🔊 TTS Settings
Clatter-r-r-r-r.
With a smooth sound, the wood blinds that had filled the wall began to fold up all at once.
Those holding the handles froze for a moment.
Soon, exclamations of awe started to escape.
“Ooooooh!”
Some people covered their eyes with their hands.
The red sunset was dazzling.
“Wh-what is this…?!”
Everyone gazed beyond the blinds with looks of amazement.
“The sea…!”
The red sunset stretched across the horizon before their eyes.
The coastline, the rolling waves, the crimson sun, even the clouds filling the sky—all came alive in vivid detail.
The entire wall was glass.
Nothing obstructed their view.
The panorama was as open and refreshing as the sea itself.
It almost felt like they were standing right on the beach.
“Is… is the entire wall glass? The seams are barely visible!”
Nox stammered, and Mari smiled brightly.
“That’s right. It’s a floor-to-ceiling glass wall. It’s sturdy and thick, so there’s no need to worry about insulation.”
The success of installing such glass walls was thanks to Ludic’s craftsmanship and Dioge’s construction skills.
While full-glass buildings were common in modern times, this was the first of its kind not just in Leongrad, but across the entire continent.
“My goodness. I’ve never seen a window this large.”
“To turn an entire wall into glass…”
People tapped the glass walls lightly.
Admiration and even respect shone in their eyes.
“My idea was to let the old lady enjoy the sea anytime she wanted. But for someone lying in bed, small windows just weren’t enough.”
“That’s right. That’s why the bed was placed by the window before.”
“Yes. But during the day, the sun would shine in, and we’d have to draw the curtains.”
Nox nodded.
“So that’s why the bed was moved inward.”
“Yes. But I wanted her to still be able to see the sea clearly from inside. That’s why I thought of making the entire wall a window.”
Those who had doubted Mari’s interior design skills now erased all suspicion and cheered.
“The view is incredible!”
“It feels like we’re standing by the sea!”
“How can someone come up with such a creative idea? So the patent for the glow-in-the-dark stars wasn’t just luck.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Even Arsen doesn’t have something like this, right? They might try to buy the patent from you.”
“Well, if that’s the case… doesn’t this mean the White House heiress is basically sitting on a goldmine?”
A subtle look of awe and envy spread across the onlookers’ faces.
“I want to put blinds in my own house too.”
“Me too.”
At that moment, Edith fiddled with a diamond necklace and tilted her chin.
“Hmph. Isn’t the White House heiress more skilled in miscellaneous tricks than in interior design?”
Mari lifted her head and faced Edith squarely.
Through Edith’s shoulder, she also noticed Viscount Peridan narrowing his eyes.
“What do you mean by ‘miscellaneous tricks’?”
“Oh? Did I misspeak? I just don’t get what’s so great about this interior. Honestly, it doesn’t appeal to me.”
“May I ask what exactly you find unappealing?”
“Well… everyone has different tastes, right? I just don’t like it.”
Edith couldn’t even explain what specifically displeased her.
“But I’m a professional who studied interior design in Arsen. Ordinary people might say anything looks good, but it’s the expert’s approval that counts.”
“By expert, you mean Viscountess Peridan herself?”
“Of course. Is there anyone else in Leongrad who studied interior design all the way in Arsen?”
Considering that Mari’s presentation of the interior coincided with today’s banquet, even the Weatherwood Count would expect some kind words.
Yet Edith was intent on criticizing Mari’s design simply by flaunting her own ‘expertise.’
But Mari wasn’t about to let baseless criticism slide.
“Viscountess Peridan, may I ask you a question?”
Edith raised an eyebrow and smiled artificially.
“By all means. If my knowledge from Arsen can help, I’d be happy to assist. You’ve been cooped up at home all this time, so expert advice must be welcome, right? Hehehe.”
Everyone watched with keen interest.
“Oh, it looks like Viscountess Peridan is going to school the White House heiress with her knowledge.”
“Hmph. I think this interior is stunning, so why the criticism?”
“…Anyway, it’s true that the White House heiress has no formal training. She’s a brand-new debutante.”
Mari didn’t flinch and spoke confidently.
“Viscountess Peridan, are you designing interiors to please an expert’s taste?”
Edith’s smile stiffened.
“What… are you implying?”
“I believe interior design is about breathing life into a space. It’s about bringing energy to the lives of those who inhabit it. Do you agree?”
“Who wouldn’t know that obvious fact…”
“Then isn’t the important thing not the expert’s evaluation, but whether the owner of the space likes it?”
A hush fell over the room.
Edith glared silently at Mari, while everyone else looked to Nox, the owner.
It was Nox’s turn to speak.
“…….”
Nox struggled to calm his racing heart.
He had never imagined that Mari would go this far with the interior, especially since he hadn’t monitored the construction.
‘So this is what she meant by tearing down walls!’
Mari had shown him drawings and mentioned breaking walls, but the result surpassed his imagination.
The interior had only been an excuse to spend more time with Mari.
“Grandmother! Bring grandmother here!”
At Nox’s command, the staff wheeled in the previous countess.
The crowd parted, and the elderly lady entered, seated in a wheelchair pushed by a maid.
“…….”
Mari’s heart pounded nervously.
She was confident in her interior design, but it would be meaningless if the grandmother didn’t like it.
The grandmother knew a new room had been prepared and looked properly groomed, yet her expression was uneasy.
She seemed particularly displeased with so many people being inside her room.
Her gaze as she surveyed the room was strict.
“Grandmother, we’ve redecorated your room. How do you like it?”
The grandmother said nothing, of course.
But as she looked around, her expression began to soften.
“Hmm…”
A small sound escaped her lips.
“Ooooh…”
It came after she saw the sea and sunset before her eyes.
Even her wrinkled lips parted slightly.
“Grandmother? Do you like it?”
Everyone clearly saw the old woman’s eyes soften.
With a gesture, Nox helped her rise.
“Grandmother, would you like to lie on the bed?”
Tilting the upper part of the bed, she could see the sea even while lying down.
The red sunset painted the floor and the foot of the bed in crimson.
Despite the minimal decorations, the seaside sunset completed the bedroom’s interior.
“…….”
The grandmother’s face lit with satisfaction as she took Nox’s hand.
She slowly nodded to Mari.
Although no words were heard, her lips clearly formed “thank you.”
“I should have redecorated sooner…!”
Nox’s eyes filled with tears of joy.
Since the Arsen designers had decorated the villa, this was the grandmother’s first reaction like this.
Nox turned to Mari-Anne.
“Mari-Anne, thank you. Grandmother likes it! I love it too. This is exactly the interior we needed!”
People began to clap.
“Of course! Grandmother likes it!”
“The blinds are nice, but the open view is truly spectacular.”
“Indeed. I was worried my taste was off since the Arsen-educated experts might not approve, but it’s perfect! Hehehe.”
Edith hastily spoke.
“Of course, in the expert’s eyes…”
But Mari cut her off.
“Is an expert’s taste better than a layperson’s? Taste is just taste. There’s no need to match mine to someone else’s.”
“Ah! That’s right! Exactly!”
Edith’s confident smile wavered sharply.
Adding more would only make her look worse.
She took a deep breath and forced a calm demeanor.
“…I’m glad the grandmother likes it.”
The crowd realized the situation was resolved.
“Well, everyone. Let’s return to the banquet hall. Now that the owner has arrived, let’s leave the room to her!”
“Yes! Let’s give her time to enjoy this wonderful space!”
With bustling chatter, people exited the room.
Mari exhaled in quiet relief.
Phew, it’s a good thing the blinds arrived on time!
Judging by everyone’s reactions, the glass wall and blinds would dominate Leongrad’s interior scene for some time.
It would bring fame and income far beyond the glow-in-the-dark star patent.
But where is Calix? I want to thank him…
