However, before anyone could say anything else, a professor from the advanced class of the elementary academy walked over to Mirisa and Axion’s table.
“Now, we will have a short break, and then the second part will begin. It’s time to reveal the gift prepared by Prince Axion and Lady Mirisa.”
Mirisa bit her lip tightly upon seeing the professor’s gentle face. There was no more time to delay.
‘I should suggest we take a break.’
But just as Mirisa was about to stand up firmly, Axion spoke to her.
“Mirisa.”
“Yes?”
Mirisa asked back shortly and looked towards Axion.
However, Axion was not looking at Mirisa. Instead, the boy stretched out his hand and pointed at the door, saying,
“The door is opening!”
“Could it be…?”
“What’s the matter, Lady?”
Asked the professor, to which Mirisa shook her head and replied,
“No, it seems like someone is entering!”
Was it because of the earnest support of all the boys and girls?
Through the slightly opened door, the end of a red dress was glimpsed.
Her face was not clearly visible from a distance, but it was definitely her.
Meldeinik had finally arrived!
Axion’s face, which had been full of worries and concerns, brightened up.
Since it was still break time, people were talking loudly. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, Hildegard sharply caught sight of the opening door.
“Was someone else supposed to come?”
At Hildegard’s displeased words, everyone’s gaze belatedly shifted to the newly opened door.
Due to the focused atmosphere, a royal guard loudly announced.
“The lady of the Duchy of Meldenik, Babeloa, has arrived.”
People buzzed with confusion about why Meldenik was there.
“Why has she come here?”
“How dare she come all this way?”
“Perhaps she’s here to beg for an investment in her business?”
Murmurs could be heard around.
Lady Hildegard’s expression briefly twisted, but soon she smiled gracefully and fanned herself.
“My daughter, Babeloa has come. I wonder why.”
Another noblewoman continued.
“Oh my, why would she come to such a place?”
“…Because she runs a business in front of the academy.”
“What kind of ridiculous thing is she planning to do this time?”
“It’s a precious day for the children; surely, she wouldn’t…”
“We never know. Think about what she has done until now!”
Negative sentiments about Meldenik piled up in the children’s minds amid the adults’ petty gossip.
However, this did not affect Meldenik in the least.
Dressed in a seductively red gown, like red wine, Meldenik slowly made her way to the center of the hall.
Adults tried to hide their displeasure, but a small gasp of admiration came mainly from the children. Meldenik looked excessively beautiful today.
With blonde hair that hasn’t been well-maintained but still showed a fine texture, eyes as open as almonds, and lightly smiling crimson lips.
Her hair was tied up in a bun, emphasizing her beautiful neckline.
Moreover, what about the attitude?
The sight of Meldenik confidently walking towards the table where Mirisa and Axion were seated was clearly imprinted in everyone’s view.
It was completely different from the past when she used to sulk or throw tantrums and bluff.
Even a gesture of her hand was dignified and elegant, silencing everyone.
Meldenik’s appearance now was clearly imprinted in everyone’s mind. All the children present followed Meldenik with amazed eyes.
She stood near Axion and Mirisa casually and elegantly.
The first words Meldenik uttered, dominating the attention of the audience, were:
“Hello, I’m a bit late. Were you worried?”
Meldenik naturally smiled and sat down on the chair that was reserved for her.
Mirisa tightly held Meldenik’s hand and handed her a rose.
“Sister!”
“Oh, you look so, so beautiful today.”
“Like an angel!”
She skillfully accepted the rose and whispered as she smelled its fragrance.
“Thank you.”
The words of Axion and Mirisa were what all the children there wanted to say.
To the children who had not yet made their debut and entered society, Meldenik’s beauty seemed perfect.
Feeling the gaze fixed on her, Meldenik gently swept back a lock of hair that had fallen beside her ear.
“I’ve prepared something really fun for today.”
Mirisa’s eyes widened. Upon looking, Meldenik did seem a bit different from before.
“Feel free to look forward.”
Seeing Meldenik wink with one eye, Mirisa nodded her head repeatedly.
***
I looked around thoroughly.
‘Perfect.’
How much effort had been made to dominate with visuals from the first impression!
Meldenik was basically a person of very beautiful appearance. Perhaps for this reason, a little effort could elicit admiration from everyone.
Even amid piercing stares, I stood tall and composed.
‘Maybe I should hear what my clients have to say first.’
Leaning comfortably against the back of the chair, I listened carefully to the voices coming from all around.
“Can’t I go and talk to her, mother?”
A small voice filled with clear fondness was heard.
“Oh, no. I told you earlier. That person is Lady Meldenik.”
“Don’t they say she devours people? Doesn’t seem like it.”
The innocent question of the children touched my heartstrings.
‘How far has Meldenik’s infamy spread?’
Adults whispered frightening stories, keeping children from approaching me. It seemed no child dared to come near me prematurely.
‘At least they seem to like my appearance.’
My main clients are children.
Therefore, it was enough to make a somewhat impressive impression on the children alone.
‘The rest will be taken care of by the products I’ve developed.’
Looking down at the enchanted clutch placed on my lap, I smiled contentedly.
Feeling the gentle waves of pure mana swirling near my heart, I smiled slyly.
‘This amount of mana should be sufficient. Not sure if it will work as expected though.’
It seemed like a gamble. However, I had to place a bet in order to make a lasting impression.
I quietly looked around.
“Surely, in this situation, I am absolutely at a disadvantage.”
The gaze of Hildegard and Count Teln seemed to mock me, stinging my face sharply.
It was just as well, for the hall they had decorated was excessively ornate. Moreover, looking at the large table in the center and the countless sparkling clusters of welcoming stones placed on it made it even clearer.
“Those people, they really brought welcoming stones.”
Mirisa looked at me with a face full of pity.
“Once you touch a welcoming stone and see a vision, your mana increases by a whopping 5 percent.”
Axion, who was by my side, blew out his breath angrily and shouted.
“I just asked the knights! They say it’s like having a nightmare, are they all crazy?”
Do the parents here want their children to stand out more by increasing their mana, even if it means having nightmares through the welcoming stones?
“Surely, the attention on me has decreased. Well, they brought welcoming stones, after all.”
I clicked my tongue at the sight of over a hundred welcoming stones in the center of the hall.
Whether they were disposable or reusable, it must have cost a fortune to acquire so many welcoming stones.
I looked towards Hildegard. Even seated at a distance, a smirk was forming on her lips.
‘If this event fails, it would be a big blow to Lady Hildegard.’
The entire fortune of the Babeloa family comes from the decisions of the Duke of Babeloa and the Senate.
It must have been difficult to purchase welcoming stones with just a moderate amount of money.
She must have certainly borrowed funds from the Duke of Babeloa. The Duke, believing that Lady Hildegard has never failed before, would have gladly facilitated the funds.
“It doesn’t seem like it’s just a small amount.”
I glanced surreptitiously towards the Duchess of Babeloa.
She was looking down at me with Count Teln, her representative, laughing arrogantly.
As if to feel the difference between her and me.
“Shall we now check the items prepared by the Duchess Hesman and the 8th Prince?”
I stood up, clutch in one hand and the other holding Mirisa’s hand.
Axion followed me closely, trotting along. The children were focused on me with anticipation, but the parents’ attention was scattered.
Even amidst this, many were greedily focused only on the Welcoming Stone.
‘The Welcoming Stone is indeed incredible.’
But adults don’t understand.
No matter how glamorous, beautiful, and expensive the item is, cats are only interested in rustling wrappers or boxes.
Children are similar to cats. There’s only one thing that piques their interest.
Something exciting, something that looks fun.
Finally, Mirisa, Axion, and I stood firmly in the center of the stage.
Incredible…pleaseee update more