The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 211: Madame Medisa's Perfume Shop

Vol 2 Chapter 211: Madame Medisa's Perfume Shop

The minor incident at dinner quickly spread among the servants. After all, everyone was very curious and paying close attention to this newly arrived Third Young Miss.

"Did you hear? Last night, the eldest young miss tested the Third Young Miss during dinner."

"What was the result? I thought that Third Young Miss seemed quite quiet and refined, probably well-read."

"No, the Third Young Miss couldn't answer. Probably just a pretty porcelain vase."

"I heard the Third Young Miss hasn't even condensed an Aspect. Her life before this probably wasn't great."

"When I saw her that day, I thought she was a young lady from some great family because her bearing was so good. Who would have thought..."

This kind of gossip spread quickly among the servants, and even Alanfude heard some of it.

In the quiet study, the merchant had a servant summon Sylutia for a private conversation.

"My apologies, Lady Ya, for causing you such indignity." He was somewhat anxious and uneasy, as the true strength of the young girl before him was beyond his imagination."It's just a trivial matter." Sylutia paced around the room, her gaze sweeping over the rows of thick books on the shelves.

"I'd like to learn about the customs and culture of the Mage Alliance area. Do you have a suitable person you could introduce me to?"

"Let me think about that." Alanfude wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"I remember now. There's a well-known perfume shop in the city. The proprietress there is from 'Gwenrata' in the southern part of the Mage Alliance."

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to that shop. You can ask her then."

"Thank you." Sylutia nodded.

At dinner that evening, both Alanfude and Haier were present. During the meal, Alanfude, acting like a normal elder, inquired about Sylutia's experience living there so far.

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle. Everything is fine." Sylutia answered thus.

"Hehehe, in that case, I'll take you to see the streets tomorrow. If you need anything, we can buy some things." This statement was likely meant to pave the way for their visit to that perfume shop the next day.

"I'll go along too." Lady Haier interjected at this point. It seemed she still had some misgivings about Hedra.

Eriel and Ecor simply treated it as ordinary conversation, eating their dinner without paying it much mind.

The next day, accompanied by Alanfude and Haier, the three of them took a carriage to the bustling commercial street.

First, they bought several suitable outfits for Sylutia. These included two summer-style gauze dresses, two home-wear nightgowns, and one long autumn dress.

During the selection process, Lady Haier actually put in some effort. Although she didn't like Hedra, she cared more about her own reputation. If Hedra dressed in rags, she, as the foster mother, would also lose face.

Holding the idea of having Hedra dress decently but not too expensively, Lady Haier shopped around at several stores repeatedly before finally settling on those outfits. In the end, these clothes cost a total of 5 gold coins, as the materials were indeed quite good.

And so, the three continued their stroll down the street. After looking at some porcelain furniture and dressing mirrors, they finally arrived at that perfume shop.

Glandifen?

These characters in an artistic, flowing script were engraved on the signboard. It didn't explicitly state it was a perfume shop, but through the glass window, one could see the exquisite and varied perfume bottles displayed on snow-white silk.

The things here were not cheap. Prices were generally marked above 10 gold coins. The cheapest item, 'Ocean Scent,' was still 3 gold coins.

After entering this shop, Lady Haier frowned slightly. She usually bought perfume at another shop called 'Purple Wisteria Fragrance,' because that establishment had a long history, said to trace back to the earliest examples of perfume pioneered by the Elves.

This was her first time entering this shop. She had heard of it before but didn't realize it was this expensive.

Did she really have to spend so much money to buy such an expensive thing for this wild girl of unknown origin? If it were for Eriel, she might reluctantly accept it, as increasing one's charm while young could lead to a good marriage. But for this girl, if she married too well, it would only make Lady Haier feel even more uncomfortable.

"Let's skip this one. I don't think I like it." Lady Haier shook her head.

"This..." Alanfude, in front of his wife, couldn't muster his usual assertiveness for a moment, his words faltering.

Seeing her cheap uncle at a loss for how to proceed, Sylutia had no choice but to speak up.

"Aunt Haier, could we look around here? It's my first time seeing such special perfumes."

Hearing the young girl actively express a desire to look, Lady Haier's eyebrows shot up, displeased, but she restrained herself in front of outsiders.

"Well, you look then. I'll go outside for some fresh air." She decided out of sight, out of mind, lest she be asked to help choose a perfume.

This suited the intentions of the other two perfectly. Alanfude quickly walked towards the back of the shop to inquire with a clerk.

"Is Madame Medisa in? I have some matters I'd like to discuss with her."

"And you are, sir?"

"My name is Alanfude. Here is my card." Saying this, the merchant produced a small, stiff card and handed it over.

"Very well. Please wait a moment."

Several minutes later, a woman in a dark red gown emerged. Her chestnut-gold curls were coiled up, and she held a delicate horn snuffbox. Her nails were exceptionally long and manicured, painted a purplish-red.

"Mr. Alanfude, I don't believe we've had any dealings before, have we?" After coming out, she leaned against the counter, lightly tapped the snuffbox with a nail, adjusted it, took a sniff, and exhaled a faint smoke ring.

"Indeed not in the past. However, my niece has just moved to Quebec. She has some interest in the Mage Path and would very much like to ask you about the situation over there." Alanfude said politely.

"Hehe, so you're treating me as an intelligence officer, are you?" After saying this, she bent slightly to examine the seemingly innocent black-haired girl before her.

"This is your niece?" Her brow moved slightly.

"Ahem, of course she is."

"You could have such a beautiful niece?" Madame Medisa lifted her head, rolling her eyes in a contemptuous manner.

"Why is that impossible?" Alanfude argued.

"In my youth, I was also very handsome. Otherwise, Haier wouldn't have married me."

"That silly girl Haier was just lovestruck back then. I've heard quite a few stories about your courtship and marriage." Medisa shook her head.

"Forget it. I bet Haier definitely doesn't like this niece you brought back. Hehe, her personality is just too easy to guess."

"Give me 50 gold coins, and I'll sell you a bottle of 'Orchid and Angelica.' Consider the information your niece wants to know as a free bonus."

"That expensive?" It wasn't that Alanfude didn't have the money, but he still felt the price was excessive.

"Then I'm going back. I need a nap right now." Medisa didn't care and prepared to turn and leave.

"Ah, wait, Madame Medisa. I'll buy it, I'll buy it." Alanfude had no choice but to take out the money. Medisa then had a clerk accept it and record the transaction.

"The perfume will be packaged shortly. As for your niece here, come with me to the second floor for a short sit-down." After saying this, she led Sylutia towards the shop's staircase.