For a perfumer to lose their sense of smell, it was as if she had lost everything.
“Have you been to the big hospital? Maybe it can be treated.”
“I’ve been there, but I’ve only heard that the chances are slim.”
Was it because of the fire?
Or maybe there were other psychological factors.
It was so sudden that I lost my words.
“I’m tired now.”
I didn’t want Nivea to retire like this.
Because I was the one who persuaded and pulled her out that she wouldn’t go any further.
It may be her pitiful remorse, but I wanted her to be the subject of my revenge.
“Please reconsider your retirement. It’s too futile to have endured so far to sit down like this.”
“However…”
“If you need more people, I will add more. I’ll attach bodyguards and prepare a safe house for the two of you. So Nivea.”
I said, holding her hands tightly.
“Don’t give up on revenge.”
Nevertheless, Nivea hesitated.
As she had seen her shop, which she had built her whole life, trampled upon by those in power, she could not help but tremble even more.
I persuaded her again earnestly.
“Vengeance isn’t all about harming someone. Show that you are getting better and winning. No matter how much Tatiana tried to step on you, you succeeded like this.”
Her eyes, which had been black as if it had died, gleamed for a moment. It was fortunate that her spirit of victory was not completely extinguished.
I needed something to bring out her waning will.
“Don’t step back like this. Think about Lela.”
When Lela’s name came out, her lifeless eyes lit up.
“Lela…”
Her dream was to leave the boutique to Lela, and I was willing to support her with everything to make her dream come true.
There were few people in this empire who could keep Tatiana in check, and I was one of those people who could do that.
Tears welled up in Nivea’s eyes when I explained that.
“Are you really going to help me?”
“Of course. Just tell me what you want and what you need. There’s nothing I can’t get in this empire.”
Nivea nodded her head at my words.
After long persuasion, we decided to write a contract.
It was a one-sided contract that was full of the terms Nivea wanted, but I did not regret it.
Because this was nothing compared to what she lost.
“And lastly, I wish the chief perfumer to be Lela.”
Everything was allowed, but this was a bit of a difficult condition.
“No matter how good Lela is, she’s still young. She’ll definitely need another experienced perfumer.”
Nivea shook her head.
“It’s not because she’s my daughter. Lela really has a natural talent in this area. If you trust her, she will make the perfect product.”
She then said in a voice full of anger.
“All I need is Lela. She will humiliate her with her own strength.”
I kept my mouth shut when I saw her so determined.
If Nivea was this sure, I thought I could trust Lela.
“Okay, then let’s do this. Summer is coming soon, so there will be a masquerade that our family used to hold every year.”
The gigantic masked dance party created by the first Duke of Pioneer, who loved to play. It was a hot topic in social circles every year.
And this year, I planned to open it in a bigger and more glamorous way, conscious of the relationship between me and Aster.
“That’s where you and Lela come in.”
In this era, marketing was nothing but advertisements and word of mouth in newspapers.
But there was a way to be more powerful than that.
It was just a first-hand experience.
“And we’re going to let the customers try the products themselves. Even if they can’t, there will be two or three hundred guests, and you’ll make enough perfume for them to use.”
There was only a little over a month left until the masquerade.
I knew it was a tough schedule, but it was a good opportunity so I couldn’t miss it.
Nivea nodded her head.
“We will definitely do it.”
“That’s not all. If there is a good response there, I will release it. In your name.”
If it was a perfume that was liked by hundreds of ladies, I could believe in Lela’s ability.