MLIIWTFL Chapter 260

260

After receiving reports from the people sent to the Magic Tower, who consulted both perfumers and magicians, Letticia learned that the project was technically possible.

Upon hearing this, she immediately began drafting a business plan to officially launch her perfume business while also starting the recruitment of staff who would handle the practical operations. Of course, Letticia, who had no experience in management, wasn't doing this alone; she sought advice and assistance from Lenard and Kenneth.

Her highly capable older brothers, however, made it clear that while they might help with matters concerning the Sharon family, they wouldn't assist Letticia's personal business for free. They drew a firm line and began with a formal consulting contract, instilling in her the mindset of a true business owner.

"Why is there so much work, seriously?"

Letticia groaned in frustration as she read through the towering stack of documents on her desk. Sitting still at a desk was far from her natural disposition, and even her favorite lemon meringue pie and caramel-flavored black tea at her side weren't enough to soothe her irritation.

Normally, Kenneth would have comforted her, but today he remained cold.

"Hiring decisions are the responsibility of the employer. Since this is your project, you have to deal with it yourself."

"I didn't expect there to be this many applications! Couldn't you brothers at least have filtered them once beforehand?"

"That was after filtering. Compared to the recruitment we did for Sharon Jewelry, this isn't even a tenth of that."

"Ugh…"

Looking again at the mountain of applications, Letticia regretted not hiring a secretary first. But since she had grown used to Kenneth's efficiency and the way he tolerated her personality, she hesitated to bring in a new secretary.

"Brother, what if I renegotiate your salary, can't you just become my secretary?"

"Instead of a raise, I'd rather you take over half my work."

"Sorry, that's impossible."

Kenneth was already burdened with intelligence gathering for the nobility, and even in the summer he was as busy as during the social season. Now that a formal intelligence bureau was about to be established, his responsibilities had increased even further. Considering all this, Letticia should have been grateful that he was sparing any time at all to help her, even if it was paid.

That meant she had to carefully select and hire the right people while she still had Kenneth's assistance. But since she had only ever invested in businesses before and never personally handled recruitment, it wasn't easy to judge applicants based solely on their résumés.

"So I really have to choose from these people… I still need to remodel the Merrill Street mansion and the villa, and yet the schedule just keeps getting longer. Honestly, why is this happening?"

"You're the one who brought up the perfume business and the second branch of Faymont. It can't be helped. Still, the recipe development is going smoothly, so once you hire managers for both locations, everything will be set."

"I've dug my own grave, haven't I? Ugh."

Taking a bite of pie, Letticia once again turned her attention back to the applications. Thanks to Kenneth, who had mobilized not only his own network but also Lenard's and Count Selburne's connections, the candidates already looked fairly promising based on their experience.

"For the perfume business… even if I bring in a perfumer from the Eskis Marquisate, what's really important is the person who'll handle the management side…"

"I made sure to pick people who aren't too opinionated but who can prioritize listening to your needs. So, make sure you handle the interviews well. And, have you finished the business plan?"

"I worked on it together with Lady Averil, and yesterday Brother Ren gave it a final review. For now, I've sent one copy each to Lady Averil, Lady Eskis, and Dayna. They'll show them to their parents, and in a few days, I'll visit personally to explain everything."

Letticia's plan was to secure the Count Sharon family, the Duke Averil family, the Marquess Eskis family, and the Viscount Hailey family as the initial investors, while adding the families of the March Blossoms club members as additional investors.

The other three ladies had already agreed to the plan, and both Lenard and Kenneth thought it was a good idea as well.

"Then tonight you'll be presenting it to Uncle and Aunt. I wonder how they'll react when you show them your business plan."

"Right? They won't refuse because they're worried I won't be able to handle my work as a promotional model, will they?"

"Why would they worry about that? Honestly, you're more suited for modeling than business. At parties you can dance for hours, but sit you at a desk and you're exhausted within the hour."

"If you feel sorry for me, then help me out, Brother. I'm really struggling here."

"Sorry, that's outside the scope of my contract."

It was a warm kind of sibling affection, he was willing to listen to her complaints, but he wouldn't actually take over her work.

Pouting, Letticia flopped down on the desk and closed her eyes, deciding to steal a short break from her tasks.

But aside from the mountain of business worries, there was yet another matter weighing heavily on her mind.

***

The letter bearing the seal of a peacock and peony arrived for Letticia the day after the incident at the Averil Ducal House's banquet in Lucinella was reported in the papers.

The letter politely expressed a desire to share tea with her the next day, if Letticia was agreeable, and included a request to taste the éclairs that had been served at Camilla's tea party. But what truly shook Letticia was the line that followed.

"…His Imperial Majesty is curious about the éclairs too?"

Letticia read the words aloud in a daze, almost as if her spirit had briefly left her body. Camilla, upon hearing this, looked at her daughter with a serious expression. Kenneth, who overheard as well, widened his eyes and asked Camilla.

"Aunt, does this mean His Majesty the Emperor will also attend the tea?"

"That would be the implication. Otherwise, why would they include such a statement in the invitation? Still, it is quite unusual. For His Majesty to personally request to meet an unmarried debutante…"

"Perhaps he wants to ask about the matter at Duke Averil's birthday banquet? Or maybe about Lady Eskis and Lady Averil?"

"Likely both. After all, the only unmarried high-ranking noble ladies who could be considered as potential Crown Princess candidates are those two, and it's known that both are close friends of Letticia."

Letticia let out a weary sigh. She had no desire to see either Seraphina or Ariette become the Crown Princess, yet time was running out, and the situation was becoming unbearably troublesome.

"Then what exactly should I say when I go? Something like, 'Well, since the Averil family won't let their daughter marry, why not choose Lady Eskis instead'?"

"No, don't offer such opinions. Just speak about their characters, nothing more. His Majesty wishes to respect His Highness's wishes regarding marriage as much as possible."

Following Camilla's advice, Letticia steadied her nerves. The next day, with a basket filled with éclairs she had urgently asked Chelsea to bake, she set off for the Imperial Palace.

As before, she was escorted into the Empress's drawing room. There, both the Empress and the Emperor awaited her, already seated.

"Letticia of House Sharon greets His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress."

"Raise your head."

As soon as Letticia finished her greeting, the Emperor granted her permission to lift her gaze. When she carefully looked up, she met the Emperor's eyes, expressionless as he regarded her.

Though his features resembled Eustace more than Matthias, lacking warmth yet not as cold as his eldest son, it was enough to make the Emperor feel slightly less intimidating. Encouraged, Letticia managed a smile.

"Forgive me for summoning you so suddenly, Letticia. But when Camilla told me of the fruit-cream éclairs Faymont has been developing, I simply could not resist my curiosity."

"It is no trouble at all, Your Majesty the Empress. For His Majesty and Your Majesty to take interest in them is truly an honor for us."

At the Empress's gesture, Letticia sat. The ladies-in-waiting brought forth plates of éclairs from her basket, setting them alongside freshly poured tea.

When the Emperor cut the éclair in half with a silver knife, cream spilled out. He stared at it for a moment before asking.

"Even though you've debuted in society, it seems you're also interested in business. Is House Sharon perhaps planning to expand into other fields during your generation?"

"No, Your Majesty. It was only by good fortune that my personal investments succeeded. And in any business I undertake, House Sharon may participate through investment or cooperation, but it will never be the owner."

"Then, even after marriage, you intend to remain in society as the representative of House Sharon?"

"Yes. I may not yet be on par with my mother, but one day, I plan to inherit her role."

At Letticia's confident answer, the Emperor's stern expression softened slightly.

"…You are indeed worthy of succeeding the Countess. There's no need to be nervous, speak to me as you would when you're with the Empress. I will regard you as the Empress's niece."

At these words, Letticia quickly glanced at the Empress's face. The Empress simply smiled, showing no sign of surprise or concern.

Reassured, Letticia relaxed, offering a modest smile as a lady-in-waiting poured tea into her cup.

Taking his cup first, the Emperor spoke in his usual curt tone.

"Let us drink tea. During work, I rarely have the leisure to enjoy Faymont's desserts at ease."

It seemed the éclairs had not been merely an excuse. The Emperor sampled each flavor carefully, savoring them as he drank his tea. The Empress, too, looked delighted, remarking on how refreshing the fruit cream tasted.

"I hear the second branch will open in autumn. But waiting until then feels like a shame. Since you are soon to be engaged, I see no issue in inviting you and Camilla to one of my tea parties."

"…Come to think of it, I heard you've become romantically involved with the Crown Prince's chief aide."

The Emperor's gaze fell upon Letticia. Perhaps it was her imagination, but his voice seemed tinged with faint regret. Hiding her wariness as best she could, Letticia prepared her answer.