NOVEL NEXT Chapter 212
[The Constellations are curious about BJ’s thoughts.]
“
Uh
… well…
um
…” I pretended to be pondering to avoid answering a difficult question and stood up from my seat. Then, I stealthily moved to open the liquor storage.
“Shall we think it over while drinking?”
The ladies exclaimed in delight at the sight of a room filled with various types of alcohol.
“My goodness! There’s every kind of alcohol here!”
“Let’s take turns picking bottles and bringing them to the table~!”
“Yes~!”
Everyone seemed to forget their curiosity about my potential suitors as they cheerfully picked up bottles of alcohol. It was nice that they were simpleton.
Raul had strictly told me to drink only a little in the evening, but I had planned to drink a few bottles lightly.
Let’s see how long we can drink starting from now.
“A party isn’t complete without alcohol! I knew something was missing!”
“Of course. How could our Lady Theresa be so well-prepared? Truly the wisdom of Valhalla’s top student!”
“Top student! Top student! Top student!”
Ding!
[Constellation ‘As Long As It’s Not Me’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[The chairman would grab the back of his neck if he heard this.]
The ladies excitedly opened the strongest bottles first.
“Pour it! Drink!”
Witnessing this, I concluded my calculations neatly. Today would not end until everyone is dead.
* * *
“
Ugh
, I’m dying…”
As I lay on the bed like a zombie, Eloise brought me honey water, shaking her head. “You were supposed to visit Madame Shati’s mansion today. Are you really okay like this?”
To become the flower of the social season, one of the essential conditions was Madame Shati’s favorability. Since I needed to gain a good reputation from her before the summer ball began, I had arranged to meet her.
It was fortunate that Madame Shati readily agreed to the visit since it’s usually hard to schedule an appointment with her.
Unfortunately, the appointment was set for the day after the wild alcohol party with Clybe.
Eloise didn’t stop nagging. “There’s no one else but you ladies who would empty the liquor storage overnight.”
“Considering the number of Clybe members, it’s obvious they would drink that much…”
“Clybe?”
“No, Ther—
Ugh
!”
Ugh
. I almost threw up just talking about it.
Seeing me collapse from the hangover, Eloise looked worried. “The magic flowers arrived at the farm early this morning. You need to check them. Are you okay?”
“What can I do? I need to check… Making excuses won’t get the work done.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Boomer Theresa’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[If you sleep all you need and play all you want, when will you work?]
Eloise started to help me get ready while chattering away. “Anyway, the news about the summer party at the annex has already spread in the social circles because of Milady’s fan club’s large membership. Everyone was curious about the device installed there.”
Indeed, seasonality is a very important element in any place. Especially for parties, seasonal visual elements are crucial, so the summer party at the annex seemed likely to be popular. The news didn’t stop there.
“Also, I heard from the workers who came from the farm today that all the dungeons nearby have been cleared. That’s really fortunate, isn’t it?”
“Right. Even if the dungeons have disappeared, we still need to be concerned about the farm’s safety.”
“Of course. How can our Milady be busier during the vacation than during the school term!”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Materialism’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[You have to row when the water comes in.]
I finished getting ready and checked my reflection in the mirror. The light and fluttery dress, along with a cute hairstyle, made me look overall very fresh.
“It looks fresh. Let’s go check on the magic plants first.”
“Yes? What about your meal?”
“I’ll eat after checking.”
I headed to the greenhouse with Eloise, where the newly cultivated magical plants were all enchanting and beautiful. Some were even cute.
They all look fine to me, but which plants should I select?
Euges emphasized choosing pretty ones, which gave me a headache.
I told the servant in charge of floral decorations, “Can you make the most abundant bouquet possible with these magical flowers?”
“Yes, Milady.”
Since I had an appointment with Madame Shati, I planned to gift her a bouquet and ask for advice on what would suit Euges’s taste.
“Sister!”
Then, Libby came to the greenhouse. Turning towards the source of her voice, I saw Libby dressed freshly.
Whose daughter is she to be so pretty?
Seeing Libby made me smile unwittingly.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Absolutely Protect Squire’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[The world’s most adorable sisters 8_8]
We were both invited by Madame Shati and planned to go there together in a carriage.
“Why did you come so early when we still have time before heading to Madame Shati’s mansion?” When I asked, Libby looked slightly nervous.
“I was a bit nervous… I thought I’d feel better with Sister around.”
Libby, perhaps due to her background of growing up among commoners, was particularly insecure about her etiquette.
“You’re much more graceful than I am, so don’t worry.”
“Sister, really.”
It seemed she took my words as encouragement, but sadly, this was the truth.
I’m still at an intermediate level in etiquette.
On the other hand, Libby had diligently attended etiquette classes at school and received an A grade.
How long will I stay at an intermediate level? I have to meet the emperor at the imperial palace tomorrow.
So far, I’ve been lucky that my intermediate level of etiquette hasn’t angered Euges, but I have no guarantee that he will continue like that. Of course, I could learn etiquette without relying on skills, but I had no desire whatsoever to become an empress and didn’t want to spend time on such matters. If I could buy skills at the store, great; otherwise, I’d just have to avoid Euges as much as possible so as not to encounter him.
Isn’t the store managed by Ozworld? I haven’t heard anything from him.
It had been days since we returned to the capital, but I hadn’t heard anything about Ozworld.
What is he preparing that he’s been so quiet?
I sighed while glancing at the ruby ring I’d grown accustomed to.
* * *
Madame Shati welcomed us very warmly. “Come in.”
“It’s an honor to be invited. And this flower is a visiting gift.”
“Oh my.” Madame Shati was delighted with the magic flowers glowing softly. “Bring the flowers in a vase.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Follow me, young ladies.”
Madame Shati led us to a room with a view of a splendid garden. She then pointed to a grand piano in the room. “This piano is my most cherished collection. When my wrist condition is not bad, I often play for guests.”
I sincerely admired the piano.
I knew Madame Shati could play a few instruments, but I didn’t know she collected them.
Moreover, the piano looked very fine, something befitting she would be proud of.
When I was Shin Jiwoo, one of my siblings majored in piano. He often practiced on the living room piano, ignoring the perfectly good soundproof room, so even I, a classical music novice, could distinguish between Chopin, Bach, and Tchaikovsky.
Come to think of it, I gained piano-playing skills as a reward last time.
I had lost interest in musical instruments after causing a commotion by touching a piano out of curiosity when I was young.
Who knew I’d have a connection with the piano in my life.
“Madam, where should we place the vase?”
While we were admiring the piano, a servant had already beautifully arranged the magical flowers in a vase. Madame Shati instructed to place it on the table and then invited us to sit.
“Sit here. Our chef prepared some cute snacks, knowing young ladies were coming.”
True to her words, the table was filled with snacks that were too cute for an elderly lady’s tea party, as if they were specially prepared for a granddaughter. Libby was very happy, finding all the snacks too pretty to eat.
“Thank you for your consideration, Madame.”
Madame Shati smiled softly at Libby’s innocent reaction. Then, looking at the vase on the table, she addressed me. “I’m not well-versed in magical flowers, but these are all new to me. I heard that Lady Theresa runs a magic farm. Are these flowers cultivated there?”
“Yes. They’re newly cultivated in my farm’s laboratory, so it’s your first time seeing them. They’re intended for the imperial palace, but I wanted to gift them to you first because they’re beautiful.”
Madame Shati looked more carefully at the flowers in the vase after hearing they were intended for the imperial palace. She then nodded with a smile. “
Hmm
, these are for the imperial palace, you say?”
“Yes.”
“The flowers all look elegant, fitting for the majesty of the imperial palace. His Majesty will surely be pleased.”
If Madame Shati is so confident, it means the flowers would likely meet Euges’s standards as well.
While I was inwardly relieved, Madame Shati asked curiously. “I’m curious, will Lady Theresa personally present these flowers to His Majesty?”