Cecilia originally proposed to attend the event with more than shaming her family in mind. It was worth the effort, without an ounce of regret, staining their reputation was one of her main goals. However, another objective she had was to establish her own connections using what she knew from the original novel.
Cecilia plans to leave the Grand Duke's territory and venture out on her own after she fulfills her end of the deal. The only thing limiting her from doing whatever she pleases is money. She needed a stable source of income, or at least an amount of savings that can last her for a while before deciding on how to settle in this unknown world. As much as she would like to stay, she feels out of place, a bit unwelcome. Besides, she knew she shouldn't rely on them too much.
Although the story was romance-focused, it did briefly mention some aspects of the world. For one, a popular material will soon be used. She could use this opportunity to test the waters.
Despite her unpopular name, Cecilia miraculously ended up chatting with a certain individual. The man himself wasn't the top in the business, but fairly well-known. The gentleman had recently kick-started a certain business and was in need of a few investors.
Cecilia had to praise herself at the moment when he agreed to a meeting.
Now, although she was 'Emberlynn Levin', she started by showing interest in his business. She then hinted at 'an acquaintance' she knew, which was herself as 'Cecilia Gardner'. At first, he didn't buy it, which is fair. If someone came up and started talking about how another individual, with no name to speak of, wanted to help them out while being recommended by a young noble girl who has not shown her face for months, skeptical wouldn't even begin to describe their confusion. That was why she needed to create an identity for herself.
"You wouldn't have heard of her. She is not as prominent in the capital. She came from the North you see. I heard my father talking once about her. Seems like she has secret connections behind every product sourced from the North."
"Is that so?"
"I'm not sure of the specifics, but I heard she has a strong connection to the North. Maybe even–" she leaned in "working directly under the orders of the Grand Duke."
So here she was. In front of his headquarters. Nervous and afraid. But, she was ready to talk.
—
"Good day madam," an attendant greeted. "How may I help you today?" he questioned.
The attendant saw a blond woman walking around the reception. He thought she was a bit lost, probably entered the wrong building and mistaken the store.
As he walked closer, he saw her admiring the furniture of the reception, pieces of decored found all around the room.
The woman herself did not look right, compared to the other nobles spotted around the district. She was well-off, but not as well-off. He also noted the fact that he did not recognize her from any distinct family. He guessed she might have been derived from another part of the empire, and must have come here for some sort of business under the influence of a noble family.
The nobility often does so, at least their siblings do. They would send their children to their well-known sibling's households and expect them to help establish a reputation in the capital.
It didn't matter though, he knew he could just drive her away if she came with a difficult condition. Although, he did hope she wouldn't throw a fit.
Therefore, he approached her and asked the question.
In light of the situation, she gently responded.
"I seem to have an appointment with Sir Bently," she casually greeted.
"With the Sir himself?" the attendant questioned, furrowing his eyebrows.
"Right, we seem to have agreed to meet."
He confusingly nodded his head at her request, "Then I will check his schedule for an appointment madam."
Afraid she really was an influential figure, as someone who was meeting his boss, he directed her to one of the couches and asked the maids to pour her a cup of tea.
He hurriedly went back to his post and checked the papers for clarification.
His eyes must have widened, his curiosity rose, as he looked over the paper multiple times just to make sure it was the right person.
"Cecilia Gardner?" he muttered.
An attendant who walked by him peeked at the paper he was holding, "What is the matter?"
The man turned around and asked, "Have you ever heard of Cecilia Gardner before?"
"Never come across it. Gardner was it? Never heard of a family that had that last name," the other attendant shook his head.
"Well, she is meeting with Sir Bently, so she must have some value."
"Really? She is meeting with Sir?"
"Apparently so," he pointed at the paper in hand. "I have also checked the time. She is really meeting him now."
"Are you sure the woman is even Cecilia Gardner?"
"Oh! You are right. Let me ask once more."
"Well, Sir has been meeting people a lot lately. I wouldn't be surprised if she came to invest."
"But not many people are showing interest in the industry," the attendant said while gathering the paperwork.
"Maybe that is why she is not well known."
—
The attendant came back as Cecilia finished her second cup of tea.
'These things should not be rushed,' she thought.
She bit into a cookie the maids served her. She thought a bit more about what she was going to say when meeting with the man himself.
She has no name after all, she needs to make a good first impression without using the North's name.
As he carried the pieces of paper toward her, he hesitantly asked, "May I confirm your identity madam?"
She gave a small smile, "Cecilia Gardner."
She shuddered a bit when she mentioned the name as her identity. A part of her choked when she used her real identity in this superficial world or the now-turned-reality world.
He gave her a bit of a pause before saying, "Then come with me to the drawing-room madam, Sir will be on his way."
Cecilia nodded and was guided by the attendant, her heart racing.
The second thing she knew, the man was in front of her.
Cecilia reached out her hand and he took it.
"Hello Sir Bently, I am Cecilia Gardner. It seems we now formally meet."
"Yes, quite interestingly so. Your friend seemed to have recommended you to me."
"Yes, I am quite flattered you accepted a meeting between us."
"So am I as well."
"Then I will go straight to the point," she crossed her leg, and her hand took the cup of tea on the table, served just mere moments ago.
"I would like to invest in your new business of producing silk."