Chapter 51
Rinia glanced over in this direction again, waiting for a signal.
Idel suddenly thought that she felt sorry for her. Even if Rinia picked the best clothes that suited her, she must have been deceived and swayed by others like this.
Idel pretended to be a clueless maid and mumbled.
“To me, the green dress from before looked the prettiest…”
Rinia nodded slightly and said to Dora with a prim expression.
“Do you think my taste is not up to par? Or do you have some other scheme?”
“N-no way! I was just…!”
“I’m joking. Why do you look so surprised?”
With a sly smile, Rinia handed the outing clothes catalog back to Dora.
“I’ll order just one of the green dresses from earlier.”
“Huh? What about the picnic dress and the evening dress?”
“I’ll take my time with those. You’re not disappointed, are you?”
“Of c-course not. Ha ha ha!”
Rinia acted smarter than expected.
If she didn’t order anything at all from Dynamis, they would spread rumors about her to other dress shops. They would think she was someone who would never become a customer again.
On the other hand, ordering all three dresses might make her appear like an easy mark.
There was no need to buy so many dresses from people who looked down on her and tried to deceive her.
I thought Dynamis was decent, but I need to reconsider. A dress shop that changes its attitude depending on the customer…
Idel reevaluated Dynamis in her mind. Although she would never have the opportunity to order such dresses herself, it was still good to know.
Later, if Rinia ever forgot and tried to call on Dynamis, she could advise her.
The next afternoon, a jeweler came.
Laszlo, who cared for his sister despite pretending otherwise, said it was fine to call the famously expensive Lacris, but Idel opposed it.
“The public perception of Miss Rinia is still leaning toward ‘dislike.’ Wearing expensive jewelry could lead to stronger negative feelings… To be more frank, Lacris might even refuse the request.”
Lacris provided jewelry for royal ceremonies and had the support of a ducal family, so their pride was quite high.
You needed an existing client’s recommendation to even call on them, and even then, they sometimes turned down requests.
Idel was confident that Lacris would not accept an order from the Count of Chrises. She didn’t want Rinia or Laszlo to go through unnecessary embarrassment.
So she suggested a few jewelry shops known for their good design and quality.
“Thank you for calling me. I’m Roderic Harman, the proprietor of Lorege.”
Rinia chose Lorege, a jeweler Idel had used a few times before.
Frankly, Idel thought they would just send an employee, but perhaps due to the status of the Count’s family, the owner himself had come.
After finishing his introduction, Roderic looked up at Rinia and then paused when he saw Idel standing beside her. He seemed to recognize her.
A man with good observation and memory.
Of course, as a merchant, he was also quick-witted.
He didn’t create an awkward atmosphere by acknowledging Idel but instead began displaying the items he brought before Rinia.
Apparently, Rinia noticed he recognized Idel, and unlike the day the dress shop employee came, she openly asked for Idel’s help.
“Idel. Pick something for me. I really don’t know much about jewelry.”
So Idel stepped forward and carefully examined the items Roderic displayed. If he had brought only strange items like Dora from Dynamis, she was ready to send him away without buying anything.
However, Roderic seemed indifferent to the reputation of the Chrises family and brought items of a similar level to what he had shown Idel in the past.
Since there are already many flashy items, I should choose the basics.
Idel chose a not-too-thick pearl necklace, teardrop-shaped pearl earrings, and a necklace lined with evenly-sized crystal beads.
“This should be enough for now…”
“Isn’t it a bit plain?”
“But it goes well with anything.”
Idel thought Rinia might not be satisfied, but surprisingly, she accepted Idel’s opinion without resistance.
The total on the invoice was not small, as the chosen items were of high quality, but they were worth the price.
The next day, a cosmetics merchant came.
Even though there wasn’t much in terms of cosmetics, Rinia still asked Idel to pick for her.
“I can’t trust any information I know. So, Idel, please choose for me.”
Idel had the chance to look through the cosmetics merchant’s bag for the first time in a while.
Rinia had healthy, firm skin, so she didn’t need rich nourishing creams or strong makeup products. Idel chose a high-quality moisturizer, a powder that matched Rinia’s skin tone, a subtle yet elegant lip color, and a lighter perfume than what Rinia usually wore.
“Miss Rinia doesn’t need heavy makeup. Enhancing your skin makes for better makeup. And your current perfume is too strong. Something this light suits you better.”
Rinia’s eyes widened as she sniffed the perfume Idel selected, looking surprised.
“Wow! This is really nice! It’s floral, but it doesn’t make me feel nauseous.”
“That’s because your current perfume is too heavy. This is perfect for someone your age, and it suits your image well.”
Idel felt bad knowing that Rinia had endured nausea to wear her perfume.
Marsha must have recommended what she liked herself. People often recommended what they wanted for themselves.
To suggest such a strong scent to a 19-year-old, really…
Idel felt like sighing.
Rinia liked the perfume Idel picked so much that she didn’t bother to test any others.
She even sold the “flower water powder” Marsha had brought her to the merchant. Since it was a popular item, it fetched a good price, which Rinia gave to Idel.
“I don’t want to hear that you’re saving up even from selling cosmetics. So take this, Idel.”
Idel accepted the money without protest.
“What’s this? I thought you’d refuse at least once.”
“Did you offer it hoping I’d refuse? I must’ve missed that.”
“You know how to joke? That’s surprising.”
Idel smiled faintly with Rinia before leaning over and whispering so the merchant wouldn’t hear.
“It wouldn’t be good if rumors spread that the count’s daughter sold her cosmetics. But giving the money to a maid wouldn’t draw criticism.”
Cosmetics merchants were roaming sources of information. What they saw here would undoubtedly reach others’ ears.
Rinia would gain a reputation as a generous lady, which would reflect positively on her.
“I’ll return it after the merchant leaves.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Do I seem that stingy?”
Rinia snorted and stood up.
She then picked up the cream Idel had chosen and added it to the bill.
“Charge this one as well.”
Then she handed the cream to Idel.
“Take it.”
“What? Why…”
“Why else? Use it.”
Rinia turned her head abruptly, seemingly to hide her blushing cheeks, and Idel pretended not to notice.
The girl who once called Idel to mock her and demanded she kneel now bought her cream and slipped her spending money. Idel remembered what Laszlo had said before.
Yes, good days come eventually. That’s how life is.
She felt her lips stretching into a smile.
Rinia had been regaining her confidence bit by bit recently.
After certain events made her realize that high society ladies weren’t all that intimidating, and having Idel as her personal maid meant she rarely got criticized when attending social gatherings.
“Miss Rinia! Welcome! Those pearl earrings look amazing on you!”
Thank you, Miss Jeremiah. The garden is truly wonderful.”
Thanks to moments like this, Rinia now had friends who called her by name.
However, she no longer lowered her guard as easily as she used to, thanks to Idel’s advice.
“The nobility can change their attitudes very quickly. If they think someone could be beneficial to them, they might have spat in their face yesterday but will suddenly link arms and act friendly today.”
And just as Idel had said, young ladies who had been gossiping behind Rinia’s back until recently started approaching her suddenly.
All it took was a change in her attire, her jewelry, and the simple act of holding her head high.
