Chapter 20 - Transformation (The Cosmetics Store)
The next stop for the carriage was a cosmetics store.
Dahlia changed into a lamp-black dress at the clothing store and switched into shiny black shoes, stepping out. She had always worn shoes without heels, so the slightly elevated view felt unfamiliar.
"Welcome, Gabriella-sama."
"Hello, I’ve brought a potential regular customer. This is Dahlia-san, the head of the Rossetti company."
"Dahlia-sama, thank you for your first visit."
Dahlia was flustered by the sudden introduction as a company head to the calm-eyed female employee, but she knew that causing a scene would only trouble Gabriella.
Despite her discomfort, Dahlia managed to force a smile and greeted the employee.
The store was lined with cosmetics and makeup products, with vibrant flowers decorating the space. Dahlia couldn’t help but feel a little out of place.
"What kind of products are you looking for today?"
"I'd like you to teach her a basic makeup routine that can be done in under 10 minutes. Also, please prepare a full set of the makeup products used."
"Understood."
"Then, I'll take notes on the steps from the side."
Dahlia was guided to a chair in front of a large three-way mirror.
On the side table, several makeup items were arranged, with the attendant standing directly beside her and Gabriella sitting on a sofa diagonally behind her.
"How have you been doing your makeup so far?"
"I’ve used powder and lipstick before, but it didn’t suit me, so I stopped."
In reality, Dahlia had given up makeup after Tobias mentioned that he disliked the scent of it.
"Your skin is beautiful, so I think simple tasks like grooming your eyebrows, a light eyeliner, lipstick, and blush will be enough. If possible, I’d recommend adding eyeshadow and powder, but it’s fine to skip them."
Dahlia had little knowledge or skill in makeup, both in her past and present lives.
In her flustered state, the attendant quickly began explaining while shaping Dahlia’s eyebrows and demonstrating the makeup application techniques.
Her thick, unrefined eyebrows were trimmed into a slender, elegant shape. Just that change alone made her appearance instantly less dowdy.
Once all the fine facial hairs were shaved off, her complexion became one shade brighter.
After applying eyeliner, Dahlia’s double eyelids, previously understated, now appeared elongated and sharper, with added depth from the eyeshadow. Blush gave her pale face a healthy, vibrant look.
After applying the lipstick and checking the mirror, Dahlia began to suspect that the makeup products in the store might have some kind of magic effect.
Once the employee had finished explaining and demonstrating with satisfaction, she guided Dahlia to the washstand at the edge of the room. Here, Dahlia was to remove her makeup, and this time, she would apply it herself.
She was about to shout that it was impossible to learn how to do it in such a short amount of time.
However, as she held the eyeliner brush, she was reminded of the practical exercises from her high academy days.
During a magical tool course, she had combined various materials to produce specific colors and applied them to a magical tool. Though difficult, it had been an enjoyable task.
In the case of makeup, she thought she might just need to treat herself like a magical tool, following the steps she had already been taught and applying everything as instructed. With that thought, she felt a bit more at ease.
Indeed, the detailed work of coloring and adjusting was an essential part of crafting magical tools.
"Wonderful! And it suits you so well!"
When Dahlia finished applying her makeup, the employee beamed with delight and began discussing various makeup products.
Dahlia, determined not to be rude, focused on listening attentively.
"The powder mixed with silk doesn’t dry out as much. As for eyeshadows, most of them are plant-based, but lately, monster materials have been increasingly used."
"Monster materials? What kind?"
"Red slime is used for a transparent red dye. It was successfully made completely non-toxic, and the product we’re using today is a blend of this dye and traditional lipstick dye.”
"Red slime... Its gel-like texture would certainly provide good transparency and depth."
Dahlia agreed that the charm of slime lay in its transparency, and the employee nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, the transparency gives it a more natural look. Last month, a new lip coat made from Kraken skin was released. If you use it on top, you'll need fewer touch-ups."
"I see, Kraken skin must provide excellent coverage. It would be harder to leave lipstick marks on coffee cups or glasses."
"Yes! It’s much more convenient during meals or tea time."
The employee nodded enthusiastically.
"Also, we haven’t had it in stock yet, but there’s an eyeshadow made from crushed World Tree leaves. It’s not green, but a pale blue, the color of the sky."
"Sky blue from the World Tree... That sounds wonderful."
The two of them continued to chat animatedly, discussing either makeup or materials.
Gabriella had stopped taking notes and was watching with a warm, amused expression.
When they left the store, Dahlia had bought the basic set of makeup products and received a large number of freebies.
・・・・・・・
"Normally, I’d want to make a toast with wine, but since the timing is a bit off, let’s make do with this for today."
It was already well past noon, and it was time for afternoon tea.
On the table in front of the two of them, who were seated across from each other in the café, were two thick, two-layered pancakes topped with plenty of fruit and fresh cream, along with tea.
"From now on, I’ll call you Dahlia. And you can call me Gabriella. Company heads usually address each other without honorifics."
"Umm..."
As the wife of a viscount and guildmaster, addressing the vice guildmaster so casually made Dahlia feel somewhat overwhelmed.
"You know, your outfit would be ruined by your slouching, Dahlia."
"Gabriella-sa... I’ll try to be more mindful."
Dahlia nearly added a "san" honorific when speaking to Gabriella, but the woman in front of her laughed heartily.
When encouraged to try the thick pancakes, Dahlia took a bite. The fluffy texture of the pancakes melted in her mouth.
She ate the first one plain, then added half of the fresh cream. The sweetness was mild, but the quality of the ingredients and the vanilla scent were delightful.
For the second pancake, she combined the remaining cream and fruits. The sweetness and juiciness of the fruits added an even greater deliciousness.
Both of them were so hungry that they finished eating without much conversation.
As they basked in the satisfaction of the delicious pancakes, a fresh pot of tea was brought to their table.
"Dahlia, I’m sorry for the suddenness of today."
"No, thank you for not only teaching me but also buying clothes for me... I really appreciate it. I didn’t know any of this before, and I’d never even thought about it."
Now that she had changed her clothes and makeup, Dahlia could understand.
Part of it was her lack of interest, but she had no idea what she needed, what was unnecessary, or what suited her and what didn’t.
As a company head, she knew she needed to make an effort to earn the trust of others. From now on, she should be more careful about her clothing and makeup.
"Oh, I forgot to mention. Go to the church, get your eyes checked, and if possible, take off your glasses."
"Take off my glasses?"
"Yes, your glasses are in the way."
It was almost a command.
Dahlia recalled how, when she was experimenting with the foam pump bottle, her glasses fogged up uncontrollably in the bathroom. Getting them fixed at the church would make future work much easier.
She asked about the cost, and was told it would be one gold coin for both eyes, plus a small donation. That seemed affordable.
By the way, eye diseases were mainly treated by doctors, but restoring vision was the church’s domain.
For illnesses, doctors treated them; for injuries, the church did. That was the norm in this world.
Even if someone lost an arm or leg, it could be regenerated by a priest if it was within seven days of being injured.
However, medical treatment for illnesses was not as advanced as it had been in her previous life. She wished healing magic could handle everything, but apparently, it wasn’t a cure-all.
Because of this, people were generally more worried about illnesses than sudden injuries.
"I understand. I’ll go. Thank you, Gabriella, for all the care you’ve shown me..."
"Don’t worry about it. I just wanted to repay the debt I owe to Carlo."
"Debt to my father?"
Dahlia asked.
As far as she could remember, her father had never done anything to incur Gabriella owing him a debt.
"Carlo was the one who introduced me to my husband. So both of us owe him."
"I never knew that..."
"Carlo had us keep quiet about it. Everyone's after a good match, and he said it would be troublesome if they relied on him, so he told me to stay silent until he died."
Gabriella’s husband was a viscount.
It seemed likely that her father had been acquainted with him in some way during his time as a baron.
"And there’s one more thing. Carlo told me, 'If Dahlia has trouble as a magical toolmaker or as a woman, please give her advice. If not, just keep it a secret until you die.'"
"My father said that...?"
"You didn’t seem that troubled, but if you want to break ties with Orlando and live freely, it’s better to have your own trading company. And if you’re going to run a company, you need to be the face of it. Plus, having a noble’s name makes it harder to be targeted, so I made sure to include my husband’s name."
"Thank you..."
"Don’t worry about it. I just wanted to repay the debt. Listen, Dahlia, no more holding back. There will be plenty of work and men coming your way, but you need to be discerning, choose carefully, and go where you want."
"...Yes."
Dahlia could only nod in response.
"Carlo was always secretly helping people with their problems. He was greatly relied upon."
This was a side of her father that Dahlia had never known.
When he came home late, she had always assumed he was out drinking, but perhaps he had been helping someone with their problems.
"By the way, Dahlia, did you know what Carlo’s hobby was?"
"No, other than magical tools... maybe drinking?"
"Ah, yes, he certainly loved his drinks. But I think his greatest hobby was probably..."
With a seriously earnest expression, the woman with ivory-colored hair turned to face Dahlia.
"Making people owe him favors and getting them to keep quiet."
The two of them burst out laughing at the same time, and the conversation shifted to memories of Carlo, Dahlia’s father.
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