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[CHAPTER 111]
“You were going to propose to that princess?”
“No, she was just a candidate.”
“How many candidates were there…?”
It was a purely curious question, but Vincent seemed to avoid answering and stood up quietly.
As I stayed seated and looked up, he extended his hand.
“What are you doing? Come on.”
“Where to?”
Vincent gestured toward the center of the hall.
The Emperor and Empress were descending hand in hand, and other nobles walked out in pairs.
I also noticed the string musicians adjusting their posture.
“You’re lucky, Your Highness.”
I muttered as I reached for his hand, and Vincent’s lips curved into a pleased smile.
“I always am.”
Led by his hand, I stepped into the center of the hall.
With all eyes on us, music played and we moved slowly.
I thought Vincent’s emerald eyes were beautiful up close. Thinking such a leisurely thought made me realize how relaxed I had become around him.
Was it just my imagination, or did he feel the same way?
But sometimes his gaze, which had been calmly meeting mine, sharpened suddenly. It happened whenever he became conscious of the Master of the Magic Tower.
When we were close, he whispered softly.
“I wonder if Sylvia is doing well.”
“If she fails, don’t intervene.”
“…How can you say that? You know she’s the maid I brought.”
“I’ll handle that.”
I lifted my head and looked at him.
“What if helping a little could make it succeed?”
“The Master is far more dangerous than you think. It’s best not to get involved at all.”
“……”
I felt we were already involved and couldn’t bring myself to answer. Vincent no longer pressed.
However, the atmosphere between us had slightly cooled.
Still, his firm yet gentle guidance, holding my arm and leading me through the steps without force, made me want to trust him.
Not just for this moment, but for many things.
When the music ended, I lifted my dress slightly while facing Vincent. Then, holding his hand again, we returned to our original seats.
The jokes we had shared intermittently disappeared, leaving a slightly awkward atmosphere as the nobles’ donation event began.
The steward rang a bell twice, and its clear chime echoed through the hall. The murmuring stopped and all eyes turned to the center.
The Empress rose gracefully from the platform and smiled as she spoke.
“Thank you to all the distinguished guests who have honored us today. The prosperity of our empire is due to the efforts and dedication of many. Through this donation event, may your warm hearts reach all corners of the empire.”
The nobles applauded as the Empress’ dignified voice filled the hall.
The first donor stepped onto the stage: Count Berta, with a neatly groomed black beard. A steward carried a heavy black box with him.
“I am Count Berta. Today, I wish to donate three ingots of pure gold mined from our gold mine. I hope this gold will be used to establish hospitals throughout the empire.”
Following his instruction, the steward opened the box, revealing three shining gold ingots.
“Oh, how magnificent.”
“I heard the jackpot hit the mine, and it seems true.”
The hall was filled with admiration and applause for Count Berta’s generous donation.
Next came an elderly woman with silvery blonde hair.
“I am Marchioness Varens.”
She bowed elegantly and opened a small box she held.
“This set of black pearl brooches is a treasure I brought from my family home when I married. I hope the proceeds from auctioning them will help the poor.”
The brooches shimmered beautifully within the box.
“These seem like the largest pearls I’ve ever seen.”
“I wonder how much they’re worth.”
Curiosity and admiration spread through the crowd.
Subsequent donors presented paintings, ancient books, instruments, and jewels.
It seemed the nobles had carefully chosen items to donate. They could not give their most treasured possessions, nor could they risk offering something of low value. They had to select pieces worthy of praise.
Amid the murmurs about the donations, a steward’s voice rang out.
“And now, the final donor: Count Ascard.”
The hall fell silent at the announcement.
The Master of the Magic Tower, Count Ascard, slowly walked to the center of the hall. His unusually long silhouette seemed oddly imposing.
His ash-gray eyes scanned the hall, and he held up a small silver box.
“I am Count Ascard, representing the Magic Tower. Today, I present a magical tool created at the tower, which I believe will greatly assist in agriculture.”
Opening the silver box revealed a small crystal orb with metal attachments, emitting a soft, mystical red glow.
“This orb measures soil nutrients and moisture and conveys it through color. Red means critical, yellow is low, green is sufficient, and blue is excessive.”
As he explained its functions, the hall murmured in awe.
“Amazing, crop yields will surely rise.”
“But if there’s only one… and it needs magical energy to work.”
Amidst admiration and skepticism, Count Ascard continued.
“There are about fifty of these orbs. I am donating all fifty to the empire. I hope they are used effectively.”
“Fifty? That’s impressive!”
“How much would they be worth? It’s hard to gauge with a new magical tool.”
After the explanation, Count Ascard walked forward—not to the hall’s exit, but toward the platform where royalty sat.
To everyone’s surprise, he pulled out three small brooches with gems from inside his jacket.
“These are modest gifts for three noble ladies.”
He knelt and, through a steward, presented the brooches to the Empress and Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager examined hers and smiled faintly.
“It seems to smell like flowers?”
“Yes, you are correct. When worn, it gives off a subtle scent continuously, unlike perfume that fades.”
“Hmm.”
The Empress also examined her brooch and nodded calmly.
“I will accept it graciously.”
“Thank you. Ah, I almost forgot one.”
Count Ascard retrieved a brooch of the same design and approached me directly.
I reached out and received it.
The moment it touched my palm, there was a small pop, and a bouquet of flowers sprung from the air above the brooch.
“Ah.”
I looked in surprise as Count Ascard gave a mischievous smile.
“It wouldn’t be fun to give it plainly, so I added a little trick. Do you like bouquets?”
“Well…”
Before I could answer, Vincent quickly took the bouquet and handed it to a distant steward.
“Thank you, but Amelia is allergic to lilies.”
Looking closely, I realized the bouquet contained lilies. I was impressed he noticed in such a short moment.
Count Ascard touched his chin with a regretful look.
“I see, I didn’t know. Next time, I will prepare one without lilies.”
“Next time?”
“Yes, whenever that may be. Next time.”
