Chapter 14

In the meantime, the carriage smoothly reached its destination and entered a bustling, glamorous downtown area.

"There's the Saintrio Hotel!"

The Saintrio Hotel was a large building that encompassed everything from department stores to theaters.

The auction was scheduled to take place in the hotel's largest party hall.

"We have arrived, Miss."

In front of the hotel, carriages with various seals lined up.

Among them, my personal carriage stood out.

The murmurs of nobles smoking outside with their windows open reached my ears.

"Ho, quite a splendid carriage. Could it be that a member of the royal family has arrived?"

"That's not the case. Judging by the seal, it's the Squaire family."

"Then could it be...?"

As the carriage door opened, a hotel staff member waiting outside brought out a velvet-covered footstool.

I took the hand of the knight who had approached and stepped down onto the footstool, then onto the ground.

When I finally lifted my head, I could see numerous gazes piercing me like arrows.

Indeed, Thérèse, with her quiet demeanor, exuded an overwhelming presence.

The staff member, aware that his counterpart was a complete fool, still kissed her hand with a composed face.

"I have been waiting for you, Lady Thérèse Squaire. Please follow me this way."

Nod.

I moved silently, maintaining a haughty expression.

In truth, I was secretly thrilled by the explosive attention I was receiving for the first time.

I wanted to quickly hide where no one could see me.

"I heard she was coming today, but I didn't think it would be true."

"How can that dress sparkle so beautifully? The afterimage is like a fairy!"

The nobles were busy gossiping about Thérèse, omitting the subject.

"Every time, whether it's a dress or a carriage, she goes to such lengths to draw attention. It's quite impressive."

"From what I know, a dress like that would cost as much as a castle. Who could bear such a luxurious woman?"

I stopped and looked at the last two speakers, whose words were the most irritating.

"...Ahem!"

They turned their heads, looking flustered.

They were extras, clearly not important, and I had no memory of them.

'Do they dare to challenge an antagonist with dozens of death routes?'

The knight asked politely.

"Shall I drag them by the hair?"

"…No."

Indeed, a knight of an antagonist?

He was saying things that were out of his mind without hesitation.

'The maids are all fine, though.'

Ding!

[Throne 'Prohunser' has donated 1,000 coins.]

[Such people will only lower your reputation if you let them. I've seen it.]

I didn't intend to use direct violence, but I couldn't just let it go.

A life as a time bomb wasn't bad.

I told the maids,

"Find out which family they belong to and tell them that if they meet me in places I frequent, I will have their names removed from the list of nobles."

Forgiveness was not mercy; not killing was the antagonist's mercy.

The maid looked impressed.

"You are so kind and generous, Miss. I will handle it as you said."

The hotel staff member, who was guiding us, blinked, unsure if he was being sincere.

I looked at him haughtily.

"Why aren't you guiding me to the VIP room?"

"...I apologize. Please follow me."

Ding!

[Throne 'CiderPass' has donated 1,000 coins.]

[100% Refreshing Broadcast]

I soon arrived at the waiting room, which was only provided to VIPs among the many nobles attending the auction.

"I will wait outside. If you need to deal with anyone, please call me, Miss."

"Alright."

The knight couldn't enter, so I went into the waiting room with only the maids.

Though called a waiting room, it was essentially a private banquet hall.

'This is why I spent so much money to become a VIP at the Saintrio Hotel.'

There were clear hierarchies even among the upper class.

These people had essentially paid to own this space.

'Sure, money and power are good. I should come to such places more often.'

The vivid colors of the lighting, the elegant indoor music, and the floral scent tickling my nose were all refined to suit the tastes of the nobility.

"Only a prominent family would dare to come here!"

"I had only heard about such a small banquet hall, but it's amazing."

The maids, who would not have experienced the upper-class culture without me, looked enchanted.

I told the maids, who had worked hard all day,

"You don't need to serve me here, so enjoy yourselves. Just don't drink too much."

The maids smiled brightly, like flowers blooming.

"I'll be nearby, so call me anytime, Miss."

I nodded and made room for them.

'I'm so hungry.'

The only food I had eaten today was a little biscuit and a glass of juice.

Even in the VIP waiting room, filled with prominent nobles, few would be of higher status than Thérèse.

Thus, no one could casually approach Thérèse unless they had a close relationship.

However, there are always impulsive people.

I saw some cunning-looking nobles who recognized Thérèse smiling at me.

'Ugh. I don't want to get involved.'

I pretended not to see them and focused on filling my plate.

I wanted to eat without being disturbed by strange people.

Thump.

At that moment, my shoulder slightly bumped into someone who was also filling their plate.

"Tsk, who doesn't even look where they're going... Gulp!"

The person turned pale and dropped the plate they were holding.

I quickly stepped back.

'Almost got my dress stained.'

The person trembled like a leaf and stammered excessively.

"T, T, T, Thérèse, m, m, my lady! I, I, I, I apologize!"

It looked like I had done something to them, like causing them to go bald.

I somehow knew who this man was.

"Fabio Young?"

"Yes, yes!"

'Sure enough.'

How could he be so timid? He looked at least ten years older than Thérèse, yet he was so intimidated.

I spoke with a disapproving tone.

"Apology accepted. You can go now. We're not on good terms, after all."

"Thank you. I will never forget this kindness, even if I die!"

He then left the VIP waiting room.

The male nobles who had been approaching me cleared their throats and returned to their seats.

Not only them, but other nobles nearby also seemed to be moving further away from me.

Beyond a time bomb, I was almost treated like a plague...

'Using the space widely makes it comfortable and good.'

I could eat leisurely without being disturbed by anyone.

"Oh, Lady Thérèse? I see you here!"

While eating my third bowl of strawberry sorbet for dessert, someone greeted me.

Turning around, I saw three noblewomen approaching me.

"Have you been well? You look perfectly beautiful today."

'Who are they?'

Even as a game developer, I couldn't recognize characters I hadn't created.

'Fortunately, Thérèse is set to be a complete fool who doesn't recognize anyone below her. It should be fine to let it pass, right?'

But my thoughts were overturned by one character.

"Many familiar faces. May I join your conversation?"

"Ah, Lady Chati. Of course."

I looked at the very strict and stern noblewoman.

'Lady Chati.'

Lady Chati was the mistress of a viscount's household but had a noble lineage as her mother was of royal blood.

She was also a highly influential etiquette teacher in society, and ladies who received her teachings became truly refined.

Therefore, she was supposed to be the etiquette teacher for Livi.

'Thérèse's bad reputation makes this process difficult. I need to complete quests to win her favor.'

If I gave a bad impression here, it might become impossible to have her as an etiquette teacher.

Then Lady Chati greeted me first.

"It's been a while, Miss Thérèse. Nice to see you."

Ding!

[Quest: Proceed with proper etiquette greetings]

Lady Chati → ?? → ?? → ??

▸ Reward: Increase in social reputation

▸ Failure: Decrease in social reputation

※ If social reputation falls below a certain level, you cannot meet the emperor.

'...Why a puzzle game all of a sudden?'

It was clear from the situation alone that I should greet Lady Chati first, the highest-ranking person, without the quest window.

The problem was the other three.

I didn't know their names or titles.

'I wish they would give me some hint!'

Ding!

[New items are available in the shop.]

The shop notification appeared for the first time.

The timely notification made me think there must be something useful.

'Shop.'

▼

[Shop]

▹Wish Grant [1,000,000,000 coins]

: Grants one wish.

▹Character Check [5,000 coins]

: Allows you to check information on any character you have met. (Includes Thérèse's perspective before possession)

▹Intermediate Etiquette [9,900 coins]

: Allows you to use appropriate etiquette based on the situation.

▲

This is it!

'How much sponsorship do I have?'

[Sponsorship: 98,900 coins]

It was still a small amount, but the shop items weren't too expensive to be a burden.

'Buy [Character Check] and [Intermediate Etiquette].'

[You have acquired new skills.]