Lalisa confirmed the dates of the social events she would attend and checked the one that would happen the soonest. Her reputation had changed dramatically in the days after the ball, but she had gave them her word that she would go.
'To prove my innocence...I have to make Lady Selby a liar.'
That was her best course of action. Her accusation wasn't untrue either, as Yerim was now spreading false stories about her.
'To start, I need information about Lady Selby.'
Just as Yerim had done, information would be her the trap. It was key the Lalisa could gather as many witnesses and evidence against Yerim in a short amount of time.
'Let's start with when she tried to give me the salty tea.'
Lalisa would seem more credible if Jennie offered to testify on her behalf, unlike Yerim, whose witness was Dahyun. Jennie was a noblewoman, and as such would be considered more trustworthy than a maid.
But that wouldn't be enough. Just like the story of Lalisa meeting with a different man every night, there had to be something tantalizing and provocative. Only then would the rumors would stop at once.
After thinking it over, Lalisa stood up and headed towards Roseanne's room. Before entering, she knocked lightly on the door.
"Yes, come in."
When Lalisw opened the door, the sound of the sewing machine at work flowed out.
With the help of a few maids, Roseanne was devoting herself to fixing up the dresses that Jennie had sent. When Roseanne looked up and saw who entered the room, she rose from her seat.
"What's going on, my sister Lisa?"
"There's a social event in a few days and I was going to ask for a dress, but you appear to already be working on one."
"I already mentioned at the ball that I'm going to refit the dresses for you. And with so many invitations coming in, I had an idea that you'd need them sooner or later."
Roseanne was so charming that Lalisa couldn't help but smile.
She was right. Lalisa had to be just as beautiful as everyone else at the upcoming events. Appearances weren't everything, but she wouldn't lower her standards either. And on that day...she would turn the tide on all the rumors spread by Yerim.
Lalisa recalled the invitation to the soonest date. She didn't know how many nobles would attend, but it was clear that there would be quite a crowd. With so many things to prepare, it was a relief that a dress was one less thing on her mind.
"Then I'll come back later, Roseanne."
"Yes, sister! I'll let you know when it's finished."
"Yes, thank you."
When Lalisa returned to her room, she immediately tied a red handkerchief to the window. She judged Jimin to be the quickest and most secretive way of gathering information compared to the Blaise's resources. She was never disappointed by the information he brought.
As usual, Lalisa kept the windows open and waited for Jimin to slip past everyone's eyes. She settled at her desk, putting the plans in her head to paper. If her counter offense failed, the vicious rumors about Lalisa might feel more true. She might not be able to do anything about it at that point. Time was short, but she couldn't leave any holes in her plan.
'Lady Selby...I will pay you back twice over what you've given me.'
She did not intend to sit still like a fool. Not after her reputation was tarnished like this. Today, Lalisa was not a naive young noblewoman. While it was true that she was less skilled in social politics than with her sword, she wasn't so soft as to allow herself to be subjected to a shameful deceit.
*
*
*
Lalisa's momentum was building.
She asked Jimin to collect information about Yerim and bring it back as quick as he could. Soon after, she summoned Bambam and ordered him to set up an appointment with Countess Viviana.
Hwasa Viviana. She was a leading figure among the nobility and was one of the most mentioned names in Jimin's report of the capital city. The reports were not Lalisa's only source of knowledge, however. She still remembered the name after a shocking revelation in the future.
There was only one reason why Lalisa wanted to meet such a person. She needed help from an influential person in high society.
'No matter how much I target Yerim's weakness, people won't believe me easily.'
Lalisa was still uninitiated to the capital's social circles. She had no connections, no one to listen to what she said, and with her image in tatters, she would likely be ignored and avoided by other nobles as well.
'I need someone else to spread the rumor that Lady Selby is a liar.'
She needed someone to back up her words, and for that, Hwasa was the perfect choice. However, that woman's nose was held as high as her reputation. She wouldn't do Lalisa a favor so easily, and even she no had idea if she would receive her. It had taken Hwasa a few days to respond after Bambam visited her personally, and soon the butler finally delivered the answer Lalisa was worried about.
"My Lady, I've heard from Countess Viviana..."
"Please continue."
"She says it's too difficult to fit you into her busy schedule."
A long sigh escaped from Lalisa's mouth.
"...Huu."
Lalisa hadn't been able to sleep much because of the rumors. She rubbed her fingertips against her stiff eyes and spoke again to Bambam, who was looking at her concernedly.
"Wait there for a moment."
"Yes, My Lady."
She went straight to her desk and began writing something down. Then she placed the paper in an envelope, sealed it, and handed it over to Bambam. He took the envelope curiously.
"Give this to Count Viviana and ask her to make another appointment."
"She had already turned you down once...Will it be possible?"
At the butler's doubtful expression, Lalisa answered determinedly.
"Yes. Maybe this time."
She didn't wish to use her knowledge of the future as a weapon so soon. But now that the situation has come to this, she had no choice. She regretted sending threatening letters, but she was in no position to wait any longer.
*
*
It had taken Countess Viviana several days to reply to her first request. But this time it was different. Within hours of Lalisa's second letter, Bambam returned.
"My Lady! Countess Viviana has requested to meet you soon!"
"Good."
Lalisa was quite satisfied with herself.
"But what did you say that suddenly made her change her mind?"
"Well...That's top secret."
Lalisa didn't say anything further. In any case, Bambam was more pleased than curious that Countess Viviana's high-nosed attitude had changed so quickly. On his first visit he had been ignored by the servants there, but on the second he was treated like a valued guest. He wondered what caused the change, but he put his trust in Lalisa.
"Send someone to Countess Viviana and ask her if she can see me today."
"Yes, My Lady!"
Although Hwasa wanted meet soon, an appointment this same day would still be difficult to secure. Bambam followed Lalisa's orders any objection. That was how much confidence he had in her.
'If this is what she orders me...there must be a reason.'
This time Bambam did not visit Countess Viviana herself, but rushed a servant to deliver Lalisa's request.
Night fell, and the servant finally returned with the message that Countess Viviana would see her immediately. Lalisa prepared to leave despite the lateness of the hour. With only a few more days left before the social gathering, she needed Hwasa's support as soon as possible.
"I'll be back."
"Yes. Take care, My Lady."
Bambam saw her off as she boarded the carriage.
Hwasa had proposed to meet at a fancy salon called "The Secret." Lalisa knew of it. As its name suggested, it had a closed membership system and was favored by high-ranking nobles as a place to have private conversations.
The swift carriage bearing her towards her destination halted.
"We have arrived, My Lady."
"Thank you."
The coachman opened the door and she stepped outside. She glanced at the sign bearing the words "The Secret" before entering the establishment. The atmosphere inside was gloomy, and the corridors narrow. Seeing as she didn't meet anyone in the hallway, it seemed to be constructed so that visitors wouldn't run into each other easily. A faint smell of tobacco smoke scented the air. As she followed the dark corridor, she finally came across a clerk standing behind a desk.
"Do you have a reservation?"
"Yes."
"Who did you come to see?"
"I'm here to see Countess Viviana."
The clerk gestured to Lalisa as if he had done this a hundred times before.
"Come this way, please."
The employee seemed exceptionally experienced and meticulous. She knew it was a secretive establishment, but it there was more thorough attention to detail than she expected. The clerk guided her inside the depths of the building, finally arriving at an antique door which opened with only the slightest sound of friction. Inside the room was middle-aged woman seated rigidly in her chair. After Lalisa stepped inside, the clerk closed the door behind her. The two women stared at each other.
"..."
"..."
It was Lalisa who first shattered the silence.
"How do you do? I am Lalisa Blaise."
"I know. You are the most talked-about person these days."
Her tone was harsh, and her gaze was full of thorns.
"Let me ask you straightforwardly. What you wrote to me...How did you know?"
Lalisa couldn't honestly answer that question.
"The question is not how I learned the secret of Countess Viviana, but whether or not I tell someone about it. Am I wrong? "
The letter Lalisa had sent to Hwasa was brief.
[I know about your hidden son.]
Before Hwasa became a countess and a leading figure of society, she lay with a man as a young woman and had secretly given birth to a son. Stella's parents thoroughly covered up the incident, and Countess Viviana had married without anyone else having knowledge of it. When the truth was revealed in Lalisa's previous life, Countess Viviana's reputation had plummeted. However, that was not the end of the story. There was further tragedy after that.
"Are you threatening me?"
"Yes."
Lalisa answered unblinkingly.
"You will do something for me in exchange for my secrecy."