Published at 14th of December 2022 09:10:35 AM

Christa was running around to try and make Helenes evening party even a little more successful. She asks for help here and there, going so far as to bow her head.

However no one cooperates. Without even going into factional politics, even among the now-quartet, Sophie and the other two just snorted at Christa and did not bother to help. Still, Christa runs around looking for someone who could.

It is obvious that at this rate, Helenes evening party will fail. Duke Bayen should be able to prepare an evening party suitable for a normal duke from now on. They would think it will be an unexpected effort and expense, but even now they have the power to make it in time. But thats as far as theyll go.

This time its not just about holding the same standard of an evening party, as usual. Its not as if the other members of the Bayen Faction and her friends dont understand it. Even if they only start preparing now, House Bayen will be able to prepare for this evening party, and Dare you to underestimate House Bayens ability to prepare for a soiree with only these handful of days? they would all think.

It certainly was not enough time. It was right after Second Queen Amelies evening party, and the purpose was ostensibly a celebration of Prince Ludwigs formally becoming crown prince. In such a situation, even if you hold a night party, as usual, you will only receive frustration in turn.

If all Helene had to do was hold a night party like before, she wouldnt be in such a panic and need Christas help. With the power of House Bayen, in the worst case, 2 weeks would be enough to hold a party suitable for a duke. Christa knows that. But its not the case now

But nobody else understands that. Perhaps Helene has noticed? Maybe thats why she asked them to come up with a plan, even though she wouldnt normally say something like that to them and expose a weakness.

As soon as Christa was able to speak, she called out to everyone. Still, as long as no one was going to help Christa made up her mind and headed out to town alone.

Christas secret plan was to ask the Crepe Cafe to serve crepes at Helenes evening party. She knows that some aristocrats think crepes are low-class sweets for the commoners. But she also knows that once you try it, your opinion will change.

Christa, a regular at the caf, knew that not only the students of Berne Academy, but even some adult nobles were eating crepes by disguising themselves and having servants buy on their behalf. Thats why even the aristocrats can eat it, so long as the perception that its vulgar commoners street fare is removed.

Then another highlight Flotos incredibly impressive pudding. That was also absolutely out of the ordinary. Its not just because Christa likes sweets. That would definitely be popular with the nobility. If she somehow gets these two served at Helenes evening party if she somehow manages to get those two items served, at least the event wouldnt be a failure.

Thinking that Christa visited the Crepe Cafe alone and knocked on the door. Shes just bringing trouble to the woman who always serves customers so politely. She knows its an annoyance, but Christa cant give up. And as Christa was desperately trying to hold out and convince her, she heard a voice shes become increasingly familiar with.

Christa didnt know that Caanza Trading Firm was funding the Crepe Cafe, or rather, that the Crepe Cafe was Caanzas business, as well. When she was inside, she thought they just happened to be next to the General Goods Store, but she didnt realize that both of them were under the same company.

However, Floto called out to Christa, and she learned a lot by listening to the two staff in charge of both Caanzas stores and the Crepe Cafe. That Floto could make crepes at her home, that she could come up with wonderful things like pudding, all of them were connected. It was little wonder now. Floto was the owner of Caanza and the inventor of both crepes and puddings.

Hence, Christa bowed her head and begged Floto for help. Floto is very smart. She saw through the quintets bullying and knew Helene was ordering them behind the scenes. Despite Christa being aware that all she asked was selfishly for their benefit, she prayed for a ray of hope as she pleaded.

Its natural to be refused. On the contrary, Christa couldnt help it if she was cursed out for asking for something so convenient only in a moment of crisis like this. And yet Floto simply accepted it with a gentle smile. Christa continued talking while holding back her tears.

With Flotos help, Helenes soiree should be out of danger. All thats left now is to discuss things with Floto and Caanzas executives but Christa paled at the estimate they showed her. Its not an amount that can be paid with Christas pocket money.

Of course, it would be an insignificant amount for Duke Bayen. Or they would think its an amount that even Marquis Reingen can afford to pay. But but theres a catch. There is no one whos willing to cooperate with Christa. It wasnt just other Houses in her faction, even her own parents told her they wanted nothing to do with this. She had to raise the money by herself.

Christa cant say shes giving up. She also understands that this amount is not worth the expense Caanza is going to go through, catering for this event. Even now, they are prepared to go in the red and keep the price as low as possible, but Christa cant tell them to take an even bigger loss.

In order to make Helenes evening party a success, there is no choice but to somehow manage to raise this money. Having made up her mind, Christa promised to pay Floto and the others for the catering and hurried back to her home.

Christa sold everything she could find in her room. She must leave at least one of her outfits in order to attend Helenes soiree. And for the time being, she kept the minimum set of jewelry at hand. She sold everything else she could sell, from her other clothes, jewelry, trinkets, whatever was of worth.

As for the clothes left, only old and worn-out clothes that will barely sell for anything are left. She also left behind only the most worthless and shabby sets of jewelry. She sold off everything else, leaving only the things she needed to maintain a minimum standard. Yet she still doesnt have enough money.

What should she say to Floto? After all, she cant say that she cant pay. She has to find the money somehow with that in mind, she ran around looking for money right up to the last minute of the contract signing. Yet still, not quite enough. With trudging steps, Christa heads to Caanzas Head Office.

If Floto refuses the contract because of this, it cant be helped. Christa blames herself for not being able to raise the money. Even if she wants to speak honestly, she is too scared to do so. Perhaps it was because she has the implicit backing of Houses Bayen and Reingen that Floto would have even considered accepting such a large-scale business negotiation with a young girl like herself. What if she finds out she cant pay without the support of both families?

Christa is stuck between the part of her that feels its better to speak honestly and tell her the truth and the part thats scared of being rejected because of it. But she didnt have to worry about that. Floto would immediately figure it out. You cant hide anything from her eyes, after all. Christa has no choice but to give up even if the business negotiation was rejected. Thats what she thought

Now then, lets make a new contract and sign that, instead.

Not knowing what Floto meant with that smile of hers, Christa could do nothing but panic.

For some reason, several women surround Christa and take measurements all over her body. And then she was brought a dark blue, no, a radiant indigo dress with a design shed never seen before. And now, Christa was put in it and is having even more measurements taken.

She does not match the dimensions at all. This indigo costume has a strangely thin waist, but the chest is too big, and when Christa wears it, the waist doesnt fit, but the chest is too large. She thinks the costume itself is nice, but when she looked at herself now, she feels pathetic. After all, if someone doesnt look good in a wonderful dress, they will look pathetic, and she laughs harshly at herself.

Despite this, the women around Christa diligently measured the dimensions without laughing and looked at jewelry to match this outfit. Even though its only temporary, Christa is dumbfounded to see the dress modified to fit her and now complete with accessories, as well.

Is this me? Christa asked.

Yes. It suits you very well, one of the seamstresses said.

Christa couldnt believe it. A top-class outfit that Christa, a marquiss daughter, would not have, no, that even Helene, daughter of Duke Bayen, would not have. She looks like a princess from somewhere, and she cant help but smile.

How is it going? Well! My, my, my! It certainly suits you very well, Christa!

Floto Christa said.

Once the seamstresses decided the fit had been properly temporarily adjusted and the outfit was complete, Floto came over and complimented Christa on her appearance. As expected, she was praised so much youd think she was exaggerating to flatter her, but Christa was not surprised to hear it. In the first place, these clothes and jewelry are so wonderful that anyone can transform into a princess while wearing them.

But what was this outfit for? Christa asked.

Ah I originally designed that and had it made for myself, but please wear it to the evening party yourself, Christa, Floto said.

And at that, Christa was almost about to double over in despair. That means Christa has both wider hips and smaller breasts than Floto. What kind of body does Floto have, that she intended to wear this outfitbeforeit was altered? Who wouldnt be devastated at this revelation? However, the seamstresses who were fixing it told Christa that Floto was exceptional, which made her feel a little better.

If you dont have clothes to wear to the evening party, youll be in trouble, wont you, Christa? Floto casually asked with a smile.

Wha!? How did you know that? Christa asked, startled.

Christa had sold all her clothes and jewelry to pay Caanzas advance deposit. She still has one outfit and a set of jewelry, but it is not suitable as the daughter of Marquis Reingen. Shes sold everything she could sell for a little more cash, so all thats left is the cheapest.

I can imagine how you managed to raise all that money, Floto said, so I want someone as honorable as you to be properly rewarded. This is my selfishness, so please wear this outfit for me and join me then at the evening party?

Flotos words Christa almost burst into tears. She panics and turns her face away. She cant show such a pathetic expression. She averted her face just a little to calm herself down, then Christa puffed out her chest and answered,

I see, then Ill accept your offer. Ill wear this outfit to the evening party.

Thank you, Christa, Floto said.

Why is Floto the one thanking her? Christa is the one that wants to thank her. She doesnt think shell ever be able to wear an outfit like this in her life again. Even Duke Bayen couldnt have afforded something like this.

Of course, there are concerns. If you wear something like this that is so different from tradition, you will stand out. And you will stand out even more than the hostess, Helene.

If it was Floto, there wasnt an issue. Helene was already harassing Floto, and even if Floto embarrassed her, the hostess, it was no weight on her mind. Helene already hated her guts, so whats one more reason to justify her feelings? Things would just continue as they were.

Compared to that, Christa would need to be prepared to wear such an outfit. She doesnt know what kind of scolding she, Helenes subordinate, would receive for upstaging Helene. In the worst case, instead of Emma, she could be Helenes new target.

Even so, Christa was prepared to wear this costume. For the sake of Floto, who has been doing all this for her in order to reward Floto for not only cooperating with the event but also for preparing Christa a new outfit after realizing Christa had sold most of her clothes and jewelry

Wait, I just noticed this mirror, isnt it really huge!? Christa cried.

Shed finally made up her mind for everything, so now she had the mental energy to notice the full-length mirror in the dressing room. It was an absolutely gargantuan mirror that shed never seen even in either of Duke Bayens homes.1

Its one of the specialties of my territory, Floto said. This is still small, but the larger mirrors are difficult to transport outside of our territory. Would you like to come to see it sometime?

Hahaa, Christa laughs dryly.

Who can say that a mirror of this incredible scale is small? Christa is starting to realize: it doesnt matter whether your territory is big or small, rural or urban. Whether youre a remote provincial noble or on a small patch of land, none of it matters.

If there are powerful lords even in small territories, there are weak lords even if they govern vast territories. Who governs and how it develops is important, and it doesnt matter if its near or far from the royal capital. Its undeniable that the closer you are to a city such as the royal capital, the more advantageous your location, but thats not all.

The victim they thought was just a country bumpkin with a territory that was so tiny compared to Bayens was actually an extremely powerful noble that had strength which House Bayen could not hope to match. With this, Christa made a mental note to never underestimate others ever again.