17

A new space unfolded before her, where black and pink blended perfectly. It wasn’t the usual lady’s drawing room atmosphere she always saw.

‘It’s like the room I’ve only ever imagined and could never actually have.’

She had always dreamed of a room like this, but if she actually decorated it this way her parents would probably smack her. For nobles, a mansion is both living space and a means of showing off to others, so anything overly flashy or divisive was avoided.

The young lady wandered through the displayed products as if mesmerized.

In the black area were simple, aloof-feeling items; in the pink area were products with a girlish vibe. The cosmetics themselves had designs she’d never seen before.

‘Pretty. But not overdone… much simpler than other stores.’

She naturally pictured how it would look when she took these out in front of her friends. She could already see their envious, curious gazes. Except for liquid items, the staff helped customers swatch products on the back of their hands.

‘I don’t feel a big difference from Madam Rouge’s products?’

The scent from the products was subtle and pleasant, not off-putting.

‘Oh? Something’s written on the floor.’

On closer look, it read ‘Shy Handkerchief.’

Each color had a different name. Naming shades like that was cute.

There weren’t many product types: just three—lipstick, cheek tint, and an eye palette.

‘Strangely, there isn’t a single duplicate shade.’

She felt anew that there really are no identical tones under the sky.

‘Ah, it’s already that late.’

She had been picking things up and before she knew it two hours had flown by. Her basket was full.

‘Shall I start heading back now?’

With a contented heart she headed for the checkout, when something sparkling brushed past her. She turned, mesmerized. Above a certain product, glitter was falling like rain, as if a magical item had been used.

It was labeled in large letters: ‘Popup Limited Item.’

“These are sold on-site only during the one month this store is operating…?”

A small note added that they wouldn’t be sold after the popup ended.

Different shades than the ones she’d just seen—lipstick, cheek tint, and eye palette—were neatly boxed together as a set.

‘The packaging design is flashier too. It’s engraved as an opening-limited product.’

For some reason she felt she absolutely needed those cosmetics.

‘Seasons change and my colors might change; then I wouldn’t be able to buy them.’

They were a bit pricier, but she asked them to gift-wrap the set. She was sure she’d use them someday!

“You didn’t miss the chance. The artisans specially crafted these to commemorate the Black Dia opening. You have excellent taste,’ the short-haired, cute-looking clerk said, giving her assurance.”

Hearing the guidance from the cute, bob-haired clerk, she felt certain.

“This is a complimentary handheld mirror to celebrate the Black Dia launch. We’ll pack it with your purchase.”

It was a mirror designed in black and pink, the perfect size to carry to a ball or tea party. She’d always worried whether food got stuck in her teeth after snacks, so it was a very welcome gift.

“Did you have a pleasant time? Please visit our permanent store when it opens. Thank you,” the clerk said.

When she stepped outside, the sun was dimming. The waiting escorting knight approached and took her bags.

“Milady, did you have a good outing?”

The young lady smiled in satisfaction.

“Let’s come again next week!”

“Sorry?”

We’ll come back and look around calmly next time. After a month we won’t be able to see them!

Daijo’s cosmetics brand ‘Black Dia’ was an absolute smash hit.

From the young lady and other noblewomen living in Rusera to wealthy commoners and girls, there was no one who didn’t know about the popup store.

“I knew choosing this place was the right call!”

Pinea exclaimed, grabbing me and shaking me with joy.

As someone whose previous life was rooted in office work, I was full of anticipation about how big the special bonus would be.

‘But there’s something I mustn’t forget first.’

Headquarters was literally in a festive mood.

Executives wore smiles constantly, and the merchant guild head kept throwing dinners every night. Whatever kind of person the marquis’s young lady was, it was clear she had great influence over our fates.

knock knock

“Come in.”

I entered the department head’s office, bowed politely, and took a seat.

“What’s the matter with Cornelia, the busiest person these days?” the department head asked.

The department head even made a joke he rarely used.

‘Money does make things nicer,’ I thought.

I felt once more how business success could change the company’s atmosphere. But I waited with a calm look, not an excited one. The department head soon noticed I was there for something other than work and returned to his usual expression.

“Has another merchant house tried to scout you? Just say the word. I’ll speak to the merchant guild head and we’ll take better care of your conditions.”

I could almost hear the unspoken ‘Don’t you dare resign!’

“No, that’s not it. I requested this meeting because there’s something I need to say. Everyone’s been so busy with the cosmetics business that I couldn’t bring it up, but I wanted to address it properly.”

I confessed everything: the petty conflicts with Bator up to the recent incident of the presentation materials being burned. With witnesses and evidence, it couldn’t be written off as a misunderstanding or slander.

‘I see.” he said.

The department head’s expression turned serious.

After a long silence he spoke again.

“Between the senior staff incident last time and now this—I’m sorry.” he said.

“It’s all right. Higher-ups might not know. I also know not everyone at work is friendly toward me. But this went beyond what I can handle. I’m asking for help.”

‘People like Bator change their attitude depending on who they’re with, so it’s hard for superiors to notice,’ I thought.

Having contributed to this business’s success, I couldn’t just let it slide. Beyond that, the head wasn’t someone who let things pass.

“All right, thank you for telling me. Don’t worry about Bator. The aide and a senior staff had spotted his behavior a few times and told me—his manner toward peers and subordinates is rough. I was going to warn him and give him another chance, but it seems there’s no need.” he said.

A few days later, Bator was summoned to the merchant guild’s Ministry of Justice for questioning. Workplace harassment, acts that harmed the guild, and embezzlement he had been involved in with the former management head were uncovered as well.

‘He quietly ran the whole gamut,’ I thought.

He must have been dissatisfied as his incoming funds decreased.

As a result, Bator was fired, the embezzled funds were deducted from his salary and assets, and he was barred from ever working at Daijo again.

Packing his things under everyone’s hostile stares, Bator had to leave Daijo alone without anyone seeing him off. Not even his senior Jemina came out.

“Hey.”

But I came out. I wanted to watch his downfall. Bator glared at me with anger while carrying a box of his belongings.

“You’re the one who reported me, aren’t you?”

“I didn’t hide it.”

I shrugged. He snorted as if incredulous.

“Ha, now you’re speaking informally. Are you crazy?”

“You’re not my senior anymore. Can’t you see the situation?”

“……”

Bator clamped his mouth shut. His pupils began to shake, and he hurried toward me in a manner he’d never shown before.

“I’m sorry for everything. I never intended to ruin your career. I did it all for the guild, you know? I’m sincerely apologizing, so please tell the department head and the merchant guild to be lenient. Huh? Huh? I’m apologizing like this! Quickly!”

He shifted from anxious to apologetic to suddenly raising his voice—a truly crazy display. I knew he was insignificant, but he was lower than I expected.

I whispered into his ear.

“You’re really pathetic.”

It was the ugly speech of a man full of inferiority. His apology, full of whining excuses, didn’t touch me at all.

The annoying man was swept away cleanly, and the permanent store was packed every day as soon as it opened.

Of course, special bonuses were paid. Daijo headquarters employees cheered.

‘It was more than I expected.’

There might be variation person to person, but my bonus was similar to the amount I got from selling my hair. It was like buying me another six months.

‘Should I pick up a side job like this?’ I thought.

The thought crossed my mind briefly, but I quickly dismissed it. It’s easy to say, but this was possible because of available capital, staff, and experts enabling large-scale operation. Alone? The idea of hunting for investors and doing sales made me shake my head. I wanted to make money, but I wasn’t interested in excessive stress.

While I was better off pondering how to get the next special bonus, the vice-head summoned me.

‘Suddenly? Why?’

I headed to the vice-head’s office, determined not to reflexively say ‘Me?’ when asked to do something.

But he wasn’t alone. A middle-aged gentleman I’d never seen accompanied him.

“I am Penel Mute, the butler of the Aurelius marquis family.” he said.

I was puzzled but bowed politely.

“Hello. I’m Cornelia.” I said.

“You are much younger than I thought.” he observed.

“I may look young, but I’m of legal age.” I replied.

The vice-head’s manner was very polite.

After exchange of suitable greetings, he finally got to the point.

“The marquis’s young lady requested to see Miss Cornelia.” he said.

…Why?