“More people don’t know about it than those who do. They don’t even let in people who look like they’ll just window shop.”

‘Alisa Legentia’ probably wouldn’t have been allowed in at all.

Lady Spendal continued.

“This place is quite interesting, but the really amazing things come out at auctions.”

“Auctions?”

I asked back, my eyes sparkling.

Come to think of it, Lady Spendal mentioned something about a necklace coming up for auction before. Is it like a real-world art auction house? Just imagining this unknown world made my heart flutter with excitement.

“I didn’t even know such places existed. Lady Spendal, how do you know so much! I have a lot to learn.”

“You flatter me.”

Lady Spendal opened her fan and covered her mouth. It was obvious she was hiding an uncontrollable smile.

I enthusiastically praised her while asking what I was curious about.

“What kind of items come up in these auctions?”

“There are many more interesting things. The items vary with each auction. Things like magical tools of fairies, or accessories said to be crafted by dwarves. There are also rare gems like celestials, and sometimes you can even see rare animals and plants.”

“Wow…”

I was genuinely amazed. Just hearing about it gave off such a fantasy vibe, it must be incredibly fascinating.

“As such, not just anyone can participate. An invitation is absolutely necessary. Especially for auctions selling particularly special items.”

But she must mean that she’s one of the people who can participate, right? I caught the hidden meaning in her words and quickly grabbed onto the thread.

“If it’s alright with you, may I ask to accompany you next time?”

Countess Spendal readily agreed.

“Thank you, my lady. You’re truly amazing. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have obtained so many fine goods today.”

“Not at all. You’re the one who saw and chose everything with your own eyes, Madam.”

“That’s true. Is that why you personally came out shopping as well, Lady Spendal?”

“Yes. I don’t trust any item I haven’t verified with my own eyes.”

As expected of someone from a family that prospered through commerce.

“I heard that most people usually call artisans to their mansions, but this is more enjoyable than choosing while sitting still.”

At that, Lady Spendal stared at me intently.

“Do you really think so?”

“Of course.”

“You’re quite unusual.”

“Am I? But I think it’s a much more reasonable and fun method.”

“…I see.”

Did I say something wrong? A faint shadow crossed Lady Spendal’s face. Did I offend her? That’s not good.

“So, let’s do this together again next time, Madam!”

“…Sure.”

Yes, that’s better.

Pleased with her response, I smiled brightly. Lady Spendal also smiled gently, as if mimicking me.

After parting ways with Lady Spendal and returning to the mansion, I spent a long time examining the birdcage. The bird, said to be made of gold, chirped and flew energetically inside the jeweled cage, just like a real living bird.

“Sing for me.”

Understanding my command, the bird began to make beautiful sounds. It wasn’t just simple chirping, but a song following a set melody.

How is this possible!

I was excited and kept talking to it.

“What’s my fortune for today?”

“A nice gift will bring happy events, chirp.”

I was already planning to give someone a gift. The pleasant message made me smile.

“My, how clever you are. What kind of happy event?”

“An event that will change your destiny.”

“Oh my, I wonder how it will change. I’m curious.”

The bird chirped in a clear voice. I called to it again.

“Bird, golden bird.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“You sparkle, so from now on, you’re Sparkle. Got it, Sparkle?”

“Yes, my lady. I am Sparkle.”

“How adorable.”

How can it speak so well despite being artificial? Is it responding according to pre-programmed content? It’s like some kind of artificial intelligence.

‘They couldn’t make something this natural even in the modern world.’

How on earth did they make this? Did they use magic for this too? I suppose in a world of fiction, anything can be created with just a single line of text?

I was in high spirits. It felt like my body was floating. Among all the numerous items I bought today, this one was my favorite. I was so delighted that I wanted to show it off to someone.

“Macy, could you send a message through a courier requesting an audience with His Grace?”

Since I happen to have something to give as a gift, I went to Rashid’s room carrying the birdcage. Today, in my eagerness to see this birdcage, I barely touched my dinner and hadn’t properly shown it off.

“What brings you here, wife?”

Rashid greeted me in a more casual attire than usual.

“I have something to give you. May I come in?”

Rashid let me into the room with a faint smile.

His bedroom hadn’t changed much since the last time I’d been here. Although I planned to change the house’s interior decorations, this room and a few others were exceptions, so there wouldn’t be much change in the future.

I gently placed the birdcage on the table.

“Look at this, they said it’s a golden bird’s cage.”

Then I spoke to the bird in front of Rashid.

“Sparkle, would you sing for us?”

“Yes, my lady.”

The obedient Sparkle willingly made a lovely sound at my words. Moreover, it was a different song from earlier. The delicate melody was incredibly cute and adorable.

“Isn’t it amazing!”

I excitedly shrugged my shoulders.

Rashid alternately looked at the birdcage and me with a dry gaze, then slightly smiled.

“Yes, it’s truly amazing.”

“You think so too, right? I’m sure people will be surprised when they see this! Don’t you think everyone will find it incredibly fun?”

“I’m glad you like it. Did you name the bird yourself?”

“Yes!”

Rashid nodded a couple of times at my answer. I tapped the birdcage.

“This was extremely expensive. It’s worth every penny.”

It was a price I would never have paid in the world I used to live in. No, even if I were just living normally in this world, I would never have bought it.

But now, in the special situation of creating grounds for divorce from the Duke, I’m making such unreasonable purchases, and as a result, I’ve gained unexpected joy. I thought it was all for the best.

Rashid crossed his arms and looked at the birdcage for a moment, going “Hmm.” His attitude seemed to say, ‘Is this really that expensive?’

“But it would be difficult to hear accusations of such extravagance for this.”

“Do you know how much I paid for this? You’d probably be shocked if you heard.”

“It’s probably around 5,000 freti, isn’t it?”

I was startled. What is he saying? 5,000 freti is 500 million won. Is he really serious?

Of course, it’s an interesting item and it was expensive, but there’s no way it could be that much. Even if I bought all the dresses in the dress boutique, it would only be 100 million, so 500 million for just this birdcage? No matter how amazing it is, that’s absurd.

“D-does it look like that much?”

“Did I estimate too low? Should we say around 10,000 freti?”

“Y-yes. That’s right. You can think of it as similar to that.”

In reality, it was 500 freti. That’s still about 50 million won. I thought even that was an enormous price, but he’s suggesting ten times that amount….

Anyway, Rashid is out of his mind. His sense of money seems completely numb. Are all great nobles like this? I’m not sure if the people in his territory are okay with this.

‘No, I need to be a bit crazier too.’

I’m doing my best, but from the nobles’ perspective, it’s still not enough. With my current middle-class sensibilities, it’s hard to keep up with those who have already gone to a different dimension long ago. I thought I needed to work harder. That’s how I could become the talk of the town.

“Did you come to give me that bird?”

“No.”

I answered firmly.

“This is what I came to give you.”

I held out the gift box containing the brooch.

“What is it?”

Rashid shook the gift box up and down after receiving it. No, why are you shaking it first! What if it was something fragile! He really has no delicacy at all.

“It’s nothing special, just a brooch that I thought would suit you well. It’s a gift.”

I said, somewhat showing off. Although I bought it with Rashid’s money, I was the one who chose it. It’s important that I at least thought about it.

“A gift.”

“Yes, a gift.”

Then Rashid smiled at me. It was like the face of a child. As if he had received an unexpected toy as a gift, it was an innocent smile I had never seen before.

I didn’t know Rashid could make such an expression. Somehow, I felt strange.

* * *