Chapter 147 147. Preparation Is Completed, Part VI
Editor: Aelryinth
Marquis Rodius and Lillian had been in a relationship for quite some time. Not long ago, the Marquis took Lillian to Harrods Street after she was about to return to the countryside. But if Marquis Rodius married, Lillian would live a life that would hurt others, like her mother, Stella. Julietta didn’t know how she felt about Marquis Rhodius, but if she still thought of continuing to leave the capital, she did not seem satisfied in her life now.
Julietta wanted Lillian to have the job, like she had as an actress, instead of leaning on someone. She wanted to give Lillian the manager position of Raefany’s.
"Marquis Rhodius isn’t concerned about that, but the problem is that they broke up a month ago. By the way, why do you recommend Miss Lillian?"
Julietta was surprised to hear that she had broken up with the Marquis of Rhodius. She replied, thinking she’d better go see Lillian soon, "You know, Amelie and Sophie used to work at the Eileen Theater. I’ve heard a lot about Lillian from them. Then I thought about her. Since she was a leading actress at the Eileen Theater for more than ten years and has enjoyed all kinds of luxury items, I think she’d be perfect for the manager of a new jewelry store."
For fear that the Marquis might think it strange what Princess Kiellini recommended Lillian, she eagerly explained why. "In fact, it’s hard to find anyone with such an eye for jewelry and costumes, except the nobles. If a maid has dressed a noble lady for a long time, she might know about style. But I don’t think there’s anyone better than Lillian, who was the most famous prima donna for years, about what is in style. Moreover, wouldn’t it make more headlines if Miss Lillian becomes the manager of the finest jewelry shop across from the Eileen Theater. She will give hope to the remaining actresses, who could realize that even retired actors can succeed like that? If that happens, I think Raefany’s could be a true symbol of Dublin."
"Actresses are bound up with nobility in some way... it would be extremely effective to announce a jeweler..."
"Yes. Unlike their colorful days, the lives of retired actresses are often miserable. The most successful case is becoming a concubine of the aristocrats, but when they get older, they are thrown away. Then they become prostitutes. The same is true of male actors. There aren’t many things they can do when they have no skills and are not strong. In addition, they don’t make enough money to survive, and soon die."
Most of Austern’s illegitimate children were born between nobles and actresses. Of course, it was not possible to hire all the actresses, like Lillian’s case in Raefany’s. Some would prefer to be backed by aristocrats. But if a few more roads were opened to them, many of them would choose a different future.
"Actresses are used to dealing with and captivating people. So they understand the hearts of the customers better than anyone else. It will help both the employer and the job seeker. The Marquis, what do you think?"
"That’s a very good idea. I don’t know if Lillian will accept it."
"She will accept it. If she hears what I’m talking about. Be sure to let her know that it can bring a new hope to actresses."
=================
A few days after meeting with the new manager, she heard the good news through Ullio, who had finally come to work officially. In other words, Oswald had persuaded the hesitant Lillian to sign the contract.
"Then we can hire the rest of the staff. I’ll trust Mr. Ullio’s eye. I want you to hire the staff of both stores within two weeks. You can use the office in there as your private office. Sophie will guide you through the inside of the main building. Take your time looking around and there are things that require attention that I want you to take care of for the new staff. The building behind the main building is a separate house for Amelie and Sophie, so be sure to keep their access restriction in mind."
Julieta finished speaking and stood up. "I’ll go back early today because my manager will take good care of the dressing shop. I’m afraid I won’t be able to come often for a while, so please take good care of it."
-------------------
After returning to the mansion of Duke Kiellini, Julietta deliberately went up to her bedroom while coughing. She changed into an indoor dress and went to see Simone, as she had planned a few days ago.
"I have to go down to Tilia in two weeks, but I’m really worried about Lady Christine, who visited here."
At Julietta’s words, Simone picked up a light lemon-colored invitation letter from the silver tray on the table and held it out to Julietta. "As a matter of fact, Lady Christine sent you an invitation to a tea party at the mansion of Marquis Anais."
Julietta opened the invitation with the emblem of the family of Marquis Anais, examined the contents, closed it right away, and put it down on the table. "I think I have a cold. I should refrain from going out for a while. Of course, I won’t be able to receive visitors for a while."
The invitation said that Prince Francis had returned to Dublin after a long time and would like to meet Princess Kiellini, so could she please attend? Ordinary ladies would be glad to attend, thinking it was an honor, but Julietta obviously didn’t want to go because she felt Christine’s ulterior motive. Though she had not seen Prince Francis in person, she was hostile to him since she had worked as Killian’s maid, and she felt repelled.
"Yes, you’ve come to Dublin all of a sudden, having a debut party and spending a hectic time meeting strangers, so I’m sure you’ve gotten sick."
Simone was going to tell her not to visit the dressing shop as Prince Killian had already said, but when Julietta said it in advance, Simone thought she must have heard something from the Prince.
Julietta was slightly embarrassed when Simone readily gave her permission, even before she could persuade her with an excuse about Francis.
"Vera, you don’t have to wait on me for a while. I won’t let anyone approach the floor where your bedroom is. Vera, you don’t have to worry about me, but just concentrate on Iris’s nursing care. Mary, Luna, come here."
Two maids she had seen for the first time came out of the inner bedroom at Simone’s call and approached politely. "They are new maids. For the time being, let Vera take charge of Iris alone, and let Mary and Luna wait on me. Vera will have to get in and out of the dressing shop on Iris’ errands, so I will have Gibson on standby all the time. You are surely going to be worried about the dressing shop."
Simone finished and lowered her gaze to the list she held, as if she was done with her work. She was picking up the maids and servants to make the Dublin mansion her own. Starting with the recruitment of Mary and Luna, she was busy trying to cut off the unimportant workers and fill them with new people she had picked, and wrote something with a pen.
Julietta got up after a moment of wondering over Simone’s promise to keep people out of her bedroom floor. She had dressed up as a maid before, so Simone seemed to think she’d do it again this time.
These days, Simone hadn’t said much about what Julietta did. Rather, it was like she was trying to encourage her to do what she wanted. Simone acted like Julietta was the real daughter of the family of Kiellini.
Julietta was thinking over how to accept this, bowed politely to Simone who was seriously looking into the papers, and stepped away. She figured she could stop worrying because she didn’t have much time before getting out of this substitute’s role anyway. Maybe Simone also felt like this.
Julietta informed the mansion that she had a cold and went to bed early. As Lady Iris had gone to Tilia Territory since she was sick in her childhood and returned to the mansion only two months ago, but was sick again, the mansion of the Duke was tension-ridden.
When Mrs. Raban did not let anyone linger about the princess’s bedroom, the employees’ behavior became as cautious as walking on thin ice. Up on the quiet third floor, with nobody allowed to bother her, Julietta was finally able to enjoy days in comfort.
--------