Chapter 97

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 97

Chapter Title: Salon Showdown

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Sunny morning.

I sat on the swing in the garden, reviewing the documents Celia had sent.

These were compilations of rumors or intelligence gathered by the seagulls—Hof Merchant Company's information network.

One piece that caught my eye was the news of a massive horse racing track being built just outside the capital.

So, horse racing season is about to kick off, huh.

Horse racing, a form of gambling, had started among the commoners and spread even to the nobility. After the track opened in the capital, central nobles jumped in en masse, betting fortunes, and it later became a massive headache for the imperial family.

My eyes sparkled.

This could be my ticket to some pocket money!

I knew which horse would win.

Back when I lived as a beggar, I'd worked with the gang staking out spots at the track, so I remembered the results.

If I have Celia sweep up all the bets...

I covered my mouth with both fists and giggled, ehehe.

In my mind, gold coins went clink-clink as they rained down in a heap.

I was even imagining climbing atop a pile of gold coins, blissfully counting my fortune, when I snapped back and flipped to the next page.

That's not the priority right now.

My godmother had said she'd introduce me at her social gathering.

She planned a light tea party with about ten noble ladies and young ladies, so I needed to get ready pronto.

Lady Georges... her son flunked out of the academy? Yeah, she won't be in the mood for a party.

Pass.

Lady Moliud... argh! She's having an affair with Lady Jedes's fiancé? Can't invite those two together.

Pass here too.

Most nobles wracked their brains over their debut guest lists. It was the crucial first step in social life—no room for mishaps.

But I'm different.

With my godmother backing me, I just had to draft the list, and she'd vet it and send the invitations.

Who'd turn down an invitation from her, anyway?

She'd asked me to make the list just to give me some experience.

Choosing Camilla as my godmother was the best decision ever!

With that thought, I finalized the list, gathered my papers, and left the garden.

I was just about to climb the stairs when an administrative officer came dashing into the central courtyard.

"Your Grace!!"

I eyed the shouting officer and spotted silver cufflinks on his sleeves.

Viscount Dubos's intelligence division, huh.

Wondering what was up, I quickly stashed the documents in my room and headed to Daddy's office.

The office was already packed with officers and my brothers.

"Medium-range teleportation circle?"

Ishak's question made the officer's face drain of color as he replied.

"Yes."

"We already knew development was complete. But you said it would take time before it hit the market."

"They're preparing for distribution now. After consultations with the temple, House Ballua has decided to launch a merchant guild for selling the circles."

Ishak clicked his tongue.

"One teleportation circle, and they're raking it in like pigs."

I nodded inwardly.

Already starting distribution, huh.

House Ballua was an old, prestigious family that had produced countless scholars, earning them the nickname "repository of knowledge."

They pooled all their data and teamed up with the temple to develop something beyond the old circles.

Up to here, it's the same as my previous life. But the rollout is way ahead of schedule.

Ballua's circles required a very special material.

I didn't know exactly what it was, but it was insanely expensive, so they'd secured capital first before moving.

Taking investors meant sharing profits, and a schemer like that yellow Ballua Duke wasn't about to do anyone favors.

The temple already took a huge cut from Ballua circle sales anyway.

No surprise. In my previous life, they funded it through spice trades, but that's off the table now.

I'd blocked the spice trade rights from falling into his hands.

Henri, who had been squinting thoughtfully, spoke to Daddy.

"Shouldn't we secure some circles on our end too?"

The officer looked troubled.

"They say buyers undergo strict internal vetting."

Ishak let out a disbelieving scoff.

"What nonsense. When you sell bread, do you check if the buyer's starving first?"

"It's about choking the nobility's lifelines with those circles."

As Henri's voice dropped, the officer added,

"For now, they plan to unveil it at the First Prince's birthday banquet next month."

"Presenting it to the Emperor for prime advertising, no doubt."

Yohan, who had been silent, nodded at Henri's words.

"And they'll demand pardons for his wife and child on the side."

Daddy tapped the table thoughtfully, thud thud.

I sidled up beside him and rested my head on the desk.

"Daddy, do you need a teleportation circle?"

"Can't hurt. In wartime, nothing's more valuable. The range changes tactics entirely."

"Then I'll make one! A super amazing one!"

As I shot my arms up triumphantly, the heavy mood in the room shattered.

"How is Little One this adorable?!"

Nos laughed like he might die from cuteness, ehohot.

Henri and Ishak ruffled my hair from both sides.

"Don't bother with anything tedious."

"Yeah, we'll handle the hassle. You just play."

But I already have one.

A teleportation circle way better than Ballua's, no less.

Leaning into Daddy's big hand stroking my cheek, I smirked wickedly inside.

A few days later, I headed to the bustling shopping district with my godmother.

We were scouting the salon for my debut party.

She'd been thrilled with the guest list I'd prepared.

It matched her own ideas closely, but she raved that ignoring faction lines made it perfect for bridging divides.

Stepping down from the carriage hand-in-hand with her, I widened my eyes.

"We're renting the first floor of Ropte's Salon?"

"Second floor."

"But the second floor is for royals! Only the princesses can book it!"

The Emperor's nieces or the late Emperor's daughters used it—ladies with imperial blood. Even powerhouses' daughters rarely touched the second floor.

"For my girl's debut, it has to be this good."

My godmother's lips curved up. I cheered inwardly.

A godmother with pull is the best!

Compared to the dingy salons from my first and second lives, this was a massive upgrade.

This'll grab everyone's attention.

Ropte's Salon was even more opulent than the rumors suggested.

From the corridors to the lounges, nothing lacked luxury.

The salon owner guided my godmother and me down the hall.

"Godmother, I'd love to dim the corridor lights and add pretty lamps!"

The owner chuckled softly.

"Wonderful idea. Young ladies would feel like they've been invited to a fairy-tale ball."

As she told my godmother, "Lady has such great taste," my godmother's lips twitched smugly.

"I only taught her chess once, and she beat my steward."

"Goodness. And your steward beat Marquis Belton, they say."

"Whatever I teach her, she excels. I'm at a loss how to nurture such talent."

"No wonder you, who's never sponsored a lady before, took on Lady Duvered."

"It's a headache. The other godmothers will be so jealous..."

I beamed brightly, but inside I was screaming, Stop bragging already!

Godmother loves showing off, huh...

As we walked, people emerged from the first-floor party hall.

Duchess Ballua and her noble ladies.

"Then, Duchess, we look forward to good news."

"Take care. I'm so glad you came today."

"I have some fine tea leaves—I'll send some to Ballua House."

Lady Georges and other social heavyweights fawned shamelessly.

Duchess Ballua replied haughtily.

"Such a warm send-off embarrasses me."

"Embarrass you? Your presence is an honor—pure honor! Oh, Duchess... My husband was over the moon hearing about your teleportation circles. No matter the price, please tell him we'll buy."

A marchioness famed for her arrogance clasped the duchess's hand, lowering her brows pleadingly.

Rumors said she'd raged about the duchess smuggling the imperial holy scripture translation, shaming high society, but Ballua's circles had flipped her tune.

"I'll pass along the word."

"Please do!"

As the noblewomen simpered, the duchess fanning herself furiously spotted me and my godmother.

Her face twisted briefly at the sight of me.

The other ladies noticed my godmother and curtsied.

"Good day, Godmother."

After greetings, Duchess Ballua glanced at me and told the others,

"After His Highness the First Prince's birthday banquet, how about a light tea party? I'll invite you ladies and young ladies here. Hmm, the 8th sounds good."

"The 8th...?"

My godmother's expression hardened.

The 8th is my party date.

And most of her guests were right here.

"My husband will be home that day too, so families are welcome. Let's leave the dull talk to the titled folks."

It was code: Show up if you want a circle.

High society was all about advancing your house.

If Ballua's circles offered a clear edge, even with my godmother or House Duvered watching, they'd attend her party.

The ladies glanced warily at my godmother without firm yeses, but most would skip mine for hers.

Playing dirty, huh?

I arched a brow at Duchess Ballua, but she just smirked oily.

My godmother spoke sharply.

"You...!"

"Godmother, I need the washroom."

I hugged her arm. She glared at the ladies and replied,

"Go on."

"Check out the party hall while I'm gone? Please?"

Understanding my plea to avoid a fight, she sighed softly.

I curtsied to the ladies and hurried down the corridor. Around the corner, I grabbed the communication stone.

It flickered a few times, and the chairman's voice emerged.

"Send every long-distance teleportation circle we've made to the capital."

"We'll unveil long-distance teleportation circles at the First Prince's birthday banquet too."

I'd planned to hoard them for my own use, but now those Ballua bastards would writhe in agony.

You're all dead.