After the meeting ends —
Kyle was shaking with rage.
Every time, his mother was the one who made all the important decisions.
So, when the knights led this time..
'I wanted it to be my own decision'
But he reaped nothing but humiliating shame, and his prestige in the capital was broken for a while.
'Fuck this'
He couldn't hold back his excitement even after he left the hall. Suddenly, Iris, who was accompanying the family, ran towards him.
“Your Highness! Your Highness, are you okay? Your face turns pale-!”
"Iris. What exactly are you doing these days?"
“……!”
Iris's face was flushed with confusion.
“I don’t understand what you mean. Your Highness, why are you looking at me so fearfully-”
“The newspapers are now buzzing with talk of ‘Mariposa’ everywhere.”
At that moment, Iris bit her lips in exasperation. It was news that really stabbed her pride.
“How long has it been since Madame Rochette last wrote about you?”
“But, Your Highness...”
“I want tangible results, Iris.”
It was literally a condescending rebuke caused by a single butterfly.
* * *
After returning from the Imperial Palace, Iris went into Iris Florin's shop and burst into tears.
"I hate you all! I really hate you!"
Prince Cale scolded me like this, how could there be no one to console me!
Usually, her grandfather or Quirn would rush to calm her down, showering her with gifts and money until she stopped crying.
But this time, no one did.
As soon as the First Prince said a few words at the meeting, they all panicked!
In the end, since she needed someone to comfort her, she called on Karkin.
"This is terrible! Really terrible, Karkin...!"
“Iris”
Karken tried to calm her down in the gentlest tone possible: “Prince Cale is always like this, isn’t he? He is a very meticulous and critical person.”
“However, to compare me to that vulgar thing.”
In fact, Iris had been feeling indescribably bitter every time she opened the newspapers lately.
The artifact maker Mariposa who suddenly appeared like a comet.
Especially when she read Madame Rochette's article, she almost went crazy with jealousy. This was the first time she had felt so much envy since her first meeting with Lilian as a child.
What's great about designing mismatched earrings?
Iris could have thought of that if only given the chance.
The spirit of protection for the safety of those with capabilities has shined.
Who is Mariposa? And when do you intend to appear again?>
The Meltant Capital was buzzing daily with questions about the identity of that hidden craftsman!
'Who is he?'
'I've never seen anyone get so much praise.'
Where can we buy them? Do you even intend to sell it?'
'For a craftsman of this caliber outside of the Teilhard family to exist is-
— ‘Lam!’
“What should I do...”
Iris mumbled anxiously as she remembered her recent gatherings.
Even the ceremony to present her new work received only normal evaluations. The next artifacts that need to be prepared are bound to be better, but Ramio's condition is very strange.
‘Oh, I will go to the capital soon.. but what should I do, Lillian says she can’t think of anything’
But when Karkin saw Iris’s face growing pale, he smiled slyly and said: “Actually, Iris, I brought someone with me to introduce you to, for fear that you would be tired.”
“Someone to introduce me to?”
“Yes, come on, come in!”
Carkin was acting arrogant; Although he knew this person through his family, he felt special simply because he was the intermediary.
At the door, a man with dark brown hair appeared who seemed adept at the art of negotiation and sales.
“Greetings, Miss Iris.”
“Who are you...?”
“My name is Sebastian. Just call me by my name, no nicknames.”
Karken snapped his fingers: “This person is from the Arkiv Guild. It is one of the most useful information guilds.”
“Information Syndicate...!”
Iris's eyes sparkled. How romantic.
“But, Karkin, how will this person benefit me? Don’t they just sell extermination or investment information and the like?”
“Here, look here, Miss Iris.”
Sebastian smiled professionally and opened a leather bag: “Information Guilds do, of course! But when it comes to investing, there is no doubt that we care about the technical aspect as well.”
“Uh…?”
“So, we also deal with drafts of artifacts like this.”
“……!”
“There are a lot of talented new craftsmen who need money immediately, Miss Iris.”
Chuck, Chuck... Sebastian started by showing me some drafts.
“Their skills have been checked at Arkiv, what do you think?”
“...it's.. it's okay!”
It just wasn't ok.
This was the first time since Lillian that she had seen someone who could think of drafts that combined artistic beauty and practical function so perfectly.
If these people had been born as members of the Iris Family, they would have lived well long ago.
‘Being born into a good family is a skill in itself, what do we do’
Iris was excitedly examining the charts, and suddenly she thought: 'If I use this... won't they catch me slipping up later?'
Also, if she shows extreme fascination, she will appear as if she has no value in herself, and as if she cannot do anything on her own.
Iris returned the plans affectionately: “Thank you for showing me these exciting things, but Iris can do all this on her own.”
Iris answered arrogantly, so Sebastian continued skillfully and professionally: “Of course I know that, Miss Iris. These drafts are just ‘for your information’ only.”
“Hmm...”
“And your taste in choosing is a talent in itself; a precious stone, no matter how rare it is, will remain just a rock if it does not find someone to appreciate its value.”
“…Oh my God. Since you said that, I have to appreciate your effort.”
Iris's mood improved slightly hearing this compliment, which she had been missing lately.
Then, the man disguised as Sebastian smiled politely: “Thank you, Miss Iris. I assure you, it is the best choice.”
* * *
This time Gerard came to the reception room of the castle, and not to the cellar.
Based on his agreement with Lilian, he had to come and report directly in case there were results.
Lillian was stunned when she saw the man with red hair tied back and returned without any trace of injury.
'Oh, his ability to recover is truly amazing...'
She changed her mind when she saw him limping slightly while walking.
He certainly would not have come out of the cellar completely safely.
However, Gerard greeted her with a wide smile: “Greetings, Miss.”
"Mr. Gerard. Welcome. Did you successfully deliver the drafts to Iris?"
“Yes”
“How many drafts did you take?”
“She took all the drafts I showed her.”
“…….”
Gerard's report had a hidden tone of sarcasm, as if he did not believe what had happened.
Just then, Lillian scratched her temple with the tip of her finger.
She's really trying to live efficiently without putting in the slightest effort...
In a sense, this is truly amazing...