Morning in the Featherington household meant three things: Portia shouting, Prudence wailing, and Phillipa pretending not to hear either.
Penelope had already stitched three inches of embroidery before breakfast.
Portia Featherington swept into the room like a general entering battle.
"Penelope, dear, embroider new cuffs for your sisters' day dresses. We have reputation to consider."
Which meant: do it perfectly, quickly, and I will take the credit.
Penelope smiled sweetly. "Of course, Mama."
Inside, her reincarnated soul muttered: Level grinding again? Fine.
She flexed her fingers, feeling mana spiral into her thread as she worked.
[Unlock: Infinity Nikki — Fabric Vision Lv. 1]
The world shimmered.
Fabric textures brightened. Weaves became diagrams. Weak spots lit up gold.
She blinked. "Oh that's brilliant!"
With Fabric Vision activated, she stitched faster than any Regency girl should be able to without raising suspicion—her magic doing the micro-reinforcement work invisibly.
She worked on Prudence and Phillipa's gowns next.
A subtle posture-support enchantment woven into the seams straightened their shoulders and eased their gait. Nothing dramatic—just enough to make Portia preen when she saw her daughters standing taller.
"Marvelous work," Portia declared.
To Prudence.
To Phillipa.
Not to Penelope.
But Penelope offered only a gentle smile.
'Let her take the credit. The system remembers.'
[Secret Mission Complete: "Produce five enchanted garments undetected."
Reward: +4,000 SC
Item Gained: 'Mana Thread Spool (Medium)']
A wave of satisfaction warmed her chest. Progress. Safety. Power.
---
That evening, Penelope drifted toward her father's study.
Archibald Featherington looked tired—too tired for a man who had not yet hit the height of his gambling downfall. Quill paused mid-ledger when he noticed her.
"Penelope? Shouldn't you be with your mother?"
She shook her head, hands clasped politely. "I was thinking… I wish to help our family."
His brows shot up. "Help?"
"With embroidery. Perhaps I could earn a little… quietly."
She watched him closely.
Pride warred with shame across his face.
"You shouldn't worry about such matters," he said, voice cracking slightly. "But… if you truly wish it, I can ask my solicitor to handle commissions. Quietly. And your maid can assist you."
Penelope's breath caught.
He meant it.
Somewhere beneath the vices, he still loved his children.
"And I will keep it from your mother," he added. "You deserve an allowance of your own."
Penelope bowed her head. "Thank you, Papa."
---
Using her modern design sense, she embroidered a subtle floral pattern with elegant thread shading. Clean. Distinct. Unique.
Her father's solicitor found a buyer within a day.
[+16 SC gained.]
[System Notice]
[Your works are now circulating in the London market.
Predictive Earnings: fluctuating but promising.]
Penelope nearly squealed.
'This life… might actually work.'
Next she bought something to make her seamstress arsenal even more powerful.
[Acquired: Ascendance of a Bookworm — "Thread Purification (Low Tier)":
Allows you to refine raw materials to higher quality.]
She tested it on simple cotton, watching it whiten and become silk-smooth.
Her magic hummed. Her skill tree expanded. Her confidence grew.
And for the first time since reincarnating into 1807, she felt something like hope.