I Stole the Heroine’s First Love

Chapter 4. The Value of the Invisible

Episode 27

(Karina’s pov)

As soon as the doctor told me that I was completely healed, I started to get busy.

I couldn’t do anything because of my father’s stubborn opposition

But the masquerade was just around the corner.

My mother offered to help, but I refused because I remembered the horrible masquerades she had held before.

This ball should never fail.

“Miss, are you ready?”

“Okay, let’s go.”

I stood up at Lily’s words as I was looking at the fabric samples to decorate the Lisianthus Hall where the ball was held.

To save time even a little, I changed clothes in advance and went to work.

The carriage we rode headed to the commercial district where the merchants were crowded.

“Ugh, it has to be this complicated…”

Lily grunted a little.

But she soon became quiet because she knew why I hid Nivea and Lela in these places.

Because it was hard for Tatiana to do something in crowded places.

The building we finally arrived at was a small, common-looking workshop.

“Is anybody here?”

As Lily knocked on the door, black eyes appeared through the hole.

It was Lela.

“Welcome.”

She checked for us and opened the door. Comforting her from her slightly tired look, I went inside where Nivea was. Read only at pm tl.

Nivea, who was struggling among all the spices, looked up when she saw me.

“Princess!”

“Nivea, how are you?”

“Thanks to Princess, I’ve been doing well.”

Her condition seemed to have improved a lot, as if she had recovered somewhat from the shock of losing her sense of smell.

Compared to her, Lela, who is undergoing rigorous training, seems to be getting worse.

“I came here because a sample came out.”

“Yes, please sit this way.”

She hurriedly cleared her surroundings and made a place for me.

Lily was tidying up the cluttered interiors here and there as if she didn’t like it.

“Lela, come here and start the presentation you have prepared.”

I really liked the fact that Nivea didn’t make a presentation and put Lela at the front.

Because there was no better title for Lela to use than the character of a young genius perfumer.

“This perfume was created for the strong women of this era. Spicy top notes that make a strong impression…”

Rather than worrying, Lela led the presentation much more naturally.

It was a slightly different scent from the existing elegant, soft floral scent.

When I tried it, the strong scent was a little awkward at first, but as time went on, it became more subtle and gorgeous.

“The perfume itself is stronger than I thought. Lily? Come and try it.”

Lily approached with suspicious eyes and took in the incense. She has a good sense of smell and has an excellent sense of this side.

Also, because she had been by my side for a long time, she was sensitive to the latest trends among nobles.

“Hh…it’s much better than I thought. I think it would suit a season like these days.”

When Lily’s review was over, Lela sat down on the floor with peace of mind.

I smiled at them and asked.

“You still haven’t had a name for the perfume. Do you have one in mind?”

“No, not yet.”

“Then look for strong women as you described. If you ask them to be the muse for this perfume, it’s sure to get more attention.”

Nivea hesitated for a moment, and then she spoke.

“If it’s not rude to the princess, what about using your name?”

“What?”

I was taken aback by the unexpected question.

Obviously, I explained that it was a perfume for strong and capable women.

“I’m not as strong or capable as you think I am. I don’t think I’m very good at being the muse for this perfume.”

Nivea shook her head at my words.

“This perfume was created by looking at the princess, so the muse is only you.”

“However…”

“To be strong and capable does not only come from strength and power. The princess knows how to wait, having no hesitation in acting when the need arises, and the courage to help the weak.”

It was the first time I had ever heard someone compliment me so openly, so it felt strange.

I was just doing the best I could in the circumstances I was given.

“This is a perfume that contains the figure of a princess who fought fire to protect me that day, so please let me use your name if it doesn’t bother you.”

In her eyes towards me, I could feel that Nivea really thought of me that way.

After a moment’s hesitation, I accepted the offer.

If I, the host, even demonstrated it myself, the publicity effect would be quite good.

“Alright. If that’s what you guys want, then I’ll do it.”

“Thank you, Princess.”

After taking a small sample, I told them the date of the masquerade again and returned to the duke’s residence.

All the way back, Lily praised the perfume, saying that it would go so well with the dress I was going to wear.

“I was a little skeptical at first, but I think the mother and daughter are really talented.”

“I think so too.”

It was fortunate that they were not beaten down by Tatiana.

I was delighted to be able to help Lela and Nivea rebuild their future with my own hands.

In fact, at first, I planned revenge with a light heart.

It was okay if it succeeded, and it was enough if it didn’t, since I thought that beautiful and flashy things didn’t suit me. So I consciously avoided them and was reluctant to get close to them.

‘It was just a sense of defeat.’

But I didn’t hate beautiful things.

It was just that I got used to it being owned by Tatiana, not me.

I thought it was nothing, but I realized that the wound was bigger and deeper than I thought.

‘I did a good job doing this.’

I thought blankly, looking out the window.

~*~

A week before the masquerade.

I was busy handing out invitations and decorating the Lisianthus Hall.

Meanwhile, one of the knights attached to escort Nivea returned to the duke’s residence.

“Miss, I think you should go to the workshop.”

“Now? What’s going on?”

The knight hesitated for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“Lord Raymond is coming and kneeling in front of the workshop and praying. Miss Nivea and Miss Lela are afraid to go outside.”

“Raymond?”

I couldn’t help but doubt that the proud man was down to his knees.

‘What the hell are you up to?’

I got up from my seat and immediately got ready to go out and got into the carriage.

It didn’t take long before I arrived at the alley where the workshop was.

I got off the carriage and ran.

In the middle of the road, a head covered in pink hair and white dust caught my eyes.

Even as the people around him glanced past, his position did not move.

Without pretending to see Raymond like that, I knocked on the studio door.

“Nivea! It’s me. Open the door.”

“Miss!”

She was almost in a panic. It was first and foremost to calm her down.

“Hah. Please, get that person out of my sight. Please.”

“It’s fine. I’m not here to harm you.”

I read him through.

How frightened she must have been when a man who was about to take everything of her own appeared before her eyes.

“You’ll be fine. You and your daughter.”

I repeated my promise over and over again to reassure her.

Nivea, who looked dazed as if she had barely relaxed, was sent inside.

As I watched her fall asleep, darkness fell before I knew it.

“Lela?”

In the pale moonlight, Lela was glaring at Raymond through a small window.

“Was that person the one who made my mom and her shop that way?”

“It’s not exactly clear yet, but at least he’s the person who tried to steal Nivea’s recipe book.”

At my answer, Lela looked at me with hateful eyes.

“Can I kill him?”

“I understand your heart, but you can’t kill him.”

Tears were dripping from her black eyes.

Blood trickled out of her clenched fists that were trembling.

I reached out and grabbed Lela’s hand.

“You can’t kill him, but you can make him painful enough to die.”

The experience of almost losing her mother, who was an idol, and the store that was a family business, completely changed the girl.

She no longer wanted mediocrity, she wanted a higher position, she wanted more wealth.

Only for revenge.

Who said revenge is foolish?

One of the strongest motivating emotions we have is revenge.

I have it too.

“This will be the beginning of revenge.”

I grabbed Lela’s hand and opened the door and went out.

Raymond, who had closed his eyes, slowly opened his eyes.

“Are you finally here to pick up my apology?”

There was still magical power in the smiling face.

The magic of spring had the function of fascination.

It meant that this apology was not Raymond’s true intentions.

“Can forgiveness ever be so easy?”

“Hah.”

Seeing Raymond’s disappointment, I opened my mouth.

“But the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means that no matter what happens from now on, just be still.”

I smiled broadly and looked at Lela and said.

“You can do whatever you want, Lela.”

Lela paused for a moment at my words, then turned her gaze to Raymond.

As if to kill him at any moment.