Chapter 52
~Chapter 52~
“Um, is there no way to get a bit more soap? There’s a party in a few days, and I need my skin to improve even just a little by then.”
“Why?”
“…Because someone’s coming.”
Ah!
Harriet found Viviana’s frantic desire to look good for the man she liked somehow adorable. Just a few days ago, she’d been so irritating.
Harriet smiled softly and pulled out a small package she had prepared in advance. She had known from the start that Viviana had come for the soap.
“Where’s the party being held? I thought the only gatherings coming up soon were for ladies of a certain age.”
“Lord James is hosting a party for Bella, ah…!”
Viviana instinctively covered her mouth with her hand. Had she said something she shouldn’t have?
As always, leaving words unfinished only stirred people’s curiosity.
“Why? Is it something I shouldn’t know?”
Harriet fiddled with the package she had been about to hand over.
‘What do I do?’
Viviana bit her lip anxiously.
She shouldn’t have mentioned Bella’s party. It had slipped out, but Bella had earnestly asked her to keep Harriet in the dark about it.
“Our father can’t send an invitation to Harriet right now, so she might get upset if she finds out.”
That was the excuse Bella had given, but Viviana knew it wasn’t the real reason.
What now, what now?
Her greedy eyes fixed on the package in Harriet’s hand.
That must contain soap. If she could use it, her acne would clear up, and her makeup on that day would go on so much better.
‘It’s news that’ll spread soon anyway. What difference does a few days make? It’s not like Harriet getting upset will cause any real problems.’
Her calculations were swift.
“Hmm! After Harriet’s tea party last time, so many people showed up, right? I don’t know if that’s why, but the very next day, Bella asked Lord James to throw a party for her. An evening party.”
“Oh my, really? When is it?”
“…In ten days.”
Harriet innocently tilted her head.
“But why try to keep it a secret from me? Were they afraid I’d be upset about not being invited?”
“Probably. Invitations will be sent to all the famous young ladies in society soon.”
“You said it’s in ten days, but they haven’t even sent out the invitations yet?”
At that question, Viviana paused to think for a moment before reluctantly answering.
“They said they’d send the invitations a bit late. My guess is… they’re trying to keep this news from reaching Harriet’s ears as much as possible.”
In other words, they were deliberately excluding Harriet. Were they afraid she’d cause a scene if she found out in advance?
Viviana’s intentions were clear in volunteering information Harriet hadn’t even asked for. She had betrayed her friend to tip off Harriet, so she expected compensation in return.
Harriet laughed cheerfully.
“Why is Bella so wary of me? Since when? Don’t you think?”
“H-Hahaha…”
Viviana laughed awkwardly along. She had expected Harriet to get angry, but Harriet bursting into laughter instead left her flustered.
“I hope the party goes well. I know this might not mean much, but I promise to keep it a secret that I heard it from you, Lady Viviana.”
“Harriet…”
Viviana was touched by Harriet’s promise, which took care of her very worries. Harriet smiled brightly and handed over the package.
“And this is a gift. Don’t tell anyone it’s from me. It’s just my way of cheering on Lady Viviana’s love. Got it?”
“Thank you!”
Viviana’s opinion of Harriet changed. The Harriet she faced alone today didn’t envy Bella at all and didn’t pry about the man Viviana liked.
She no longer asked questions that made Viviana’s one-sided crush feel pathetic. She simply offered support. What a kind heart.
‘Maybe she’s not as bad as I thought.’
Delighted by the generous amount of soap, Viviana returned home in high spirits. Meanwhile, Harriet sent a letter to Cedric via a servant.
[I’d like to set the shop opening for September 28th, ten days from now.]
She had already planned to open within ten days, but the news from Viviana had perfectly confirmed the date.
‘Bella, I sincerely hope your party goes really well.’
I hope so many people attend that they bring you the most fascinating news I heard that day. I hope your most shining moment is filled with thoughts of me.
Harriet smiled coolly.
“Your Highness! It’s been a while. You look even more radiant than before.”
“Highness? The princess title belongs to Sierra or Hestia now. I’m just Jeremiah Kailas.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just so habitual to call you that.”
Jeremiah graciously overlooked her friend’s slip. Being called princess was nothing new anyway, and today, such titles didn’t matter to her.
“It’s gotten quite cool now that night has fallen.”
“It has. This summer was pretty hot, wasn’t it?”
“Even with my hat and parasol, the tip of my nose and cheeks got a bit sunburned.”
“Me too! I even got heat rash on my back from sweating so much…”
As everyone chimed in reminiscing about the summer heat, Jeremiah subtly slipped in a comment about skincare. Beauty topics were always welcome, so no one noticed her intent.
As the conversation shifted from heat rash to foot rashes and other skin troubles, Jeremiah said casually.
“I had the same issues, but thanks to some soap I got by chance, the heat rash vanished completely. My skin texture improved a lot too. I guess I got lucky.”
Questions poured in, as expected.
“What kind of soap?”
“They say it’s made at St. Clarissa Convent. It’s like it was blessed by God—really wonderful.”
“St. Clarissa Convent? Never heard of it.”
“They’re opening a shop on Seviel Street soon. Once it opens, I’m sending someone to buy a ton. It wears out so fast using it every bath…”
“Really?”
The ladies’ eyes sparkled.
But Jeremiah didn’t mention that her son was the one who had secured the exclusive contract for that soap.
‘Will this satisfy Cedric?’
She always felt their relationship wasn’t great, but she hoped she’d scored some points today. Cedric’s demeanor at the dinner table—speaking beyond mere pleasantries—surely meant he wanted her to play this role.
“…And lately, I’ve been quietly investing in a beauty product business.”
“You, Your Highness? How did you get interested in beauty products?”
“It’s a venture to help St. Clarissa Convent become self-sufficient, so I couldn’t just pass it by. I wish the rumors would spread, but I haven’t found a good way yet.”
After that, dinner continued as if nothing had happened, but her son took after his father in being frustratingly curt. It would have been better if he’d just said what he wanted plainly.
‘It’s all my fault anyway.’
Jeremiah smiled wistfully.
On the morning of September 28th, when autumn was in full swing, servants sent by the shop owner lined up in front of the prime location on Seviel Street, lined with luxury boutiques.
The shop hadn’t opened yet, and the windows were papered over so no one could see inside.
“What’s going on? Why are there so many people?”
“Who knows. Looks like a new shop is opening.”
More and more eyes turned toward the shop.
At 11 a.m., the people standing guard like sentries around the shop removed all the paper covering the windows and the cloth hiding the shop’s name.
성 클라리사 비누 & 허브 (St. Clarissa Soap & Herbs)
The sign with fresh yellow and olive green lettering caught everyone’s eyes.
But even more attention-grabbing was the large poster on the outer wall.
“That face looks familiar. Who is it?”
Posters usually featured famous actors or singers, but the woman in this one had her hands clasped demurely as if in prayer, wearing a gentle, benevolent smile.
The people in line tilted their heads, unable to recognize her. But right then, a passing noble pointed and shouted.
“It’s Harriet Listerwell!”
The news spread within half a day. The soap that had already drawn interest was being sold with Harriet—the infamous scandal-maker—as its model.
But no one could deny that the model choice was brilliant.
“Isn’t she that famous lady who stayed at St. Clarissa Convent for a year?”
“I heard she gave out that soap as gifts at her tea party.”
