Leak
Designs for new coats for the upcoming fall season.
We were supposed to unveil them together with Lady Eliana a month from now.
However…
Our ideas have been stolen.
“Why were our dress designs…”
“Where did the information leak from?”
We took strict precautions, yet somehow our information was leaked.
While it’s understandable that the design drawings at the workshop might overlap slightly with others, having everything stolen is another matter.
“This is a serious issue, Madam.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Somebody has monopolized the silk within the Capital.”
“What!”
If we can’t obtain silk, we won’t be able to create our new dresses.
Furthermore, I was informed that someone has also hoarded large quantities of other fabrics.
“Where could the leak have come from?”
“I was too careless. I should have been more diligent in my business dealings…”
It’s not anyone’s fault.
No, I had been too naïve.
Such things were rare in our territory.
But this is the Capital.
It was a mistake to think the same way here.
“However, if we don’t do something about it…”
If the designs are unveiled first, the one who announced them later will be accused of copying.
“What should we do…”
We don’t have the materials.
We won’t make it in time with the design.
“I’m home.”
“Henry.”
“Lord Henry”
Henri looked perplexed as he saw us about to cry.
“What’s wrong, Marie?”
“Well… the design plans leaked outside.”
“What? Is that all?”
Is that all?
Without changing his expression, Henry presented me with cakes from my favorite shop.
“It’s the new strawberry shortcake.”
“Lord Henry, we can’t eat cake in this situation…”
I was happy about the cake, but now is not the time for such leisurely things.
“I anticipated the risk of your ideas being stolen.”
“Huh?”
“I’ve been living in the Capital for years, you know? I expected certain things. There’s a limit to what precautions can achieve. That’s why I was taking measures to minimize the risk.”
“Well… if you say so.”
“I was working on the assumption of making significant changes to the previous design to create a completely different outfit.”
“What about the fabric and materials…”
“The company never intended to consider the original contract.”
Lady Eliana and I couldn’t close our open mouths.
Henry had been planning this from the beginning.
“Lord Henry, you’re an incredible strategist.”
“Yeah…”
He was always sharp-witted since our school days.
He handled things well in the Ranford territory, but I never thought he was this good.
“Let’s make them suffer a little and bring them shame.”
“Y… yeah…”
Henry smiled, but his eyes didn’t.
They had made an enemy from someone they shouldn’t have.