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~Chapter 38~
As soon as Shariette stepped inside the shop, she smelled something familiar.
The scent of dried herbs, roots, and all kinds of medicines.
The large and luxurious interior was nothing like Mayrilly, but the smell felt comfortable and familiar.
“Wow, it doesn’t look like a shop that’s been here for 200 years.”
“They’ve expanded and rebuilt it several times. Nobles in the capital like things flashy.”
Hundreds of glass bottles filled with different medicines glittered under magical lights.
She had seen medicine countless times, but never this much all at once.
Drawn as if by instinct, Shariette walked quickly into the shelves taller than her.
Nixia followed behind, smiling.
“Oh, they made syrup with Liptus leaves. Refining is more common, so this is unusual.”
Shariette picked up a brown bottle and muttered:
“It’s easier for children to take that way.”
Recognizing a knowledgeable customer, a clerk quickly approached.
“You seem to know medicine well. Are you an apothecary, miss?”
“Yes.”
Welcome, big spender! The clerk smiled brightly. He was skilled at spotting easy customers.
“Our Baraine Apothecary has been serving the capital for 200 years. We supply major clinics and pharmacies. With a contract of five years or more, we offer a 10% discount, and…”
He smoothly placed a brochure and a contract in Shariette’s hand, then held up a golden potion.
“If you sign today, we’ll give you epinephrin reagent—essential for making heart and respiratory medicine—at 60% of the normal price for three months. We’ll be losing money, practically giving it away—”
“Sixty percent of the price? That’s 24 luca. But right now, raw epinephrit is being harvested the most, so the cost isn’t even 10 luca.”
The former herb seller White Crow spoke firmly, her teal eyes sharp with suspicion.
The clerk’s fake smile faltered.
‘How does she know production costs?’
Of course she knew—she had been a self-sufficient herb seller.
Nixia chuckled behind her.
The clerk froze, suddenly realizing the tall young lady was Nixia.
“L-Lady Rubellot! Forgive me, I should have greeted you first!”
“It’s fine. You were kind enough to guide my friend.”
“Th-that’s…”
Trying to trick an investor’s friend—his hands shook and he dropped the bottle.
“……!”
Clink! Shariette quickly caught it and held it to the light.
‘Good color, viscosity, and clarity. No sediment.’
The quality was excellent, though overpriced.
“I won’t sign a contract, but I’ll buy it personally. Send me a box.”
“Huh, c-customer!”
Shariette held up three fingers.
“30 luca each.”
The clerk swallowed nervously and glanced at Nixia.
“For private purchase, we can’t discount that much…”
“If I like it, I’ll order regularly. Send it to Rubellot Manor.”
The clerk’s eyes sparkled. It sounded like sweet music.
“Yes, yes! I’ll wrap it nicely and send it! Please take one free bottle as service!”
He quickly packed it with a ribbon and slipped in his card and order form.
“Next time, you don’t have to come. Just send the order form—please, write Anderson as the manager!”
As they left, Nixia asked in surprise:
“Shariette, you’re good at bargaining?”
“I used to be a herb seller.”
Shariette puffed out her chest proudly. She had been quite good at business in Mayrilly too.
“Hehe, I see. Then I’ll expect good things from you at our next stop.”
“Where are we going?”
Nixia whispered slyly:
“To a place that feels good, looks good, and sparkles.”
Nixia, you trickster! You never said it would be this!
Shariette flailed her arms inside the wide fitting room.
“Please stand still for a moment.”
“Raise your arms.”
The shop staff swiftly dressed her, zipped her up, tied ribbons, and fitted shoes.
She wasn’t as shocked this time, since she had already been forced into clothes earlier by Nixia’s maids. Still, it felt awkward.
Normally, she was the one helping others dress up, not the one being dressed.
‘Shasha, I told you to bring red! Are your ears blocked? Someone bring me something sharp—I’ll pierce her ears myself!’
Helping, yes…
‘This is too bright, you stupid rat! Oh, your eyes must be worse than your ears. Did you bring it? Hand it over.’
…Though maybe not much help.
‘Shasha, look carefully with your other eye. The blood flowing here—bring me exactly that color. Do you understand?’
The point was—Shariette had always been on the dressing side, not the dressed side.
She scratched her eyelid, avoiding the hands arranging things in her hair.
“All done! Thank you for your patience!”
“Your pale skin suits it perfectly!”
The staff praised her as they opened the curtain.
Shariette, who had just been thinking about red, found herself facing a young lady who suited red better than anyone—Nixia.
“Oh my, Shariette…!”
Nixia clapped her hands and beamed.
“See, I knew this dress would suit you. Come, look in the mirror. How is it?”
“It’s a green dress with white ribbons.”
The staff, ready to agree with her, froze with mouths open.
Shariette added calmly:
“It’s green with a bluish tint, decorated with cream and pink ribbons.”
“……”
Nine years in the shop, thirteen years in the shop—this was the first time they had seen a customer like her.
They exchanged glances.
‘She seemed awkward from the start.’
‘If she won’t use that face, I’d take it.’
Nixia, used to Shariette’s blunt ways, wagged her finger.
“It’s not about facts. I’m asking how it feels. Does it look good or bad? Comfortable or uncomfortable? Do you want to wear it or take it off?”
“If the sleeves are like this, handling herbs—”
“Based on when you’re not working.”
“Then… it’s not that uncomfortable.”
Nixia realized that was the most reaction she’d ever get from this calm girl.
‘Hm. You can’t expect to be full from the first spoon.’
She glanced at Shariette’s ankles under the dress, only briefly and politely.
The head designer, watching carefully, quickly joined in.
“My goodness, it looks as if it were tailored just for her. As expected, Lady Nixia’s taste is unmatched!”
“Madam Sellen, show my friend more things that might suit her. A few everyday dresses, and some light ones for small parties or teas.”
“Of course, Lady. I’ll prepare them right away.”
“And also—”
The designer bowed as Nixia whispered something to her.
“Yes, I’ll take care.”
Before Shariette could step back, Madam Sellen stood behind her and motioned to the staff.
“Lady Nixia, it’s fine for daily wear, but why for parties—”
“Mm? Didn’t we agree to be friends?”
So that’s what they meant by siblings—shameless and self-willed, both of them.
Shariette scratched her cheek.
“Nixia.”
Calling her by name at last, Nixia smiled in satisfaction.
“Shariette, clothes aren’t things you buy when you need them. You buy them first, and the need comes later.”
She gave Shariette a push toward the mirror.
“Now, while we wait, today’s goal is to find clothes you like. Just pick anything that catches your eye—like you did with that medicine earlier.”
“It wasn’t medicine, it was epinephrin reagent for heart and respiratory—”
“Fighting!”
Nixia had already learned to filter her friend’s overly precise words.
