Chapter 51
Linnea looked in that direction again, waiting for a sign.
Idil suddenly felt sorry for her. Even if Linnea had chosen the best clothes for her, she must have been deceived and influenced by other people like this.
Idil pretended to be an ignorant maid and muttered.
“For me, the green dress looked prettier before…”
Linnea nodded slightly and said to Dora with a preliminary expression.
"Do you think my taste is not on par? Or do you have another plan?"
“No, no, that can’t be! I just…”
"I'm just kidding. Why do you look so surprised?"
With a sly smile, Linnea returned the going-out clothing catalog to Dora.
“I will only order one piece of the green dress earlier.”
"Huh? What about a picnic dress and an evening dress?"
"We'll take our time with that. You don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not. Ha ha ha!"
Linnea acted more intelligently than expected.
If you didn't order anything at all from Dynamis, they would spread bad rumors about you in other clothing stores. They thought she was someone who would never become a customer again.
On the other hand, ordering all three dresses might make it seem like an easy sign.
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 a good fit, but I need to reconsider. A clothing store that changes its stance depending on the customer…
Idil re-evaluated Dynamis in her mind. Although she would never have the opportunity to order such dresses herself, it was still good to know.
Later, if Linnea forgets and tries to contact Dynamis, she can advise her.
The following afternoon, a jeweler came.
Laszlo, who was looking after his sister despite pretending otherwise, said it was a good idea to call the expensive Lacris, but Edel objected.
“The current situation is still inclined towards ‘non-acceptance’ towards the young lady, and wearing expensive jewelry might increase the disapproval of others. Frankly, might refuse to accept our request altogether.”
Lacres presented jewelry to imperial ceremonies and gained support from a ducal family, so their pride was very high.
I needed a recommendation from an existing customer so I could contact them, and even then, they sometimes refused requests.
Edel was confident that Lacris would not accept an order from Count Cris. She did not want Linnea or Laszlo to go through any unnecessary embarrassment.
Therefore, I suggested some jewelry stores that are well-known for their good design and quality.
“Thank you for calling me. I’m Roderick Harman, owner of Lorig.”
Linnea chose Lorig, a jeweler whom Idell had used several times before.
To be honest, Idel thought they would just send an employee, but perhaps because of the Count's family status, the owner himself came.
After finishing his introduction, Roderick looked at Linnea and then paused when he saw Edel standing next to her. He seemed to recognize her.
'He is a person with a good memory and keen observation skills.'
Naturally, as a merchant, he was also quick-witted.
He did not create an awkward atmosphere by acknowledging Idel, but instead began to show Linnea the items he had brought.
Apparently, Linnea noticed that he recognized Idel, and unlike the day the clothing store employee came, she openly asked Idel for help.
“Edel. Pick something for me. I really don’t know much about jewelry.”
So Idil stepped forward and carefully examined the items Roderick had presented. If he had only brought strange things like Dora from Dynamos, she was prepared to send him away without buying anything.
However, Roderick seemed unconcerned about the Crisis family's reputation and brought in items of a similar standard to what he had shown Edel in the past.
'We already have a lot of ornate jewelry, so it's best to choose something simple and elegant.'
Edel chose a thin pearl necklace, teardrop-shaped pearl earrings, and a pendant lined with equally sized crystal beads.
“This should be sufficient for the time being…”
"Don't you think it's too simple?"
"But it will look appropriate on most occasions."
Edel thought that Linnea might not be satisfied, but surprisingly she accepted Edel's opinion without resistance.
The total bill wasn't small, as the selected items were of high quality, but they were worth the price.
The next day, a cosmetics merchant came.
Although there weren't many cosmetics available, Linnea asked Idil to choose for her.
“I can’t trust any information I have. So, Edel, please choose for me.”
Idell had the opportunity to inspect the cosmetics dealer's bag for the first time in a while.
Linnea had healthy, firm skin, so she didn't need rich, nourishing creams or heavy makeup. Idyll opted for a high-quality moisturizer, a powder that matched Linnea's skin tone, a subtle yet elegant lip color, and a lighter fragrance than Linnea usually wore.
“Miss Linnea doesn’t need heavy makeup. Enhancing your skin makes better makeup. And your current perfume is too strong. Something lighter suits you better.”
Linnea's eyes widened when she smelled the perfume that Idell had chosen, and she looked surprised.
“Wonderful! It’s refreshing with a floral note, but it doesn’t make me feel nauseous.”
“This is because your current fragrance is too heavy. This is ideal for someone your age, and it suits your image well.”
Adele felt sorry when she realized that Renya was enduring the heavy perfume despite feeling nauseous.
Marsha must have recommended what she herself loved. People often recommend what they want for themselves.
'How can a 19-year-old girl recommend a perfume that suits 40-year-olds? That's really strange…'
Adele felt like sighing.
Linnea liked the perfume that Idyll had chosen so much that she didn't bother to try any other perfume.
She even sold the “rosewater powder” that Marsha had brought her to the merchant. Since it was a popular item, it fetched a good price, which Linnea gave to Idél.
“I don’t want to hear that you’re saving money even from selling cosmetics. So take this, Idell.”
Edel accepted the money without protest.
"What is this? I thought you would refuse at least once."
“Did I offer it hoping I would refuse? I must have missed that.”
"Do you know how to joke? That's surprising."
Idil smiled faintly at Linnea before bending down and whispering so the merchant wouldn't hear.
“It would not be good if rumors spread that the Count’s daughter sold her cosmetics. But giving money to a maid would not provoke criticism.”
Cosmetics dealers were itinerant sources of information. What they saw here would undoubtedly reach the ears of others.
Linnea will gain a good reputation as a generous lady, which will reflect positively on her.
“I will return it after the merchant leaves.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Do I look that stingy?”
Linnea snored and stood up.
Then I picked up the cream that Idell had chosen and added it to the bill.
"Add this to the bill."
Then I handed the cream to Idel.
"Take it."
"What? Why…"
"Why not? Use it."
Linnea suddenly turned her head, seemingly to hide her flushed cheeks, and Idell pretended not to notice.
The girl who once called Idil to mock her and demand she kneel now bought her cream and gave her money. Idil remembered what Laszlo had said before.
Yes, good days do eventually come. That's life.
A subtle smile crept across her face, as she felt satisfied and at ease.
Linnea had been gradually regaining her self-confidence recently.
After certain events made her realize that high society ladies were not so frightening, and having Edel as her personal maid meant that she was rarely criticized when attending social gatherings.
“Miss Linnea! Hello! Those pearl earrings look wonderful on you!”
“Thank you, Miss Jeremiah. The garden is truly wonderful.”
Thanks to moments like these, Linnea now has friends who call her by name.
However, thanks to Idell's advice, she no longer lowers her guard as easily as she used to.
'Nobles can change their attitudes very quickly. If they think someone could be useful to them, they might have spat in their faces yesterday, but suddenly they will clasp hands and act friendly today.'
As Idell said, the young women who had been gossiping behind Linnea's back until recently had suddenly started approaching her.
All it takes is changing her clothes and jewelry and the simple act of holding her head high.