Givenchy's Legacy

Jonchet Castle at night.

In a cool garden pavilion, Givenchy and Philippe Vignette were resting, admiring the moon and waiting for someone.

Henry arrived late, carrying a bottle of champagne and three wine glasses. The champagne was brought by Givenchy's butler, and Henry, taking advantage of the situation, naturally poured some for the two elderly people first.

Givenchy looked at Henry with a strange expression and said, "Looks like your girl has a lot of grievances today. Finished venting?"

Henry chuckled awkwardly. For a weak Kryptonian like Charlize Theron who was dragged into a guest room and cuddled and kissed as soon as she returned to the castle, she was quite wild today.

One drawback of the castle is that it's not very soundproof. If someone shouts loudly, the echo will probably reverberate throughout the entire castle.

Henry could only try to smooth things over, saying, "It seems Charlize was quite upset by Cruella de Vil today. I can understand why that lady, despite being very talented, isn't very well-liked."

"So? Their collaboration fell through?"

"No, it seems like they've reached an agreement. The contract will be officially signed tomorrow. They clearly dislike each other, but it seems like they've become each other's last lifeline. However, the future looks rather bleak."

"Do you know the difference between a profession and a career, Henry?" Givenchy suddenly asked a completely unrelated question.

Henry shook his head, wanting to see what the difference was between the two.

Givenchy said, "Professionalism is being highly skilled in a certain field. But a career is being able to put aside personal likes and dislikes and cooperate with anyone."

"To use an example you should be most familiar with, it's like Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in the movie Gone with the Wind."

Even though they disliked each other so much that they ate garlic before filming a kissing scene, they could still kiss with the sweetness of lovers in front of the camera.

"While Cruella de Vil has many flaws, her professionalism is undeniable. What If...? Charlize can do the same, and with your help, I believe she will achieve great things in the future."

No, actually she can do just fine without me.

Henry thought to himself, but he was still pleased that his girl had been praised, so he raised his glass to Givenchy, Givenchy drank with Philippe Vigne.

However, after taking a sip of champagne, Givenchy lightly touched her husband's hand, and her life partner understood and walked away, keeping a distance from the two of them.

Givenchy then said, "Henry, the reason I've called you here so late is because I have an inheritance I wish to pass on to you."

Startled, Henry took a small step back, his hands covering his chest. "Xiang, Givenchy, you're still alive and kicking! What do you want to give me?"

"Actually, if you're willing, you can sell your own brand even if you don't stay with the LVMH Group. But if you want to continue being a designer, there are always ways you can find."

"Like Carl Lagerfeld, whom I only met during the day, he not only served as the creative director of Chanel, but also energetically managed his own eponymous brand, and also served as the designer for Fendi in Italy and Chloé in France."

"That man is only five years younger than you. If he can do it, surely you can too. Actually, I think your decision to retire last year was a bit hasty."

Givenchy, with a bitter face and an awkward smile, said, "I thought you could understand. In '93, before spring had even arrived, my inspiration felt like it had been buried."

"I tried my best to keep going for two years after that, but I just couldn't keep going. I couldn't squeeze anything out of my dried-up inspiration, so I decided to retire."

Ah, the day the lady passed away.

Perhaps Audrey Hepburn initially had to ask Givenchy for help to find a dress that was both satisfactory and appropriate for her film.

Later on, Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn seemed to complement each other, making it difficult to say who helped the other more. Their friendship was also exceptional.

Recalling that period, Henry's face turned bitter and nostalgic. He clenched his fist and placed it on his heart, saying, "Yes, that void in one's heart isn't so easily filled. But those who are alive still have to keep going, don't they?"

"That's right. But I still hope that some memories can continue to be passed down." As he spoke, Givenchy took out a handwritten piece of paper and placed a half-empty bottle of perfume on top of it.

The perfume bottle has some history, but it's remarkably well-sealed; at least Henry's dog-like nose couldn't detect the scent from this distance. The bottle's exterior is very smooth and rounded, as if it had been polished by hand. However, glass bottles don't usually develop a patina.

The writing on the paper was in French, detailing the perfume formula. The paper and handwriting weren't as old as the perfume bottle, but they were still written on some time ago.

Givenchy pushed the two items towards Henry. "This is what I hope you will accept."

Since he specifically requested something for himself, Henry didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up the perfume bottle, shook it gently, and then brought it close to his nose to take a sniff.

The smell surprised Henry. "This is—?"

"As long as I don't acknowledge it as such, it isn't!" the white-haired old man said firmly.

Henry's exceptional sense of smell could not possibly have led him to mistake it. This was Audrey Hepburn's favorite perfume.

A special flavor created by Givenchy just for her.

In 1954, during a visit to Givenchy's perfumery laboratory, Audrey Hepburn happened to smell a certain scent and fell in love with it. Givenchy then gifted the perfume to Audrey Hepburn, sealing the formula to make it her exclusive personal fragrance.

Although it took Audrey Hepburn's approval three years later for the perfume to be named "L'INTERDIT" and launched on the market.

But!

However, as Audrey Hepburn's last assistant, Henry can say with certainty that the commercially available L'Interdit perfume and the one Hepburn used smelled different!

The real "Les Château de Interdit" perfume was never released; it was just two top players fooling the world.

Although the difference is very small, perhaps only a professional perfumer can tell the difference, and the average person would hardly be able to perceive the difference between the two, different things are still different.

Now that the real thing is right in front of me, it goes without saying what the recipe is written on that piece of paper.

Givenchy's gaze lingered gently on the paper containing the perfume formula, and he said, "Audrey is no longer here, and I haven't made this perfume in a long time."

"What you have in your hand is the only stock I have left, something I kept from before. This formula is also unique; I destroyed all the others."

"I once thought of taking this perfume to my grave. But then I remembered that Audrey had secretly told me that you could tell the difference between the commercially available 'L'Interdit' and this perfume."

"What If...? anyone still remembers this scent, it would be a shame to bury it with me in my grave. I would much rather someone remember this perfume for me, and remember the beautiful lady who bathed in its fragrance."

"This person can't just be anyone; it has to be someone Audrey and I both know, someone who knows our story. What If...? it's you, I'm willing to preserve this flavor."

"No, I should say it has to be you, Henry. You are my only choice, and I don't want to leave this legacy to anyone else."

What If...? you don't accept it, its only destination will be my grave.

Givenchy carefully placed the formula back on the table and continued, "Now that I've given it to you, how are you going to use it?"

I have no objection.

"But my only humble request is that if you wish to make it public, please do so after my death. Until then, please let it remain the unique scent of Audrey."

Henry accepted the perfume and formula, saying, "I understand. I will accept it as your legacy. However, I will not use it for any profit-making business. I will only preserve this memory until I pass away."

"Thanks."

"Does Mr. Vincent know about this?" Henry asked again.

Relieved of his worries, Givenchy said happily, "He knows, I told him. But I have enough to leave him; he doesn't need this one more."