“Pardon me for saying this, Your Majesty, but the quality of the imitation necklace your wife made is quite remarkable. Even if this necklace looks genuine, can you really believe it is?”

“Oh, that’s possible.”

Daelina, as if waiting, clapped her hands. Truly, these characters were infuriating.

“It’s an absurd accusation. Your Majesty, I will show you that it’s not true.”

Instead of answering, I removed the imitation necklace and placed it next to the genuine one.

“Beauty is subjective. When you compare a genuine item and a fake side by side, isn’t the difference evident?”

The surroundings started buzzing again.

The imitation necklace, contrasted with the genuine one as I suggested, immediately lost its luster. Simultaneously, Enok and Delina’s mouths closed like clams.

“What do you think, Marquis?”

To the slightly challenging question from the now more composed King, Ondella began to sweat coldly.

“If you procure the same materials and make an imitation, there’s a possibility it could shine just as brightly, isn’t there?”

One of the King’s eyebrows twitched up. However, he remained silent for a moment, pondering.

With such a response, Marquis Ondella, seemingly gaining courage, revealed a smile.

“Your Majesty, it seems we might need a professional appraiser for this.”

“Hmm, are you saying that I’ll only acknowledge it with the guarantee of a professional appraiser?”

“It’s not an ordinary problem, Your Majesty.”

After calming the King by clasping both hands, Marquis Ondella, now raising his voice, began to speak proudly about his family.

“This woman is attempting to destroy the Ondella family using the clauses of the contract. How can I simply overlook it? As the Ondella family has faithfully served, I kindly request Your Majesty to scrutinize it, if you please.”
It seems Marquis Ondella’s plea had an impact as the king’s voice softened noticeably.

“Well, then it might take a few days to confirm the authenticity….”

“I will send official notices to the nobles gathered here with the results.”

The direction things were heading didn’t look promising.

‘Come to think of it, yesterday’s attack, where they tried to kill me, was also Ondella’s scheme.’

I wanted to reveal this fact immediately, but I held back.

Although the nobles present clearly heard that information earlier, the king seemed indifferent. He might pretend not to know even if he did.

Philip might be aware of the incident, but he might be avoiding it due to the burden.

If it was burdensome for him, it was evident that it would be an overwhelming matter for me.

‘Even though there’s a law, it could be unreasonable for the weak….’

Still, public opinion was currently leaning in my favor.

‘No matter how much of a king he is, he can’t ignore the prevailing public opinion.’

So, I had to conclude this matter in the most public place possible.

“Your Majesty, I apologize, but I’m worried that rumors might spread incorrectly during these few days.”

The king quickly looked at me and, as one shouldn’t meet the king’s eyes carelessly, I slightly bowed my head.

I thought his gaze might be piercing, but surprisingly, it wasn’t as intense.

And, at the end of a short silence, the king’s response came.

“Well… if the rumors spread incorrectly, it could affect business.”

“…?”

“The perfume is quite impressive.”

“…?”

The king’s tone towards me was much softer than before. I glanced around for a moment.

“Lift your head; I’m considering giving a chance to the representative of my Boutique DS.”

Following his instructions, as I lifted my head, the king spoke slowly.

“If you can immediately call an appraiser, you can settle this matter today.”

If a skilled appraiser like Clona Hasena could come right away, I could win this case!

However, there was a feeling of tension in my mind.

‘Where on earth can I immediately call an appraiser? Will they come just because I call them?’

Even if the king gave me room, it seemed impossible for me to bring an appraiser right away.

Unless there was an appraiser inside the party venue who volunteered to help.

‘But would they want to get involved in the incident? What if the appraiser inside the party is influenced by supporting factions?’

That’s when an unexpected voice interrupted.

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Suddenly, a voice broke in.

Although I hadn’t even mentioned the matter, relief came first, and tears welled up.

The intruder was Philip.

“Speak. Count Maurice.”

“All who attended the party yesterday were instructed to be present today, so there should be an appraiser here.”

“Is that so?”

Upon Philip’s words, the king raised his voice toward the nobles.

“Do we have an appraiser here to verify the innocence of Ellen Bourbon Linoar, the representative of Boutique DS? If so, come forward.”
As his words ended, a middle-aged woman stepped forward frighteningly among the people.

‘Has a miracle… occurred?’

The nobles were in commotion, and I, surprised, widened my eyes.

The middle-aged woman, with her neatly arranged red hair, expressed a polite gesture in front of the king.

“The dignity of Siggaret shines above the sun. I am Clona Hasena.”

“Hmm… so you’re the one stepping forward.”

The king leaned back comfortably on his throne. He seemed to know and trust her.

Clona also responded comfortably.

“Yes, I am well aware of the Tears of the Goddess. I appraised it at the most recent auction of the item.”

“Convenient timing. Then, go ahead.”

At the king’s gesture, Clona respectfully nodded toward the nobles.

“I am the appraiser Clona Hasena. From now on, I will appraise the authenticity of the necklace.”

Approaching the necklace, she took out white gloves and a small magnifying glass from her bosom.

As she began to examine the necklace, the party venue surprisingly became quiet to an astonishing degree. Everyone was focused on Clona’s appraisal.

Even though the atmosphere suggested that the necklace would be authentic, perhaps due to the tension, it felt needlessly nervous.

I slightly raised my eyes and observed Marquis Ondella’s complexion.

His pupils were shaking anxiously, repeatedly biting his nails and then lowering his hand.

No matter how shameless, it was understandable to act like that when guilty.

I shifted my gaze subtly. Alexander happened to be visible.

Where did the mild expression from earlier go? Alexander was observing me with an unreadable look.

However, it wasn’t an angry gaze, so without much thought, I turned my eyes to another place.

Next, I met eyes with Laila and, standing beside her, Marboro.

Laila’s cute eyebrows shot up. Her lovely cheeks were tinted like ripe peaches. Holding my golden dress hem tightly, Laila swayed it like a goldfish diligently.

‘Oh, my lady.’

Even though no sound was made, Laila said something to me.

But I couldn’t understand the content except for ‘oh my lady.’ Judging by her expression and the atmosphere, it seemed to convey meanings like fighting, cheering, don’t worry, etc.

As I concentrated on Laila’s mouth shape, I couldn’t help but burst into a silent smile. No matter how you looked at it, her swaying like a goldfish was too cute.

At the same time, glancing back and forth between my wife and me, Marboro’s mouth broke into a silent smile.

Seeing that, I felt some tension easing.

‘Thank you.’

With a much more relaxed feeling, as I shifted my gaze, I was captivated by the madness that struck me in the heart.

Those obsessive violet eyes—since when had Philip been looking at me?