Reincarnated as the Lady Prodigy

Twenty

Forbid

ZAIRE LEVI's POINT OF VIEW

Marquis Rolfe Bellmore, the lord of the city and also a Marquis. The Marquis is over fifty years old with light blue hair, right, I heard rumors of what the Bellmore family is also called, like their own nickname. The "Blue Family" because of their hair and having their family's sole element which is water. In the entire Magia, the Bellmore family is known as the family with the most proficient in using water magic, I believe his daughter is currently at mid-advance level, she will soon breakthrough into high-advance level but she's stuck in a bottleneck and unable to breakthrough.

After exchanging pleasantries, along with Duke Franklin, Marquis Rolfe ushered us to his personal office. Duke Franklin is boasting in front of the Marquis casually about me, he also told him about the Sword Magic which he bought from me. They really are good friends huh. Duke Franklin kept that information from the outside but he's telling the Marquis about it.

"You kept telling me about that, Frank. I have heard of that several times now." I can hear the complaint in the Marquis's voice while saying that. Pfft, so the Duke is not just boasting, he is always boasting about it to the point where the Marquis looks frustrated and bothered hearing the same thing.

"This is the tenth time I'm telling you of this. It's not too much." Meh, telling him about it ten times isn't much huh. The poor Marquis, he must be hearing the Duke's voice in his head over and over again. Eek!

I watch them argue with each other, obviously as friends and like high schoolers.

So, uh, they're the Duke and the Marquis of this kingdom. Nice.

I cleared my throat. Sorry you two, as much as it's entertaining watching you I have things to do too.

The Marquis flinched then settles himself after clearing his throat. "Forgive me for letting you witness such... improper display and conversation, Istorya. Could you perhaps tell me the details of the land you desire?"

Without further ado, I started telling the Marquis the specifics of the land that I want, how wide and its location, I also added pointers on whether the land is already established with another building. Later on, the Marquis should me a map containing the lands for sale that fits my requirements.

Marquis Rolfe pointed to a specific location. "I believe this will be a perfect location for your auction house. It's located in the eastern part of the city and is bigger compared to the other land available. The establishment surrounding this land is diverse and farther from here that is why you won't be having a competitor, also, with this wide space, when the auction opens your customers will really need to visit the auction house and not just drop by like other shops." He explained.

Hmm, the Marquis sure knows his stuff, huh, and he is also agreeable. As it is an auction house, it's important that its location is kind of secluded from the rest of other establishments, and from the looks of how big the area is, this place is perfect.

"I will take it," I answered staring at the map while formulating plans and designs for the auction house. "How much?" I ask afterward.

Marquis Rolfe nodded his head in satisfaction. "Four hundred thousand gold coins."

Okay, I expected buying land to be expensive but to think it is this expensive. Man, I have to take back the money in purchasing this land through the auction house's first-ever auction. I have to earn lots of money!

I took out four hundred gold coins from the spatial ring and presented them to the Marquis along with a small square box.

"As this is our first meeting and I will also soon open my auction house, I'd like to gift Marquis Rolfe with a magic pearl from the Tenth Wave of the Majestic Tide." Marquis Rolfe's eyes visibly widen upon hearing where the magic pearl came from. Majestic Tide is a small realm that appears every fifty years in the northern part of Pralea and also where the Aquila Kingdom is located. This small realm is an island that contains numerous treasures most specifically water element-related treasures and amongst all of those goodies, the sought-after treasure that all water element users desire the most is the magic pearl from the deepest part of the ocean in Majestic Tide. From the first tide up to the Tenth Tide, each tide presents and contains different treasures, the deeper a person ventures to the ocean the more powerful and valuable the treasure they will get.

"... I cannot accept such a valuable gift, Young Master Istorya." The Marquis declined after he calmed down. I already saw how valuable this magic pearl is for them but I'm also amazed that the Marquis turned me down considering how this will help his daughter to level up. The magic pearl contains magic power in water element enough for his daughter to level up to Superior level.

"Don't worry, Marquis, this gift may be valuable but I also know of its worth that's why together with this gift, I do have two favors to ask of you." I mean I can just give this as payment instead but knowing the Marquis's personality, he wouldn't agree even if I say so.

The Marquis glanced at Duke Franklin as if asking him if he should agree or not but the Duke nodded his head without a second thought. The Duke decided to be a power behind my back and if the Marquis will decide to do the same, I will have two powerful nobles backing me as Istorya. Not only will this strengthen my influence but also add credibility to the auction house. Heh, it's killing two birds with one stone.

"Go ahead," Marquis Rolfe said.

I nodded my head, "I would like to have the title of the land as soon as possible, preferably within three days, and also get an identification plate as a citizen of Magia Kingdom from this city, I believe this is one of the requirements needed for me to operate the auction house." Just as I said, for me to open and start a big business like the auction house, I need to have an identification plate that proves I am a real person and part of the kingdom although I wear a mask.

The Marquis nodded his head in agreement and reluctantly accepted the magic pearl, well, after Duke Franklin forced him to accept saying not to waste the good and my good intentions. That is according to the Duke himself, he said it like that but I think this can be considered bribery back on Earth. Oh my, I'm bribing a noble, a Marquis at that but I'm not even bothered one bit!

This is only a gift, a gift! I may have given him the magic pearl but what they do not know is I did not venture into the Majestic Tide but just found this magic pearl in Luxes from Siren's excess magic power whenever she meditates.

I have countless treasures from Luxes because of my familiars and because of the abundance in Luxes and I will be using them all in the auction house especially those items that can automatically be restored in Luxes! The thought alone excites me, huehuehue!

After the necessary information for my identification card is settled with the Duke as my reference and witness, the Marquis informed me that I may have my ID within three days with the land title.

So this is what it feels like to be treated like a VIP, feels nice!

~

Whoa! I never expected Griselda to be this entertaining during the evening. People come and go in the shops while some are just walking around enjoying the night and the dancing light. So this is what the nighttime in Griselda is like? I grin to myself before leaving one gold coin and jump off of the tea house and started walking around while looking at different tents while doing so.

Oooh, there have beautiful hair ornaments here, the street food is tasty too! Wait, what's that? Is there a street performance this time? I want to watch it! I dashed to the group of people gathering around when something, uh no, someone bumped on me. I look up to the black-haired dude, he looks surprised.

"Sorry!" I apologized with a bow before running in the direction of the street performance while feeling a creeping feeling on my back. I look back to the place where I bumped into that unknown man but he's nowhere to be found. Oof, I probably overthinking things.

I spent my entire night enjoying the foods, gimmicks, and fun activities the Griselda has to offer, the people and stalls here don't seem to sleep. Like a 24/7 convenience store but a little better, they have everything from drinks to snacks, ornaments, jewels clothes, and other things! When I said everything, I meant EVERY. THING.

While sitting on one of the establishment's roofs, I watch the people with a satisfied smile while holding a barbecued chicken leg on my right hand.

From Jozine's memory, she did not get a chance to relax or have fun and even have time alone just chilling all by herself, and by doing this I feel like I granted one of her wishes.

'I promised you, didn't I? This won't be the last. Your hopes, regrets, sadness, and happiness I will fulfill them on your stead so if you can see this, I hope you're happy too.'

This is just the beginning, Jozine. Those who hurt you and broke your heart, I promise to pay them back twice, no, ten times the pain you experienced.

'Lotharior Dexter... I will start with you.'

~

THE NEXT DAY:

The dining table with Felicia, Clarence, and I will never feel light. Instead of eating, I feel like I'm inside a court waiting for the judgment. This place is as tense as ever, oh well, the food tastes nice so at least this one I can enjoy. I can't really take the look on Clarence's face whenever she glances my way, damn, she looks smug over something, probably her newly awakened magic. I remembered that she awakened as a beast tamer and tamed a pretty strong magical beast that's why's really smug.

"We are invited to Duke Franklin Bernard's banquet three days from now for his son's success in breakthrough. Remember to visit the family's seamstress within this day for the gown that you will wear that day." Felicia announced while eating elegantly. I watch as Clarence's face glowed upon hearing the news, it must be because she knows many big figures from Griselda and even from the capital will attend. I think Duke Franklin chose to hold the gathering here in Griselda instead of the capital because of me, I'm still a mystery for him, them, and they want to keep me by their side as an ally, oh ally is too promising, business partner, the Duke, and even the Marquis wants me as their business partner and as Istorya, I can use their influence not only to gain backing but to also present a wonderful gift to that bastard, Lotharior the loathsome fucker.

Ugh! I really want to meet that cheating bastard.

"I cannot wait to meet the Duke's son, mother! I heard he is one of the strongest knights in Magia although he is young. He must be a marvelous man!" Felicia beamed looking excited.

I internally cringe while she keeps singing praises for the man, sure, he sounds talented and all but the topic shifted from being a talented individual and knight to being one of the Duke's son, favored one, and blah blah blah. Seriously, Clarence, you should keep praising his talent instead of the influence and power behind his surname. 

"I also heard he's quite the looker. I wonder how he looks." She added with a dreamy sigh.

"...dazzling, maybe." I mumbled while eating.

Clarence glanced at me then her eyes sharpened before she changed it into an innocent expression. Two-faced b***h, gah.

"If that banquet is for the Duke's talented son, we should expect that all of the guests are just as talented as his son," she said looking at Felicia with a fake curious expression but I can see the calculative glint in her eyes. She is scheming something again, to think she wasn't scheming something ever since I transmigrated. Ah, I think I know why she's openly scheming something in front of me, she must have thought I'm still the same, Jozine who disregards and ignores her antics because she is favored by Felicia or, she thinks I'm powerless because I lost my magic.

Come on, Clarence, entertain me, b***h.

"That is to be expected."Felicia stated calmly, with no hint of awareness of her daughter's shining eyes. Is she dense or kinda dumb? Meh...

"If that is the case then, what will happen to younger sister?" She faked a concerned expression when she looks at me. Felicia understood what Clarence meant that's why she stopped eating then looks at me with a slightly creased forehead while thinking of what will I do. 

The decision is pretty simple. 

Felicia heaved a sigh. "You must stay here instead of attending, Jozine. You will become a laughing stock in that banquet and so is our family." She announced with finality.

See? That's just how it is but when I, no, when Jozine was known as the prodigy with her light magic, all the banquet, events, and gathering that invited the Vesaurius Household it would always be Jozine that needs to attend no matter what her opinion is. It doesn't matter whether she wants to or not, doesn't matter whether she feels well or not, for the sake of the f*****g name of the Vesaurius Household Jozine needs to show up.

I heaved a deep sigh before I look at Felicia. You want me not to attend, not happening. "But mother, I have always attended these type of banquet before—"

"— that was before, younger sister. You know that you have no magic anymore. You will become a laughingstock, would you prefer that?" Clarence sounded genuinely concerned.

I frown internally, hah, she really has a way with her kind and pure expression. f*****g b***h, I want to slam her face on the floor then rub it afterward. 

I turn to Felicia with a begging expression, "Mother..."fucker.

"No. You must remain here." Felicia continued eating, not even giving me a second glance.

They really are mother and daughter, they're both bitches.

Dang. Sorry Jozine, I just hate these two. 

I look down but I caught Clarence's satisfied face when I did but away from her eyes, I smirk formed on my lips. Isn't this nice, you want to stand out at that party? I shall help, and I will make sure you will be Griselda's hot topic. I will turn you into a celebrity, Clarence, so please enjoy the spotlight.

Heh...