Audrey's Collection

After the Earl Hall turned and left, he and Hibbert boarded the lead carriage first. Lady Hall and Audrey then rose and invited Altair to ride in another carriage that had been prepared beforehand.

Altair glanced at Irene, gesturing for her to ride in her own carriage alone, before joining the two of them in boarding the already approaching carriage.

The carriage wheels rolled over the damp stone pavement, the aroma of tea mingling with the faint scent of gardenias in the carriage. Three ladies sat on soft chairs on either side, their whispers and soft laughter mingling from time to time, while the street scene outside the carriage window slowly receded.

Mrs. Hall took a sip of her Xibo Black Tea, then glanced at Altair again, smiling gently.

"Truly, a girl changes a lot as she grows up, Count Altair. It's only been two months since we last met. I never imagined you would become even more beautiful."

"If she were to wear a moon-white dress now, she would look like a fairy who has stepped out of a painting."

Upon hearing this, Altair laughed and said, "Madame Hall, you jest. You are Audrey's mother, and I am a good friend of your daughter. You can call me by my full name, Altair, without the honorific title of Earl."

After saying that, Altair added, "Mrs. Hall, although we haven't officially known each other for long, only two months, you are still as charming and graceful as when we first met."

"And look at your eyes and brows, they're even more radiant than they were two months ago. Time seems to have been exceptionally kind to you."

Then he turned to Audrey, who was smiling beside him, and said, "The last time I saw you, you still had a bit of a childish look on your face. Now you've lost your baby fat, your nose is more defined, and your lips are red and your teeth are white. You look like a real beauty. In another year, you'll probably be the focus of Bexland's Social Circle."

Audrey blushed at Altair's compliment and lowered her head, gently twisting the ribbon at her waist.

"Sister Altair, you flatter me. I'm not that good. It's you whose skin is getting even whiter and brighter."

Upon hearing the girl's words, Altair and Mrs. Hall exchanged a smile. Mrs. Hall then gently patted Audrey's back to comfort her.

As the three chatted, time slipped by. When the carriage arrived at the Hall Manor and came to a stop, everyone alighted and went into the villa's Inner Room.

Since lunch wasn't quite ready yet, Audrey took Altair to her room for a chat. "Sister Altair, do you really not like my older brother, Hibbert?"

"Although I think he can be quite somber and prone to overthinking at times, I don't believe that prevents him from possessing the admirable qualities of rationality, pragmatism, and a sense of responsibility."

"Hmm... I think he has the ability to be a good husband and a good family member... So, Sister Altair, are you really not going to consider him?"

After hearing Audrey's words, Altair thought to himself, "As expected, no one is a fool, especially the nobles."

So, feeling helpless, he reached out and tapped the girl's nose, saying, "I understand what you mean."

"In fact, Lord Hilbert is, in a way, a good marriage prospect."

The negative personality traits you mentioned—"being rather gloomy and having overly complex thoughts"—are essentially because he is the Hall Family Eldest Son and the Hall Family Next Master.

"Now, with your Your Father Mingzhu as an example, who built such a large family business through his own efforts, your family is even more successful."

"If he doesn't perform well enough, it will indirectly lead all the nobles to gradually look down on the Hall Family, believing that your family will gradually decline under Hibbert's leadership."

"And then there's your Your Second Brother. Although he's currently in the South Continent and hasn't achieved anything particularly remarkable yet, it's undeniable that he's a source of pressure for your eldest brother. For example: the eldest son is not as good as the second son..."

"This accumulation of negative emotions, coupled with his inability to release them, gradually affected his personality, causing him to become paranoid, gloomy, and irritable..."

"I suggest you subtly remind your father, or you could proactively talk to Hibbert and help him relax."

"This is essentially because he has an overly strong sense of honor."

"I do admire one thing about him. But unfortunately, admiration is one thing, but I couldn't stand living with someone like that."

"We're just not a good match."

"First, I have no intention of engaging in a marriage alliance. Second, our personalities are incompatible, and even if we were to marry, his personality wouldn't meet my requirements. Third..."

"So, please stop interfering in our affairs. If possible, please try to persuade your family as well."

"I think you should find Hibbert a sunny and cheerful girl. At least she can influence Hibbert to some extent and change his personality."

After hearing Altair's explanation, Audrey lowered her head slightly and fell silent. After thinking for a moment, she uttered, "Hmm..."

Seeing her deep in thought, Altair turned slightly, picked up a cup of black tea, took a sip, and reminded her, "Didn't you say you had something mystical for me to see? Dinner's about to start if you don't look soon."

Altair's words seemed to remind Audrey of something; she immediately regained her composure and said seriously, "Those things are in my study; let's go see them now."

After saying that, Audrey took Altair's hand and led her to her study.

Upon entering the study, she began to introduce the various items, "This armlet is from the Trensost Dynasty; I haven't figured out its purpose yet. This crystal ornament... this brooch makes me feel warm when I wear it. I feel this has a sleep-inducing effect. This..."

Audrey introduced her collection to Altair, categorizing them into different sections.

Listening to her descriptions, Altair couldn't help but begin to evaluate these "Mystical Item": "Ordinary Pottery, Ordinary Antique Pearl Necklace, a ' Golden Ring ' about 30 years old with a faint Spirituality, engraved with the blessing of the Eternal Blazing Sun, capable of dispelling cold; a protective charm of the Church of Evernight, with the effect of warding off misfortune..."

Looking at Audrey's collection, Altair couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. Although there weren't any Extraordinary Item, there were only some amulets and similar items with a faint Spirituality.

However, the majority of these items are genuine antiques, and these collectibles are currently quite valuable. If they were all sold, at least £10,000 could be raised.