The Sleeping Devil

In a mansion in the noble district, servants were bustling around preparing since the morning.

The lady of the house, Ilmera, was simply staring at an envelope without scolding the running maids. The envelope, with no sender or recipient written on it, clearly bore a crimson vine pattern like a frame, indicating it was a letter from Baroness Dior, the wife of Marquis Beriard.

Of course, Ilmera wasn't pondering who the sender of this letter might be. It was handed to her directly by Dior at a tea party about a month ago.

The issue lay in its contents.

Carrying on the curse of Beriard, Dior, now the Baroness, was both feared and envied by the noblewomen in her domain.

Her beauty aside, she continuously set new trends in the fields of art and clothing with her exceptional aesthetic sense.

Among them, what has shown incredible growth in recent years is cosmetics. Dior claimed it was her daughter, Sheriel, who came up with them, but Ilmera didn't believe those words. She couldn't imagine an adult woman creating cosmetics meant for girls as young as her daughter.

Come to think of it, it was thanks to Sheriel-sama that I started being invited to the tea parties. Until then, I was barely acknowledged at evening parties.

Despite being of the earl's lineage, Ilmera's husband's family didn't have much power. They were mid-ranking nobles without land holdings. Their title was only thanks to the family business that happened to align with the preferences of the previous lord.

Her husband, Earl Tabur Planton, still pursued his research on plants. Although he cultivated medicinal herbs and studied magic flowers, he hadn't achieved much to be recognized by the noble academy in the capital. At this rate, they might lose their title by the next generation.

Having married into a family whose botanical research yielded no financial gain or recognition, Ilmera was positioned somewhat low in the social circle. This changed drastically with the aforementioned tea party.

The sudden invitation to the debut tea party came as a surprise. They had never thought they would be invited, and even now, Ilmera was gazing at the envelope bordered in crimson.

Having a daughter around the same age seemed to have brought them favor with the fates. Ilmera clasped her hands together and prayed repeatedly. "You're creating gods out of thin air, it's absurd," her husband, Tabur, chuckled wryly. Still, Ilmera couldn't help but feel grateful for this seemingly fateful stroke of luck.

Their daughter, who had been lively and restless beyond what was typical for a young lady, suddenly began to behave like a proper lady after Sheriel's tea party. She started accompanying her father on his research trips and eagerly listened to etiquette and social lessons, which was a delightful change as a mother.

Truly, to see her change like that... Sheriel-sama, who is younger, was very composed, and she must have influenced her.

Two years had passed since then, and the occasional invitations to Dior's tea parties felt like a dream. New pastries and new cosmetics. Since they weren't very wealthy, Ilmera only purchased shampoo and used it sparingly, once or twice a month.

Though she only rinsed her hair once a week in the tub, it had noticeably become shinier and easier to comb.

Amidst this, there was this invitation. Apparently, it was to experience the beauty regimen Dior usually undertakes. Ilmera wondered if it was appropriate for someone like her to attend. They didn't have the luxury to invest in such things, and if they somehow displeased Dior, it could mean the end of their family.

Typically, unveiling ceremonies for new ventures were calls for investments. If it seemed like a promising venture, one would invest, or even propose business partnerships if it seemed profitable.

The former was out of the question, but if they were expected to propose the latter, Ilmera's husband, Tabur, should have been invited. However, given that they couldn't help when they were consulted about vegetable oil previously and ended up disappointing them, Ilmera was uncertain of the intention behind this invitation.

Not only did it not benefit their estate, but if they made another mistake, the Planton family might truly be finished.

With such thoughts, Ilmera stared at the invitation filled with both fortune and anxiety until just before their departure.

"Mother, why do you look so glum? We're almost there."

Her daughter, who had retained her cheerful personality while adopting quite ladylike behavior, called out to Ilmera, who wore a troubled expression.

After a short carriage ride from the earl's residence, the destination was soon in sight. It used to be a splendid mansion owned by the marquis, and even though it was mid-autumn, colorful flowers bloomed in the garden.

The carriage circled around the central flowerbed and arrived at the front entrance, where Dior and Sheriel were standing.

Sheriel-sama is accompanying them to the unveiling ceremony too. So, it must have been decided that this child would also attend.

Relieved that the invitation she had checked multiple times wasn't a mistake, Ilmera put on a noble expression and descended from the carriage.

"Dior-sama, I extend my greetings on this auspicious day. I offer my gratitude to the wind god and the Beriard family for witnessing this new beginning."

"Greetings, Ilmera-sama. I'm sure you'll be satisfied with today's unveiling."

As Ilmera exchanged greetings with Dior, the children were also happily reuniting.

"Sheriel-sama, it's been a while! I heard it's a grand unveiling for a big business venture, and I'm thrilled to be invited."

"Shamal-sama, greetings. Today, we have a tea party planned just for the children. Giselle-sama is also here."

Sheriel, taller than Ilmera remembered and about two years younger than Shamal, seemed more mature than her age both in appearance and behavior. Perhaps it was because of her seemingly cold, blue-eyed appearance or her gentle smile that never faltered, but she seemed more mature than her age, and Ilmera couldn't help but feel that her precious childhood innocence was somewhat wasted.

At the far end of the entrance, there was a platform about chest height, and behind it stood three women. They were all dressed alike, and they didn't come forward.

They were then led up the side staircase and greeted the noblewomen who had apparently arrived earlier. They seemed to be sitting around some round tables, having tea.

"I apologize for being late."

"No, you're actually a bit early. It seems this isn't like a regular tea party."

Relieved that they hadn't gotten the time wrong, Ilmera began to feel anxious as if she had stepped into an unknown world. It was Sheriel who reached out to Ilmera, who was bewildered.

"Here is the tea salon, where you can use it for appointments and time adjustments. There is no master in this mansion, so feel free to relax without waiting for greetings like at a tea party."

"Isn't this event hosted by Lady Dior?"

"Yes, I am technically in charge of the business, but it's not in the form of hosting."

It was rare for a woman to start a business, and even then, Ilmera reluctantly accepted that it might be possible with Dior. However, upon hearing that a child who hadn't even reached adulthood was in charge, Ilmera could only blink repeatedly, unable to comprehend everything. Unable to grasp anything, she could only pretend to understand.

Once seated at the table, tea and meringue were promptly served, a service provided during the waiting time.

Since the other guests seemed just as bewildered, Ilmera felt relieved knowing that she wasn't the only one unfamiliar with the customs.

"Now that everyone is gathered, let me explain how to use this facility while allowing you to experience it."

Everyone's here now? There are only about ten adults... Could this be Lady Sheriel's pretend play?

For the unveiling of a new business to gather investment, it's common to hold a soirée with about a hundred guests. This tea salon, with only about fifteen people including children, must be a somewhat different kind of tea party.

Ilmera, who was starting to understand this, was immediately shaken in her understanding by the torrent of new customs that followed.

"Firstly, all the services you experience here will be charged. Just as you pay a gardener to maintain the garden, you'll pay a fee here to maintain your body. Of course, you won't be charged for today's session or the membership fee. Instead, we ask for your help in spreading the word."

Ilmera and the others were wide-eyed and speechless at Sheriel's explanation.

They had heard that they could experience beauty treatments, but they never expected to be charged for it.

Ilmera breathed a sigh of relief at the mention that today's fee was waived. But then, she was taken aback when she was told that the beautiful hair ornament was the entrance ticket.

Mesmerized by the several magical ore hanging from the chain, she almost missed the explanation.

The membership fee was quite expensive, and one couldn't even join without a referral. Being exempt from the membership fee brought more excitement than relief; it meant they were chosen for this special opportunity.

The facility could be used multiple times, and the price would decrease if one infused it with their magic. Ilmera had initially been skeptical about the beauty treatment of bathing, but in this dreamlike beautiful space, her anticipation had turned into great expectations.

After receiving explanations, each person was guided to a private room.

Following the maid as instructed, Ilmera undressed with her help, and as she did, she could hear the faint sound of water.

The large porcelain tub was apparently called a bath. Even after receiving explanations, she couldn't fully understand this magical tool she was seeing for the first time, which had the magical ores attached to it and water bubbling out.

Invited by the steam and the scent of flowers, Ilmera absentmindedly sank into the bath.

How soothing... It's warm and feels so good... I hope my skin won't dry out later...

By the time she started to sweat gently, she was instructed to move her head to the small tub. Placing her neck on the cloth-covered hollow as instructed, a maid began to wash her hair. While she was accustomed to washing her hair in water, the gentle pressure on her scalp made her entire body tingle with pleasure.

At the same time, her face was massaged with fragrant plant oils, and after being gently wiped with a soft cloth, something fragrant and soft was applied to her face.

"This is a clay pack that we plan to introduce. It absorbs dirt from the skin and moisturizes it, leaving it very beautiful."

As she waited for a while in this state, she received various explanations.

"Cleanse your skin of any remaining dirt with plant oils or soap, and sweat out any clogged impurities. This clay pack also cleanses the skin, but it's recommended to use it about once a week."

After using the clay pack, if she brought the container back, they would only sell the contents.

There had been various facial treatments before, but none had seemed to have much effect or were terrifyingly expensive. Was this clay pack one of those?

After a while, when her skin started to feel heavier, the clay pack was peeled off, and then she was washed with fragrant soap.

When she gently touched her cheeks, they indeed felt softer.

Since she was in the water, she didn't notice, but she had apparently sweated a lot already. A refreshing, cool drink with a taste unlike any fruit juice or alcohol seeped into her body smoothly.

As her face began to feel hot, she was taken out of the bathtub and led to a massage table outside. Despite being made of stone, it was warm, and it gently warmed her abdomen.

The body, which had become stiff from corsets and heavy clothing, was thoroughly relaxed, and by the time she got off the table, her body felt incredibly light.

"It feels like becoming royalty or a high-ranking noble..."

It was truly luxurious, like that of an elite. In the Planton family, which had obtained the title of count solely through magical power and past luck, it was not something they could afford to have a full-body massage using expensive plant oils on a daily basis.

After being washed with fragrant soap in the emptied tub, her skin felt soft and youthful.

Could it really be just from soaking in the water? Was it the effect of that plant oil and soap?

Dressed in a linen robe, as she sat in front of the vanity mirror, she was speechless at the sight before her.

This is unbelievable... Is this mirror enchanted?

Her skin had been getting tougher year by year, and she had been finding it increasingly difficult to apply the white powder properly. It was a noblewoman's skill to cleverly apply the white powder to disguise dark circles and wrinkles.

But, somehow, her skin looked much brighter than it did this morning.

Ilmera tentatively touched her cheek, feeling her heart pounding as her skin seemed to cling to her palm.

"A little moisturizing to finish."

"The maid gently applied water with a floral scent to her skin, then lightly pressed her skin with a small amount of plant oil. Unable to believe that her skin was truly radiant, Ilmera stared intensely at the mirror.

Meanwhile, warm air was now being emitted from the magical device from earlier, drying her hair as she combed through it. Her hair, now smooth and neatly arranged unlike when washed at home, was almost too beautiful to tie up.

"Is the shampoo special too?"

"Yes, it's a step above what you find in stores."

This meant that it would only be available in noble district shops, making it a limited edition product accessible only to those with entry tokens. Excited or perhaps due to the excitement, she moistened her parched throat with tea, but still couldn't remain calm.

"What about the white powder? You can try Lady Sheriel's new white powder."

"I'm torn... It's the first time I've thought it would be a waste to apply white powder."

However, she didn't have the courage to appear in public like this. No matter how much she had become beautiful, she still had dark circles and wrinkles that prevented her from baring her skin in public.

Moreover, since she had the chance to experience it, it would be a waste not to try the new white powder. She decided to have makeup applied.

"Oh...! How radiant! I can't believe this is really white powder."

When her face was lightly stroked with a soft brush, she worried if she was being carried away. White powder is applied multiple times with a brush over heavy oil. Even with a light stroke, it shouldn't be applied evenly.

However, looking at Ilmera in the mirror, she realized that her skin looked natural, like bare skin, with pores and dark circles hidden by a shine.

"Can I see that white powder?"

"Yes, here it is."

In a flat porcelain container was a slightly colored powder. Unlike traditional white powder resembling wheat flour, this powder had fine grains that produced such a shine, making it hard to believe even when experienced firsthand.

And in the next moment, a shiver of fear-like excitement ran through her entire body.

The things she had just experienced, and the fact that this experience itself could become a product... Beauty accessible only to a select few through referral. If there were such visible effects, everyone would desire the right to it.

Moreover, once experienced, one couldn't let go of it. Just like maintaining a garden, maintaining oneself... It wouldn't just end with a purchase; she would surely visit multiple times.

Even for Ilmera, whose household budget was tight, she felt truly grateful for being allowed to join, and she was already planning when to come next.

It was like a devil's whisper. The highest quality beauty products in an extraordinary space. Trying to imagine how much profit it would bring, she quickly banished such base thoughts from her mind.

"Thank you for your hard work, Ilmera-sama. Once you're done changing, I'll guide you back to the tea salon."

Was it just her imagination that the dressing had finished faster than usual? Anyway, she wanted to share this excitement with everyone as soon as possible... She wanted everyone to see how beautiful she had become.

It was the first time Ilmera, with her ordinary appearance as a noble, had wanted to boast about her own appearance to others.

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