Girls’ Talk in the Carriage
Returning to Mrs. Ayla’s shop—
“My, that took a while. What on earth were you talking about for so long?”
“Oh, just a little request or two. Did you decide on your outfit?”
“Yes, we’ve settled on the design and are picking out fabrics now.”
“So even after calling me out for talking too long, you’re still not done?”
“It’ll be finished soon. But honestly—I didn’t expect you to get so involved, adjusting the tie length without even taking it off! You really do stick your nose into the tiniest details.”
“Mrs. Ayla, are you making ties for Bridget and the others too?”
“Yes. We discussed ribbons, ties, and scarves, and they preferred either a tie or a scarf. So I introduced them to the glass scarf rings at the same time.”
“I thought I’d already heard everything, but apparently there’s still another new product. Unbelievable.”
“Don’t start sounding like my parents.”
“Well, that’s exactly how I feel right now.”
“Bridget, give it a rest. Still… coming to Mrs. Ayla’s shop was the right call.”
“Really?”
I looked toward Young Lady Diana, who smiled wryly. “Yes, I’m glad we came.”
She didn’t explain why—but if she’s happy, that’s good enough.
“Oh honestly, Bridget—you don’t need to pick a fight with Reinhardt over everything.”
“Well excuse me, but who would’ve thought he even tinkers with bra strap adjustments?”
Since the men were in another carriage, Bridget was speaking quite freely.
“The bra adjustment mechanism came from Mrs. Ayla’s tie-length adjuster. Reinhardt didn’t personally design that part.”
“I know that. But when one shop keeps rolling out new products like this, it makes the rest of us wonder what they’re up to. Northtrad is a merchant family—we keep a close eye on Westland’s innovations.”
“True… it feels like they’re always working on something new.”
“Exactly! With so much being produced in such a short time, the Westland Company must be swamped.”
“So that’s why Reinhardt said his parents react the same way,” Young Lady Diana said with a giggle.
“He mentioned being thrilled with the discoveries from the exhibition too. Sounds like something incredible is in the works.”
“But soon we’ll be family, won’t we? Young Lady Diana, even though there’s quite an age gap, I hope we’ll get along well.”
“Of course. I’m actually glad—you see, I don’t have many close friends yet. Honestly, I’ve always been a little envious of you four.”
“It’s thanks to Reinhardt that the rest of us bonded during that royal tea party.”
“Oh? I’d love to hear that story—if you don’t mind sharing.”
““Of course!””
And so, the three of them spent the ride chatting and laughing over their first encounter with Reinhardt.
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The next day, Bridget and Dianne left for Northtrade with Isaac and Hubert, carrying heaps of souvenirs.
Raphael returned to the Clondale Duchy, while Brother Gerald and Young Lady Diana headed to Southcourt for engagement preparations.
As for me, the day after tomorrow I’ll be going to Lux Village to discuss the collaboration and pick up the premium products. I’ll also stop by another village that caught my attention.
Bridget and Diane had ended up buying almost all the Rainbow Fish sample products, so I need to replenish the stock.
But today… I just want to relax in the greenhouse.
I took Atre and Lucas with me, and while we were walking there, I happened to see Damian and Rosetta talking in the garden—with unusually serious expressions.
Why would they discuss work in such a secluded spot? That’s not like them.
Something must be up. I couldn’t help but call out.
“Something wrong?”
Rosetta jolted in surprise, turning around—her eyes went wide when she saw me.
Guess I startled her.
“Did something happen? You wouldn’t be talking business out here, right?”
“Well… actually, Damian said he spotted a friend in town—the one who was supposed to have taken a job elsewhere. We were wondering what might’ve happened.”
“Couldn’t it just be someone who looks like him?”
“I don’t think so. His family’s from Westland, so I’m sure it was him.”
“So you’re planning to visit his home to ask?”
“Yes, though we don’t have the address… we figured we could check with the Merchants’ Guild or the Adventurers’ Guild.”
“They won’t hand out personal information that easily.”
“True, but we heard his sister’s in a famous adventuring group, so we thought we might ask through her…”
Wait a second. No way.
“Would that famous group happen to be Golden Wings?”
““You know them?””
So it is Linka’s younger brother, huh.
He’d graduated and gone to work elsewhere… shame, I would’ve loved to have him join our company.
“The Adventurers’ Guild will be quicker. Ask them to get in touch with Linka for you—and let me know how it turns out.”
What do you think about this chapter?
