“Did everyone see the newspaper? I don’t know who noble Lady A is, but I hope she’s not someone I know. To be so cruel to the weak.”

This was a topic thrown out by Dain, famous among male nobles of his age for his popularity and wide connections.

“Just in case, everyone should check once. I asked my sisters and they said it wasn’t them.”

He too had received Shailyn’s request and was creating a negative atmosphere for male nobles to search for noble Lady A.

The men who heard Dain’s words began visiting family, lovers, and friends to ask.

Are you noble Lady A?

Various gossip magazines and newspapers also heated up in ‘finding noble Lady A.’

〈Who’s noble Lady A? Who is she who made the powerless people cry!〉

〈At least a count’s family or higher…… Analyzing C boutique’s regular customers〉

〈A daughter from a humble family pretending to be high nobility in a small room?〉

As various speculations ran rampant, the number of young ladies suspected of being lady A increased.

When they were desperately denying it, competing to avoid the crisis of being branded with a huge stigma—

〈(Exclusive) Victim employee Ms. R opens ‘Blue Moon’ boutique!〉

News of Rain’s boutique opening was announced on a large scale.

Shailyn, who had released the article at the perfect timing, proceeded with additional work.

〈If you’re not noble Lady A, there’s no reason to avoid this place!〉

〈Blue Moon boutique declares Ms. R and lady A banned from entry!〉

Shailyn’s purpose in forming public opinion this way was one thing.

‘This way, everyone won’t be able to resist coming to Blue Moon, right?’

To make the young ladies visit the boutique so they wouldn’t be pointed out as noble Lady A.

From the beginning, Shailyn hadn’t brought up noble Lady A to expose Johanna Celsior’s misdeeds.

That was just a means.

To make the customers of Cream Rose boutique gather at Blue Moon instead of scattering when it collapsed.

So even the Duke Celsior family couldn’t easily step forward and just watched the situation unfold.

If they stepped forward carelessly and said something only to be exposed, it would only hurt their own face.

‘Even if everyone comes reluctantly at first, they’ll acknowledge Rain’s skills once they see them.’

They would painfully realize who the real Cream Rose was that they had loved.

And Shailyn’s intention worked properly, as Blue Moon boutique was packed with people just days after opening.

“I was worried about being branded as noble Lady A, so I couldn’t not come.”

“Same here. Did you see the reporters stationed in the alley? They’re checking who comes and goes.”

“Ugh, we’re the only ones suffering because of one random person…… But the clothes are better than I thought, aren’t they?”

People who had visited reluctantly gradually had their hearts moved by Rain’s dress collection hanging inside the boutique.

“It seems it wasn’t a lie that she made all the Cream Rose boutique dresses. The new clothes there now are all tacky.”

“Oh, I can never go to Cream Rose again. I think it would be fine to frequent this place from now on?”

“Right, I saw the dress Miss Smile wore yesterday and it was so pretty. I want to get one quickly too.”

Sensual and sophisticated designs with unique color combinations, detailed and precise sewing.

Plus the discernment to delicately recommend dresses tailored to each individual, and the thorough service spirit despite seeming blunt.

Everything combined to gradually make people genuinely fall for Blue Moon boutique.

***

Rain’s boutique was successful.

Like the various young ladies who frequented the place, I also used Blue Moon.

And I watched many young ladies come and go.

Rain, who finished business only in the late evening, brought me tea.

“Thank you, Rain. I overheard people talking and they all evaluated your clothes positively. Congratulations.”

“No. If it weren’t for you, Miss, this wouldn’t have been possible. I’m truly grateful.”

I waved my hand and smiled at Rain, who bowed her head.

Rain also smiled following me, then spoke as if suddenly remembering.

“Oh, right. I looked into what you asked about, Miss.”

“Yeah.”

I sparkled my eyes since it was news I had been waiting for.

I had asked Rain to find out a bit about the source of the false rumors surrounding me through the customers who came to the boutique.

“According to Mrs. Hooper, who rushes to hear social gossip first, the words first flowed out from the trading company run by the Viscount Roben family.”

“Roben……?”

I frowned and tilted my head at the somehow familiar name.

Where did I hear this……?

“……Ah!”

A brief memory flashed by like lightning and I remembered.

Gwen Sharofe’s family was exactly the Roben family.

“I also heard that Viscount Roben’s younger sibling came up to the capital and is depending on the viscount family. Count Sharofe and her daughter…… Are they family?”

Rain asked carefully. I didn’t deny it and nodded.

‘Right, actually no one else could have spread that content.’

Demonizing me and painting the Sharofe as innocent victims.

I felt somewhat uneasy because I could see some intention.

‘They whined so much about me not replying, and finally came in person.’

Then I can’t just stay still either.

‘After all, the rule for people is to return what you receive.’

***

The Roben family was originally a humble family, but the current viscount had succeeded quite well as a merchant, improving their fortunes.

While they weren’t among the Empire’s top wealthy families, they belonged to the fairly affluent group in the capital.

The fact that a family originally living in a provincial viscounty had moved to the capital suggested their level of wealth.

On the other hand, Gwen, who had lost all her money and was buried in debt, didn’t have money to secure even a decent house in the capital.

Therefore, it was natural for her to depend on her older brother, Viscount Roben.

Of course, Viscount Roben, who somewhat sensed his sister’s financial state, didn’t welcome her warmly.

To persuade him, Gwen made one promise.

‘One of the reasons I came to the capital includes Janice’s marriage. I’m going to marry Janice to a young lord from a family higher than ours. Then I’ll pass my title of count to your son. In return, take responsibility for us while we stay in the capital.’

‘……Is that really true?’

‘Of course! Should I even write a pledge?’

Thus Gwen and her daughter set foot in the Viscount Roben family and went around spreading malicious gossip about Shailyn everywhere.

Since they went around shopping with money sponsored by the viscount family, their words spread better than expected.

‘D*mn it, I absolutely can’t stand you living well alone.’

Gwen was satisfied with the rumors that spread opposite to the truth.

She thought it would be a success if Shailyn was ostracized in the capital’s social circles, despaired, and came down to the county.

However.

‘Did you hear? It’s not that Miss Shailyn was extravagant, but actually that family’s second daughter spent money lavishly and got into debt.’

‘They say the count, being a stepmother, tried to sell off the eldest daughter instead of paying their debt? That’s why she fled to the Diart ducal family.’

‘That’s not all. They say they squeezed the blood of the territory people to raise their slush funds too.’

‘Oh my, oh my. Goodness! Miss Sharofe must have suffered a lot. The count and her daughter really have no conscience.’

From one day, the rumors flipped.

Accordingly, the target of criticism also changed from Shailyn to Gwen and her daughter.

‘How did this happen? Who on earth intervened……?!’

Gwen was very flustered.

Although Shailyn was a topic of conversation in social circles, her standing wasn’t significant apart from that. So she thought there would be no one to take Shailyn’s side.

Even the Diart ducal family was famous for being lukewarm about social activities as a family, so she thought they wouldn’t respond much. How did this happen?

While she was busy trying to find out the detailed circumstances, Janice came to her.

“Mom! There’s a boutique I want to go to. Please come with me.”

“Later. Mom’s busy right now.”

Janice, completely absorbed in the capital’s glamorous life, nagged her mother childishly.

“Ah, it’s a place that’s trending among young ladies these days. If I don’t go, I might be marked as the subject of gossip.”

“What? That won’t do. Where is it?”

“Blue Moon boutique.”

Eventually Gwen postponed investigating the source of the counter-rumors and headed to Blue Moon boutique with Janice.

When they almost reached the shop, a familiar face walked toward them from the opposite side.

Flowing silver hair and blue eyes.

‘Shailyn……!’

The mother and daughter’s eyes widened at meeting Shailyn in an unexpected place.