Chapter 60
“Well, they’re such sensitive and finicky creatures that if they were adopted by just anyone, they’d probably end up killing each other within a month.”
As I immediately nodded in understanding, Sierra vigorously bobbed her head in agreement.
“Yeah, yeah, that’s why Magia keeps getting fooled like this but still scours every miscellaneous shop anyway.”
Sierra might feel a bit frustrated, but thanks to that, I’d been able to gain a clue.
It meant her past efforts hadn’t been in vain.
Though I couldn’t explain it all to everyone right now.
“Anyway, it’s been helpful.”
In ten days, I’d be able to place the Fairy Bloom and my summoner’s stone side by side.
If some kind of progress happened.
My heart raced with unwarranted anticipation.
But for now, there was nothing I could do anyway.
So, right now.
“What are you doing for the booth event, then?”
It was time to prevent that damned accident.
* * *
On the day of the event.
The square was lined with tents adorned with flags bearing club names.
The principle was for each club to be assigned a booth spot and showcase its unique characteristics.
Clubs that enjoyed embroidery displayed embroidered works, while those fond of swords performed sword dances or offered introductory lessons.
This event, where each club’s distinctive features shone, served as an open social venue for clubs to interact before the main auction began.
Thus, the prime spots were mostly claimed by large clubs.
Normally, a fledgling club like Magia would be relegated to a corner.
“But, you see.”
With a serious expression, I glanced at the booth next to ours.
In front of it stood a flashy flag inscribed with [Genus].
How on earth could a newbie club like ours snag a spot right next to a club that’s in the top three of the Barnard social scene?
And that wasn’t the end of it.
I turned my gaze in the opposite direction. There, a flag emblazoned with the imperial crest fluttered majestically in the wind.
Goldis, the prestigious club that only royals could join. A time-honored club that all direct and collateral imperial family members passed through.
And the president of Goldis was none other than Nanael Barnard.
‘This is a conspiracy.’
Fortunately, Nanael was nowhere to be seen at the booth.
She’d always found these official events tedious and only showed her face toward the end, so it was expected.
Plus, I’d heard her suspension had just been lifted.
Given her personality, she’d have dashed off to a shopping center rather than this stuffy event.
So, the chances of running into Nanael were slim.
But it was all too obvious who had orchestrated this mess.
I looked at Julia, who was leisurely portioning out her hand-dried tea leaves beside me.
It had to be this woman.
Having already been thoroughly burned by her in the real estate matter, I was convinced this booth assignment was no coincidence.
I plopped down in the chair in front of her and placed both fists on the table.
“Lady Julia. Is this really a leftover spot? Wasn’t this originally Plunia Club’s place?”
Plunia was a charity club that only admitted baptized devout believers.
They never missed these events, always attending to collect donations.
My reasonable suspicion, prompted by their absence, made Julia smile brightly.
“Ah, they went on a group pilgrimage this time, I hear.”
“Suddenly? I thought Plunia attended the auction event every year without fail.”
“Well, I suppose they went somewhere even more important. How could a mere lady like me fathom the hearts of the faithful? I reserved the booth because I’m close with the club president, but does the location not suit you?”
Her sparkling eyes were like a lion eyeing prey, and her leisurely curved lips resembled the sly grin of a scheming fox.
In short, it was a flawless alibi with no room for fault.
‘I’ve been had again.’
Her prepared eloquence left no grounds for rebuttal, sapping my will to argue further.
This is how terrifying the flower of high society can be.
It was on a whole different level from Nanael. At least it was somewhat harmless since she held goodwill toward me.
At that moment, Sierra, reading the atmosphere, intervened.
“Not suit us? If anything, it’s so generous we’re wondering if we can really stay here!”
“Generous? The main stage is where the leads gather, isn’t it? So, what has Magia prepared?”
Her skill at subtly shifting the topic was masterful.
Sierra said,
“Ours is themed ‘We’ll Convey What Your Pet Wants to Say on Their Behalf.'”
“What’s that?”
“There’s a branch of auxiliary magic that lets you understand animal speech. We’re telling people who are curious about what their pets are thinking all the time.”
Sierra looked at me with pride.
It had been adopted as the safest-sounding option among Sierra’s ideas.
‘At least in the original, it said an explosion happened.’
Conveying pets’ words didn’t seem likely to cause an explosion, so we’d chosen it.
It also looked fun, so maybe it would draw people.
“That’s really intriguing. Our club needs to step up its game.”
“What’s Genus’s concept?”
“Do we need a concept?”
Julia nodded toward three sharply dressed men.
Adrian, Alferen, and Aslan stood there in outfits that looked like something a butler might wear.
‘Actually, their attire has been bothering me a lot since earlier.’
It was far too luxurious to be mere butler uniforms.
Yet, the design retained that distinctive uniform feel of butler attire.
Thanks to the models wearing them, the unique design was pulled off effortlessly.
Julia continued with a refreshing tone.
“The clothes are pretty, right? They’re by a designer I’ve been keeping an eye on lately. She usually only handles women’s wear, so the design is especially bold. But that’s what I like about it.”
As Julia said, the outfits the three men wore were unisex designs that anyone could wear regardless of gender.
Especially the lace on the cuffs and cravats—it was a design so exquisite it could have been made by a refined pervert.
If it was a designer Julia had her eye on, it must be Cassandra Beige, Lottie’s mother.
‘So that’s why Lottie said she’s been busy these past few days—helping her mother.’
Encouraged by my words last time, Lottie had shown her sketches to her mother.
As a result, Lady Beige, glimpsing her daughter’s talent, had started teaching her in earnest.
It was progressing faster than in the original, but since Lottie seemed happy, it was a good thing.
‘Somehow, that design feels like it has Lottie’s touch.’
I felt inexplicably proud, even though it wasn’t my doing. I was looking forward to the dress she’d make for me too.
‘Ah, no. This isn’t the time to be pleased.’
Snapping back to reality, I confirmed with Julia.
“Don’t tell me the concept is…”
“Yes, exactly. I’m just making tea, and they’re serving it.”
That’s totally a butler café!
What lady could resist when men who are usually hard to even converse with bring out tea and smile at you?
No wonder other booths kept glancing this way even before the event started.
At first, I thought it was because some no-name club was sandwiched between Goldis and Genus.
‘But now I see—they were all eyeing those guys over there!’
On one side of the Genus booth, Lilith club members were voluntarily handing out numbered tickets to avoid confusion.
They were selling like hotcakes even before the event began.
Just then, Adrian caught my eye and winked, making me truly dizzy.
Why did our household orangutan suddenly look like a sunshine male lead from a reverse harem novel?
‘Why is he so committed to the concept?’
With his naturally outgoing and affable personality that didn’t shy away from strangers, this serving role suited him incredibly well.
At that moment, Alferen, finding the unfamiliar design constricting, loosened his cravat.
His slightly furrowed eyelids. Combined with his habitual expression when something displeased him, right in that instant.
“Kyaaah!”
One of the Lilith club members who’d been handing out tickets voluntarily let out a scream and fainted.
From her expression, it seemed like she could die happy right then.
