“It suits you very well, Mother.”
“I do feel so luxurious wearing it. You’re incredible, Bertie. I had no idea you could make something like this as well.”
“This design was actually created by a woman from the southlands. I have five additional designs made by her as well,” Bertine said. “Should you desire any of them, please let me know and I shall make it for you. I also wanted to let you know that the scarlet fabric can now be made in the following colors—navy blue, dark green, maroon, brown, dark brown, and fuchsia.”
“Is that so? Marvelous.”
A determined light suddenly entered Lady Dalila’s eyes. “Older women would love those colors. No, younger women will as well, depending on the design. Bertine, might I place another order with you?”
“I’d be delighted if you did. Lady Dalila, I want you to be the only point of contact for that fabric. The more you can expand your social network and increase your power, the easier it will be for Lady Diana and Prince Claudio to lead normal lives. Don’t you agree?”
“Oh, Bertie…why are you doing so much for us?” Diana asked.
Bertine took a deep breath. Then, while gazing at Claudio, Dalila, and Diana, told them everything that happened, from the moment she left the Kingdom of San Luenne to now.
“Essentially, I was told again and again that I wasn’t needed,” Bertine said. “Maybe not so explicitly, but the lack of words doesn’t change the truth. Which is why I decided to make a place for myself where I am needed. And now I have both people and a place that need me. I have so many goals left to accomplish and I’m having so much fun on my journey too. You can think of this necklace as a fruition of my experiences as well as my desire to support you, Lady Diana.”
Listening thoughtfully, Claudio asked her a question. “Lady Bertine, please tell me something. How did you become so strong?”
“Your Imperial Highness, there was a time when I wondered if my life has any meaning. Death scared me, but I didn’t know how to move forward either, so I spent a long time lost and confused. I brooded for so long that the sun rose and set, the angle of its rays changing as the day passed. The whole time, my maid silently stood watch over me. I think she was so worried about me she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.”
Bertine exhaled, regrouped her thoughts, and continued.
“I realized then that if I died there, she would be in pain for the rest of her life. My maid’s name is Dorothée, but she is so much more than that. She has been with me during the happy moments and the unhappy ones, remaining steadfastly by my side no matter what. Protecting my pride wasn’t worth causing her pain. That was when I decided to throw my pride aside and live anew. Dorothée’s devotion gave me the courage I needed in the eleventh hour.”
“Your maid’s courage, you say?” Claudio was surprised by her unexpected answer.
“From the moment we are born, death makes equals of us all,” Bertine said. “Even if one doesn’t die in a hurry, one will die someday regardless. So I decided as long as Dorothée watched over me, I had no choice but to try my best and leave behind no regrets.”
The boy nodded emphatically a few times, his expression indicating his deep contemplation of her words.
✦ ✦ ✦
IT was finally time for her to take her leave from Diana’s imperial villa. Her friend repeatedly insisted she pay for the necklace, but Bertine shook her head and refused.
“Lady Diana, be strong and live a good life. That will be my payment.”
Once she said her farewells to the three of them, Bertine stepped outside the villa. When she had taken a few steps away, Claudio suddenly rushed toward her. His expression was serious as he spoke softly.
“Mother has hidden it from me, but I know the truth. The harder I work and show results for my efforts, the harsher the criticism she faces. I couldn’t find any meaning to my efforts or my life here. But after listening to your tale, I now understand what I need to do. I’ll do what I can for my mother’s sake.”
Bertine lowered her voice too and responded swiftly. “Your Imperial Highness, there is always a path that leads to hope. Even if it is a narrow, hard-to-find road, I know there must be a way for you and your mother to live happily. You’re still only twelve years old, after all. Take however much time you need to discover the correct path. I myself am still searching for the path I should walk. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here for you. Please send any correspondence to the manager of the Rose Hotel. He’ll forward it to me.”
Bertine smiled reassuringly at Diana and Dalila as they stared, puzzled. Then she left the villa grounds. A few moments later, she joined Cecilio, who’d been waiting for her outside the grounds’ gate. They both boarded a carriage and then he spoke to her.
“Well, that was certainly worth our while.”
“Indeed, it was, Your Excellency. May I ask what business brings you to the Empire?”
“Despite the wars we’ve fought, the Federation and the Empire will always need each other. So the emperor and I discussed various matters that needed to be discussed.”
“You’re always extremely busy, aren’t you, Your Excellency?”
“Perhaps. But it seems the emperor has his plate full too.”
The carriage they rode in continued its journey toward the Federation. Inside the vehicle, Bertine recalled Claudio’s words. Someday, Prince Claudio will become a duke and have his own lands to manage. So long as his relationship with the crown prince doesn’t sour, he may even have a chance to take his place in the political arena. Save your strength for the future. She shouted those words in her heart in support of the young prince.
✦ ✦ ✦
AFTER her visit, Bertine received an order for thirty bolts of the fabric in the new colors from Lady Dalila. The total came out to twenty-one large gold coins. Cecilio had consulted with Ignacio ahead of time to establish a special division to oversee the protection of the trees from which the bark was made. It would prevent the trees from being overharvested and would also set up a system for payment and transportation of the bark.
Since they had matters well in hand on that front, Bertine decided to withdraw from the cloth venture in order to focus her attention on the business of stingers as well as the preparations she would need to make for the construction of her hotel. She received her share of the profits once the Federation took its portion.
One night, Dorothée made a comment to her.
“His Excellency’s portrait in the business district has changed, from depicting him in his navy blue military uniform to him in a pure white ceremonial attire. He looks magnificent, to be honest. Quite an impressive portrait.”
“Yes, he does look exceedingly splendid in full military dress.”
Then Bertine realized what she said and started in surprise. Dorothée pretended not to notice, but she secretly smiled inside and thought to herself, At last, my lady sees the light.
✦ ✦ ✦
A month later, Bertine received a letter from Diana. The necklace she’d gifted her friend became all the rage amongst imperial noblewomen. They were enamored with its innovative, opulent design. Diana wrote that she would be more than happy to pay Bertine to create additional pieces from the other designs in her collection.
“Consider it done, Lady Diana.”
She decided to have Isabella make a new necklace and approached her with the suggestion.
“Me? You want me to craft a necklace for an imperial concubine? I-I couldn’t!” Isabella immediately balked at the idea, but Bertine gripped her hand and replied encouragingly.
“Don’t worry, I’ll check your work at the end of each day. Just try your hand at it, a little bit at a time. I know how scrupulous you are with the accessories you make, and that attention to detail is reflected in their popularity with customers. You can do it. After all, didn’t I promise you 60 percent of net profits once we’re able to create high-value products?”
“I can’t even imagine how much 60 percent of something this expensive would be. The thought alone terrifies me. My wages are already so high!”
“Nothing to be frightened of, Isabella. This commission may very well prove to be a great leap forward for you.”
Though she tried refusing numerous times, Isabella was ultimately overwhelmed by Bertine’s determination and accepted the work. She would never have another spectacular opportunity like this in her life. For a necklace she made to be worn by the emperor’s concubine, someone of such high stature. Resolved now, Isabella intently studied the design Bertine had given her.