Reincarnated as the Lady Prodigy

Thirty-Two

The Invitation

The mansion bigger than Duke Franklin's residence, almost like a castle, stood proudly. Painted black, gray, and gold, the front double door with statues of black dragons on both sides rouse intimidation and curiosity in those who would want to enter. As you turn around, the intimidating but majestic mansion is protected by towering walls, the only entrance is the ginormous gate painted red with the soaring phoenix on both sides, engraved on the wall is the symbol of the mansion, below it is a nine-tailed fox. The paved ground serves comfort for the carriages and guests.

On both sides of the open area of well-trimmed grasses are fountains, the sparkling water coming out of the jar. The water is unbelievably sparkling, a glance is enough for her to tell that it's no ordinary water. As she examined the fountain, she realized that the jars are engraved with markings. She smiled to herself.

The air felt refreshing. It's as if she's in a different place, a different world even! She is certain that it's because she felt proud of the result of their combined efforts.

"How do you like it, Mistress?" Asked the black-haired man with obsidian pair of eyes. He stands about three to four feet taller than her. He was lean but his every move is elegant and decisive, he's wearing an expectant smile along with three other girls beside him. Who would have thought that their morphed version would look like this?

She smiled, satisfied. "It's amazing!" She breathed. "I... I didn't expect this to be this beautiful, magnificent. I can't believe this!"

The four looked at each other. "We are pleased to know that you liked this, Mistress," said the woman with long silver hair. It looked soft as if threads of priceless fabrics. Her sparkling blue eyes show how glad she is.

"I am!" She exclaimed, "you guys are the best! Like, super the best!"

"Eeeh! Don't say that Mistress! As long as Mistress wants us to, we will do anything to be of help to Mistress whatever it is." This time, the brown-haired beauty said. She's a little shorter than the silver-haired maiden but her striking brown hair and brown eyes looked soft and gleaming. It's as if it's screaming how happy she is.

"We feel the same way as Kiera, Mistress," commented the red-haired lady, her purple eyes bewitching and mysterious yet the air of elegance is undeniable.

Who would have thought?

Who would have thought that once she left a copy of herself in the Vesaurius mansion and sneaked out to the auction house's construction she would meet with four dazzling and otherworldly creatures that turned out to be her familiars! Who would have thought?!

Not only are they legendary beings, but even their human forms can also be the cause of war if they wish to! Especially the ladies!

Siren's silver hair is eye-catching. She totally stands out!

Vana's red hair is eye-catching too but contrary to Siren's approachable silver hair and soft features, you will be bewitched by Vana's purple eyes while being wary of her fiery red hair and fierce features. She's the epitome of a woman you would want to date but she's too beautiful and awesome for you to ask her out.

Soft brown hair and brown eyes may look common to others but Kiera's gleaming eyes and charming smile can capture anyone's heart if she so desires. Despite being in her human form, she remains free-willed and cheerful which adds to her charm.

And, of course, Alarkson's beautiful and mature appearance, which is the polar opposite of his personality not to be underestimated. He might not be as muscled or bulky as others but his lean physique but sexy can pique any ladies' interest.

"But... why did you look like... that?" She asked, curious as to what happened that lead to these four's sudden evolution of some sort.

Alarkson is the one who answered. "We have always been able to transform to our human form." He stated proudly.

"Really? I didn't know about that," If she only knew she would have let them out of Luxes oftentimes so they won't feel lonely. Having them in their beast form no matter how low level their disguise may be is still suspicious since she is currently pretending to be someone who lost her magic. They only know of her contract, Kiera in her lower fox form but the Siren, Vana, and Alarkson, they haven't met them.

"It was only recently that we are able to freely transform, Mistress," Vana spoke.

She looked at them but they too seem unaware of the reason why. She was about to dismiss the discussion about their transformation when a golden scroll appeared in front of her.

It was Aya.

{You have reached the necessary mastery of magic that is why the restrictions placed upon your familiars were lifted.}

"Eh? I was supposed to reach some mastery level so they can transform? Why didn't you tell me before?!" If only Aya informed her sooner, she would have been blessed of being with four, no, if Blake, Eufema, and Elise are included, she will be blessed with seven sinfully good-looking humans, creatures on her side. How refreshing and motivating would that be!

{It was unnecessary to inform you of trivial things and they don't mind being in Luxes, additionally, if you were to have Alarkson with you all the time in the outside world... It would be... cataclysmic.} Was Aya's response.

Well, Alarkson is indeed a little... maybe not a little... but he is indeed active. She has to make sure Alarkson will not know that Aya thought he is disastrous. It was over the top but it wasn't a far-fetched description of him too. Actually, not just him but the other three as well. They might be tamed and docile to her but what about the others?

Just imagining Alarkson being angered by a certain human and then transforming into a gigantic black dragon in the middle of the city.

Hahaha... disaster.

It isn't far-fetched at all. They can bring disasters if they want to if provoked to do so.

The inside of the mansion is just like the layout she and Aya discussed. The auction house was so amazing she is having a hard time believing she helped in planning for it. She felt warm and satisfied being able to put into reality her plan. She was able to achieve something once again. Something that she planned, created, by herself. Something that she wanted, something that wasn't forced of her.

The auction house was hers. Theirs.

See this, Jozine? This is the beginning of our chill life. She thought while looking at the mansion.

The mansion is still cloaked with concealment spell and people that pass by can only see that a construction is still ongoing without seeing what is being constructed.

"We're good to go in two days?" She asked her familiars.

"Yes Mistress!" it was Alarkson's gleeful reply while grinning. As opposite as his appearance and personality goes, it isn't so bad at all.

Her first objecting for today is done, now then, it's time to meet Elise and the others. They've been worried about her and she also needs to meet the employees under the auction house. Elise and the others have been with them when they parted. It's a good thing they're with her because she was able to accomplish numerous things with their help. Surely, having extra hands to help is so much better than doing things alone, although it was what she was used to before.

She promised her familiars that once things are settled she will tour them around the city, Alarkson and Kiera are most vocal about their excitement while Siren and Vana were pretty calm about it, it doesn't mean they are not excited though. They are.

She is wearing an ordinary cloak that helps hide her appearance in case someone from the Vesaurius mansion sees her. They are everywhere.

She finally arrived at the house she rented for the employees to stay until the opening of the auction house. Blake was waiting for her outside.

"Master...!" he greeted relieved to finally see her. Blake is a young man who keeps his facial expressions neutral, it wasn't asked of him, he's always been like that ever since they met but little changes in his aura and expressions are very easy for her to see. Blake only acts like this in front of her that she's actually worried when he will open up to others. She's just relieved that Blake can now voice his opinion to Elise and Eufema because back then, he would always remain silent and would talk when asked. He improved a little.

"Thank you for waiting, Blake. Let's go," Their masks automatically appeared once they entered the house. The house is big enough for the employees who signed the Faceless Auction House employment permanent contract while those that didn't sign were placed under a separate house. It's not a matter of favoritism, this is simply part of the contract they signed. Naturally, those that signed the permanent contract shall receive what they were promised in exchange for their service to the auction house.

Blake opened the meeting hall of the house, ah, house, this is no longer a house, it's smaller but this is a mansion. No house would have a hall on it. Now then, it's time to see how much her employees changed.

ZAIRE/JOZINE'S POINT OF VIEW

Change really is constant but to think they would change this much in just a few weeks. Was I too busy or were they really comfortable in their new lifestyle under the auction house's employment because if yes then I'm glad! A thriving business is done when the employee and employer are united.

I cleared my throat. "I'm glad that you all seem well." Seem? They don't seem well, they are well. Aww, I feel so proud!

Standing before are well-dressed people standing straight with a straight but professional expression on their faces as if office workers waiting for their position to be assigned. The gentlemen are wearing black pleated pants with a satin stripe on the outer part, it's loosen comfortable, for their upper clothes they are wearing a white full dress with pique wing collar underneath and then black double-breasted tailcoat to match his pants and leather pants. I had them dressed as a butler with the symbol of the auction house on their left chest pocket with golden chains. The ladies on the other hand are wearing blue straight dresses reaching three inches above the knee with a shallow V-neck neckline so they would look conservative since most of them are not comfortable wearing too suggestive dresses. It has a slit on both sides, underneath the dress they're also wearing fitted pants made from a soft fabric called Chaincotton out of a magical beast called Esu Spidra, it's a big magical spider that lives in clean caves and likes to decorate its cave which is its territory with webs, the Chaincotton. It's a soft but durable material. Aya introduced me to it, I mean the spider, it's residing in one of the caves in Luxes and it was huge! Brrr, I'm shivering just remembering it's nine eyes boring unto me.

"In three days' time, you will begin playing your role. I don't expect much from you except one thing. World-class service as an outstanding employee of Faceless Auction House. It won't be easy, you will multiple customers with diverse personalities. I wonder, are you up for the challenge?" I asked while looking at them through my mask.

Slowly, their lips formed a smile before they shouted 'Yes'! I couldn't keep myself from smiling too because theirs was contagious. I'm so looking forward to this!

"WHAT IS THIS?"

Another envelope bearing the symbol of House Bellmore, the Marquess' house.

"An invitation." The maid answered robotically.

"Another tea party?" Goddamn. I thought I was done with it?

"I do not have a clue of what the letter is for,"

Well yeah, the letter is still closed. Feeling anxious I peeled the letter and started reading. After reading, I dismissed the maid then placed the letter on my bedside table.

"A banquet."

This must be what the other noble ladies were talking about when they asked about the third prince's attendance at the upcoming banquet. But why am I invited? As Jozine, I don't have any connection with the Marquess' house except for being a noble. I also don't remember being acquainted with anyone from the house Bellmore, not even Suri even though she's in the same year as me. We were also classmates in one of my subjects last school year but aside from that, we didn't even talk. Not once.

So why?

There's a popping big question mark that I can't answer but since it's an invitation from the city's lord and also the Marquess, as a noble with lower rank I can't decline. Lower rank, heh, I don't even have a rank. I'm simply a noble.

Not once did Felicia or Clarence visited the mimicked me while I was asleep. I share senses with the mimicked me so whenever there are changes in my room or surroundings I will be informed but no one came to my room or anything, nada. Even until I returned.

"Hey, Aya, are the invitations done?" I mumbled softly.

Automatically, a golden scroll appeared. {The invitations are all ready. It's imbued directional magic so guests will be guided on their way to the auction house.}

Oooh. That's the first time I heard of that. I didn't think Aya would add that features. Amazing!

{I am simply doing my best to be of help.} Why can I imagine her blushing? Heh. How cute.

{...}

"Can I ask you to send those invitations with an address?"

{Consider it done.}

I smiled. "Thanks..." I whispered with my eyes slowly closing. Am I that tired? Why am I feeling sleepy all of a sudden?

... Weird...

THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW

Marquess Rolfe glanced at his best friend, Duke Franklin then cleared his throat.

"Could you tell your son not to anger my daughter too much? She has been feeling under the weather ever since my wife returned." Rolfe is almost begging.

Franklin chuckles at him, "your wife really is Suri's nightmare."

"My daughter prefers to train her magic instead of attending, hosting tea parties which is my wife's personal pastime." Rolfe sighed. "I love my wife but I also love my daughter. How can I choose?"

Franklin watched Rolfe then he drank he gulped down the wine before he chuckles. "I cannot give you any words of advice since Martha is surely a frightening woman."

Martha Bellmore, the Marchioness is not only a strong wind mage but also a stubborn noble. She takes pride in her upbringing as a noble and is strict when it comes to etiquette and such, it is no wonder why Suri, who resembles her father more than her mother and grew up practically with her father would dislike fancy and troublesome things like tea parties.

Franklin enjoys listening to his dear friend's stories, complaints every time his wife returns. It is always amusing to see how Rolfe's face scrunched up because of his headache between his wife and his daughter. His two sons cannot be bothered since his wife can't force them to attend yes parties, although they often need to meet possible marriage candidates.

He pities those young men and wonders if it is the reason why those two are stiff and seem to fear women. Martha sure is frightening.

The two continued talking when his butler suddenly came in.

"A black envelope," he stated staring at the envelopes in his butler's hands. There are two of them. "Two of them? For whom?" He asked.

"It's addressed for the two of you, Sir,"

He turned to Rolfe who is also staring at the envelope.

"I thought you kept this visit a secret?"

Rolfe glanced at him and nodded. "I did. Although I can't say the same about that envelope imbued with magic. It's signature magic."

{Magic Signature} is a term used to pertain to an individual's unique magic. It's done by inserting magic into something and then having full ownership of it. It's mostly done on magic items and weapons but a large-scale Magic Signature includes having your mansion and belongings bear your Magic Signature.

It cannot be replicated, however, there are rare cases where some individuals were able to analyze the Magic Signature of a person and able to replicate it. It's not an easy thing to do since it requires a tremendous amount of concentration and to be able to release the replicated Magic Signature, a person must adjust his own magic to compliment that of the analyzed Magic Signature. It's practically changing one's own magic and magic is an entirety of beings. It's life-threatening. The backlash of failing analysis of Magic Signature proved to destroy the brain and kills a mage, if successful, the process of releasing the replicated Magic Signature can cause magic of one body to havoc.

There were records of mages who died with their body unrecognizable due to the explosion of magic inside the body. The human body is frail no matter how much humans try to deny it.

So, who is this person who was able to replicate not only his magic but also Franklin's? Rolfe's felt his goosebumps rising. He needs to meet this person! Only one in a thousand geniuses will be able to achieve such an unimaginable and dangerous feat!

“Oh.” Rolfe turned in Franklin’s direction when he heard him blurted.

“Who is it from?”

Franklin looked at him then chuckles. “You might as well see for yourself. Aren’t you interested in Magic Signature?”

Complete curious about what the envelope contains, Rolfe accepted the envelope when Franklin’s handed it to him.

He peeled the symbol, it’s a golden mask that only has smiling faces, and took the letter out written in a golden scroll using white ink. Each letter made out of magic!

In Your Face!

Greetings Marquess Rolfe Bellmore,

We, the Faceless Auction House will open our doors on the Day of Muuh. Year of PZ02 Month of Qrull. We are expecting your noble presence as we introduce our creations to the citizens of this kingdom. Your support helped us through this journey, for that very reason, let us, present to you the patronage.

We are looking forwards to seeing you. May you have a wonderful time.

Istorya

Faceless Auction House

Rolfe blinked before a smile crept on his lips.

Istorya... 

Such a mysterious existence who possesses unimaginable power.