It was just as I had suspected. Other dye suppliers also shook their heads, stating they couldn’t provide us with dye.

Back at the shop, the three of us gathered for a strategy meeting. Yuri was the first to speak.

“So, what do we do now?”

“Well, we need to come up with a new idea.”

“Uh, maybe I should…”

Charlotte was on the verge of tears again. I grasped her wrist, noticing the bruise on her hand, which made my expression twist in anger.

“Let’s not say things like that, Charlotte. It’s not your fault. The ones who tried to beat the method out of you are the real problem.”

“But still…”

My gaze fell on Charlotte’s fingertips, stained from her attempts at making rainbow roses.

‘It seems that working in a flower shop doesn’t suit Charlotte.’

After observing her for three more days, I had reached that conclusion. Charlotte was clumsy, often cutting flower stems too short and frequently spilling dye.

Most importantly, she trembled with fear that her stepfather and brother would find her. Regardless of whether the job suited her, it was clear she couldn’t focus under such circumstances.

Ultimately, I made a decision. ‘I can’t let things remain this way forever.’

After closing the shop, I removed my apron. I had already informed Yuri of my plans for the day.

“Yuri, I’m sorry. I’ll need you to prepare for tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

Charlotte looked confused as she watched Yuri and me converse. I took her hand.

“Charlotte, there’s somewhere you need to go with me today.”

“Somewhere to go?”

Instead of responding, I simply smiled. Charlotte, who had deep trust in me, followed without hesitation.

However, once we exited the carriage and she realized our destination, her face contorted in distress.

“The Morphe Duchy…”

I was taking her to the Morphe Duchy, where we had first met. Charlotte looked at me with teary eyes.

“Is it because I’m useless after all…”

“It’s not that.”

It wasn’t about her being useless; I wanted to help her find work that suited her and resolve the current situation.

Just then, Rosemary appeared to greet us.

“You’re here, Titiana.”

Her dress, which covered her neck but left her shoulders exposed, clung tightly to her figure, accentuating her tall, shapely form. I was genuinely impressed.

“Nice to see you, Rosemary. You look even more beautiful than when I last saw you.”

“Oh, you’re just flattering me.”

“I only speak the truth. You know that, Rosemary.”

“It’s nice to hear.”

With a sly smile, Rosemary leaned closer to me.

“I’ve granted all your requests, Titiana. What will you do for me?”

“I’m truly grateful, Rosemary.”

“Then may I ask you just one thing?”

“I’ll listen carefully and decide how to answer.”

“I like that you’re so cool-headed, Titiana.”

Rosemary chuckled softly and led the way, the sound of her heels clicking on the floor.

“Follow me.”

I had asked Rosemary for just one favor: to arrange a meeting with her father, Duke Morphe.

The reason was simple.

‘Because he’s Charlotte’s father.’

Charlotte, who was escorted with me to Duke Morphe’s drawing room, was visibly anxious.

Although Rosemary had arranged this meeting, there were no refreshments, indicating we weren’t exactly welcome guests.

Soon, Duke Morphe entered the drawing room. His eyes, gentle yet sharp like Rosemary’s, focused on me.

“Did you wish to see me, young lady?”

I held my skirt and bowed respectfully.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duke Morphe. I am Titiana Este, the daughter of a humble rural baron.”

“And?”

He replied indifferently, slumping into a chair. I had anticipated such a response, so I wasn’t taken aback by his cold reception. With a calm gesture, I indicated Charlotte beside me.

“And this is your illegitimate daughter, Charlotte.”

“I remember. But? You’re not here to ask me to acknowledge an illegitimate child, are you?”

I understood better than anyone how noble society viewed illegitimate children.

‘They must have handled the paperwork and follow-up perfectly.’

Illegitimate children were a taboo in noble society. The moment they were brought into the open, they brought disgrace to the family, so when such children were born, measures were taken to silence any potential scandal.

‘There was no issue with illegitimate children in the Morphe Duchy, either now or in the future. This means Duke Morphe was a meticulous person.’

The child support was likely part of this hush money. Since he had paid the rightful amount, it was probable that any mention of Charlotte’s unfortunate childhood would be met with indifference.

‘But what if I provoke his pride?’

I knew you had handled the compensation thoroughly and didn’t want this topic mentioned anymore.

But what if someone had deceived you? Could you overlook that as well?

“Miss Charlotte has not received a penny of child support. Someone wicked intercepted it. I hope you will punish him, Your Grace.”

“What?”

The Duke’s eyes widened at the suggestion that someone had dared to intercept the support he sent. However, he soon realized it was Charlotte’s stepfather and frowned.

“Isn’t he just the lover of this child’s mother?”

“Even so, that money was meant for Charlotte, not for her mother.”

“That’s the same thing. That woman paid her dues in the way I chose.”

He implied that he had given the money properly, and if it was used to support her lover, that was the mother’s choice.

I shook my head. Leaving it to Charlotte to resolve in this manner would clearly not end well.

‘Ideally, they should be sent far away, somewhere they can never reach Charlotte again. Like a prison.’

I emphasized that this wasn’t a personal financial matter but a crime.

“No, I believe this is a serious embezzlement crime. The funds were used contrary to your intentions, even very recently.”

“Hmm.”

The Duke sighed through his nose at my words. If I had insisted that an illegitimate child was still his daughter, he wouldn’t have listened, but by subtly highlighting her impoverished life without support, he was clearly uncomfortable.

‘Besides, Charlotte’s face is in a terrible state.’

Having been beaten not long ago over the rainbow roses, Charlotte’s face was covered in bruises.

‘If he doesn’t act now, he’s not human. If it were me, I’d have acted regardless of whether she was illegitimate.’

There are parents who get angry at “How could my child get beaten up!” and those who say “How could my child be out there getting beaten up?” The Duke seemed to be the latter.

In any case, since I had pricked his pride, it didn’t matter whom he got angry at as long as he took action. While I was reflecting on whether I had misspoken, Duke Morphe spoke, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

“Why are you so involved in this child’s affairs, young lady? I heard you sell flowers.”

Duke Morphe stared at Charlotte with cold eyes, as if to pierce her.

“A person who can’t explain their situation or escape doesn’t seem like they’d be much help to your business.”

“That’s right. I plan to send Charlotte back. The damage I’ve suffered because of her is substantial.”

I nodded. The Duke widened his eyes in surprise at my agreement, while Charlotte looked despondent.

However, I hadn’t come here just to abandon Charlotte. I clearly stated my second demand.

“But I can’t send her back unless her safety is secured. That’s why I’ve come to ask the person who can most certainly punish them.”

“What if I refuse?”

“In that case, we’ll have to take them to court ourselves, even if it takes a long time.”

I came here because Duke Morphe’s power and position could quickly throw them in jail, not because there were no other options.

‘Since the abuse Charlotte suffered seems to have been ongoing for a long time, we could charge them with child abuse or neglect to get rid of them somehow.’

However, the law is strange, and while embezzlement might result in jail time, child abuse might not. That’s why I specifically mentioned embezzlement in front of the Duke.

Duke Morphe chuckled at my response, a blatant sneer.

“How does a merchant plan to act righteously?”

I had anticipated this kind of retort as well. I firmly explained that I wasn’t uninvolved in this situation.

“Charlotte ended up with all these bruises because they beat her to learn my trade secrets. Now they’re even trying to stop me from selling rainbow roses by enlisting the merchants’ guild. I’m not stepping in just because I’m righteous.”