Chapter 76

“And they say none of them—not a single one—will be purchasing the fabrics they reserved.”

 

I squeezed my eyes shut. We were already in the process of producing the fabrics that had been pre-ordered. We had only received the down payments, and the minimum quantities specified in the contracts were substantial. To accommodate this, I had leased new warehouses and workshops, and an enormous amount of money was currently flowing out.

 

Struggling to regain my composure, I forced my eyes open and fixed my gaze on Kenny. “The reason for the cancellation?”

 

“I’m not entirely sure….”

 

“There has to be a specific reason.”

 

“The ladies didn’t come themselves. Their servants came instead and simply delivered a formal notification that they would not be purchasing the goods.”

 

“…….”

 

I clenched my teeth. It was an incredibly tactless way to handle business. For someone like me who relies on trust and networking, this was a massive blow.

 

‘And they’re all people I know.’

 

Claire, Ivanna, Penya—they were the same young ladies who had visited the mansion to see me recently, along with others I had met at various banquets.

 

‘It’s as if they all coordinated this.’

 

There had been no warning, leaving me completely unprepared for a situation like this.

 

“My Lady… what should we do? Today is payday for the workers, and the rent for the warehouses is due as well.”

 

We needed the full payments to cover the rent and wages. I had to find out what was going on.

 

“I’ll contact the ladies myself.”

 

I grabbed a sheet of paper and a quill and began writing rapid-fire letters.

 

> Hello, this is Lilithia Baimery. I hope this sudden letter doesn’t startle you.

 

> I was informed just now that you’ve canceled the fabric order you intended to purchase.

 

> Could we possibly meet in person so I might hear the reason behind the cancellation?

 

I added a line asking them to let me know a convenient date for a meeting. I wrote about ten such letters in total and handed them to Kenny.

 

“Get these sent out to the ladies immediately.”

 

 

***

 

 

“Why hasn’t anyone replied?”

 

One day passed, then two, and still not a single response. I drummed my fingernails against the desk.

 

“I thought they’d reply quickly.”

 

Most noblewomen were usually quite prompt with their correspondence. Yet, from these ladies, there was only a deafening silence.

 

“Did a new fabric shop open up that I don’t know about?”

 

I asked myself, only to shake my head in denial.

 

“Kenny hasn’t mentioned anything like that.”

 

If that were the case, then our guild’s goods were still unique. However, noblewomen are sensitive to trends; it was possible there was a boutique I had missed.

 

“I’d better go do some market research myself.”

 

I stepped out of my office, and Sir Derek, who was guarding the door, spoke up.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“Just to the downtown district for a bit.”

 

“I will accompany you.”

 

Accompanied by Sir Derek, I scoured the shops in the bustling district. From the main boulevards to the narrow back alleys, I left no stone unturned. I even asked local shopkeepers if any new stores had opened, but other than a new dessert shop, there was nothing.

 

‘Should I just go visit them directly?’

 

With no communication and no known reason, I was in a difficult bind.

 

‘What should I do?’

 

I was standing in the middle of the district, lost in thought, when Sir Derek spoke.

 

“Lady Lilithia. Isn’t that them over there?”

 

He gestured toward a certain direction. I looked where he was pointing and my eyes went wide. It was Lady Claire, with her distinctive forest-green hair.

 

“Lady Ivanna, wait for me!”

 

Ivanna was right beside Claire. They were all the ladies I hadn’t been able to reach.

 

The ladies were entering a shop across from where I stood. It was a famous new place known for its lemon madeleines.

 

‘I never told Sir Derek about the guild’s business….’

 

I looked back and forth between Sir Derek and the ladies with a bewildered expression.

 

“I happened to hear from Miss Kenny that you hadn’t been able to reach the ladies who canceled their orders,” Derek said, scratching his head awkwardly. “And since you said they were acquaintances, I made sure to remember their names. I happened to spot their carriages.”

 

In front of the shop, a line of carriages bearing various family emblems stood waiting.

 

“It seems urgent, so you should go quickly, Lady Lilithia.”

 

“Thank you, Sir Derek.”

 

I gripped the hem of my dress and hurried inside the shop.

 

 

***

 

 

As expected of a new dessert cafe, the interior was clean and charmingly decorated. The shop was packed with female patrons, and I scanned the room for the table where the ladies were gathered.

 

‘They’re all the ones I sent letters to.’

 

It felt strange that they hadn’t replied to me but were all gathered here together.

 

‘No, it’s probably nothing. Maybe they just didn’t get my messages yet. And they probably didn’t invite me because they heard I was sick.’

 

Trying to think positively, I approached the table where the ladies were chatting animatedly.

 

“Hello, everyone.”

 

“Lady Lilithia…?”

 

The ladies’ eyes narrowed as they looked up at me.

 

“What brings the daughter of Baron Baimery here…?”

 

“Well, I had something to ask you all regarding the guild’s business, but I haven’t heard back from any of you.”

 

“Are you perhaps… stalking us?”

 

I waved my hands frantically. “No! I just happened to be out and saw you all entering this shop.”

 

“…Hm.”

 

“Would you mind if I joined you?”

 

I pointed toward an empty chair. One of the ladies curled her lip into a smirk.

 

“That’s a shame. All the seats are taken.”

 

“Then I’ll just stand while we talk….”

 

“Actually, I’m sorry, but could you please leave, Lady Lilithia?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“We aren’t particularly fond of uninvited guests crashing our party.”

 

Her words were a deliberate exclusion.

 

“Daughter of Baron Baimery. We asked you to leave.”

 

Her gaze was beyond cold—it was icy.

 

“I can’t believe she showed up here wearing such embarrassing clothes. Tsk.”

 

Ivanna frowned as she looked me up and down. To be fair, I was wearing a comfortable dress I usually wore to work at the guild. But hearing her evaluate me in such a sharp tone made it hard to speak.

 

“…….”

 

It wasn’t just Ivanna. Displeasure was written all over the faces of the other ladies staring at me.

 

“I-I’m sorry….”

 

Just as I was about to turn away from the unexpected hostility—

 

“Lady Lilithia!”

 

A cheerful voice called out to me. Nazlee was approaching the table.

 

“I heard you weren’t feeling well and couldn’t attend today. Are you feeling better?”

 

Nazlee grabbed both of my hands with a wide smile.

 

“I’m so glad you look okay! Why are you standing? Hurry and sit down!”

 

She pulled me toward an empty seat and sat me down. Taking the seat next to mine, she asked the others, “What were you all talking about?”

 

The ladies said nothing, only staring at me with frigid eyes.

 

“You certainly have thick skin.”

 

Ivanna turned her head toward the puzzled Nazlee. “I wasn’t going to say this.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“We didn’t invite Lady Lilithia to this gathering.”

 

“Why? Is it because she’s been unwell?”

 

“No.”

 

Ivanna looked at me with a demeaning gaze. “We didn’t tell you because we knew you liked her and didn’t want you to be disappointed, Lady Nazlee, but it’s becoming impossible to associate with such a black-hearted woman any longer.”

 

The ladies hid their mouths behind their fans and whispered right in front of me.

 

“Exactly. Who knew she was this kind of person?”

 

“To think she came looking for us even though we were clearly avoiding her. Honestly.”

 

They tsk-tsked, gossiping about me as if I weren’t even there. I bit my lip. Nazlee’s face went pale with shock at their behavior.

 

“Ladies… what is wrong with you?”

 

“We are saying we should no longer associate with Lilithia Baimery.”

 

“I’m sure you enjoyed fooling us all this time, My Lady.”

 

“I’m just glad we found out now.”

 

“Could you explain exactly—”

 

I tried to ask for clarification since they weren’t giving any details, but the ladies glared at me and crossed their arms.

 

“Did you enjoy selling us such low-quality fabric at such high prices?”

 

“Why would I ever do such a thing!”

 

“Of course you’d say that.”

 

The ladies scoffed at my protest, refusing to listen to a word I said. I was left speechless.

 

“…….”

 

“I didn’t know you were these kinds of people. You are being incredibly rude!”

 

Nazlee stood up, her voice rising. She grabbed my arm and pulled me up.

 

“Let’s go, Lilithia! I can’t stay in a place like this a second longer!”