Her Graceful War Song

Gillian squeezed through the crowd with great difficulty, and finally managed to ask a young shop assistant, "Do you have any filigree gold bangles with embedded gems?"

The young shop assistant looked up at her, and answered loudly, "Those are sold on the second floor, but we're out of stock. We've sold out of all the batches we made this year. If you want to buy them, you'll need to place an order on the second floor. They'll be available in February next year."

An order? And not available until next February?

Gillian slowly backed out, and then made her way up the stairs to the second floor. The second floor was elegantly decorated, featuring eight or nine counters, each with cushioned chairs in front for customers. Each display case served one guest at a time.

On the other side, more than ten people were waiting. They were seated on chairs, enjoying snacks and coffee, with premium charcoal burning warmly in the stoves to keep the room warm. These patrons, though wealthy, wore no luxurious silks or satins. They appeared to be affluent merchants rather than nobility.

Gillian glanced around, and saw that one of the customers had several gold bangles on their wrist. They were examining them to see if they fit and then asking for them to be wrapped up. The designs were fashionable, but clearly inferior to those at The Golden Tower.

A shop assistant approached her, and she asked, "Do you have any filigree gold bangles with embedded gems?"

The shop assistant exclaimed, "What a coincidence! We've just sold out of those. Would you like to place an order?"

"Is your business doing so well?" Gillian, ever perceptive even when away from Helen, remarked. "The last time I was here, it was also quite crowded. It seems that any trendy designs are likely out of stock too."

"Indeed! Our shop's business is unmatched in the capital, except by The Golden Tower," the shop assistant said proudly.

After sizing Gillian up and noting her distinguished attire and dignified manner, he added, "Besides the filigree gold bangles, do you have any other designs in mind? We have many other gold bangles with various styles, though many are out of stock. We'll be restocking them next year."

Gillian glanced at the items in the display case with a look of disapproval, and said, "It's fine. I'll have my mistress come by tomorrow to choose for herself."

With that, Gillian left.

Back in the carriage, she reported to Carissa, "Your Highness, the filigree gold bangles with embedded gems are sold out."

Carissa responded with a simple hum.

"That style is from The Golden Tower. The Gilded Tower copied their design, but still sold them quite well."

"Well, if they're selling well, the year-end accounts should look promising," Helen said with evident pleasure.

Gillian, however, was troubled. The shop assistant mentioned that their business was excellent and claimed that, apart from The Golden Tower, no other shop in the capital had better business. Seeing how pleased Helen was, Gillian decided to withhold her concerns for now and wait to see the accounts when Jessica brought them.

They should be arriving in the next few days.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

After witnessing Eleanor's despicable behavior, Gillian couldn't help but worry if Eleanor and her daughter Jessica had been deceiving Helen all along. Could they really be so deceitful?

Gillian looked at Carissa, who seemed to be aware of something.

Could it be that Carissa already knew more than she let on? Was it possible that Carissa had deliberately brought Helen to see The Gilded Tower's business? Helen had indeed mentioned visiting The Gilded Tower before. However, her entourage usually consisted of a large number of servants and guards.

If Jessica had intended to deceive her, she would have likely briefed the shopkeeper in advance, instructing them on what to say if someone like Helen came by.

After all, the patrons seen at The Gilded Tower earlier were ordinary citizens on the first floor, while the second floor was frequented by wealthy merchants or minor officials' wives.

Since Carissa pointed out that The Gilded Tower's designs had been copied from The Golden Tower, true nobles and prominent families were less likely to frequent The Gilded Tower. Helen's presence was quite noticeable, so it would be easy for her to be recognized if she went out.