"What do you mean it's closed? My lady has a special seal for this boutique. She's a loyal customer and has faithfully promoted your dresses," a maid said, standing just outside a carriage of House Venche.
The maid was speaking to the head manager of Silhouette—a dress shop owned by the Rashet Clan. The manager had already explained the shop would be closed for half the day. The marquis's daughter was visiting. In secret. Naturally, he couldn't inform anybody else.
"Tell your lady the shop is truly closed. If she wants a new dress, she must return this afternoon."
Karina Venche, sitting inside the carriage, had heard enough. She descended from the carriage, her gaze haughty and quiet as she looked at the manager.
"Manager, my lady is friends with the marquis's niece," the maid continued. "My lady simply wishes to try new dresses for the Rashet banquet."
"Let's not complicate what's already very clear," the manager said, voice steady. "Please come back this afternoon. We won't usher anyone inside at the moment."
"Manager Nom," Karina said, one hand gripping her dress. "Surely you'll explain why the shop must be closed this morning? Or must I ask my friend, Ms. Nox about this?"
The manager looked at her.
'For a baron's daughter, she's bold.'
"We take pride in serving all our patrons, Lady Venche. But when the marquis himself gives an order, we obey. We ask for your understanding."
Karina exhaled sharply.
'This man's clearly lying.'
Earlier, as soon as they arrived, she had seen a glimpse of a woman inside, staff members setting down boxes of dresses before the windows and curtains were drawn shut.
She was curious. 'Who's this person, that one of the most exclusive shops in the capital would close just for her?' Not even Mirelle could command such treatment. She gritted her teeth bitterly.
Just then, another carriage arrived. It bore the Rashet seal. Karina smiled triumphantly as Mirelle descended, aided by her maid.
She quickly approached.
The two exchanged pleasantries.
"Unfortunately, I can't enter. There seems to be a special guest inside? Who is it?" Karina said, glancing sideways at the manager still standing at the entrance.
Mirelle creased her brows.
"Who?"
Karina's jaw dropped.
"You don't know either?"
Mirelle's face changed.
She marched toward the entrance.
"Who's inside?" she demanded.
"That stays secret, Miss Nox," the manager said firmly. "Orders from the marquis."
The word 'Miss' pricked Mirelle's heart.
Not lady, but miss.
She glanced back at the women behind her. Her face reddened as they watched her fail. She looked at the manager again.
"But I'm the marquis's niece. Surely a special guest would understand that family members may enter whenever they wish, right?" she said, her stare sharp.
The manager repeated his response, indifferent to Mirelle's sour face. Across the street, more bystanders gathered to watch the strange scene where two young ladies stranded outside 'Silhouette.' Whispers ran through the crowd: it was Lady Venche and Miss Nox who couldn't enter the boutique.
Mirelle's maids tried to shoo the onlookers away from the gates, but the mocking chuckles only grew. Mirelle's hands trembled.
"Mirelle, what's really going on? I thought you were the marquis's niece," Karina said, her gaze accusing.
Mirelle bit her lip.
'Why didn't Mother or elder sister tell her anything? I can't be humiliated like this. Think. Think of something.'
She turned and glanced at her head maid, Lin, who understood immediately. Lin quietly slipped away, taking the pathway that led to the store's backyard.
...
AS SOON as Lin reached the backyard, she slipped through the half-open door and crept inside. But the moment she stepped through, the door slammed shut. Hands seized her wrists, wrenching them behind her back until she fell. In a few moments, her hands and feet were bound.
She looked up.
There were three guards.
Then she turned and met the calm, almost icy gaze of a breathtakingly beautiful young woman.
Her jaw dropped.
Without question, this was the marquis's daughter rarely seen in the main hall of Rashet Manor. 'But why is she here?'
Her lips trembled.
"M—my lady..."
"The manager asked politely," Nyasia began. "Yet you still ignored him. Tell me. Are you naturally this foolish, or does your mistress's idiocy contagious?" She raised a brow.
"M—my lady, please forgive me—"
"I can report you and have you killed, you know. Or... I'll set you free. But—" Nyasia deliberately paused. "You must go into the streets and shout that you saw the governor's concubine here."
Her words made Lin's eyes widen in shock. Including Fay, who had been quietly observing her lady's movements. She didn't seem surprised that Ms. Nox's servant had snuck in.
Lin blinked twice.
'That's all? She's only going to lie? B—but it's the governor's mistress? Does he have one?'
"Y—yes, my lady. I'll do it," she said desperately.
When Lin, along with the guards, finally left a few minutes later, Fay turned to her lady. "That sounds too lenient for a serious offense, my lady. Ms. Nox will only grow bolder."
Nyasia chuckled.
"Yes. But the governor doesn't have a concubine, Fay. But people will believe it, because only few know the truth."
Fay gasped. "No wonder you asked for information about the governor last night. But why?"
Nyasia glanced at Lea—a female elite spy within the clan. She stood quietly at a corner. Then Nyasia tilted her head, eyes landing on a long, deep violet dress hanging on a rack.
"This petty drama will turn very ugly for Mirelle once she faces the governor's wife, don't you think?"
*