"Welcome, Miss Irene Watson. Miss Audrey is already waiting for you in the Reception Room."
On Sunday afternoon, Angel arrived punctually at Earl Hall's residence in Queens Borough. A maid had long been waiting by the entrance and warmly received her.
Led by the maid into the luxurious villa, Angel was left speechless by the brightly lit hall, the countless paintings and decorations on the walls, and the antiques filling every corner of the corridors.
"Just that painting facing the main entrance probably costs more than 2,000 pounds, judging by my limited knowledge. They've hung a Sun Brooch on the wall..."
Still unable to forget the Mystical Item from yesterday, she followed the impassive maid down a long corridor to the Reception Room on the western side. By the broad floor-to-ceiling windows, Audrey Hall sat in an upholstered high-backed chair, happily chatting with a group of young nobles. Their manners were elegant and their clothes lavish, clearly marking them as people of considerable status.
Angel recognized two of them as young nobles she had met during the Emperor Roselle Exhibition. Viscount Glaint was among them as well, while the other three were unfamiliar.
The two genuine Beyonders, Xio Derecha and Fors Wall, were absent. Angel guessed that Audrey had invited only children of noble families, and as "Baroness Sevillea Landon's niece," she barely qualified as one herself.
With Audrey, who was skilled at livening up a gathering, making introductions, and Viscount Glaint already knowing Angel, the young nobles quickly accepted the new member after some brief pleasantries. She joined this small Occult Salon, sitting by the tea table and sipping West Mountain Coffee imported from Feynapotter while enjoying delicate, delicious desserts and listening to the nobles exchange stories of their experiences.
Without question, their main topic was the major event