Chapter 101
Chapter 101
“Have you seen the invitation for ‘Lu & Cream’?”
“Ah, no?”
“Oh.”
Viscountess Victor, who had brought up the opening party for ‘Lu & Cream,’ made a face that said ‘oh dear’ when she saw her companion’s clueless expression.
The companion, Baroness Shein, blushed intensely the moment she saw Viscountess Victor’s expression.
“It’s probably just something from the failing Luwin family, isn’t it? They only seem to be getting a bit popular recently!”
“Hello, Lady Victor.”
The Baroness, wounded by the fact that she hadn’t received an invitation, tried to belittle ‘Lu & Cream.’
However, the Baroness couldn’t finish her intended remark—”Who knows what will happen to it. It’s just the desperate struggle of a declining family”—as the heir to the Blende County family suddenly appeared beside them.
“My goodness, Lady Blende. I didn’t know you were coming today!”
“I was fortunate enough to have some free time and decided to stop by briefly.”
Isolini smiled sweetly.
Originally, she had no intention whatsoever of attending today’s social party. From the beginning, she detested social gatherings.
She only did them because she had to.
Moreover, the party she attended today was hosted by none other than Count Andes—a man affiliated with Marquis Cloi.
Marquis Cloi currently belonged to the Imperial faction, if one had to categorize him.
In contrast, the Blende County family was part of the traditional aristocratic faction. Among those belonging to the aristocratic faction, the most famous family would be the Lemiere Duchy.
However, the Lemiere family already had a specific imperial prince they supported. So far, although the Blende County family had considerable influence, they hadn’t officially endorsed any imperial prince or princess.
Without a master to serve, there were no parties to be dragged to.
“The current Blende family is close to the aristocratic faction, but it seems the next generation will be different.”
Viscountess Victor made no attempt to hide her delight at the appearance of Isolini Blende, one of the most famous figures not only in social circles but among the empire’s upper class.
Baroness Shein, who was displeased by Viscountess Victor’s friendly exchange of greetings with Isolini, unconsciously made a sarcastic remark about Isolini.
Isolini’s eyebrows shot up and dropped again, a sharp reaction to the insult flung her way.
Fair enough. She had to admit it was strange—she rarely went to ordinary parties, yet here she was, making an appearance at Count Andes’s event.
It was peculiar even to her.
Nevertheless, Isolini’s last-minute decision to attend Count Andes’s family party was entirely intentional.
“By the way, it seems Lady Victor plans to attend the ‘Lu & Cream’ opening party?”
“Originally, I wasn’t going to attend, considering Marquis Cloi’s position. But guess what.”
She prattled on, unaware that Isolini was watching her with gleaming eyes.
“An invitation arrived. I naturally thought I wouldn’t go… but then this absolutely lovable box came.”
“Ah, that cute box. The butter-colored one?”
“Yes, yes. It turns out my daughter often bought from their stall while attending school.”
By now, people were gradually gathering around them. They seemed quite interested in ‘Lu & Cream’ as well.
Viscountess Victor, feeling somewhat elated by the crowd surrounding her, elaborated further.
She assumed that at this party, where most attendees were Marquis Cloi’s people, very few would have received invitations to ‘Lu & Cream.’
“Ah! That box. I received one too.”
“Oh my, Count Yveus as well? Actually, my daughter also received one.”
Viscountess Victor became a bit flustered when people around her began mentioning they had also received invitations.
This was because they were all… people who were Imperial faction through and through. Even the daughter of Count Andes, Marquis Cloi’s right-hand man, had received an invitation.
Isolini stood among them, quietly identifying who had received invitations.
‘They didn’t discriminate by status or faction. What is Irina Seike thinking?’
However, unaware that Isolini was deep in thought, Viscountess Victor hastily continued her story.
“Yes, that box. When I opened it, inside was a beautiful spoon made of glass.”
At first, she had been quite perplexed.
She’d heard it was an invitation, but a spoon?
Initially, she wondered if ‘Lu & Cream’ was playing a prank, or if they were insulting her for being associated with Marquis Cloi.
However, all doubts vanished when she saw that the spoon was an exquisite glass piece with a gentle blend of pink and butter colors, and that the glass workshop indicated underneath was ‘Arish,’ the most renowned in the empire.
“A spoon… How can that be an invitation? Isn’t it an insult?”
Someone who hadn’t received an invitation objected.
But all those who had received invitations wore the same subtle smile. Isolini’s sharp eyes activated once more.
“It couldn’t possibly be an insulting gift.”
“Why not?”
“Well… because that spoon was made by the master craftsman of ‘Arish.'”
No sooner had Viscountess Victor finished speaking than everyone present began to marvel. Goodness, Arish? A spoon made by the Arish? To think that such a precious item was given not as a party favor, but as a party invitation.
As the excited reaction began to subside, someone else spoke up.
“And it wasn’t just any Arish creation, but a spoon that Arish made specifically for ‘Lu & Cream.'”
“My goodness…”
“So it was a spoon made in ‘Lu & Cream’s’ symbolic colors of pink and butter.”
Watching the Imperial faction nobles who said they had changed their minds about attending after seeing the spoon, Isolini thought:
‘I see.’
It was impressive.
No one knew Irina Seike. They might have known a little about Seike wine from the south, but that was all.
Yet she had hidden the Luwin name and launched a business featuring something unfamiliar called ‘ice cream.’
And later, the revealed name was ‘Lu & Cream.’ No one made the connection to ‘Luwin’ from that name.
People failed to recognize that Luwin and ‘Lu & Cream’ were the same entity.
Even at the hearing, where Cassis Luwin was plainly present.
This is why the Imperial faction women weren’t thinking about Luwin or Marquis Cloi; they simply viewed it as a party they wanted to attend.
“Truly impressive.”
When Isolini was first introduced to Irina through her younger brother Roen, she merely thought she was remarkable.
She truly was remarkable, and still is. Enough to make Isolini want to maintain a friendship with her.
But as the heir to the Blende County family—though without a master to serve yet—and as one of the key figures of the aristocratic faction, she had to be cautious.
When she first heard about the ‘Lu & Cream’ opening party, she naturally assumed they would primarily invite people from the faction of the Second Prince, whom the Lemiere Duchy supported.
Well, since the Luwin Grand Duchy didn’t officially support the Second Prince, they would probably invite other nobles as well.
But she had assumed they wouldn’t extend an invitation to the Imperial faction. Surely, they wouldn’t dare invite the Emperor and Marquis Cloi—the very ones who had brought ruin to Luwin.
However, rumors began circulating from various sources:
<Even Imperial faction people received invitations.>
<Count Andes’s daughter, who had participated in the demonstration at the hearing, received an invitation.>
<Most of the Imperial faction have accepted the invitation.>
So Isolini needed to confirm this.
Roen had made it clear from the start that he wouldn’t speak of it, and under continued pressure, he went so far as to avoid their family home entirely.
Isolini had only come to this uncomfortable gathering to understand ‘Lu & Cream’s’ intentions, and to see what kind of breeze they might stir in the stagnant air of imperial society.
“Oh my! Lady, are you leaving?”
“Yes, I have a busy schedule.”
She had gathered all the information she needed here. Isolini unhesitatingly prepared to depart.
“Lady Blende, you’ll be attending the ‘Lu & Cream’ opening party tomorrow, won’t you?”
“I must.”
Yes, I must go.
Regardless of what they’re thinking, they will certainly create a significant stir. Not just in social circles, but throughout the entire empire.
* * *
“What on earth are you thinking!”
“I’m not thinking anything.”
“I’m not thinking anything.”
[That’s right. Our Irina wasn’t thinking anything at all.]
‘Stop adding narration.’
[Hmm.]
Isiel was shocked when he saw the list of people invited to the party.
It felt like he was silently asking why I’d invited so many from the Imperial faction. But honestly, in business, dividing people into “us” and “them” is no way to build meaningful connections.
And originally, neither I nor Luwin belonged to the aristocratic faction!
What is our goal?
[Money!]
[Success!]
[Prosperity!]
That’s right. That’s all there is to it.
Whether they’re Imperial faction or aristocratic faction, if they help us make a lot of money, they’re all on our side.
Of course, our biggest investor is Lemiere, the leader of the aristocratic faction, but…
“Even Lemiere would find it burdensome to turn the entire Imperial faction into enemies.”
“That’s true.”
“Our ‘Lu & Cream’ never highlighted Luwin to begin with. So, at least here, binary thinking of aristocratic faction versus Imperial faction won’t apply.”
“…”
“When approaching the Imperial faction, it would be more convenient for you to move with ‘Lu & Cream’ rather than as Lemiere.”
Anyway, right now, whether we dislike the Emperor or not isn’t important. Revenge against them isn’t really our concern at the moment.
My goal for today is solely!
[To successfully conclude the party!]
That’s right.
Anyway, the opening party seems to be progressing quite successfully so far.
It’s quite hectic, but that’s better than failing.
Back in our academy days, Cassis’s prized runaway spot became the birthplace of Lu & Cream, built under the full scrutiny of everyone watching.
This place, where the interior of a small mansion was completely gutted and transformed into a rather unique space, changed into a very beautiful exhibition hall.
All the walls were demolished to create a wide-open space. In the central hall, we placed our lovely ice cream truck, Vroom-vroom.
Vroom-vroom-vroom! Honk!
By the way, our Vroom-vroom, which had suffered massive injuries after the collision with the demonic beast last time, underwent extended rehabilitation in the north.
It wasn’t healing well, and I was quite worried about what to do, when suddenly it crawled into the lake by itself.
It happened in an instant.
<…Vroom-vroom!>
<Irina, don’t go in there!>
<Grab Irina!>
<Vroom-vroom! Come back!>
And then it disappeared, so I was a little, just a tiny bit…
[It wasn’t just a little.]
‘…’
Fine, I cried my eyes out.
I thought it had died.
Even in the system, its color had changed to gray, marked as [Inactive].
After crying buckets and getting Cassis’s permission, I even set up a small tombstone on the Luwin backyard plain where Vroom-vroom used to enjoy playing.
But about a week later, it appeared completely healed, not just in good condition but somehow upgraded.
Vroom-vroom-vroom! Beep!
“Yes, yes, it was my fault.”
As it turned out, Vroom-vroom, who was a sacred animal (!), could recover most effectively when exposed to immense sacred power.
And the formal name of Luwin’s massive lake is “Lake Yusta Winter.” It’s said that Idelbach, the twin deity and god of mirrors, looked at his reflection in the water, and that’s when Arschen was born.
In other words, it’s the birthplace of a god—a place concentrated with tremendous sacred power.
[Although natural sacred power is different from human sacred power~]
Anyway, Vroom-vroom completely recovered in the lake. In fact, it gained a bit more experience and even leveled up.
That’s probably why Vroom-vroom’s appearance changed slightly when it came back into the world.
“Wow! Is this the sacred animal, the ice cream carriage?”
“Yes, it’s my companion animal.”
“My goodness, there’s even an adorable ‘Lu & Cream’ sign on the back!”
“Indeed.”
I thought something amazing like a new skill might have appeared since it leveled up, but there was nothing like that—just a cute and adorable ‘Lu & Cream’ logo engraved on it.
