The surface of the well-fitted table was so smooth and sleek that it was hard to believe different stones had been inlaid. It must have been a product that a skilled craftsman spent days and nights creating.

“Does this piece have an owner?”

“No, it doesn’t. This is our first attempt at this style, and no one has shown interest in it yet.”

“Then I’ll buy it.”

And so, I purchased and ordered dozens of items including tables, sofas, dressers, consoles, display cabinets, and candlestick holders. Just as I was about to leave the workshop after signing numerous invoices, it happened.

“Aren’t you Lady Spendal?”

Seeing a familiar face, I acknowledged her. It was a woman I had seen at the Chrysante family’s party last time.

“Ah, Lady Penvernon. Hello.”

Countess Spendal greeted me with a soft voice. So there’s another noblewoman besides me wandering around places like this.

“Hello, Lady Spendal.”

“I see you’ve come to get some furniture.”

“Yes, I’ve developed a bit of an interest.”

“I see. I heard a little about it. But I didn’t expect to meet you again like this, it’s nice to see you.”

She says she heard a little. She probably means she heard about what happened at Madame Kruger’s boutique.

“I should be the one saying that.”

I covered my mouth and laughed softly, pretending to be coy. The voice that scattered from my lips sounded so artificial, even to me, that it gave me goosebumps.

“I’ve become interested in various things lately. But I’m not very familiar with it all, so I’ve been looking into different aspects. You must know a lot about this, Lady Spendal?”

“You flatter me. I’ve just had a lot of exposure to these things.”

“I’ve heard that you have a deep appreciation for art and furniture.”

“These days, I’m more interested in porcelain.”

She says I’m flattering her, but she doesn’t deny it’s true. It’s a noble way of speaking, seeming humble but not actually lowering herself.

As the Count of Spendal family runs a large trading company, the Countess’s spending is by no means small. I heard she was originally the daughter of a wealthy merchant, so she must have developed a discerning eye from a young age.

‘I should get some help from this woman.’

I spoke as politely as possible.

“Are you busy right now, Lady Spendal?”

“Is there something you need?”

Judging by her question, it seems she doesn’t have any other plans. I spoke to her in a friendly manner.

“Actually, I’m planning to redecorate the mansion a bit. That’s why I’m looking around, but it’s quite challenging to make decisions on my own. If it’s alright with you, could I ask you to accompany me?”

“Oh my…”

“Anything you recommend would surely be beautiful.”

I laid on several flattering words. In short, I meant that since she has refined taste and a discerning eye, I wanted her to choose expensive things for me.

And it would be even better if she could spread the word about me spending money recklessly. If it’s in the form of gossip, that’s even more welcome. It’s funny and absurd that there are times when one wants to buy criticism like this.

“When you put it that way, I can’t refuse.”

Lady Spendal gracefully accepted.

I followed her around to various places.

As we went around together, I realized that her shopping skills weren’t just from a day or two of experience. She knew exactly where everything was sold and which workshops were the most skilled.

I went around the craft district with her, signing invoices like a madwoman.

The Golden Room, the White Room, the Flower Room, the Water Room. After setting large and clear themes like this, there was so much to buy to prepare furniture that matched each theme.

‘It’s just like real-life Sims.’

I was reminded of the life simulation game I used to play often. You could build houses and decorate them as you liked, and it felt strange to be doing something in reality that I had only done in games before.

I didn’t care how much money I was spending. Rashid would cover it all anyway. Macy, who had come out with me, was so busy just keeping track of the invoices.

“Decorating each room differently, you’re preparing something interesting, Lady Penvernon.”

“I thought it might be fun to try something like this. If it doesn’t work out, I can always change it back.”

I shrugged my shoulders as if to say I was ready to spend money like water in the future as well.

“For interior decoration, not only furniture but also crafts are important. I know a good place… I think you might find it interesting, Lady Penvernon.”

With that, Lady Spendal took me to a secret shop on the outskirts of the street. From the outside, it looked unremarkable and easy to miss, but stepping inside revealed a surprisingly splendid and mysterious world.

The spacious store was filled with strange things. My eyes spun at the extraordinary items like giant miniature garden models, devices that continuously created rainbows inside glass boxes, and dollhouses with tiny dolls moving around.

“I never imagined a place like this existed.”

“It’s not a place just anyone can come to.”

Lady Spendal said something captivating. I could sense her intention to make me feel like I had been chosen. Well, I suppose I might look different now after spending an enormous amount of money right next to her.

As I was looking around in a daze, I spotted a birdcage in one corner. Inside was a golden bird perched on a perch made of carved blue jewels. The cage was cast in gleaming gold and decorated with numerous jewels, making it extremely ornate. The bird’s surface was smooth and glossy, as if made of metal.

“What kind of bird is this?”

“Hello, madam!”

“Oh my!”

A sudden exclamation escaped. It wasn’t Lady Spendal or the shop owner who answered me, but the golden bird in the cage.

“Did you just speak?”

“Yes, I did. Nice to meet you.”

The bird fluttered its wings. No matter how I looked at it, it didn’t appear to be a living creature, so how was it moving? Was it really understanding and answering my words? It was so fascinating and fun.

“You have an eye for good things, my lady.”

The shop owner, his head wrapped in a white turban, rubbed his hands together as he attended to me.

“Having something like this would surely catch everyone’s attention.”

“Indeed. Not just that, this bird doesn’t speak to just anyone. It’s truly remarkable.”

Even though I knew it was a sales pitch, I was intrigued. Especially when I saw the golden bird fly to the edge of the cage and tap my finger.

“How much is this?”

I really couldn’t resist buying it.

There was no need to hesitate. I bought the birdcage without delay. Instead of having it delivered to the ducal mansion, I decided to carry it myself. I wanted to try making it say various things as soon as possible.

The shop owner kindly explained about the birdcage. He said it was a bird that would give different fortune-telling responses if you asked about your fortune for the day.

“Not that it’s anything to be believed, though.”

He meant it was a kind of toy.

According to him, the bird could keep moving thanks to the power of the magic stones decorating the cage.

He strongly advised me to keep the cage closed, as the golden bird would die quickly if it flew outside the cage where the magic stones’ power couldn’t reach.

‘Should I buy something for Rashid too?’

Only after buying the birdcage and other decorations did I think of Rashid. Since he’s the one paying, I should at least pretend to be considerate.

I looked around the shop and bought an amber brooch. It was a brooch with a small butterfly inside the resin, as yellow as his eye color.

“What’s this butterfly?”

“Amber is said to have been formed hundreds of thousands or millions of years ago. This butterfly is also an ancient butterfly from that time long ago.”

I know that. I’m just amazed that this world also has the concept of ‘millions of years ago’.

“I’ll take this too.”

The subtle golden color would suit Rashid well. It would look especially pretty if paired with a red camellia.

“Did you enjoy it?”

Lady Spendal smiled seductively as she watched me, all excited.

Did I enjoy it? Of course! My fondness for her skyrocketed for bringing me to such an interesting place. I couldn’t even remember how she looked me up and down at the last party.

“I can’t believe there’s a shop like this in the world. It’s so fascinating. I’m glad I asked for your help, Lady Spendal.”