I Became The Sole Perfumer of A Tyrant - Chapter 10

“In addition, it’s none other noble than the promising Lord Robin, who harrassed Lady Ariel? Oh my, how ridiculous. Aren’t you a bit over-conscious about yourself?”

As Patricia laughed while covering her mouth with a fan, her party followed. Their gestures were accurate, just like the movements of an idol group dance.

How long should I keep up with this ridiculous skit*? I pondered how to escape from this position as soon as possible.

TL/N: Skit could be a comedy sketch or a humorous piece of writing.

Now that it has become a tricky situation, I don’t think it’s going to be easy … Should I remind them that the handsome and promising, young Robin was there to be sold as my husband?

It happened while I was immersed in contemplating the matter.

“It’s an honor for you to enjoy a meal with Lord Robin, yet to blame him for his unfounded sins …”

“What do you mean, Lady Patricia?”, a third voice intervened.

Patricia and I both turned our heads at the same time. An unexpected figure stood in front of us.

The platinum blonde caught my eye first. I repeated her name silently.

Charlotte Jenos. When did she get here? She had been standing so far away in the room?

Like me, Patricia was surprised by the appearance of Charlotte.

“G-Greetings, Lady Charlotte. Good afternoon …”, she stuttered.

“Please explain to me the “innocent” part of your claim. Does Lady Patricia think that Lady Ariel would have convicted Robin Marcel, if he was innocent?”

Charlotte’s voice was soft and pure yet stern. Patricia, who shifted her eyes back and forth in embarrassment, replied rapidly, “Oh, of course. I know … I’m acquainted with Lord Robin, but he’s the type who would never do something like that …”

“Excuse me but were you present throughout the scene, Lady Patricia?”

“Yes? No, I wasn’t present, but …”

“I wonder how you are so confident when you aren’t even involved at the scene. Robin Marcel will be sent to trial soon, and the prosecutor is Duke Cedric Evans. Not Lady Ariel.”

“… What?”

Patricia opened her mouth.

The hall buzzed. The name that came from Charlotte’s mouth was a destructive point.

I also observed Charlotte. I was surprised. I didn’t expect her to stand up for me, even to the point of bringing up Cedric’s name when we weren’t even acquaintances.

Amidst the turmoil, Charlotte continued to gaze at Patricia with her unwavering eyes.

“Since Miss Patricia had spoken of her friend first, my dear friend, Duke Evans, is not a wicked man who would blame the innocent.”

“L-L-Lord Cedric … I-I didn’t hear anything about that …”

“It’s intriguing that someone who favors gossip exceptionally had never heard the whole story.”

Patricia’s face turned as white as a blank sheet of paper. Charlotte hit the last wedge.

“Your suspicion of Lady Ariel is not only disrespectful to her, it also implies your suspicions on the fairness of Duke Evans. Would you like to formally appeal to Lord Evans?”

“I-I-I…”

Patricia, who stuttered continuously, turned around, asking for help from her party. However, they had already backed a few steps away.

The gazes that had belittled me were now directed at Patricia.

She, who twirled her head around, seemed awfully helpless.

“Oh, Lady Ariel. I’m so sorry. I didn’t even know that …”

I didn’t even know what to do. The only new thing Patricia learned was that Cedric had been involved in the case.

I looked down at Patricia, who was shaking and gazing at me. She was so weak and pathetic, I wasn’t motivated to fight her.

“No, don’t apologize.”

“Lady Ariel, I’m really…”

“Let’s just pretend that you’ve stepped on the wrong person today.”

“Lady Ariel!”

“If you’re really sorry, I want you to step back. I’m a bit tired.”

Patricia stepped back with a teary face. The same was true for her group.

I felt bitter.

Those who have humiliated others so openly, backed down and trembled at the mention of Cedric’s name. I realized once again that this was an unfair aristocratic society.

Charlotte spoke up.

“Are you all right, Lady Ariel?”

Ah.

I turned to Charlotte.

She was glancing at me with a soft and worried look. Her icy gaze which was directed toward Patricia was nowhere to be found.

“Thank you, Lady Charlotte.”

“No, I was so furious when I received news about the restaurant incident that day. Not knowing shame and harassing a Lady in broad daylight, he’s crazy!”

Charlotte frowned heavily on her forehead.

“You must have been very surprised. Are you alright now?”

“Thank you for your concern.”

My eyes sparkled.

It was because of Charlotte that I attended the ball despite such a hassle.

The youngest daughter of Marquis Jenos, Charlotte Jenos.

The Marquis of Jenos stood at the center of the country’s wealth and power. Naturally, countless people lined up in front of Charlotte, the apple of Marquis Jenos’s eyes.

Besides, Charlotte had a lively and sweet personality. She was simply the ideal social queen. She wasn’t just the ‘queen of society’ but also the trend leader.

I inhaled the smell of my perfume through my nose without Charlotte noticing.

Before arriving to the party, I carefully sprayed some perfume on the back of my wrist and neck. The smell still lingered.

“Maybe it’s because I’m still a bit startled, but it’s a bit warm in here.”

I grinned, opened my fan and flapped it. It may have seemed like a random wave, however, it was perfectly calculated.

“…”

The plan worked surprisingly well. Charlotte, who attempted to console me, opened her eyes wide.

“Excuse me, but this scent smells very nice. Lady Ariel, did you spray perfume?”

That’s right.

I secretly smiled. Charlotte was a character who often appeared in the original, and every time she did, she was described as ‘delicate and sensitive.’

Besides, arranging flowers was her hobby. Was she famous for this talent in the capital?

“Oh, yes, thank you for recognizing. It’s the perfume I chose today. Is it alright?”

“Yes, I love it. It smells like flowers.”

Charlotte’s eyes gleamed in amazement. I shook the fan even more, trying hard to lower the corners of my mouth. Charlotte wore a dreamy face.

“It smells like lilac. It’s my favorite flower … It’s thrilling to be able to reproduce the scent of fresh flowers with perfume.”

I folded my eyes and laughed as if I were agreeing with her.

Of course, it was intentional. I created this perfume with the scent of lilac in mind. Charlotte loved lilac. Her garden was completely filled with them.

“Thank you. It was my first time making it, so I wasn’t sure.”

“What? Oh my God. It’s a perfume made by Lady Ariel herself?”

Charlotte blinked in surprise.

“Oh my God, that is amazing. My words aren’t for puffery, it smells really nice. It’s like standing in the middle of a lilac garden!”

I laughed. Now, it was time to deliver the lines that I had prepared in advance.

“I’m so glad you said that. I actually brought a sample of it today. If you don’t mind, would you like a bottle?”

“Oh my God.”

Charlotte seemed surprised by the unexpected gift.

However, she soon became remorseful.

“Thank you very much for your kindness, but … I apologize. Actually, I can’t wear perfume. I’m allergic.”

“What? Allergic?”

I opened my eyes wide. Charlotte seemed dejected.

“I’d say it’s an alcohol allergy. It’s okay to smell other people’s perfumes, but when I spray it directly on my body, I obtain red spots.”

“Oh my God, I can’t … it must have been really hard for you, Lady Charlotte.”

“Yes, it’s unfair that I can’t use perfume and drink. However, since I was born like this, there’s no helping it.”

Charlotte smiled sorrowfully. Her appearance seemed so pathetic. A sigh leaked out without her realizing it. The weak sigh was heard by her surrounding.

Oh, well, this is not the time. I spoke again in order to regain Charlotte’s spirit.

“Oh, come to think of it!”

I clapped my hands. Charlotte blinked.

“What’s wrong, Lady Ariel?”

“I forgot for a moment, but when I made this perfume, I purposely didn’t add any alcohol!”

“What?”

Charlotte opened her eyes wide.

“Is there a perfume that doesn’t contain alcohol?”

“This is the first time I’ve tested it. Fortunately, the results are good!”

“Oh, if it’s really alcohol-free …”

Charlotte gathered her hands over her chest. I quickly responded, “Wouldn’t it be okay for you to use it?”

“Yes, yes! I’m sure it’ll be fine without alcohol!”

Charlotte answered excitedly. A pleased smile appeared at the realization.

“If you don’t mind, would you like to spray it now?”

“May I?”

I pulled a perfume bottle out of my purse. Charlotte’s face was flushed. Her eyes glistened like a villain attempting to do something unpleasant.

“You can hold it like this and spray it.”

“Wow, I’ve never seen anything like this before … Where do I spray it? On my wrist?”

“I think it’s better to spray it on your wrist. You’re still a beginner.”

Charlotte held onto her nervous face.

I was also anxious, but I smiled at her while hiding my emotions.

It was that moment when I took my first step of my grand plan.