The Tyrant's Pet

"A luxury boutique…?" Violet looked at Aries, wide-eyed.

Everyone was placing the furniture and packages inside while Aries and Violet were standing in the middle, talking about Aries's plans. Violet wanted to help Aries in everything she could, so she agreed to Aries's request even though she didn't know the details.

"Yes." Aries rocked her head and crossed her arms. She looked around at the fancy interior, which was renovated thanks to Dexter's help. "There were already tons of boutiques that were established for years. Some decades. That's why I need to be different."

"But Lady Aries, shouldn't you lower the price for starters?"

Aries shook her head and cast Violet a knowing look. "Violet, nobles hate cheap things. You know that already."

"Every noble in every kingdom was the same. They hate discounts and they liked to show off their wealth at every banquet and tea party," she continued in a knowing tone. "And that is what I am aiming for."

Violet raised her brows and tilted her head to the side. Although she was royalty, Violet wasn't truly the person who enjoyed splurging money on dresses and accessories. She just had to since she was a part of the royal family because, for her, it was better to use the money to help the poor.

"My goal will only be successful with your help, though." Aries faced the baffled Violet. "Since my brother won't allow me to exhaust myself, I need someone whom I can trust to run the business."

"Lady Aries, I will do everything to help you," Violet replied enthusiastically. "I don't have experience in handling a business, but I will do my best to make it."

"I really appreciate it, Violet." Aries smiled at her. "I will help with the designs and the paperwork. What I need from you the most is something else."

"Something else?" Violet mumbled, watching Aries look away as the latter smirked. "What is it, my lady?"

"Your eyes."

The lines between Violet's forehead deepened. "My eyes?"

"Yes. Your eyes." Aries rocked her head. "It is true that my plan is to sell everything at the highest price that will filter out lower nobles. However, we need something more to make this boutique special."

"Wealth will not matter. All designs that will be sold here will only have one or three pieces at max. Abel had been very picky in picking the dresses I wear; he could just say he likes it better when I wear none," she continued, mumbling the last part of her sentence to herself because Abel was the reason Aries learned the skill of designing dresses.

Aries spent a lot of time with the seamstress and picked up a thing or two from them. Hence, she would sometimes design dresses whenever she was bored. She used a few copied designs in Maganti from the seamstress, but some of the pieces Aries made were designed by her.

In other words, Aries had already gotten feedback from the dresses she designed herself. Hence, she was confident the ladies would die to get a piece. Taking advantage of the nobles' egos by limiting the supply despite the huge demand would make her brand one of the badges of wealth a lady would carry.

Violet's mouth fell open as she listened to Aries's explanation about her plans for her business.

"You mean to say…?" she trailed off, raising her brows in intrigue.

Aries looked back at her and smirked. "You will be the judge who deserves to wear my babies. People will think it's a ripoff, but those who had class and a good eye will see its value. Their egos to get something no one else can will force them to buy one."

"However, I do not want any rotten piece of garbage wearing our pieces that might stain our brand," Aries added. "You need to have a good eye on people."

Violet looked at Aries in awe. But when she heard having a good eye, her smile lines faded.

"Lady Aries," Violet called worriedly. "I… don't think I have a good eye to discern if they were good or bad."

"Violet, I'm not saying they should be good or bad." Aries chuckled. "I'm just saying you need to have a good eye on those who will surely not sully my name."

"How do I know that?"

"Trust your heart." Aries tapped Violet's chest with her finger. "If you don't trust your eyes, trust your heart. After all, this is also your business."

"Pardon?"

"You'll get a percentage of our sales. I might be the owner and the designer, but you will be on the field and the face of this boutique." Aries cocked her head, a bit surprised Violet seemed to have not thought of that too. "Did you think I'll just pay you a normal salary?"

"My lady." Violet breathed out, wide-eyed. "How can I — I mean, I am already content that I will have a job —"

"You have children to raise, Violet." Aries cut her off, knowing what Violet would say. "I know you want nothing but to give them a peaceful life. However, we have to admit money is a big factor in life. Having a peaceful life isn't bad… but it won't be peaceful if you struggle financially."

"Moreover, the Haimirich Empire is a great place for equality. Although the difference in status was still inevitable, the opportunities for everyone are the same." Aries planted her hand over Violet's shoulder. "Don't just give them a peaceful life, but allow them to live in a home where they can dream big."

"I'm not saying you can't do that, but money is still essential in many things, Violet. Trust me," she added, nodding at Violet reassuringly.

"My lady…" Violet bit her trembling lips, once again indebted to Aries. "I don't know how to repay your help —"

"I'm not helping you, Violet." Aries smiled. "I am investing."

Aries drew a breath as she retrieved her hand from Violet's shoulder. "Investing isn't just to goods, but also to people." Her lips stretched from ear to ear. "I need to take care of my people just the way they take care of me."

"My lady…" Violet's eyes softened before she beckoned a deep bow. "I will do my best!"

"You should. This is ours." Aries chuckled as she looked around once more, pleased and excited at this new chapter in her and Violet's life.