After Earl Hall turned and left, taking Hibbert with him in the lead carriage, Lady Hall and Audrey rose to invite Altair into another carriage that had been prepared in advance.
Altair gave Irene a look, signaling her to take their own carriage, before boarding the approaching carriage with the two ladies.
The carriage wheels rolled over the damp cobblestone road. The scent of tea in the cabin mingled with the faint fragrance of gardenias. The three ladies sat on the padded seats on both sides, their whispers and light laughter intertwining from time to time as the street scenery outside the window slowly receded.
Lady Hall took a sip of the Sibei Black Tea in her hand, scanned Altair once more, and smiled gently.
"A girl truly changes as she grows. Count Altair, it has only been two months since we last met. I didn't expect you to become even more beautiful than before."
"If you were wearing a moon-white dress right now, you would look like a fairy walking straight out of a painting."
Hearing this, Altair smiled and said, "Lady Hall, you flatter me. You are Audrey's Mother, and I am her friend. You can just call me by my name, Altair; there's no need for the title of Count."
After saying this, Altair added, "Lady Hall, although we've only officially known each other for two months, you are just as elegant as when we first met."
"And looking at your features, you seem even more radiant than two months ago. Time seems to have been exceptionally kind to you."
She then turned to look at the smiling Audrey and said, "When I last saw you, there was still a bit of childishness in your face. Now that the baby fat has faded, your nose has become more defined, and with your red lips and white teeth, you look like a true beauty. In another year, I'm afraid you'll become the center of attention in Backlund's social circles."
Audrey's cheeks flushed red at Altair's praise, and she lowered her head, gently twisting the ribbon at her waist.
"Sister Altair, you overpraise me. I'm not that good. On the contrary, your skin has become even more fair and translucent."
Hearing the young girl's words, Altair and Lady Hall exchanged a smile. Lady Hall then gently patted Audrey's back to soothe her.
As the three conversed, time slipped away. When the carriage entered Hall Manor and came to a steady stop, everyone stepped out in turn and entered the villa.
Since lunch wasn't fully ready yet, Audrey took Altair to her room for a chat: "Sister Altair, do you really not like my eldest brother, Hibbert?"
"Though I feel his personality and mindset are sometimes quite gloomy and overcomplicated, I don't think that stops him from having good qualities like being rational, pragmatic, and responsible."
"Hmm... I believe he has the ability to be a good husband and a good family member... So, Sister Altair, are you really not going to consider him?"
After hearing Audrey's words, Altair thought to herself, 'As expected, no one is a fool, especially the nobles.'
She helplessly reached out, tapped the young girl's nose, and said, "I understand what you mean."
"Actually, Lord Hibbert is indeed a good candidate for a political marriage in some respects."
"The negative traits you mentioned—'gloomy and overcomplicated'—are essentially because he is the eldest son of the Holst Family and the next master of the family."
"Your father is like a shining pearl before him, having built such a massive estate through his own efforts."
"If he doesn't perform well enough, it will indirectly lead all the nobles to look down on the Holst Family, thinking the family will decline under Hibbert's leadership."
"Then there's your second brother. Although he's currently in the Southern Continent and hasn't achieved anything special yet, it's undeniable that he is a source of pressure for your eldest brother. For example: the eldest son being inferior to the second son..."
"This causes negative emotions to accumulate. Since he has no way to vent, it starts affecting his personality, making him paranoid, gloomy, and irritable..."
"I suggest you indirectly remind your father, or take the initiative to counsel Hibbert and help him relax."
"This situation essentially stems from his strong sense of honor."
"I admire that about him. But unfortunately, admiration is one thing; if I had to live with someone like that, I couldn't stand it."
"He and I are simply not a good match."
"First, I have no intention of entering a political marriage. Second, our personalities clash; even for a marriage of convenience, his personality doesn't meet my requirements. Third..."
"So, stop trying to set us up. If you can, help me talk to your family."
"I think you should find a bright and cheerful girl for Hibbert. At the very least, she could influence him to some extent and help change his personality."
After listening to Altair's explanation, Audrey lowered her head slightly and fell into silence. After a moment of thought, she uttered an "Mm-hmm."
Seeing her lost in thought, Altair leaned slightly, picked up the black tea nearby, took a sip, and reminded her, "Didn't you say you had some occultism things for me to see? If we don't look now, it'll be time for lunch."
Altair's words seemed to snap Audrey out of it. Her mind immediately returned to the present, and she said with a serious expression, "Those things are in my study. Let's go see them now."
After saying that, Audrey took Altair's hand and led her toward her study.
After entering the study, she began pointing at various items and introducing them: "This armlet is from the Trunsoest Dynasty era; I haven't figured out its use yet. This crystal ornament... This brooch feels warm when worn. This one, I feel, helps with sleep. This..."
Audrey introduced her collection to Altair, category by category.
Listening to her introductions, Altair couldn't help but evaluate these 'Mystical Items': 'Ordinary pottery, an ordinary antique pearl necklace about 30 years old, a "Golden Ring" with faint spirituality engraved with the blessing of the Eternal Blazing Sun that can dispel the cold, an amulet from the Church of the Night with the effect of warding off misfortune...'
Looking at Audrey's collection, Altair couldn't help but click her tongue repeatedly. Although there wasn't a single Beyonder item—only some amulets with faint spirituality—
the proportion of genuine antiques was simply too high. The current value of these collectibles was not low; if sold, they could raise at least 10,000 pounds.'