Chapter 343: I Was Impolite!

"Thank you!" Catherine accepted the gift, amid Scarlett's envious gaze.

Yet her demeanor remained unchanged, offering only the faint words "thank you."

Liam had thought his gift might soften her attitude, at least sparking a glimmer of surprise in her eyes.

But he never expected to end up just like Dent.

This shouldn't be happening!

After all, Scarlett's expression made it clear the fire-tinder rabbit was still highly prized by noble ladies.

And what about that baronial upstart? Why hadn't his expression changed at all?

Is he an idiot?

Doesn't he realize we've just utterly overshadowed him?

"Now it's my turn!"

Next, two more noble youths stepped forward, presenting their carefully prepared gifts.

One offered a delicate necklace adorned with a sapphire the size of a fingernail, worth seven or eight gold coins.

The other presented a silver rose figurine, fist-sized, also worth seven or eight gold coins.

In short, both gifts were expensive—but still fell short of the earlier Water-Condensing Pearl and fire-tinder rabbit.

"Since everyone's finished, it's my turn now!"

At that moment, the Marquis's eldest son, Maurice, finally rose to his feet.

His status was the highest among them all, making him the grand finale.

As he clapped his hands, his attendants brought forward an exquisite wooden box.

The moment they saw the box's design, Gervas and Catherine both subtly froze.

Of course, Maurice noticed nothing amiss.

Confidently, he opened the box himself—and revealed a circular iron disc before the crowd.

"Huh? This disc is strange—it's made of iron, yet its surface is engraved with inscriptions!"

"Cousin Doyle, are these magical inscriptions?"

"Yes, these are definitely magical inscriptions—not mere decorative patterns!" Doyle nodded firmly.

Upon hearing this, Scarlett's eyes grew even more puzzled.

Though a woman, as a Duke's descendant, she well understood the value of magical artifacts.

When had magical inscriptions ever been etched onto iron?

Wasn't that a degradation of magic itself?

Still, since the gift came from Maurice, she couldn't voice her doubts.

But Maurice quickly gave her—and everyone—a reply.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this disc is indeed made of iron—but it is also a genuine magical artifact!"

"So it really is a magical artifact!" The crowd burst into murmurs, eagerly awaiting Maurice's further explanation.

"Ladies and gentlemen, have any of you heard that, besides the telescope, another item has recently become famous in the capital?"

"Really? Maurice, we haven't heard of it!"

All present were eastern border nobles, far from the capital.

News from the capital took considerable time to reach them.

As for the single-lens telescope, only Scarlett and Doyle had informed them of its fame in the capital—yet the eastern border already had them for sale, so they knew it had gained renown.

"So none of you have heard of it? No need to worry—it's been over a month since it appeared; I'm sure it will reach the eastern border soon!"

"And now, I'll tell you: in the capital, alongside Miss Catherine's single-lens telescope, this disc is also one of the objects nobles are clamoring for!"

"Its name? The Magic Fan!"

"Magic Fan?"

Maurice relished their curiosity—and was astonished to notice, for the first time, a flicker of interest in Catherine's eyes, a faint gleam.

This had never happened before.

Instantly energized, he personally flipped the switch on the Magic Fan.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A strong wind blasted forth, leaving everyone stunned.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, you've seen its effect! Of course, since it's late autumn, you may not fully appreciate it yet!"

"But when summer heat arrives, imagine how delightful it would be to cool yourself with this breeze."

"Such a peculiar thing!"

"Yes! If this were used in summer, it would truly be wonderful!"

Hearing his description, everyone immediately imagined the relief of such a breeze in the sweltering heat.

Seeing the crowd's approval—and the longing expressions on Scarlett and Doyle's faces—Maurice knew he had succeeded.

"To be honest, the Magic Fan originally cost only five gold coins each!"

"But due to its scarce production, the price has now been inflated to twenty gold coins—and even then, you can't buy one!"

"Fortunately, my father happened to be in the capital recently and spent twenty gold coins to purchase one!"

"And today, I've brought it here specifically to give to Miss Catherine!"

With that, Maurice bowed gracefully and personally offered the box to Catherine.

He expected her to take it with her own hands this time.

After all, the gleam in her eyes had already revealed everything.

But Catherine's reaction caught him off guard—she leaned back slightly, creating distance, then had her servant accept the gift.

"Thank you."

"Huh?" Maurice froze.

So what was that gleam in your eyes just now, then?

Pfft!

At last, Gervas could no longer hold back his laughter!

His sudden outburst ignited Maurice completely.

After all, Catherine's actions had left him deeply humiliated and confused.

"Lord Gervas, what are you laughing at? Do you think my gift is worthless?"

"If so, then show us what better gift you have to offer!" Maurice glared sharply at Gervas.

Seeing this, Scarlett, Doyle, and the others immediately sneered.

This fool would've escaped their scorn if he'd just kept quiet.

But his laugh had handed them the perfect opening.

After all, such rudeness left even Catherine unable to defend him.

Yet just as everyone expected Gervas to panic and beg forgiveness for his laughter—

Gervas smiled calmly and admitted, "Lord Maurice, I apologize. I truly shouldn't have laughed at your gift's low value."

"After all, the other gifts were even worse—and I managed to hold back my laughter. That was my mistake and my impoliteness. I apologize to you."

Good heavens! The crowd gasped.

Worse still, the man actually stood up to apologize.

"You… Lord Gervas, what do you mean?"

At this provocation, five noble youths all sprang to their feet in fury.

Scarlett and Doyle stared at Gervas as if he were a madman.

Is this man insane?

Does he even know what he just said?

He's provoked everyone's wrath!

Yet facing their accusations, Gervas remained calm.

Since he had no personal servant with him, he gestured to Migen, who was temporarily serving as one.

Migen swiftly withdrew—and moments later, several attendants entered the hall.