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Chapter 51
Thanks to Elia completely lifting the curse, Noah was finally freed from his suffering.
But it wasn’t over just yet. The curse was too vicious to be erased in one go, so it had to be dealt with step by step.
Still, compared to before, his relationship with Elia had grown much closer.
“Alright then, let’s start the party.”
In the center of the garden, a huge table was filled with food.
Ever since the day the garden was completed, the household had set aside that day each year for a party where everyone in the duchy could eat and celebrate together. Even now, three years later, the tradition continued.
“What’s this, did it already start without us?”
“You’re late.”
Austin and Zirk, who had flown down from the sky, also joined the party. They had been moving back and forth between the Magic Tower and the ducal estate, teaching both Elia and Noah.
“On a day like today, we have to toast!”
Dmitri raised a mug of beer, and everyone followed suit.
Elia and Noah’s cups were filled with juice instead.
Noah’s expression seemed brighter than before.
“You’ve built some muscle, huh?”
“What?”
“Your shoulders look broader.”
“Well, wouldn’t it be strange if I didn’t after three years of training?”
Since focusing on swordsmanship, Noah had been spending a lot more time with the knights. Naturally, his body had grown sturdier.
“You know, that’s thanks to me.”
“Yeah, thanks. Happy now?”
“Why do you always have to answer like that?”
“What?”
“Try speaking a bit more nicely. At least in a way that doesn’t offend people.”
Noah just chuckled with a look that said, You’ve got to be kidding me.
The next day, Razli paid a long-overdue visit.
“Welcome, sis!”
“How have you been, Elly?”
“Good! I’ve grown a lot, right?”
“You sure have. You’re taller again.”
Razli herself had grown too—she was now a head taller than Elia.
“Don’t I get a hello?”
Lapis grumbled, his face full of dissatisfaction, but Elia only gave him a playful smile.
“Oops, didn’t see you there.”
“My lady!”
Ignoring the indignant Lapis, Elia quickly grabbed Razli’s hand and led her to the parlor.
“The parlor looks different again?”
“Yep, I redecorated.”
“It feels fresher, I like it.”
The overall vibe was light and refreshing. Lemon-colored curtains and mint-colored wallpaper paired beautifully with antique furniture.
“Every corner of the estate has Elly’s touch on it,” Alexis said proudly as he appeared.
“It’s been a while, Duke,” Razli greeted with a bow.
“Welcome back, Razli.”
Soon after, Lapis and Alexis stepped aside to talk business, leaving the sisters alone to enjoy some time together.
“Oh, Elly, I brought you a gift.”
“What is it?”
“Open it.”
It was quite a large box.
When Elia opened it—
“This is…”
“My very first bag.”
“A bag?”
“Mm-hm. It’s for carrying small things around. I made it myself.”
“The color’s so pretty! How did you know I love mint?”
“Lucky guess. I thought it’d suit you well.”
“You even decorated the strap?”
The strap was adorned with beads, making it extra beautiful.
“Yeah, I wanted the strap to be just as nice.”
“That’s amazing.”
As Elia admired the bag with sparkling eyes, Razli blushed.
“Actually, I’m thinking of opening a workshop.”
“I heard from Uncle Lapis! You’re going to run a workshop?”
“I’m a little nervous if I can do well…”
Elia set down the bag and held Razli’s hands.
“You’ll be amazing. You’ve got the best hands.”
“Thanks, Elly.”
A moment later, Merrill came in with tea.
“Here, try this. I grew it myself.”
“You grew it?”
“Yep.”
The Blessed Land made all crops thrive. Last year, Elia had planted tea, and this spring they had their first harvest.
“Starflower tea?”
“You’ve had it before?”
“It’s one of the luxury items my brother’s trading company distributes.”
“So when you start your workshop, are you leaving the trading company?”
“Probably. My brother said it’s better for me to do what I love.”
“I’m glad you found something you enjoy.”
“What about you, Elly? Have you found what you love?”
“I love this duchy. I just want us to prosper even more.”
Razli chuckled.
“My brother said the money going into your account alone already exceeds the duchy’s yearly budget.”
“That’s still not enough. We need more wealth, enough that no one would dare touch us.”
Razli’s eyes gleamed.
“Sounds like you’ve got plans.”
“I’m about to expand the business.”
So far, Elia and Lapis had been running an underground medicine trade and had even launched a nutrition supplement business.
They sold joint-health supplements, prenatal and postnatal supplements, vision care, and immunity boosters. The shop had been a massive success.
“This time, I’m moving into cosmetics.”
“Cosmetics?”
“Mm-hm. I’m planning a special care line.”
“Special care?”
“For people with sensitive skin.”
“That’s a great idea.”
Everyone’s skin condition was different, yet all the cosmetics on the market used the same standard formulas. That often caused trouble for people with sensitive skin—sometimes even breakouts.
“But be careful. Cosmetics are one of the Grand Duchess’s businesses.”
“I know. Don’t worry.”
It was about time the Ducal House laid its foundation in the capital. For Noah’s sake as well.
And to do that, they needed to chip away at Grand Duchess Christina’s influence—the most powerful figure in the capital.
Like ripples spreading on water, Elia planned to erode her power little by little, without anyone noticing—until it was too late to stop.
In just two years, Noah would return to the Imperial Palace for his coming-of-age ceremony. Elia wanted to be his strength.
For that, the ducal house’s influence needed to grow much stronger.
No one should be able to touch us.
The cosmetics business would be the first step.
In the capital, a new craze was sweeping high society. At salons and parties, it was all anyone could talk about.
“Oh my, madam. Did you buy that supplement from Florence?”
“You know about it? My joints have been bad lately.”
“Really? Mine too.”
“I gave my daughter the prenatal supplement, and guess what? Three months later, she was pregnant!”
“Truly? Congratulations. I must send one to my daughter too.”
Among noblewomen, joint and maternity supplements were the hot topic. Among men, it was the vitality supplement.
“Have you tried this?”
“Oh, so you know it too. The effect is incredible.”
“Every morning, I feel stronger than ever. Hahaha.”
Hearing their conversation, a curious nobleman joined in.
“Is it really that effective?”
“Of course. Try it once, you’ll feel the difference in the morning.”
“Where can I buy it?”
“Well, it’s at…”
The nobleman quickly excused himself to head there. He wasn’t the only one—everyone who heard the rumors rushed to the shop.
On Noblesse Road in the capital, one shop stood out.
Its mint-colored sign read Florence, and long lines formed at the entrance.
“Manager, looks like we’ll sell out again today.”
“What about stock?”
“We’ll need to reorder.”
“I’ll put in the order. You keep handling customers.”
“Yes, manager.”
Leaving the sales floor to his assistant, the manager went into the backroom and activated a communication orb.
– What is it, Nicholas?
“Sir, we’re running out of stock. Sales are unbelievable.”
– Word-of-mouth from satisfied customers is powerful.
“Can’t we go back to just the luxury versions?”
– Why?
“There are too many customers. It’s exhausting.”
Nicholas complained, and Lapis scolded him.
– What, are you begging me to come beat you up?
“Not at all! But do you know how hard customer service is?”
– The shop will expand soon, and we’ll hire more staff. Just hang in there until then. Also, we’ll be launching a new brand.
“A new brand?”
– Yes. At our little lady’s request.
“What is she planning this time…”
– Who knows. But thanks to her, we’re making tons of money, so no complaints.
Thanks to Elia, the Black Pearl Trading Company had skyrocketed in the past three years.
It was no longer just a top-ten company on the continent—it had risen into the top five.
– Keep it up. I’ll visit soon.
“Yes, sir. Also, I need to place a reorder—we’re completely out of stock.”
– Got it.
As the call ended, Nicholas sighed deeply.
“The work never ends, never!”
Before he could even catch his breath, another customer’s voice called out for him, and Nicholas hurried back to the shop floor.
The line outside still stretched far beyond sight.
