36

2. Holding a jewel that doesn’t belong to me

Honestly, I didn’t take Dante’s words about hosting my debutante party at face value.

He faithfully kept his promise.

It all started when,

“Miss Elze.”

While Liam trailed behind me like a puppy, he began explaining various things.

“The head chef in charge of cooking has been decided as the executive chef of Leventra Restaurant.”

What did he say?

I doubted my ears for a moment.

Leventra Restaurant.

The head chef in charge of the imperial palace’s cuisine, and the Leventra marvel, who gained a noble title with just one dish, had independently established a high-end restaurant.

Since he operated it under his own name, it was only natural that the executive chef was Leventra marvel.

“Are you talking about Leventra marvel?”

“Yes.”

I swallowed dry saliva.

Leventra Restaurant is a place where it’s difficult to even make a reservation, and he went ahead and hired that person.

How far does Dante’s skill extend?

However, Liam didn’t bat an eye and moved on to the next matter.

“And we’ve decided to source food ingredients and alcohol from the top of Odne Food Supplies. Since they’ve assured us, the quality will be guaranteed.”

Odne Food Supplies.

I had heard that name a few times.

No wonder, because that top…

“If you mention Odne Food Supplies, are you talking about the branch of Schmaikel top?”

Benedict owned the top, that’s why.

Meanwhile, in response to my question, Liam raised his eyebrows as if surprised.

Well, that kind of reaction is somewhat understandable.

The original Elze was only interested in consumption, not caring where the things she consumed came from.

“Yes, that’s correct. If it’s Schmaikel’s top, we can trust both the delivery speed and quality.”

“I see.”

I nodded my head and fell into thought for a moment.

Suddenly, Benedict came to mind.

‘Come to think of it, Benedict mentioned that he’s currently raising stock prices.’

Taking my advice, Schmaikel’s top didn’t get involved in the dispute in the Romdio Territory.

In return, they were thriving.

Several mid-level tops who tried to undermine Schmaikel’s top at every opportunity got involved in the Romdio Territory dispute and ended up in ruins.

Naturally, Schmaikel didn’t miss the opportunity to absorb those tops.

As those mid-level tops were quite lucrative, Schmaikel’s influence in the imperial rankings became even more solid.

At that moment, Liam spoke up.

“And Miss Elze, a gift has arrived for you.”

“For me?”

It’s strange; I don’t have anyone sending me gifts.

I felt a bit puzzled.

As if he could read my mind, Liam added mysteriously.

“Yes. It’s a 25-year-old Solomon, and the sender is Count Rüneburg.”

If it’s Solomon 25-year-old, it’s the highest quality liquor priced like a farmhouse near the capital.

Usually, a lady celebrates her debutante party, toasts, and congratulates herself when she comes of age.

It could be considered a gift with some sense.

But more surprising than the liquor was the sender.

‘Benedict?’

I blinked my eyes blankly.

“He expressed his gratitude for facilitating a large deal with Marquis Offenheir and congratulated you on your debutante party.”

“Well, then, shouldn’t the gift be received by the Marquis rather than me?”

After all, it was Dante who spent the money.

Liam shrugged his shoulders in response.

“In any case, you were the reason for the deal, Miss Elze. I’ll make sure to place the liquor in the banquet hall.”

“Well, okay.”

I nodded.

I thought Liam’s business might be over at this point, but…

“Oh, right. I have something to tell you about the banquet hall.”

It doesn’t seem like nothing.

“What is it?”

“Marquis mentioned that he will open the townhouse of the Marquis Offenheir for this debutante party.”

“….”

I paused for a moment.

If Dante wanted to throw my debutante party with money, there was room for understanding.

Dante was typically a person who rotted away with money but didn’t have time.

You could say he bought dignity and time with money.

“So, naturally… I thought this banquet hall would be borrowed from the Jade Hotel.”

Of course, Dante’s hotel ownership wasn’t something I cared about.

From Dante’s perspective, he would try to categorize our relationship as ‘private and trivial.’

So I thought I could overlook having a debutante party at just about any hotel.

However…

“He said he would open the Marquis Offenheir’s townhouse?”

Until now, it had been somewhat burdensome, but I could somewhat keep a straight face.

But this seemed really unlikely.

Of course, the townhouse was a private space where members of the family resided.

“Can you really open the Offenheir townhouse?”

I cautiously asked.

“Of course, Marquis has been very considerate to me, which I truly appreciate, but…”

I, who had blurred my words for a moment, continued.

“I think the weight of a hotel banquet hall and a townhouse is different, don’t you?”

That’s right.

The hotel banquet hall could be easily summarized as ‘putting some effort into it for the sake of former toys.’

However, opening the Marquis Offenheir’s townhouse meant an entirely different significance.

Of course, Dante himself would probably open the family townhouse due to his unique caprice, but…

‘At least there’s plenty of room for interpretation from the outside.’

The imperial nobles likely think that Dante is really taking our relationship seriously.

Therefore, there is a high probability that they will misunderstand that Dante is hosting this debutante party at the family level.

Dante probably knows that much…

“You don’t need to give others a chance to gossip.”

“Well, Marquis strongly recommended that you throw Elze’s debutante party perfectly.”

In response to my question, Liam answered with a somewhat ambiguous expression.

Perhaps Liam also didn’t fully understand the current situation.

But then.

Knock, knock.

A short knock echoed.

“Come in.”

The maid who entered the room bowed politely.

“Madam Tilda has arrived.”

“I see.”

I turned my head slightly and glanced at Liam.

“I think we should conclude our conversation here for today.”

“Yes, I believe I’ve conveyed most of the necessary information. I plan to handle the remaining matters myself. Is that acceptable?”

“Of course. I’m glad to have Liam’s assistance.”

Grinning, I followed the maid out of the room, feeling Liam’s subtle gaze persistently trailing behind me.

Well, that was to be expected. Even though Dante’s caprices were like a force of nature, there was a distinct difference between experiencing and not experiencing such caprices.

This was the first time he granted such favors to my “toys.”

*Sigh.*

I sighed inwardly. It felt like being burdened with something heavy even though I hadn’t eaten anything.

* * *

I entered the reception room where Madam Tilda was waiting.

It might be strange to have a separate space for receiving guests in a boarding school designed to confine students.

Perhaps that part would be puzzling.

However, Rose Cross Boarding School was a legally approved institution under the Empire.

According to the school corporation and private school laws, schools must have a space where guardians can meet students.

Of course, it’s rare for that space to be used for its original purpose.

So…

‘In this way.’

I cast a fleeting glance at Madam Tilda.

“L-Lady Lepherian!”

Madam Tilda, who was nervously sitting in her chair, gasped and swallowed hard as she spotted me.

Then, she jumped up from her seat.

“I’m so pleased to meet you like this.”

A mixture of tension, fear, and expectations for sales blended in her gaze.

Facing her, I, like a luxurious villain, raised the corner of my lips and smiled.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

Madam Tilda shrank like prey in front of a predator.

Whether she liked it or not, I casually spoke.

“I have no hobby of being disappointed. Understand?”