Mrs. Ferner usually stayed at the salon he owned in the bustling downtown area.

He had given me the address of his mansion, but I deliberately headed to the salon office in broad daylight.

“Phew.”

I regulated my breathing while looking at the sign hanging on the second-floor building of the salon. Surely, I wouldn’t be treated as an unwelcome guest, right?

I opened the elegant door and entered. People who seemed to be salon staff were busy going back and forth.

“Hmm…”

Standing awkwardly amidst them, I hesitated, wondering who I should talk to.

“Hmm? Whom are you looking for?”

Fortunately, someone kind noticed my presence. I quickly brought up my business.

“I’ve come to see Mrs. Ferner. How should I proceed?”

“Oh, please go up to the third floor. I’d guide you, but as you can see, I’m quite busy.”

The employee provided only essential information and quickly disappeared.

It worked out well. I wouldn’t have to explain my circumstances and identity to him; I could just go straight to the third floor.

Mrs. Ferner’s office was more modest than I had imagined.

In fact, I had envisioned an image like the head of a giant corporation, but the actual scene at the salon was smaller in scale than the modern companies I had worked at.

At the end of a narrow corridor, there was a door that seemed to lead to the ‘office.’

In front of it, a secretary was sitting behind a small desk, likely confirming my suspicions.

“Excuse me. I would like to meet Mrs. Ferner.”

“Oh, could you wait for a moment? Mrs. Ferner is currently attending to another visitor. Whom should I say is waiting?”

The middle-aged female secretary asked in a fairly affable tone. I nodded in acknowledgment and stated my name.

“I’m the one who contacted you earlier, Muselle.”

“Yes, Miss Muselle.”

A few wooden chairs for guests were placed against the corridor wall.

It was a familiar sight commonly seen in the present, so a smile involuntarily crossed my face.

After waiting for a few minutes, the door opened, and the secretary went inside.

Judging by the murmuring sounds, it seemed she was informing Mrs. Ferner of my visit.

During this time, I checked my appearance once more.

“Come in, Miss Muselle.”

“Thank you.”

The secretary who came out said briefly. I expressed a short thank you to her and stepped forward with an excited heart.

The atmosphere inside the ‘office’ was not much different from the outside.

In a space dominated by simple wooden decorations, there was a painting on the wall that gave off a noble feel.

A woman with deep auburn hair and teardrop-shaped marks on her face stood up from her seat.

“Oh my, Miss Muselle. I didn’t expect to meet you so soon! When I heard you were outside, I doubted my ears.”

I politely took off my hat and greeted her.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ferner. I’m Muselle, the one who contacted you by letter.”
“Hoho, please have a seat here. Indeed, you’re a remarkable beauty, just as the rumors say. If you had come to the mansion, I could have treated you better. Marika! Bring some refreshments!”

Due to her incessant talking, it felt like my soul was being drained.

Nevertheless, if I wanted to obtain everything I desired, I had to somehow keep a tight grip on my composure.

“I, too, regret not being able to visit more leisurely, as I am constantly pressed for time managing the palace. Nevertheless, I believe there is no shortage when it comes to discussing the complaint letter you wrote.”

“Ah, so that’s it…”

Mrs. Ferner’s already sagging eyes sank even lower.

I calmly delved into the main topic.

“In reality, the Ministry of Finance has no choice but to adhere to principles. You must be well aware of that.”

“Yes, that’s true…”

“However, I believe there is some validity to the injustice you feel.”

At that moment, the secretary entered with a plate full of cookies.

Mrs. Ferner, whose words had been ambiguous until now, spoke with a vibrant voice as if to say, “When did that ever happen?”

“Hoho, we are planning to open a bakery at our salon soon. These are sample products. Would you like to try one?”

“Oh, yes.”

“We think they taste good, but it’s always good to hear opinions from various people, don’t you think? Please let Miss Muselle also share her thoughts on the taste.”

“Ah, yes.”

Now I had a sense of it.

Who this person called Mrs. Ferner was, and how she took control of the conversation.

It wasn’t easy to get everything I wanted from such a person in a single meeting.

Although she created a somewhat pretentious and lively atmosphere, the real essence was scattered randomly within the pouring conversation.

Therefore, the desire to quickly conclude the conversation by grasping the lead should be abandoned.

Whether bringing the initiative to my side or preparing for multiple encounters, one of the two had to be chosen.

Mrs. Ferner’s complaint letter to the Ministry of Finance was also of that nature.

While it could have been summarized in a line or two, she filled pages narrating her own story.