tongue, now even the tea didn’t taste good.
‘Sales have been dropping since last year, and now they’ve crashed to half.’
Coffee always sold well, but without new seasonal menus, the café had stopped growing.
‘Hmph! They must not care anymore. There’s no competition, and no one to make new ideas.’
The tea shop manager was lazy, and the café manager was too eager but dumb.
‘Maybe Lady Solia could be the breakthrough I need.’
Cheryl smiled, feeling hope.
‘Solia Rotten… She’s a noble, so it’s easy to bring her along. But she’s not from a famous family, so I can control her the way I want.’
She’d know her place and work hard, and having a smart, young noble lady around wouldn’t hurt.
If Solia was too clever, she might be trouble, but otherwise, it would be fine.
“Where is Lady Solia? I want to meet her now.”
“Lady Solia…” Edel paused, looking troubled.
Since four nights ago, Solia had been nearly locked up in her room. Baron Rotten was angry that she had moved Noah to the guest room without permission.
Solia had been called to her father’s office, and there had been an uproar since then.
“You ruined all my plans! Do you think that count—who’s almost a corpse except for his face—will marry you after you dragged him around? What are you doing?! Can’t you handle a single man?”
“Are you getting desperate, Father? Even though I’m the one with the winning hand.”
Solia stayed calm even when Baron Rotten threw his desk clock at her.
“Father, you know I get ignored by the servants in this house. Who would want to marry me?”
“Don’t make excuses! Are you saying the servants are the reason you haven’t gotten a proposal?”
“Don’t you think so? Count Lenister needs someone who can run a household. I need to show him I can do it. He must be sensitive about our debts already.”
Baron Rotten was speechless because Solia’s words made sense. Since she didn’t seem afraid, he lost his temper.
“Stop beating around the bush. Tell me what you want!”
“Give me the authority to manage the servants. Let me hire and fire as I see fit, without interference.”
Solia, who had politely folded her hands, now looked sharp.
She already had Baron Rotten in her grasp.
“We’re in the same boat. If the ship sinks, we both drown. I hope you make a wise decision.”
“Damn girl… Fine. Do as you wish. You can do whatever you want with the staff—except for my direct subordinates. I won’t hold you responsible. But!”
Baron Rotten signaled to the middle-aged woman beside him. She looked like a governess, but instead of a book, she held a wooden rod.
“But you’ll still be punished for moving the count without permission. This is Merlin. I invited her to fix your bad habits. If you kneel and beg now, I’ll let it go.”
“I’ll take my punishment.”
“You stubborn girl… This is a warning, Solia. If you don’t get a proposal in one month, I’ll break your legs.”
Solia gave a faint smile and rolled up her skirt, not even looking at the woman with the rod.
“Dear Father, do as you wish.”
“You really are crazy!”
“Don’t regret it. I’ll get a proposal within a month.”
After that, Solia was beaten until her shoulders and legs bled.
She didn’t even scream, which made the woman hitting her uncomfortable.
Since he didn’t want her scarred, Baron Rotten brought a priest for treatment during the party. Solia was being treated now, basically under house arrest.
Cheryl, who didn’t know any of this, spoke coldly.
“Is it really so difficult to grant my request to meet the baron’s daughter?”
“I’m sorry.”
“If Lady Solia refuses, that’s fine. But if not, I want to know the reason.”
Edel moved her lips but said, “I can’t say,” and bowed. She couldn’t reveal Solia’s situation without her permission.
“I’ll come back in a week at this time. I hope I can meet the baron’s daughter then.”
Cheryl finished her glass in one gulp.
The drink was so sweet and cool it relieved her stress.
After the party.
The kitchen was filled with cheers.
“Did you see that? The scary Countess Malone actually smiled!”
“Yeah, I saw it. I thought she’d explode, but she smiled after one drink.”
“What was in that drink…”
The servants looked at the glass.
“Huh, there’s some left? Countess Malone and Viscountess Philon both finished theirs.”
A maid with her hair up tilted her head.
“That’s odd. If only Countess Malone liked it… but even Viscountess Philon finished hers.”
“Right. She never drinks sweet things because she’s dieting.”
Another maid, arms folded, looked at a barely touched glass.
“Baroness Tamel only drank half, and Audrey didn’t touch hers.”
“Isn’t Audrey the one who runs the biggest tea house in the city? Maybe she was upset it wasn’t tea.”
They all guessed, but no one knew the real reason.
Audrey, known as a gourmet, hadn’t tasted the drink at all.
“If someone didn’t finish it, maybe they didn’t like it. But it’s strange Audrey didn’t even try it when Countess Malone praised it.”
“Aren’t they not on good terms?”
“Really? I thought they were old friends.”
“Haven’t you read Lime Hot? It said they had a huge fight last year. They cursed and threw things.”
Lime Hot was a famous gossip magazine. Its anonymous writer never hesitated to expose scandals.
Suddenly, the maid with her hair up remembered something.
“Years ago, they both fenced over who’d become the mistress of a handsome opera actor. The actor dated both ladies, but they were friends…”
That was twenty years ago, but it was still talked about sometimes.
Both women were fierce in business and love. Now, they seemed calmer—at least on the outside.
The author of Lime Hot once wrote:
“Like swans on a lake full of gold coins, the two noblewomen act refined. But inside, they carry blades sharp enough to slay ogres.”
“Even though they’re no longer friends, they both attend every meeting of the Five Star Ladies’ Club. Everyone agrees—the first one to skip is the loser.”
“Last year, their fight was famously childish. It was so embarrassing, both their attendants’ faces turned red like smashed watermelons.
Audrey pointed and said, ‘Cheryl! You’re lucky to have a husband who’s such a pathetic eunuch, really!’
Countess Malone snapped back, ‘Your husband is short and ugly, but he has more mistresses than King Alexander the Conqueror! I heard he spent all your allowance on love potions!’
Audrey yelled, ‘Why bring up my ex from ten years ago?’ and threw her teacup. Countess Malone sneered, ‘Even an ogre’s wife has more class than you!’”
They fought and split, but still showed up to every Thursday club meeting.
Who would be the first to stop coming and be labeled a loser?
Since Duchess Benzo went missing, everyone knew Countess Malone now led the group.
