Mystery: But the Witch's Path

Chapter 70 Audrey's Collection

After Earl Hall turned and left, he and Hilbert 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 Eileen, indicating that she should ride in her own carriage alone, and then followed the two of them into the carriage that had already approached.

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 Siberian black tea, then glanced at Altair again, smiling gently:

"You really have blossomed into a beautiful young woman! Count Altair, it's only been two months since we last met. I never imagined you would become even more stunning."

"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 are too kind. 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 Count."

After saying that, Altair added, "Mrs. Hall, although we have only known each other for a short time, just two months, you are still as charming 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 you have red lips and white teeth. You look like a real beauty. In another year, you'll probably be the focus of Backlund's social circles."

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 unnoticed. When the carriage arrived at Hall Manor and came to a stop, everyone alighted and entered the villa's inner rooms.

Since lunch wasn't fully prepared yet, Audrey took Altair to her room for a chat: "Sister Altair, do you really not like my older brother, Hippet?"

"Although I think he sometimes has a rather gloomy personality and mindset, and thinks too complicatedly, I don't think that prevents him from having good qualities of rationality, pragmatism, and 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 he reluctantly reached out and tapped the girl's nose, saying, "I understand what you mean."

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

"The negative personality traits you mentioned, such as being 'gloomy and having overly complicated thoughts,' are essentially because he is the eldest son of the Hall family and the next head of the Hall family."

"Now your family has your father, Mingzhu, who, through his own efforts, built such a large family business."

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

"And then there's your second brother. Although he's currently in the Southern 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 leads to a buildup of negative emotions, which he has no way to vent, and it gradually affects his personality, making him become paranoid, gloomy, and irritable..."

"I suggest you subtly remind your father, or you could proactively encourage Hippel to relax."

"The essence of this is that 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 an arranged marriage. 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 Hippel a sunny and cheerful girl. At least she can influence Hippel to some extent and change his personality."

After listening to Altair's explanation, Audrey lowered her head slightly and fell silent. After thinking for a moment, she uttered an "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? If you don't look at it soon, dinner will be served."

Altair's words seemed to remind Audrey of something, and she immediately regained her composure, saying with a serious expression, "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 pointing to various items and introducing them: "This armlet is from the Trensus dynasty; I haven't figured out its purpose yet. This crystal ornament... This brooch feels warm and cozy when worn. 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 "magical items": "Ordinary pottery, an ordinary antique pearl necklace, a 'gold ring' about 30 years old with a faint spirituality, engraved with the blessing of the eternal sun, capable of dispelling cold; a protective charm of the Church of the Night, effective in warding off misfortune..."

Looking at Audrey's collection, Altair couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. There weren't any extraordinary items, only amulets and similar items with a faint spiritual quality.

However, the proportion of genuine antiques is far too large, and these collectibles are currently quite valuable. If they were all sold, at least £10,000 could be raised.