Chapter 17
17
“Good work.”
Dana praised her secretary.
“You’ve managed to double the price of Moonlight Flowers in just one week. Well done, Rete.”
“I’d prefer you express your praise through a salary increase.”
A small laugh escaped Dana’s lips.
Her secretary was truly exceptional at her job.
To avoid being caught acting as a shill, one had to be skilled at jumping in and out of the bidding at exactly the right moments—
‘As expected, there’s nothing she can’t do.’
Then again, her secretary was perfect.
“Attend this week’s auction as well and keep driving the price up. Sweep up as many Moonlight Flowers as you can, too.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Everything was unfolding exactly as planned.
‘It seems Alice has taken a very aggressive stance to prove herself.’
Well, after such a provocation last time, it was only natural.
She must be brimming with motivation, desperate to show some results.
The idea of selling bulbs was unexpected, though.
‘She likely has an accomplice,’ Dana surmised.
‘And by now, her relationship with Juan must be souring.’
Juan was already a man who looked down on women. How much must his stomach turn to see his young niece outperforming him so thoroughly?
Dana intended to continue driving a wedge between the two.
‘Thanks to this, I’ll be able to fulfill my promise to the Emperor even sooner.’
The deadline he had given her was one month.
Within that time, she had to produce definitive results.
It was, quite literally, Alice Winzer’s world.
“Lady Alice, that dress looks wonderful on you. You look just like a princess.”
“Your pink hair is so beautiful, Alice.”
Alice smiled shyly.
Today was the day of the tea party she was hosting.
The young ladies of the most prestigious families were all singing her praises in unison.
Even Viscountess Grace Gilten, who was quite close to Dana, was among them!
This was a woman who used to follow Dana around, showering her with flattery…
‘I heard her husband’s business failed and they’re buried in debt.’
It seemed she had finally realized that getting close to me was more beneficial.
Alice spoke, hiding her sense of triumph.
“You flatter me, everyone. Sister Danae is much more beautiful than I am.”
The atmosphere froze for a moment at Alice’s words, but only for a moment.
“Of course, Lady Danae is a beauty, but…”
“Doesn’t her face look a bit… mournful?”
“Some call it refined, but I don’t know. To me, she just looks gloomy.”
“Alice, with your bright impression, is far more lovely.”
“Exactly. Isn’t that why the Crown Prince chose Alice?”
Alice looked at Grace as she listened to their praise, as if seeking her opinion.
Grace hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“That’s right. No matter how much Lady Danae has the ability to purify land, it’s not as if there’s any Rotten Land left anyway…”
A sudden thrill surged up Alice’s spine.
A person who once whispered sweet words to Dana was now—
‘Now she’s doing it for me.’
It wasn’t just Grace.
“Exactly. Besides, wasn’t she a Doll Disease patient?”
“It’s bound to be a bit unsettling.”
“On the other hand, Alice is a healthy and beautiful woman. There’s simply no comparison.”
“Alice plays the piano better than Lady Danae, too, doesn’t she?”
“I remember when the two of them played a duet once. The difference in skill was so apparent. I felt quite sorry for Lady Danae.”
Oh, my, what should I do? How embarrassing. Alice giggled and covered her cheeks with her hands.
Everything was perfect.
The Moonlight Flower business was doing frighteningly well.
As if driven by madness, there were now those bidding 2 billion per flower.
The hottest topic at this tea party was, of course, the Moonlight Flower.
“My husband bought me a Moonlight Flower. You have no idea how beautiful it is.”
“I’m so jealous. How much was the winning bid?”
“2 billion Fran. His business has been doing so well lately, you see. Ho ho ho.”
“Did you hear? Baron Cosimo put a Moonlight Flower he bought for 100 million Fran back into the auction house, and it sold for 1.5 billion!”
“My goodness!”
Now, the Moonlight Flower was more than just a flower. It had moved beyond being a propaganda tool for the New Sect.
It had transformed into a means for nobles to flaunt their wealth or an investment venture for the future.
“Alice, what kind of trick did you use?”
“I know, right? What kind of magic did you cast to make the Moonlight Flowers so expensive?”
The looks directed at her were a mix of admiration, envy, and poorly hidden resentment, but Alice welcomed even that.
Being the object of jealousy was proof of her success.
But that wasn’t all.
“The Crown Prince!”
Laios had arrived, carrying a bouquet of flowers.
“Y-Your Highness. What brings you here without any notice?”
“Because I missed you, of course.”
Laios handed her a bouquet of yellow roses and kissed her on the cheek.
“I’ve seen your face, so that’s enough. I’ll be going now, so enjoy your time with your friends.”
His appearance sent the atmosphere of the tea party into a fever pitch.
“Oh my, the Crown Prince is clearly head over heels for Alice!”
“To come all this way just for a quick glimpse of her face, how romantic!”
“I’m so envious, Alice!”
Amazing! You’re the best! How wonderful! Incredible!
Alice, Alice, Alice!
‘Ah, it feels like a dream.’
The whole world was a blissful shade of pink.
Flying through the sky wouldn’t feel this good.
“But Alice, is there any way I could get a Moonlight Flower as well?”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll pay the full price. Every time I try at the auction, someone else outbids me…”
Alice pondered for a moment before nodding her head.
Sure, one person should be fine.
“Alright.”
At that, the ladies who had been quietly listening rushed in like a pack of dogs.
“Alice! Could I buy one too? I’m the only one among my relatives without a Moonlight Flower, and they look down on me so much for it.”
Oh, really? In that case, I should certainly help.
“Alice, me too, please. My mother is ill, and I think she’d find the strength to recover if I gave her a Moonlight Flower.”
Oh dear, how sad. Fine. I’ll get one for you. I hope your mother recovers quickly.
As she spoke, Alice felt as if she had become a Saintess herself. A Saintess granting mercy!
“I’m only selling these to you all as a special favor. So, please keep this a secret. Understood?”
How many people had she promised by then?
After the party ended, a sudden, late wave of reality hit Alice, making her shudder.
‘I’ve made promises to fifteen people.’
What should she do?
After worrying for a moment, Alice went to see Eric.
“Is there any way to sell Moonlight Flowers through a channel other than the auction?”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
“My friends want to buy Moonlight Flowers. They’ve all said they’d pay the full price.”
Assuming he would obviously say yes, Alice spoke as if it were no big deal. However.
“That is out of the question!”
Eric’s face hardened as he spoke sternly.
“Full price? We sell to the highest bidder at the auction; there is no such thing as a fixed price.”
“What? T-That’s…”
“Furthermore, Moonlight Flowers are traded exclusively through the Winzer family’s official auction house. Trading through any other channel is illegal, Lady Alice.”
What? That’s so mean.
Alice felt hurt by Eric. To reject her so flatly.
‘It’s not like I said I’d give them away for free.’
Besides, how was she supposed to tell her friends now that she couldn’t give them the flowers?
‘He doesn’t care about my reputation at all. You’re so mean, Eric.’
She ran to her father and told him, but nothing changed.
“Dear me. It seems my daughter is so kind-hearted that she couldn’t say no.”
“I’m sorry, Father. Their stories were all so pitiful…”
“Still, it can’t be helped, Alice. Rules are rules.”
“What? Then what do I do?”
“What do you mean? Tell them firmly that it’s not possible.”
“But Father.”
“Alice. You must practice saying no as well.”
Karl smiled warmly, but his eyes were firm.
‘How can he say that?’
To tell them it’s not possible now!
The thought of their disappointment made her lose all courage.
How was she supposed to handle this?
