"Isn't she Marquis' Reylson's fake daughter?"
"Yes, she is the one who burned her sister's hand. I heard that her hand was disfigured," another woman murmured.
Barbara stopped hearing those words, she raised a brow. 'People are getting darer!' she turned around and walked to them.
"Ladies," she shouted, getting their attention to her. Seeing her, they gulped. "Did you like anything in the store?" she asked, smiling sweetly.
Both ladies' tense faces loosened up. "Y—yes, the clothes here are beautiful," the lady with curly hair stated, forcing a smile. Her forehead filled with sweat.
"What did you like?" she asked. Seeing the woman hesitating, she added, "Do not be shy. The price is lower than any store in the kingdom but the quality is perfect."
"The purple dress is good," the other lady said, pointing at a fancy light purple dress with pearl shapes.
Barbara stood beside the dress. "You have a good taste, but can you afford it? I heard that your husband Sir Roberts was fired because of corruption," she said coldly. The woman paled after hearing her husband's name. "And you who boasted about me being fake, didn't you look at the jewels you are wearing, a bad counterfeit golden set," she stated to the other woman.
"We apologize, Lady Reylson," they both stated, lowering their faces. "Excuse us, we need to go."
"The store is mine, come and revisit us," she said causing the woman to flee even more.
Barbara rubbed the space between her eyebrows and laughed triumphantly. She was sure that the woman would never step beside this street in their life.
Upon noticing that the carriage had come to a stop in front of the store, she quickly made her way out. As she settled comfortably inside, a wave of joy washed over her as she realized that her persistent efforts had finally paid off. This feeling allowed her to brush off the disparaging remarks being made by the women behind her.
She knew she was partly to blame for the confrontation with the bikers. Despite always managing to keep her temper in check, recent events at home had made it increasingly difficult for her to endure so many instances of humiliation all at once.
She closed her eyes and began to plan for her brand debut. 'Will it be good if I wear one of those dresses to the king's upcoming gala?' she thought.
Clothes should be shown at a grand party for noble people to see them. Since the nearest date of a grand party would be after three months, the queen's birthday, then it should be the right moment to show her masterpiece.
Counting the years, the king never missed celebrating his queen's birthday. It was grander than his birthday party. The invitations represented nobles' families from the entire kingdom and some adjacent kingdom ambassadors.
Barbara hoped everything would work very well, maybe when her family would see her success they would behave like the past. And to prove herself to whoever belittled her. She only had to choose the right moment to make the collection shine.
Her eyes glowed with unmatched confidence and determination, looking at the horizon.
***
Aurora walked back and forth in her room. Three days had passed and until now, there was no reply from the count's mansion. She rubbed her sweaty palms anxiously and hoped for good news. As the door to her room was knocked, she jumped and opened it.
"Lady Aurora, Madam Reylson is requesting your presence," her maid, Priscilla stated.
Aurora's shoulder hung down in disappointment. She nodded, left her room and walked to the gathering room. "Mother," she called, sitting beside her mother on the grey sofa.
"Honey," Susie said, patting her hair. "How is your hand today?" she asked.
"It healed completely," said Aurora, lifting her pale yellow dress.
Susie looked at her daughter's hand with a deep frown on her face. "It left a scar. I will call the physician and make him write an ointment to remove the scars. My daughter's skin should be smooth and without any blemish."
"Mother—"
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. "Madam, Count Clarkson and his son Richard are requesting an audience," the maid announced.
Aurora rose when she heard Richard's name. Her heart nearly jumped from her chest. As she felt her mother nudging her, she coughed and returned to her seat. Her face warmed because of her embarrassment.
"Let them in," Her mother ordered. The maid nodded and went outside. "Did something happen?" her mother asked, and she shook her head.
Soon after, two men entered. Aurora recognized the young man with deep blue eyes. Her calmed heart returned to its chaotic state. The man beside Richard was shorter and plumper than him. He had large black eyes and a round nose. Richard didn't resemble him in the slightest.
"Greetings Madam Reylson, Lady Aurora, I apologize for not sending a message before arriving," Richard's father said.
"You don't have to apologize. Take a seat," Susie said, offering them to sit.
"I didn't see Marquis Reylson here. He must be working."
"No, something happened with one of the ships, so he went with Barbara to check on the situation," Susie responded.
Both Lady Susie and the count chatted. Aurora sat silently taking some glances at Richard who didn't seem to notice her after greeting her.
"Young Lady, why don't you take my son with you on a walk? He didn't like sitting for a long time."
Aurora looked at Richard's father. Seeing his hawk-like eyes made her heart tremble in fear. She looked at her mother and she nodded.
Both Aurora and Richard walked to the garden. She felt her lips paralyzed as she had a lot to talk with the man but the words refused to come out.
"How is your ankle?"
"Huh?" she responded, and he smiled.
'Stupid,' she thought, feeling like crying. She coughed and answered, "It is fine. Look I am standing right now."
Richard hummed and sat on the stool.
"Did you read my letter?" she asked, taking the seat beside him.
"Which letter?"