“You won’t have medicine like this. These are beauty products.”
“Beauty products?”
Guild Master Lucerta muttered.
The history of beauty is deep. Since ancient times, women have had the desire to become beautiful. They spared no effort, from applying pearl powder to their faces to squeezing bug juice to put on their lips. Guild Master Lucerta raised his head to stare at Liebe.
“What are its effects? Tell me in detail.”
He could smell money from the box. This would definitely make money. Guild Master Lucerta’s eyes sparkled.
“Her Highness Princess Marian made these.”
Guild Master Lucerta’s eyebrow twitched. Princess Marian? An unexpected figure. Wasn’t Princess Marian just a greenhouse flower raised under imperial protection? Of course, that was just how she was packaged. Guild Master Lucerta, with his many connections, knew some secrets others didn’t.
The fact that Marian wasn’t as beloved a princess as she appeared on the surface.
Anyway, that powerless woman made these medicines?
Guild Master Lucerta took out one bottle and opened it.
A sweet and fragrant scent wafted up strongly. Mixed in was a rose scent that noblewomen would likely enjoy. The Master spread some of the liquid contents on the back of his hand.
“It moisturizes the skin and reduces wrinkles. It’s also effective for healing wounds and fading scars.”
“Side effects?”
A few years ago, applying mercury to the face had become trendy. And people’s skin had rotted away. Since then, the issue of side effects was always discussed when it came to beauty products.
“There are no side effects. It’s made with combinations of real medicine. Plus a touch of magic.”
Liebe said, slightly spreading her index finger and thumb. That meant only Marian could make this medicine. It also meant exclusive sales rights were possible. And if magic was involved……
“In exchange, you must keep the identity of who made this medicine strictly confidential, Father.”
Guild Master Lucerta’s eyes sparkled.
“Of course!”
“Actually, I approached this field thinking it might be possible since I knew Princess Marian could use magic.”
“Liebe……!”
Guild Master Lucerta called his daughter’s name with tears in his eyes. After causing him so much worry with her incomprehensible actions, she had done something this wonderful.
“So I discussed various aspects with Her Highness and we created these beauty products.”
“Good, Liebe. Very well done! This will be an exclusive contract with the Lucerta merchant guild, of course?”
“As long as you keep your promise, naturally.”
Guild Master Lucerta let out a hearty laugh. He could keep his mouth shut if it meant making money through exclusive sales of beauty products.
“How much more of this can be made?”
“Her Highness said she would make more after seeing how the first sales go. As you know, Father.”
Liebe lowered her voice after checking their surroundings.
“The princess’s palace isn’t in the best financial situation.”
“I understand, I understand. If needed, I can provide the materials myself. Though the profit distribution would be slightly different.”
“We can discuss that part too. And Father.”
“Yes?”
“Her Highness is thinking about new beauty products as well.”
“Oh?”
“She said she could make medicine that makes hair grow faster or regrow lost hair.”
Guild Master Lucerta jumped up from his seat. He unconsciously touched his bare head. As he aged, his hair had naturally started falling out until only smooth skin remained. It was one of the many difficulties men faced.
“Ha-hair grows back?”
“Yes, you could see the effects too, Father. Once the medicine is made.”
“Excellent. We should make and sell that immediately!”
Guild Master Lucerta shouted, unable to contain his excitement. Liebe shook her head slightly.
“It’s not possible right now.”
“Why?”
“Because we lack ingredients. We need herbs that only grow in the west……”
Liebe lowered her voice. Guild Master Lucerta opened his ears wide.
“You know the poisonous herb from the west, Father.”
“Poisonous herb?”
“Yes, the poisonous herb called snake’s bane. We need that.”
“That herb……”
It was one of the poisonous herbs banned by the state. It was also difficult to handle due to its strong toxicity. Currently, House Katra was monopolizing it secretly. Because they had dried up even the seeds in the past, they had to go through House Katra to obtain it.
Liebe said.
“We’ve already completed experiments. We barely managed to get one root of snake’s bane and confirmed the medicine’s effectiveness.”
“Side effects?”
Liebe shook her head.
“There are none since we use magic to completely remove the poison before using it.”
“But to get the poisonous herb, we need to go directly to House Katra. I’ll be busy for a while……”
The fighting tournament would be held soon. That period could be considered peak season.
“Give me acting rights as guild master, Father. I’ll go myself. Just help me get an audience with the Marquis at House Katra.”
“……Can you persuade the Marquis? He’s not an easy person to deal with.”
With the Empress backing him, his pride was high. Liebe smiled sweetly.
“You’ll have to help me, Father. How about presenting these beauty products to Her Majesty the Empress first? And then ask her to write a letter.”
“……That seems possible.”
Guild Master Lucerta nodded.
“I heard the Marquis can’t refuse Her Majesty the Empress. It will surely be useful.”
“Very well, Liebe. Since you insist, I’ll use my influence. When can you depart for the west? We should inform Her Highness too.”
“Anytime. I’ve already received permission from Her Highness.”
Guild Master Lucerta smiled broadly. It had been a while since he’d had such a pleasant conversation.
“Good, Liebe. I’ll set up an appointment with Her Majesty right away!”
And so, the die was cast. Liebe concealed her cold intentions.
**
The next day.
As soon as her body recovered, Marian was pushed to visit the Madrian mansion. The Empress believed that a storm could only have great effect when it raged continuously without rest.
The Empress wanted Marian to constantly despair.
The Empress’s maids, appearing with sharper gazes than usual, badgered her.
“Raise your arms.”
“Lift your face, we’ll apply the perfume.”
Marian swallowed a sigh.
Actually, meeting Cesare was something Marian wanted too. However, Marian had never voluntarily met Duke Madrian before. So she had been watching for the right timing, and this was a good opportunity.
Moreover, now that chokers had become established as a fashion trend, the risk of getting discovered had decreased. The maids pulled her corset tight. Marian held her breath.
Her unhealed wounds protested in pain.
Marian gritted her teeth. She could hear the maids snickering behind her.
“Beauty isn’t easily achieved. You must endure. Besides, Duke Cesare has high standards for beauty. We must pull this tight!”
“Hah!”
Marian drew in a breath.
“Now your chest looks more plump.”
Marian trembled slightly. The veins stood out on her hand gripping the bedpost. It wouldn’t be difficult for Marian to dismiss them.
But nothing would be solved that way. Not while the Empress remained powerful!
“Finish quickly. We’ll be late for the appointment at this rate.”
Marian said with a sigh. The maids snorted and continued their work. She squeezed her eyes shut and endured everything. Waiting for the sunlight that would come someday.
**
Abel, hiding his body in the shadows, watched as the maids left first. The maids giggled while glancing at the princess’s palace.
“That stupid woman. Now I understand why Her Majesty the Empress always has trouble with her.”
Abel’s ears, wide open, caught everything. His eyebrows twitched threateningly. Abel pulled his lips into a white smile.
“I know right. No, it’s about education, education. She should just prostrate herself and say ‘I’m sorry, I’ll do better.'”
“But is it true? That Duke Madrian likes to enjoy multiple women at once?”
“I don’t know. But is that rumor really true?”
“Mmhmm. You know how Lady Vanessa Yulian is desperate for Duke Madrian’s favor? They say she’ll do anything.”
“Ah, so……”
“Yeah. When you think about it, that beggar princess is pitiful too. Tsk tsk. To think I feel my situation is better than that woman’s.”
The maids moved away from the palace, giggling. Why they should hate Marian, what sins she had committed — none of that mattered to them. What mattered to them was the Empress’s will. Since the Empress hated Marian and wanted her to be more pathetic, they helped with that.
Abel ran his hand through his hair.
‘So today is the day she meets that bastard Cesare.’
Abel’s red eyes glinted like the sunset. A bloody aura rose around him.
Not long after the maids left, Marian emerged. Sunlight fell upon her as she walked out slowly with a serene appearance.
Marian’s black hair sparkled beautifully. It looked like golden embroidery on black silk. She lifted her head, clutched her dress, and caught her breath. Abel narrowed his eyes and focused his vision.
He could see every stitch in the clothes Marian wore.
Marian wore a dress that’s revealing at the top. Of course, it was a popular design in the hot summer. The problem was that everything appeared exaggerated since she had barely squeezed into something smaller than her size. Everything — Marian’s white chest, her slender shoulders and arms, all of it.