“Good enough.” Clayde was extremely blunt. “And this must be Yale, right? Yale, how’s your father doing?”
“My father is doing very well. Unfortunately, he isn’t currently within the Holy Union, as if he was, he definitely would’ve come in person.” Yale said modestly.
Clayde nodded slightly.
“Director Maia, who else has come today?” Clayde called out casually.
Director Maia smiled. “Let’s wait a while longer. I expect that Cardinal Lampson [Lan’pu’sen] and Cardinal Guillermo will be arriving as well.”
Generally speaking, the third level was only used for welcoming guests which the Proulx Gallery held in the highest regard.
The windows of the third level were made with a special type of glass. Those on the outside were unable to see inside, but those on the inside could clearly see the outside. This sort of glass was specially designed and produced by alchemists, and was extremely expensive. Most places weren’t able to afford such materials.
“Lords Guillermo and Lampson have arrived.” Director Maia’s position allowed him to see the outside hallway.
Linley, Yale, and even King Clayde all went to welcome these two men with great warmth and enthusiasm. In a group, they went to greet these two Cardinals of the Radiant Church. Cardinal Guillermo and Linley had met once before, while Cardinal Lampson was rather pudgy. When he laughed, his eyes turned into a thin slit. He seemed very adorable.
“Linley. Right?” Lampson immediately gave Linley a big, warm hug.
“Lord Lampson.” Linley said respectfully.
And then, the seven people within the third floor, being Cardinal Lampson, Cardinal Guillermo, Maia, Yale, Austoni, King Clayde, and Linley all sat down together, peering out of the windows at the spectacle below.
From their vantage point, they could even see into what was going on in the booths on the second level.
“Third Bro, look.” Yale lightly nudged Linley by the arm and nodded below.
Following Yale’s gaze, Linley looked over as well. Suddenly, he discovered that within one of the second level booths, Kalan and Alice were both present. Right now, Alice and Kalan were holding hands while seated together on a sofa, engaging in conversation.
“I didn’t expect her to come.” Yale said softly to Linley.
Linley only smiled calmly.
“Linley, what are you guys talking about?” The pudgy Cardinal Lampson chortled at Linley.
“Nothing.” Linley shook his head.
Guillermo patted Clayde on the shoulder. “Clayde, I must say, your management of the Kingdom of Fenlai has been stellar. You’ve actually managed to produce an incredible talent like Linley. Before this, I really had no idea that this genius magus, Linley, also had reached such an incredible level of achievement in the art of stonesculpting.”
Yale, Linley, Clayde, Guillermo, Lampson, and Director Maia continued to engage in idle conversation while watching the activities below.
All of the seats on the first floor of the auction hall were now filled.
On the main platform, the sculpture ‘Awakening From the Dream’ was placed, covered with a piece of cloth. On the platform, a beautiful serving girl stood on each side of the sculpture, while a golden-haired gentleman walked onto the platform with a smile. Looking around himself, he said in a bright voice, “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome all of you to this auction for Master Linley’s sculpture, ‘Awakening From the Dream’.”
This middle-aged man behaved extremely leisurely. Slowly, he said, “Every single guest who has come today has a grand reputation. In particular, our Gallery was fortunate enough to be able to invite Lord Cardinal Guillermo to attend as well.” This middle-aged man bowed slightly towards the third level.
Instantly, everyone below rose to their feet, filling the auction hall with the sound of their applause.
“We also have Lord Cardinal Lampson present.” Another round of energetic applause.
“His Majesty, the ruler of our Kingdom of Fenlai, has arrived as well.”
“Additionally, the genius magus and genius sculptor, Master Linley, is present today.”
This auctioneer rattled off one name after another, and each time he did, there was a storm of applause. To these nobles, a Cardinal of the Radiant Church, the ruler of a Kingdom, and that genius of a level which the Yulan continent would rarely seen in its entire history, all were worthy of their admiration.
“Master Linley?”
Within her booth, Alice stared out of the window at the third level, but unfortunately, all she could see was black glass.
But on the third level.
Linley could clearly see Alice’s face…and the slightly lost look in her eyes.