"You…!"
Celine nearly erupted in fury.
Had Norna not restrained her, she'd have launched into a shouting match with Roger right then.
A puzzling contradiction—neither wholly foolish nor entirely clever.
Norna had explicitly taught her how to engage Roger diplomatically, yet Celine willfully ignored the advice.
Now, with Norna securing Roger's presence, this was their final—and finest—opportunity.
"Go mingle. I need to finish preparing," Norna said briskly, hurrying back to her chambers.
Roger likewise retreated, eager to avoid further entanglement with Celine.
Grand Hall
The venue teemed with hundreds of aristocrats.
In a secluded corner, Roger lounged on a stone bench, swirling a goblet of wine as he admired the estate's gardens.
Then—a shadow.
Celine crept up like a thief, circling behind him before prodding his shoulder. "Psst. Come here," she hissed.
Roger turned, eyebrow arched. "What?"
"Just come," she insisted, yanking him toward a decorative rock formation.
He considered resisting but relented, not wanting to draw attention. Thankfully, their corner remained unnoticed—a scandal avoided.
Behind the Faux Mountain
The clandestine atmosphere felt absurdly illicit.
"State your business," Roger said flatly.
As a grown man, he harbored no grudge. He already guessed her purpose.
Celine dipped her head demurely. "If I… apologize? Would you take my order?"
Roger feigned ignorance. "Apologize for what?"
"For snapping at you earlier!" She stamped a foot in frustration.
"Do I strike you as the type to hold petty grudges against women?" He chuckled.
Celine brightened instantly. "So you'll accept my commission?"
Leaning against the rocks, Roger repeated his refrain: "Depends on your conduct."
"I've been perfect! Please, I need those enchanted pieces!" She clutched his arm, deploying her ultimate weapon—a masterclass in coquetry.
Her deliberately swaying figure pressed closer, well-developed breasts grazing his sleeve. Roger's resolve wavered under the assault.
So this is how honey traps work, he mused. No wonder men fall so easily.
Celine's strategy proved devastatingly effective—irritating yet undeniably flattering.
Truthfully, molding a noble heiress into this level of supplication was an achievement. Why prolong the game? Her earnestness had already softened him.
Too naïve, Roger thought. A few sweet words, and she'd follow me anywhere.
"Well?!" Celine persisted, batting her lashes.
Roger sighed, "Alright, fine. Since you seem somewhat sincere, I'll take your order. We can discuss the specifics at my shop."
Celine's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Thank you! Once I'm done here, we'll go to your shop together. It's a deal!"
"You can go alone, but don't tell anyone else," Roger advised.
Celine nodded repeatedly in agreement, "Got it."
Finally, he had dealt with this troublesome little imp.
Roger turned and walked back to the venue, just in time for the start of the coming-of-age ceremony.
Under the watch of family and friends, Norna entered the center of the venue, wearing a light gold pleated split skirt and a pearl crown, holding a magic wand in her right hand.
Accompanied by several noble girls, she walked gracefully down the red carpet toward the center of the venue.
Roger stood among the crowd, quietly observing.
Nearby, a middle-aged, bald man in a well-tailored black coat was watching Roger.
His name was Kurinan, the second-in-command of the local gang "Skeleton Faction." He was also from a noble family, which is why he had been invited to Norna's coming-of-age ceremony.
"Strange. Wasn't this kid supposed to have been beaten to death by my subordinates for failing to pay protection fees? How come he's here?"
Kurinan thought to himself, puzzled.
What he didn't expect was that the previous night, Roger had thoroughly beaten up two of his subordinates.
If that ever reached his ears, it would likely escalate into a much bigger issue.
That day, Kurinan had sent someone to collect the protection fees, only to later hear that Roger had failed to pay and had been beaten to death.
To Kurinan, Roger's death had seemed no more significant than killing an ant.
But now, Roger was present at the Dudon Knight's estate, attending Norna's coming-of-age ceremony. This meant Roger's relationship with the Dudon Knight was no ordinary one.
Kurinan knew well enough that anyone connected to the Dudon Knight was someone he could not afford to offend.
As for collecting protection fees from Roger in the future, that was out of the question.
"What's he looking at me for? Does he want to come here and collect protection fees from me?"
Roger noticed Kurinan's gaze and casually looked back at him.
At that moment, both Roger and Kurinan had almost identical thoughts: one thinking, "You can't touch me," and the other thinking, "I can't do anything about you."
However, the two never exchanged a word.
Kurinan ultimately looked down on someone like Roger, and would no longer target him, especially for the sake of Dudon Knight's reputation.
Roger himself would not be the type to earn his respect.
At that very moment, everyone else in the venue was captivated by Norna, with the most attention focused on the Sexy Stockings she wore on her legs.
It was an entirely new type of garment that no one had ever seen before.
Though the Sexy Stockings covered Norna's legs, they made her legs appear even straighter and longer, even more alluring and sexy.
Especially to men, they formed an irresistible kind of temptation.
"Just as Roger had made these stockings for me, I never expected them to enhance my charm so much. They're all staring at my legs. I'll have Roger make me a few more sets when I get back."
Norna thought to herself.
Her vanity swelled to unprecedented satisfaction in that moment.
Two hours later, the coming-of-age ceremony concluded without incident.
After indulging in food and drink, Roger departed alone.
Celine had monitored his movements throughout the event. Spotting his exit, she broke into a hurried trot after him.
Fearful of gossip, Celine maintained distance until Roger reached his shop, then quickened her pace to follow him inside.
"Finally made it to your store! What an ordeal!" Celine chirped, swiveling her head to inspect the premises.
Her first impression of Roger's tailor shop? Utterly mundane. Were it not for... specialized needs, she'd never set foot in such an establishment.
Roger leaned against the counter. "Since you're new to enchanted lingerie, I'll start with my recommended package."
"Agreed," Celine nodded. "Describe your proposal."
"I offer two tiers—" Roger began.
"Skip the details. I'll take the priciest option," Celine interjected with a dismissive wave.
"Miss Celine has exquisite taste indeed. I knew you'd appreciate quality." Roger grinned, thumbs-up flashing.
His "two tiers" were identical to Norna's previous order and an upgraded version with higher erotic potency—a design unlocked through recent skill advancements.
With terms settled, they proceeded to measurements.
"Begin! I trust you completely."
Celine spread her arms in surrender.
"Did Norna brief you on the... process?" Roger inquired archly.
"We're close confidantes," Celine replied with knowing sweetness.
"Good. Preparation simplifies everything."
Replicating Norna's fitting, Roger lifted Celine's skirt to measure her thighs.
Petite yet proportioned, her legs lacked Norna's leggy allure but balanced with youthful curves. Her true distinction lay higher—breasts ripened beyond her sixteen years, promising voluptuous maturity.
Celine squeezed her eyes shut as Roger's hands trespassed personal boundaries.
Crouching, the tailor noted the coolness of her skin—a telltale trait of ice mages whose magic could flash-freeze liquids midair.