Chapter 24
The meeting wrapped up in record time. Lady Chiara agreed to every one of my suggestions with frightening enthusiasm—so much so that I started wondering if this even qualified as a discussion.
“Good.”
“That’s good too.”
“Really, an excellent idea.”
“Let’s do it.”
“…That last one was me talking to myself, actually.”
“I like that too!”
At the very least, I knew one thing for sure—she absolutely loved my ideas.
After outlining the general plan, Lady Chiara insisted that firsthand experience in high society was just as important as theory. She proposed we attend the upcoming salon hosted by Lady Lilis Seref.
Seeing it once is better than hearing about it a hundred times.
The more intel we had on our enemies, the better.
My superior was a woman of frightening momentum. The moment I agreed, she immediately summoned her personal salon’s head designer. As we’d already discussed, I selected one of the dresses the Madame had designed and requested minor adjustments. There wasn’t enough time to create a new one from scratch.
“Oh my, this approach is quite new. But if we follow your concept, I think it could be both bold and elegant.”
I gently took her hand.
“Madame, this event is our chance to make Lady Chiara the center of high society. Your role is crucial.”
No matter how brilliant the idea, it would mean nothing if she couldn’t bring it to life.
The Madame’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Don’t you worry, Assistant. Ever since Lady Chiara became my muse, I haven’t felt this inspired in ages. Whatever you imagine—I’ll deliver something even greater. You have my word, from Laurent herself.”
And true to her word, she completed the gown perfectly by the day before the salon.
“Shall we go, then?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Lady Chiara took the arm of her escorting knight and stepped gracefully toward the carriage.
All right. Let’s see what the noble salons are really like.
The Seref Duchy.
One of the founding noble houses, firmly entrenched in power. Their daughter was the Crown Prince’s fiancée, soon to be Crown Princess in all but name. Naturally, her pride towered higher than most.
As expected of a family second only to the royal house.
The Aurelius fortune was vast, so I didn’t feel a jarring gap in wealth, but the duchy’s mansion radiated an old, dignified grandeur—something no nouveau riche could ever replicate.
That aura… born of generations of aristocracy.
No wonder other nobles worshiped it.
“My lady, we’ve arrived.”
As Lady Chiara stepped down with her escort’s help, I followed behind her with the household maid. Despite my best composure, my nerves hummed. The atmosphere here was different—stiffer, colder.
“Invitation, please.”
A servant standing by the door checked our card, then bowed deeply. When Lady Chiara inclined her head ever so slightly, the doors swung open and his clear voice rang through the hall.
“Presenting Lady Chiara Aurelius, daughter of the Marquis of Aurelius!”
Every gaze in the room turned toward her.
“L–Lady Chiara?”
“Her dress…?”
Whispers rippled through the crowd. Lady Chiara ignored them completely and walked calmly toward the hostess.
“Thank you for inviting me, Lady Lilis.”
The young woman with long golden hair and clear blue eyes blinked in surprise before a sweet, angelic smile curved her lips.
She really does look like she was born noble.
“Welcome, Lady Chiara. It’s been quite a while… your taste seems to have changed rather drastically.”
Lady Lilis wore a gown of pure white silk, adorned with gemstones so fine that she seemed to glow—an image of grace and radiance itself.
By contrast, my lady—
She was the Black Swan.
Her black gown shimmered with subtle navy flowers embroidered along the hem, and tiny diamonds sparkled between the folds of the skirt and bodice. It wasn’t dull—it was luminous.
And the pièce de résistance—
A sheer lace overlay of black.
Instead of revealing her neck and arms outright, fine lace veiled her skin, translucent and teasing. She wore a long black wig, with a diamond-studded feather ornament crowning her hair. Daring, elegant, unforgettable—the perfect Black Swan.
Even from the eyes of the young ladies, I can feel it: surprise, curiosity, intrigue.
We had predicted that Lady Lilis favored bright, pastel tones for her salons.
An angel and a devil—perfect contrast.
Lady Chiara looked more confident than I’d ever seen her.
“Is that so? I decided to experiment while launching my new brand.”
At the mention of Black Diamond, noblewomen began to flock toward her like moths to a flame.
“Lady Chiara, do you plan another Black Diamond pop-up soon? Will that dress be available for purchase?”
“What’s next in your collection? Today’s look is stunning!”
“Will you restock last month’s limited line? I missed my chance to buy it…”
Then, from beside Lady Lilis, a sharp-tongued young lady sneered.
“Honestly, you’re all making such a fuss over one lucky success. Lady Chiara, perhaps you should refrain from wearing such gloomy dresses to the Duchess’s salon. It’s hardly appropriate.”
Another joined in.
“Exactly—who wears black to a salon? This isn’t a funeral.”
The atmosphere chilled instantly. Those two—Lilis’s usual attendants—were infamous for once stealing Chiara’s items and causing a scandal.
But Lady Chiara only smiled, her crimson lips curved in composure.
As expected.
“Well,” she said lightly, “if black truly symbolizes misfortune, would black diamonds be so highly sought after? There are more than a few noble families waiting in line to reserve them from our trading company.”
“Tch—”
Her tone was sharp but not heated.
“Aren’t you tired of the same pastel gowns every season? Personally, I adore this one. And you know—black does have a slimming effect. Of course, if the two of you find it too somber, that’s unfortunate. But that’s really none of my concern.”
“What did you just—?”
“You’ve gone too far, my lady!”
Chiara turned toward Lilis with a calm smile.
“My lady, forgive me, but I wasn’t aware there was a dress code for today’s salon. Was I mistaken?”
Lilis shook her head serenely, her angelic smile unwavering. She didn’t even glance at the two women beside her.
Quick to cut ties. Efficient and ruthless—just as I thought. She and my lady are complete opposites.
“There’s no dress code, Lady Chiara. My salons are meant to be free in spirit.”
Chiara’s smile deepened.
“That’s a relief. We’ll be seeing more of each other, I’m sure. Oh—and this.”
From a small lace clutch that matched her gown, she produced a pink envelope sealed with black wax. With a silent invitation to open it, she handed it to Lady Lilis. The Duchess hesitated, then broke the seal. Her eyes flickered faintly.
Low magnesium levels, perhaps?
“This is…”
“I’m delighted to share this here today,” Chiara said brightly. “Two months from now, the Marquisate of Aurelius will host the Black Diamond New Collection Launch Party.”
I stepped forward smoothly to conclude the announcement.
“We welcome all attendees in attire of their choice. Black dresses, of course, are most welcome.”
From that moment, the salon’s spotlight belonged entirely to Lady Chiara. Black Diamond became the talk of every young lady present.
My lady looked confident—radiant, even.
That’s enough for today.
Satisfied, I finally allowed myself a small bite of the food laid out for the attendants, though I never took my eyes off our rival.
Lilis still doesn’t see her as an equal. Not yet.
One salon wouldn’t overturn the entire game. Today was only about stirring curiosity—and showing a new Chiara.
The upcoming Marquisate party will be the true test.
As I quietly observed the room, running future strategies through my head, nothing else of note seemed likely to happen. I excused myself for the restroom.
That’s when the real trouble began.
How on earth did I get lost… inside someone’s mansion?
I could’ve sworn I’d memorized the route, but when I stepped out of the restroom, everything looked different.
Cold sweat ran down my neck. I had to escape before anyone discovered the assistant who got lost looking for a bathroom.
There has to be at least one servant around here… right?
But unbelievably, not a soul was in sight. Not even a mouse. Anxiety began to claw at me. The corridors grew dim as the sun dipped below the horizon.
I can’t cause trouble for my lady now.
I quickened my pace, hoping to find someone—anyone.
After what felt like an eternity, voices drifted from around the corner. Hope bloomed in my chest.
Perfect. I’ll wait until they finish talking, then ask for directions.
I crept to the edge of the corridor and peeked around—
—and froze.
…Wow.
It wasn’t staff.
It was a pair of lovers, locked in a very passionate exchange of whispers.
