IPBPBD 33

Chapter 33

Emilina soon realized that running a business required far more preparation and aftercare than she had expected.

And above all, there was the matter of monopolizing information and keeping rivals in check.

Her father had once sought advice from several nobles in order to ensure his venture’s success.

But then Viscount Heather, having caught wind of it here and there, approached her father and snatched away the very item he had planned to trade.

Later, they found out he had even subtly sabotaged them.

In short, they had been robbed right under their noses.

It was a painful mistake born of ignorance of how the market truly worked—both hers and her father’s.

And now, Viscount Heather had succeeded in securing that trade.

That was one of the reasons Emilina wasn’t exactly thrilled about attending this gathering.

“Why so quiet, Lady?”

Prompted for an answer, Emilina turned her gaze toward Lady Heather.

Her lips were pressed so tightly together it looked as if they might bleed at any moment.

The other young ladies, sensing the strange atmosphere, began whispering among themselves.

A few glanced sidelong at Lady Heather with curious expressions.

“Lady Heather?”

Lady Wilhelm cautiously called her, trying to ease the tense air.

Lady Heather suddenly raised her eyes, sharp with hostility, and snapped at Emilina.

“Lady Klein. You’ve been cornering me with questions like some interrogation. Do you even know what you’re talking about?”

“At least more than you do.”

“Ha! Then why don’t you enlighten us? If you’re trying to deceive me, I won’t let it pass.”

Her words were dripping with venom.

Emilina couldn’t help but scoff.

And what exactly would she do if she “didn’t let it pass”?

At worst, spread nasty rumors in a group or bare her fangs with words like daggers. Nothing more.

A mocking smile tugged at Emilina’s lips.

“How amusing. You want me to tell you about Heather Merchant Guild’s goods?”

“If you’re so confident, why not? Or is it that you don’t actually have the courage?”

Lady Heather twisted her mouth, as if she had been waiting for that moment.

She opened her lips, ready to scold Emilina for embarrassing her.

But Emilina spoke faster.

“It’s not that I can’t, but isn’t it funny? The guildmaster is your father, yet you expect the daughter of the man whose business he stole to explain things?”

She shrugged as if it were nothing.

“Well, since I’ve been given the chance, why not? It seems the other ladies are rather curious, too.”

At that, the ladies twitched in surprise, caught in her pointed remark.

Lady Heather glared, eyes promising she’d seize upon any slip Emilina made.

But Emilina began speaking slowly and clearly.

“Let’s start with the dress. It’s most likely made of silk woven from mulberry thread. Silk from the Eastern Continent is said to be of unmatched quality.”

“And who’s to say you didn’t just make that up?”

Lady Heather interrupted, trying to discredit her. Emilina lifted her hand to cover her lips.

The interruption only proved she knew nothing—it was laughable.

Noticing Emilina’s smirk, Lady Heather trembled with humiliation.

Holding back her laughter, Emilina continued.

“Why would I need to invent something that can be verified? Eastern silk is so renowned that it’s often presented as tribute in foreign courts.”

It seemed the merchant guildmaster’s daughter didn’t even know this.

Silk had not yet become well known in this region.

But soon, things would change.

Nobles would begin seeking it, the price would soar, and it would become the pinnacle of luxury.

Of all imports from the Eastern Continent, silk would surely generate the greatest profit.

For decades at least, it would bring staggering gains.

Eastern silk was far superior to anything produced locally.

That was precisely why Emilina and her father had chosen it in the first place.

The thought of it still left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“And that hair ornament—its proper name is a ‘binyeo.’ It’s made of ‘nacre,’ carved from shells.”

Not gemstones, dear. Emilina swallowed the words and smiled sweetly.

Lady Heather had earlier told the girls it was a jeweled hairpin crafted by Eastern artisans.

Emilina had just exposed her falsehood.

Realizing this, Lady Heather clenched at her skirts.

“No, it’s just a jeweled hairpin! I’ve never heard of such a ridiculous term.”

She stubbornly refused to admit it.

“Well, true, it still goes in the hair, so you could call it a hairpin.” Emilina let it slide with a shrug.

“But those earrings—you said they were made of tourmaline. Are you sure? Because I’ve heard otherwise.”

“They are tourmaline. Enough already. Your mocking tone is offensive.”

Lady Heather’s jaw tightened as she warned her.

But Emilina answered coolly.

“Oh, Lady Heather, if something is wrong it should be corrected. Those earrings are jade. Isn’t it strange that the owner of the goods knows so little about them?”

“Lady Klein!”

At last Lady Heather exploded, raising her voice.

Her face had completely crumbled.

The piercing shrillness made Emilina frown slightly.

Around them, stifled chuckles could be heard.

Humiliated, Lady Heather struggled to steady her breath.

Then she snapped bitterly,

“You’re truly shameless. Stealing someone else’s business and studying it—are you really that proud?”

“And you—are you proud that you can’t even recognize your own family’s major business?”

“At least it’s better than betraying one’s honor.”

“I’m not so sure. From what I see, you can no longer claim to be honorable either. You just admitted it yourself—that you’ve been bluffing about what you don’t know.”

It was a sly play on words.

Only now did Lady Heather realize—she had been dancing to Emilina’s tune all along.

She had been so provoked she ended up digging her own grave.

She had all but confessed that her earlier boasts were lies.

She bit her lip, stung by her own carelessness.

Her stupidity born of negligence was unbearable.

Until now, vague words had always been enough.

She’d never bothered to truly learn about Eastern luxury goods.

She could spout shallow observations and still be praised.

‘But that wretch…!’

Because Emilina had pressed so doggedly, her false claims had been exposed.

Now a worthless girl’s scheming had left a blemish on the image she had worked so hard to build.

When the gathering ended, rumors would spread without a doubt.

Such was the fate of lower-ranking nobles without true power.

Among equals, people always sided with whichever family offered the most advantage.

Give them the slightest excuse, and they would tear you down instantly.

And so it was now.

No one stood up to defend her—they merely watched, waiting to see which way the wind blew.

‘Disgusting lot.’

This was exactly why she needed to climb higher.

It was why she had worked to connect herself with Lady Chase, the marquess’s daughter and a leading figure in society.

Once she belonged to that circle, she’d no longer need to mix with these petty noblewomen.

But Lady Chase was known for cutting off anyone who could tarnish her authority.

To become one of her people was no easy feat.

If today’s events distanced her from Lady Chase…

‘I will never forgive this.’

She was on the verge of entering the central social scene.

If her efforts went to waste, she would never forgive it.

“…It seems the mood is no longer suited for refreshments. Let us end the gathering here. Please, everyone, return home.”

Lady Heather’s voice was cold and filled with anger as she turned her gaze on Emilina.

“Lady Klein, I will never forget this humiliation. You will regret it.”

“How kind of you. In that case, I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.”

Emilina rose gracefully, answering in an even tone.

The result was more than satisfactory.

She had rattled Lady Heather enough to cut the tea party short.

Not that the event could have continued smoothly in such an awkward atmosphere anyway.

And since it had officially been dismissed, no one could fault her for leaving.

Emilina stepped away, feeling lighter.

Just then, Lady Heather spat through gritted teeth,

“Let’s see how long you can act so proud. Our guild alone holds a great deal of your father’s debt.”