“The news came at just the right time.”
“That’s right. Because next week is the Imperial literature salon.”
When Luciel heard the news, she and Ellington immediately got into the carriage with a face of anticipation.
The carriage arrived at Gallius’ studio before they knew it. Today Gallius was kind enough to come out to greet them.
“Come on in.” (Gallius)
“Hello, I’ve been waiting for it.” (Ellington)
“Hello, Count Gallius. I can look forward to it, right?” (Luciel)
Gallius looked excited as if he was about to show off his own work.
“Hm-hum. Of course, Luciel.”
Surprised by his confidence, Luciel met Ellington’s eyes.
For Gallius, who was famous for giving stingy evaluations to others, to speak so confidently there must be a solid reason backing it up.
However, Max was nowhere to be seen.
“Where did Mr. Max go?”
At Luciel’s question, Count Gallius glanced sharply over his lens and gave a meaningful smile.
“It’s only when he’s not here that you can really appreciate his work. He seemed to be stuck in the studio for weeks, so I told him to go to a nearby coffee shop for a while and chill out.”
“Well, then, shall we take a look at the works?”
At Ellington’s words, Gallius led the two into the studio.
“This way.”
Inside the pure white studio, no candlesticks or magic lanterns were lit, and natural light was allowed to shine through. The stained glass window was the first thing that caught Luciel’s eye.
“This is the tulip window that Mr. Max made last time.”
I thought it was the same thing when I saw it, but it wasn’t. Three red tulips looked sweet and fresh. Although a lot of strong colors were used, it was harmonious without being rustic.
The design, the glass, and the soldering technique were also more elaborately refined.
“Is this new? It has definitely become more sophisticated.”
At Luciel’s words, Gallius pointed to the shelf.
“This is the real thing.”
“Wow…….”
Luciel immediately burst into admiration. On the display stand, there were glass crafts that were incomparably more delicate, beautiful and dazzling than the last ones made.
I can’t believe he could make such a variety of beautiful things out of stained glass…….
Although there were not many glass crafts, the ones made were of various sizes and types, they all caught the eye because they were painstakingly crafted.
From plates depicting bees and flowers to lily-shaped vases and owl wall decorations.
Even dazzling sun-shaped brooch, moon earrings, and an elegant rose necklace were luxurious enough to catch people’s attention, so much so that they could be compared with jewelry.
Max seemed to have studied a lot about women’s accessories during that time.
In addition, the chandelier, which expresses the purple night sky and constellations, looked sweetly romantic.
“Did Mr. Max make all this himself?”
“Yes. How is it, my disciple’s workmanship?”
As Gallius smirked, Luciel raised her thumb in recognition.
“It’s wonderful because he learned under a good teacher.”
While paying attention to the framed ornaments representing the sea Ellington said.
“Yes, I’d like to have at least one of them.”
They were so captivating that Ellington, who was not very interested in decorations and ornaments like that, said so.
“These crafts especially used glass airlifted from Hamel’s workshop. They bring it once every three days.”
“Aha, that’s why it’s so shiny.”
Since she told about the secret of Naples seaweed, Luciel could feel the difference with her eyes.
“Max is really an honest fellow. Look at this. He even went to the store and researched accessories that were popular with ladies and girls. I couldn’t have done this.”
There was affection in Gallius’ eyes as he pulled out the materials from Max’s desk and showed them.
“Now that I see it, did you send Mr. Max to the teahouse because you were embarrassed to praise him on his face?”
When Luciel spoke teasingly, Gallius grew serious.
“You rascal. It’s not like that. Although Max is not that good, he has come this far because he is sincere and hard-working.”
“……After all, isn’t it a compliment?”
Luciel lit her eyes and smiled softly.
“Where is the compliment in that?”
Around that time, Max returned to the studio. Wearing a brown check jacket, pants with suspenders, and a hat pressed down, he was quite neat.
As soon as he saw him, Gallius reproached him again.
“Why did you come already? You never listen to what I have to tell you.”
Max took off his hat and scratched his head.
“I went to the tea house empty-handed, so I couldn’t stay there……And I really wanted to see you two again.”
“I was going to move over there after showing them the glasswork anyway……”
“Actually, I’m curious about the reaction……I worked really hard.”
Max, who was shy in the past, was showing confidence this time. The changed result was good, Luciel liked it the most.
“Count Gallius praised Mr. Max a lot.”
“Re-really? He doesn’t usually say a word…”
When Max looked at Count Gallius in amazement, he groaned again, and he began to mumble around.
Luciel continued to talk while happily looking at him.
“I think the results of the hard work you have put in are clearly visible. It’s really bright and detailed. I can’t take my eyes off of it. Last time, I actually thought it was a little lacking, but this time it’s more than what I imagined!”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful glass craft. I think people in the Imperial Palace would like it too.”
“……Really?”
At the praises of Luciel and Ellington, Max’s eyes fluttered, and immediately bowed his head.
“Thank you. Now I feel like I’m finally going out of my narrow fence and doing something real.”
“It went really well. Max.”
Seeing a steady development like this, he must have been a natural talent. It was the same with Gallius who brought him up.
If it was a craft with this level of technology and beauty, it seemed that she could show it to Her Majesty the Empress and Her Highness Princess Claudia.
Luciel said as if she had made a decision.
“Next week, a salon will be held in the Imperial Palace to publish articles. Her Majesty the Empress is hosting it, and I would like to show her the glass crafts made by Mr. Max. What do you think?”
“What? A-A-A-Already? Oh, but I don’t have a craft that’s luxurious enough to take to the Imperial Palace yet, so if you give me a little more time, I’ll make it……!”
When Max showed greed and passion, Luciel said.
“Well, I think it’s already luxurious enough. However, if possible, I would like to request a new craft. It’s something that goes well with the atmosphere of a literary salon and a Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
“Is it open at night?”
“Unfortunately, I think so.”
Even Luciel felt sad about that.
“Any stained glass decoration would be beautiful in the sun-lit daytime, but at night…….”
Max also looked worried.
“I think the chandelier with the constellation is pretty cool, too.”
Ellington offered an opinion, but Luciel shook her head.
“Maybe it will be held outdoors. Chandeliers use indoor lighting. We have to consider both indoor and outdoor spaces.”
Looking at Luciel, who was drowning with deep thoughts at what would be good, Ellington smiled and asked.
“Little Madam, don’t you think you should have sweet desserts again? Shall we go to the cake shop?”
“I don’t want to miss the cake, but I have an appointment in the afternoon.”
“Oh, I see. But, have you written an article for the presentation? His Grace will be proud of you.”
“Oh……Yes! I think it would be better if it was a glass craft that could be linked to writing!”
An idea suddenly popped into Luciel’s head and her ears pricked up.
‘Yes, there was something that made me and others happy. I should try writing with it.’
“A good idea came to me. Mr.Max, can I borrow a piece of paper and a pen for a moment?”
Luciel wrote down the design and description of the glass craft that came to mind and delivered it to Max. He said yes, and smiled.
“It seems that the production will be completed in three days.”
“Thank you, Mr.Max.”
Thinking that everyone would like it, Luciel set off with Ellington to the Duke’s Castle. Ellington held out a small pocket to Luciel as if he had suddenly remembered it.
“By the way, dear lady, how can you give me something like this?”
It was the emerald and topaz that Luciel had given him.
“……Huh? Have you only seen it now?”
It had been more than a month since she gave him the jewel.
“You said it was candy, so I gave it to my younger brother……he abandoned it and I found it again by chance. I don’t know about anything else, but I can’t accept this precious jewel.”
Ellington’s eyes grew serious. Her father-in-law said he was also family, so he must have heard about Luciel. The number of people who she could not give jewels to increased again.
Luciel’s heart warmed.
“Thank you, Ellington.”
“That’s nothing. Are you going to enter the Castle now?”
Luciel shook his head.
“No, I have an appointment, so please drop me off at the little fief.”
“All right. I will report to the Duke about today’s glass crafts.”
When the carriage arrived at the her villa, Luciel said goodbye to Ellington and parted ways.
It wasn’t decided in advance, but today is the day Erika comes to the little fief’s lab, so using a promise as an excuse was about right.
When she entered the lab building, Erika was busy moving while looking at the magic flask and paperwork. But, as if something was not working out well, she tilted her head over and over again.
Spinel, peridot, and obsidian were placed on the observation tool.
Luciel called her first.
“Sister Erika, you’re already here.”
“Oh, Luciel. Are you here?”
Because her expression had somehow lost energy, Luciel anxiously asked.
“…is the research not going well?”
“No, it’s because the results are a little odd.”
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“Huh? What?”
“Strangely, every time I measure a spinel, the mana level changes. And I just couldn’t figure out what effect it has. I tried pouring holy water, but there was no healing power at least on the naked eyes. Do you have any guesses?”
“……Well, I don’t know. I’ll think about it, too. So, did you discover the power of the other jewels?”
“Yes, of course.”
Erika’s eyes lit up.