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chapter 12
Should I get closer to him?
I squinted my eyes and looked at Rafael’s back, thinking.
“Of course, cold handsome men are beautiful.”
But!
After two weeks, my self-delusion had shifted into full-blown mental defeat.
“At this rate, it really feels like we’re just breathing side by side, stuck like this.”
The only consolation was that the <Epinethia Salon> was steadily and splendidly rising.
I was bored.
And I wanted to see Rafael.
In my previous life, if I saw a building being constructed like this, Rafael would…
“What are you looking at over there?”
He had shown some curiosity.
I humbly explained to him:
“The construction methods used here are state-of-the-art, so they can shorten the building period by about 20%. Especially in preventing cracks due to temperature changes…”
“…Impressive. I don’t fully understand since I haven’t studied much, though.”
“Even your face shows that you’ve learned a lot. If you, Rafael, are the blueprint, it would be a perfect plan crafted by a master.”
I remember the moment his face came close to mine.
At that time, I had spoken boldly, but I turned bright red and ran away out of embarrassment.
“Now I won’t run. No, rather… huhu…”
But ironically, my laugh had no effect—now Rafael was the one avoiding me.
“This unrequited love can’t go on like this!”
It was time for a more strategic approach.
Suddenly, a grand ambition from my past popped into my mind.
“Once I become completely close friends with Mrs. Isidel Kairosen! I’ve just planned to approach her husband strategically.”
At the same time, I recalled the threat Mrs. Isidel had made.
“There’s no guarantee the building will be perfectly constructed according to the plans. If it doesn’t please me, I will demolish it even after completion. And all the construction costs will be recorded as your debt. Will you still do it?”
If I put all these pieces together…
“One picture is complete.”
My mind started spinning quickly.
Just before I could barely breathe from wanting to see Rafael,
The <Epinethia Salon> was finally completed after a whole month.
“Indeed, the power of magic combined with architectural magecraft is magnificent.”
With modern technology, it would have taken at least six months, but thanks to the advanced construction methods and developed magecraft, the speed was incredible.
“A tea party to celebrate the completion of the <Epinethia Salon>?”
“Yes. I want to host a party to showcase the salon to everyone now that it’s complete.”
Mrs. Isidel’s eyes gleamed like a lazy black panther as she flipped her dark hair.
“Do you even know what you’re saying?”
“Yes, I do. I’m officially challenging the northern social circle.”
“Hmph, maybe so. But have you forgotten what I said? That day, if the completed building doesn’t please me, not only will you be in debt, you’ll be humiliated as well.”
“Yes. I’m so used to humiliation that I don’t think my liver will even notice it!”
“……”
“Really…”
Mrs. Isidel was at a loss for words again.
She set her teacup down with a clatter and looked at Serentia.
A scruffy-looking dog she must have picked up somewhere, yet trying to be competent too?
And daring…
Daring to conquer the northern social scene as well? Competent yet arrogant?
But she was curious. What exactly was she thinking?
“Hmph, fine. Very well. Let’s make the party grand.”
Under Mrs. Isidel’s sharp gaze, Serentia began carefully sorting the invitations.
As her fingers moved skillfully, a familiar name caught her eye.
Lady Terra.
She was Serentia’s younger sister and the one who had exploited her, a friend of Evelyn.
She often said to Serentia:
“How is it that you’re such a disgrace to your family? I mean no malice, I’m just curious!”
She would say this with a smiling face, and three seconds later Serentia would always realize it was a subtle jab.
Serentia smirked slightly.
“This completion party… might be more spectacular than I thought.”
Especially, it could strengthen the bond between Rafael and me…!
A few days later.
The ladies invited to the <Epinethia Salon> completion tea party entered Kairosen Castle in small groups.
They whispered among themselves, half in anticipation, half in excitement.
“The architect of this salon is the future Grand Duchess, Miss Serentia Rosemary!”
“Really? Amazing… She comes from a renowned architectural family, right?”
At that, Terra’s lips pursed.
She was Evelyn Rosemary’s classmate at the Academy of Architecture and a close friend in her own way.
Evelyn had said that her sister didn’t even properly graduate from the academy and was extremely stupid.
“Well… I heard that woman was dull. That she participated in the design might be exaggerated… Ah, I mean no malice in what I’m saying, you understand?”
Her lips curved slightly upward.
Spreading malicious gossip about others seemed quite entertaining to her.
As people began to suspect her words…
They finally arrived in front of the <Epinethia Salon> at Kairosen Castle.
But…
“The wall color of the salon is unusual?”
A young lady’s curious comment drew everyone’s gaze to the salon’s exterior.
The <Epinethia Salon> was three stories tall.
Its overall exterior was a striking black, like Mrs. Isidel, the black panther.
Including the garden, each floor had its own theme.
The garden was set up for outdoor tea time, the first floor was a dance hall, the second floor had tea rooms and a poker room for social gatherings, and the top third floor was a secret place for the madam.
After the butler carefully showed each completed floor to them,
They arrived at the tea room where Mrs. Isidel and Serentia were waiting.
Mrs. Isidel greeted the guests and asked:
“This salon was built by Miss Serentia Rosemary here. It was perfectly constructed according to the plans. What do you all think?”
Terra glanced at Serentia.
A delicate face and frail figure.
“Not much has changed. She still looks so weak.”
As she clicked her tongue internally, the young lady spoke warmly:
“It’s really beautiful and bright!”
“I thought it would be dark because of the wall tone, but the light really brings it out beautifully.”
The elegantly dressed socialites spoke, and Serentia smiled humbly.
A face of someone who had always stayed behind others.
Terra sneered inwardly.
“Oh, I heard that Miss Serentia did outstandingly at the Academy of Architecture. Is that why?”
This was a subtle dig implying that Serentia had actually ranked last at the academy.
If it were the Serentia I knew, she would belatedly understand my meaning and start to tear up…
“Yes, I was an outstandingly talented individual. Though it’s embarrassing to say it myself!”
…What?
