The Strongest Man’s Fake Wife Wants to Live Chapter 37

“Because it isn’t a precious gemstone…….”

A look of disappointment appeared in Lady Bellucci’s eyes.

She looked at the morganite once again and murmured,

“I’m much more drawn to this morganite than the ruby I’m wearing.”

At that, Pesha smiled brightly.

“I want to start a business with these gemstones for people like you, Lady Bellucci. They’re far too beautiful to be discarded or left neglected simply because they aren’t among the designated precious gemstones.”

Lady Bellucci placed the morganite back in the jewelry box and spoke.

“The idea is truly excellent. But…… a business. That means you intend to sell these gemstones to nobles, and establishing a new gemstone in the market is no easy task. I’ve been part of high society for a long time, but I can hardly remember ever seeing gemstone trends change. When it comes to gemstones, tastes change very slowly.”

“But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible, does it? Especially with someone as influential as Lady Bellucci, a new gemstone business could certainly become a reality.”

Lady Bellucci tilted her head slightly.

“I have no experience in business. Holding parties and entertaining guests is an entirely different matter from running a business.”

“Duke Pontroy will help with that part. All you have to do is introduce these gemstones to the world. And I’ll make sure you receive a fair share of the investment.”

“Hmm…….”

“You said this pink one reminded you of spring sunlight, didn’t you? Then you could introduce morganite accessories during the spring social season or at balls with a floral theme, or show them to the people around you. I’m sure they’ll receive a good response.”

At that, she placed the morganite on the back of her hand and looked lost in thought, as though imagining it.

“Perhaps…… it might receive a good response. Rubies and diamonds have become so common these days that there does seem to be an atmosphere of wanting something new.”

Pesha smiled confidently and spoke with certainty.

“Trends begin with the first choice of someone who leads them. You’ve been changing the flow that way all this time, haven’t you?”

A brief silence followed.

Lady Bellucci gradually shed her initial uncertainty and began to gather courage.

“All right. Let’s do it. As it happens, I’ve been wanting to take on something new. And I feel like something interesting might come of it if I work with a young and passionate woman like Countess Namoi.”

When she extended her hand, Pesha firmly clasped it.

It felt as though she had gained a very reliable ally.

After releasing her hand, Lady Bellucci fiddled with the handle of her teacup and spoke.

“But it will be difficult for me to step forward personally and promote the gemstones now. No matter how precious the gemstones are, young people won’t want to imitate them simply because they see an old woman like me wearing them.”

“Lady Bellucci, that’s not true at all. People in high society will always be curious about your taste and elegance.”

At those words, Lady Bellucci smiled faintly and waved her hand.

“I appreciate the kind words, but reality isn’t quite like that. Anyway, that reminds me, I have a good idea. Do you know the play Pollyanna, which has been completely sweeping through high society these days?”

Pesha knew that name very well.

No, anyone who read newsletters or newspapers could hardly have missed it.

“Of course. These days, wherever you go, people are talking about Pollyanna. I heard the actress Rosa Hardy is especially popular.”

Lady Bellucci smiled with satisfaction before speaking again.

“That Rosa is my goddaughter. What if we sponsored the morganite you mentioned to Rosa? If she appeared on stage wearing it, people would immediately follow suit.”

Rosa Hardy.

Her face was plastered across theater advertisements throughout the capital, to the point that there was hardly anyone who didn’t know her. She had become such a trendsetter that noble young ladies had even begun imitating the way she spoke and laughed.

But there was another problem.

Pesha hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.

“All right.”

“Is something bothering you?”

“Ah…… Actually, I was thinking of a similar but slightly different approach.”

Lady Bellucci gazed at Pesha with curiosity.

“If you give the gemstones to the most popular woman of the moment, it’s only a matter of time before people follow her.”

Pesha nodded.

“That’s true. But a strategy that relies on people’s admiration for a specific person may have a short-term effect, but eventually it will depend on that actress’s popularity and likability. That means sales will inevitably be short-lived and limited.”

“Hmm…….”

“I want to target a broader audience. Even if they’ve never seen Pollyanna or didn’t particularly enjoy it, I want anyone to feel that the gemstones belong to them and naturally want to own them.”

At that moment, Duke Pontroy, who had been listening quietly, asked,

“Then what method are you thinking of?”

Pesha’s eyes sparkled.

“A magazine.”

“A magazine…….”

“More specifically, a popular magazine that’s favored by the middle class. The kind of magazine noblewomen are the quickest to buy and read, even while claiming it’s embarrassing to be seen reading it. I want to publish a feature article or column there.”

Lady Bellucci opened her eyes wide, showing her interest.

“What would the column be about?”

“I think a title like this would be good. ‘What Is Your Birthstone?’”

“Birthstone?”

“The mineral beryl found in Swapro has different names depending on its color. Emerald, aquamarine, heliodor, morganite……. I focused on that characteristic. I want to assign each gemstone a month and a meaning so that anyone can use it to express their own personality.”

“Oh…….”

“If this succeeds, birthstones will become a way for people in high society to express their individuality, as well as a means of getting to know and communicating with one another.”

“Interesting.”

At those words, Pesha spoke with a little more confidence.

“I’m thinking of incorporating Lady Bellucci’s suggestion into the column as well, by writing about the birthstones of the characters in the most popular play these days, Pollyanna. Something like, ‘Pollyanna was born in October and wears morganite.’ That way, people will naturally become even more interested in those gemstones.”

Lady Bellucci smiled quietly.

“What a remarkable idea. You want everyone to be able to give the gemstones a special meaning of their own.”

“Yes. Once the article is published, I’ll need Miss Rosa Hardy’s help, just as Lady Bellucci suggested. I’ll ask her then.”

 

***

 

A few days later, a short column titled “What Is Your Birthstone?” appeared in La Fiancée, a popular magazine secretly enjoyed by noblewomen.

There was no particular advertisement accompanying the article, but it became a major topic of conversation in high society at an astonishing speed.

“I heard my birthstone is aquamarine. Isn’t the color really beautiful?”

“I heard morganite is the birthstone for October, so I absolutely want to get one.”

In particular, the setting that Pollyanna, the protagonist of the play Pollyanna, had been given morganite as her October birthstone caused a huge sensation.

Audiences began taking an interest in her birthstone.

Even Rosa Hardy appeared on stage on the day of the performance wearing the morganite necklace and earrings Pesha had prepared.

Throughout the performance, her gemstones shone beautifully beneath the stage lights, instantly capturing the audience’s hearts.

As soon as the performance ended, high society immediately became enamored with the new gemstones.

“The morganite Pollyanna wore was so beautiful!”

“I want one just like it, too. Where can I get one?”

After commissioning the column, Pesha had immediately returned to Swapro and was enjoying her leisurely daily life. It wasn’t long before she heard the results of how her plan had turned out.

“My lady, we have a big problem! All the morganite samples and beryl gemstones we prepared are completely sold out! We’re receiving an enormous number of orders from the capital!”