The sun was just rising over Auentia, painting golden streaks across Divura's warehouse. Her business had grown faster than anyone anticipated, and whispers of her sugar trade had reached the city's aristocracy.
"Lady Divura," Teren said cautiously, bowing slightly, "there's a carriage outside. Three men in fine robes… they claim to be aristocrats. They want to speak with you."
Divura smiled faintly, her eyes sharp. "Aristocrats, huh? Let's see if they've come to admire my work… or to take it. Bring them in."
The three men entered, their silk robes glinting in the morning light. The tallest stepped forward.
"I am Lord Veylor," he announced, bowing low, "and these are Lord Harvin and Lord Drestan. Lady Divura, your enterprise is… impressive. We have come with a proposal."
Divura inclined her head, her smile polite but measured. "A proposal? Do tell. I hope it benefits both parties, for I have little patience for empty words."
Lord Harvin's lips curved, though his eyes were calculating. "We wish to have a share in your business. Not through finance we bring influence, connections, protection. These will help your enterprise flourish beyond what you've already achieved."
Divura raised an eyebrow. "Influence and protection? And in return, what do you ask?"
"Merely a portion of your profits," Lord Drestan said smoothly. "A small percentage for our support. Think of it as an investment in your continued success."
Divura's smile turned cold. "Support that costs me my own hard-earned wealth? I do not trade the sweat of my hands for promises of power. My business grows because of my work, not because of the fear or favor of others."
The aristocrats exchanged subtle glances. Lord Veylor's voice hardened. "Lady Divura, such a refusal is… unwise. Power protects. You cannot expect to thrive without allies."
"And yet," Divura said, stepping closer, "I have thrived without giving anyone a single grain for nothing. If you think you can intimidate me into surrender, you are sorely mistaken."
A tense silence filled the room. The men bowed stiffly, concealing annoyance behind polite smiles. "Very well," Lord Harvin said. "We shall leave… for now."
But Divura sensed the danger. Aristocrats wielded influence, not coins, and they did not take rejection lightly.
Two days later, a commotion erupted outside the warehouse. A lady, pale and trembling, burst in, clutching her stomach.
"Please, Lady Divura!" she cried. "I came to warn you! After using your sugar… I have fallen ill. My family says it is your fault!"
Teren gasped. "Lady Divura… people are gathering outside… they've started whispering already."
Divura's eyes narrowed. The aristocrats were setting her up, twisting a lie to tarnish her name. But she remained calm, the very calm that unnerved those who underestimated her.
"Sit, madam," Divura said, her voice gentle but firm. "Tell me exactly what happened. I need every detail."
The lady stammered, "I… I used the sugar from your warehouse. Then… I felt sick. My husband says… it's poisonous!"
Divura leaned forward, eyes sharp. "And when did this occur? How much sugar did you use?"
"Only a small amount," the woman said. "Perhaps… two spoons each day."
Divura's lips curved in a knowing smile. "Two spoons? That is hardly enough to cause illness. And how long have you been using other foods, other spices? Do you take medicine? Tell me everything."
The lady faltered. "Well… I also use other ingredients…"
Divura's smile widened. "Ah, now we see. You have been ill because of your overall diet, not my sugar. The blame is misplaced."
Outside, murmurs of doubt began to rise, but Divura was not finished. She called Kaelis to fetch her ledgers and a few barrels of sugar from her stock.
"Everyone here," she announced loudly, "see these barrels? Each batch is tested before it leaves my warehouse. Nothing harmful has ever been sold. If my sugar could harm, it would harm all who use it
but countless merchants and families have used it safely!"
Lord Drestan's shadow flickered at the edge of the crowd, clearly watching from afar. He had not expected her to respond so quickly.
Divura turned back to the trembling lady. "Madam, I understand your distress. Perhaps your body reacted poorly to something else, but it is unfair to accuse others without evidence. Will you allow me to verify the sugar you used?"
The lady hesitated but handed over the remnants. Divura examined it carefully. "See here," she said, holding it aloft. "Nothing is wrong. The sugar is clean. Your illness is a coincidence, not malice. Let us be clear false accusations damage both reputation and trust."
The crowd murmured, now leaning toward Divura's side. The aristocrats' plan was unraveling.
Stepping forward, Divura addressed the onlookers. "Do not be swayed by whispers or fear. Power and wealth do not always equate to honesty. A clever mind, diligence, and truth these build real success."
By the end of the day, the aristocrats had no choice but to retreat. Their attempt to ruin her business and her name had failed, and Divura's reputation had grown stronger because of it.
Teren let out a long breath. "Lady Divura… you turned it all around. Just like that."
Divura smiled, her eyes glinting with determination. "Exactly. Let them come with their schemes. Every attempt to harm me only teaches them how clever I am. Auentia will know: Divura cannot be swayed, cannot be fooled, and cannot be broken."
And with that, she returned to her warehouse, overseeing her trade as if nothing had happened though inside, she was already planning for the next challenge.