It's been a week since I returned from Wintercrest Manor in the Astralis Dukedom after attending the Aurora Lane and the Night Auction.
'What a disaster that was.' I lay in bed as the first rays of morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow on my chamber. Since my arrival, the excitement had only grown with each passing day. I stretched, feeling a sense of purpose and anticipation.
'I've been Celeste for almost a month now. Am I getting too comfortable?' I wondered what had happened to my original body back in the modern world. It's not the best life I have here, but it's not the worst, either.
Just then, a gentle knock sounded at my door.
"Come in," I called, fastening the last button on my dress.
Sir Zeke entered, a look of pride and amusement on his face. "Good morning, Lady Celeste. The preparations you requested have been completed."
"Thank you, Sir Zeke," I said, my eyes lighting up with excitement. 'A girl's gotta live a life, right?' I decided to set aside my worries and live this life.
"You've done splendidly. I'll head there immediately."
'When I first entered this body, all I could think about were death flags. I mean, who knows what will happen if I get persecuted and killed? But then the next thing I thought about was money. Sure, the Rosenfield Household has enough riches for Celeste to live a lavish life, but I want my own stash! Let's prove that the Villainess can be more than just a bratty love interest trapped in a hell-in-disguise love triangle!'
Sir Zeke nodded and stepped aside, allowing me to pass. As I walked through the grand halls of the Rosenfield estate, my heart raced with anticipation. The Celestial Dreamstone, a living element with the power to birth unique gems, was finally within my grasp. This was my chance to transform our household's legacy.
Rose, my ever-faithful attendant, followed closely behind, her eyes twinkling with shared excitement. "Lady Celeste, I can't wait to see what you've planned. This is truly extraordinary."
I smiled at her enthusiasm. "Rose, it's going to be magnificent. With the right care and environment, the Celestial Dreamstone will give birth to five new elemental gems. Just imagine the possibilities!"
I could feel Rose's warm delight as I giggled.
We arrived at the newly constructed room at the back of the household. The humidified environment was divided into five sections, each designed to mimic the natural settings required for the Dreamstone to thrive. I inspected each section carefully, 'All were perfect!'
"This is exactly what we needed," I said, turning to Rose and Sir Zeke. "The Celestial Dreamstone will thrive here."
Rose beamed. "I'm so glad everything is ready, Lady Celeste. Your vision is truly remarkable."
Sir Zeke nodded in agreement. "You've certainly grown, Lady Celeste. You've become someone who can make a real difference."
Whatever happens forward will be all because of the knowledge I have from the novel plus the funds that this family has. The next thing I knew, I would be the richest woman in this kingdom!
"And there's more," I added, excitement bubbling up inside me. "Sir Zeke, did you send a word to Master Aleric, the jeweller?"
"Yes, Lady Celeste," Sir Zeke replied. "He should be arriving shortly."
"Excellent," I said, my mind already racing with ideas. "I have a proposal for him that could revolutionise the luxury market."
As we made our way back to my chambers, my father intercepted us, his brow furrowed in curiosity and concern. "Celeste, honey, what is all this commotion about? The household has been turned upside down with your new project."
I placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "Father, I've decided to venture into business. A luxury business. We have the resources and the connections, and I believe it's time we put them to good use."
"A luxury business?" He raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you have in mind?"
"I'm planning to use the diamonds from my wedding dress," I explained, pulling out the precious stones, "and combine them with new, profound ideas to create charms and other luxury items. These will not only be beautiful but also imbued with unique properties from the Celestial Dreamstone."
"How... did you think of all of these?" The Duke might not be able to believe such thoughts ever crossed his daughter's mind, but he did fund all of these. Celeste's allowance wouldn't even make it to the cut of all the expenses. "Father, do you remember the library you built for me when I was merely six?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"One of the books in there contains the tale of the Celestial Dreamstone. It wasn't named as such, but it is the Mother Birthstone. When I was at the Night Auction... The Celestial Dreamstone looks exactly how the books described it. The Kingdom never had a stone like it before. I searched for it! Countless gems, mines, none even came close to how the Mother Birthstone should be."
I had to make Celeste naive, yet hopeful. The library was a gift from the Duke to her because she'd always been keen on her studies and readings. She did search for the Mother Birthstone and hated Stella more when she realized it was her who discovered its existence, from a ring given to her by Alexander, making her hatred for Stella more atrocious.
'What if she actually killed her out of rage?'
No. No. No. 'I shouldn't be thinking like this at all.'
Father considered my words, a slow smile spreading across his face. "I understand. You have always been ambitious, Celeste. If anyone can make this work, it's you. Just be careful."
"I will, Father. I promise," I said, feeling a renewed sense of determination.
Rose clapped her hands in delight. "This is going to be amazing, Lady Celeste. I can already see the success coming our way."
Sir Zeke nodded. "Indeed, Lady Celeste. You've truly changed. You've become someone who not only dreams but also makes those dreams a reality."
I smiled, feeling their support bolster my confidence.
"Thank you, everyone. Let's make this a success together."
Later that day, Master Aleric, the man with a limping walk and a wooden cane that always accompanies him, arrived at the Rosenfield Household. He was a distinguished man with a keen eye for detail and an air of quiet confidence. Rose and I greeted him warmly and led him to my study, where we could discuss my proposal in private.
"Master Aleric, thank you for coming on such short notice," I began, offering him a seat.
"It is always a pleasure to be at your service, My Lady. To what do I owe this invitation? I was told in the letter that bringing my jewels was unnecessary. I am a bit taken aback but keen to know what this invitation is all about," Aleric replied, settling into the chair.
I laid out my plans, explaining my vision for the luxury items and the unique properties of the Celestial Dreamstone. "I want to create a luxury line, not only visually stunning but also possessing special abilities. These diamonds," I said, presenting the stones from my wedding dress, "will be the foundation of our new collection."
Master Aleric examined the diamonds, his eyes widening with admiration. "These are exquisite. Isn't this..."
"!!!" He finally recognize these unique diamonds, they are unique due to the hint of dusty galaxy mist, its a specific design only for Celeste, it was given as a gift by the Royal Palace, another tactics to lure in the Villainess to the honey trap of Alexander.
'First, I had burned the dress. Next I'm using the diamonds as a venture to my business... This. This is treacherous. And this man knows being entangled in this...'
"Relax, I'm only using it to show of my design and desire." I leaned forward showing the designs.
Worry spread across his face, there's no need to guess, its easy to see from the wrinkle lines in the middle of his brows.
"You don't need to be directly inloved..."
"Then why did, My Lady invited me here...?"
"I only want you to produce my designs... In fact, if you want, you're name never has to be acknowledge if I were asked who manufactured my design, you'll be anonymous."
I don't have much experience in business, but one think I know is negotiating.
"If, my launch of these designs are out in the public, and it became hit in the aristocratic faction, then, you may give me an answer."
Aleric examines the design, a never before seen designs of jewelries in his entire life as a jeweler, it is tempting, there's no reason to decline, and to be directly exposed to the diamonds of Celeste, it is a once and a lifetime opportunity!
"May I ask, My Lady, where do you plan on debuting these beauty?"
I felt myself smile widely, knowing damn well when and where my luxury brand will debut.