episode_0709

Annoying. And exhausting.

Alice thought as she watched people moving around in front of her.

“Director. The color at the tip of the eye is a bit weak….”

“A color that suits Miss Alice’s atmosphere….”

The place where she was sitting was the makeup room.

It was a place where about an hour was wasted every time there was an important event.

Despite Alice’s continuous refusals, due to strong opposition from someone influential in the Iris Guild, she ended up having to get makeup done for every event.

By the way, that person is still glaring at Alice.

“Alice. You look much prettier than before! Oh, Director. It seems like the lip color is lighter than usual?”

“You have a keen eye. Considering the lighting at the party today, deliberately went for a shade 1 level lighter….”

Alice sighed as she looked at Irene’s flattery.

Fortunately, it was almost time for entry, and the makeup was finally finished.

“Sis, let’s please cut it down to 30 minutes next time.”

“Alright. But the directors are disappointed. They feel like they’re not properly showcasing your charm. Should we consider replacing them soon?”

“It’s not the directors’ fault, it’s yours, sis. I don’t want to create more unemployed people.”

Alice and Irene chatted as they headed towards the party venue.

The party at the venue had already begun.

The Iris Guild is the center of attention at the party, so they were entering slowly.

“Alice, are you prepared to answer the questions the reporters will ask? You have to answer all of them today.”

“Of course. There’s hardly anything to explain… If I just show my friendship with Lee Hoyeon well.”

The criticisms against the Iris Guild have already been clarified.

Since EK Guild didn’t expect a huge backlash, most of it was just baseless rumors.

The purpose of today’s party is to prevent terrorism and showcase the friendship with Lee Hoyeon.

“They might ask about Lee Hoyeon too. Rumors of a romantic relationship.”

“Should we just go public with it this time?”

“That could be a good idea. Although Father might get angry….”

“Yeah, that’s true. It might be better to wait at least until after academy graduation.”

By then, Alice would have inherited the Iris Guild, and Isaac would have stepped down as guild leader to enjoy his leisure time.

He might lose a bit of interest in his daughter’s love life.

“We’re here. Let’s go in, Alice.”

“Yeah, sis.”

Terrorism was expected at this party venue.

And the people inside trusted only the Iris Guild.

Perhaps due to the long makeup time.

Feeling a slight tension, Alice entered the party venue.

– The star of today’s party, the Iris Guild, is entering!

Click-click-

The familiar sound of shutters and flashes of cameras greeted Alice and Irene.

“Why did you proceed with the party despite the threat of terrorism?”

“What do you think about the Iris Guild’s aggressive business expansion?”

Smiling, Alice walked towards the center of the party venue.

Questions should only be answered during the Q&A session. Right now, finding Lee Hoyeon was the urgent matter.

Joining him and showcasing their friendship was one of the main purposes of today’s party.

“Over there, I guess.”

Inside the party venue.

Even though the attention was on the Iris Guild, a crowd gathered in one place.

Seeing some reporters there, it was clear that Lee Hoyeon was present.

“Alice, I see Lee Hoyeon over there….”

Irene, who was walking in front of Alice, stopped in her tracks.

She had spotted Lee Hoyeon surrounded by reporters.

“…Lee Hoyeon?”

The continuous clicking of cameras filled the air.

Dressed sharply in a suit, Lee Hoyeon raised his head, smiling wryly as he engaged in conversations with people.

For a moment, Irene stared blankly at his face.

“He looks cool….”

Having reaffirmed the beauty of the world while watching Alice for a month, Irene erased that realization in just 5 seconds.

“Sis, why are you suddenly like that? … Huh?”

And Alice, who would usually have tapped Irene’s shoulder to snap her out of it, also stopped in her tracks upon seeing Lee Hoyeon.

The two sisters stared blankly at Lee Hoyeon.

*

After entering the party venue,

Lee Hoyeon roamed around the party venue, exchanging greetings.

“Lee Hoyeon, the magician! It’s an honor!”

“Thank you.”

Despite the impending threat of terrorism at the party, people seemed cheerful.

The reason became apparent soon.

“Even if terrorism were to occur, with Magician Lee Hoyeon and the Iris Guild present, there’s nothing to worry about!”

“There won’t be any danger, so enjoy the party without concerns.”

Some believed that terrorism wouldn’t happen, while most thought that even if it did, the Iris Guild would intervene.

That’s how crucial their image had become.

“Are those guys traitors?”

As he walked around the party venue, he could also see people from the EK Guild.

Noticing some individuals who avoided approaching him, he examined their faces and quickly understood.

Although he was seeing them in person for the first time, he remembered their faces from photos at the Iris Guild.

“Their magic seems suspicious?”

The magic of several guilds, including the EK Guild, fluctuated in peculiar forms.

It seemed like they were ready to betray at a moment’s notice if a signal came from within.

“Just in case, should I set up a safety measure?”

Lee Hoyeon briefly attached magic to the suspicious individuals as he passed by them.

If he wished, magic would spread throughout their bodies.

– The stars of today’s party, the Iris Guild, are entering!

Finally, the Iris Guild began to make their entrance.

Now, he had to join them over there.

Lee Hoyeon quickly greeted the people around him.

“I will head towards the Iris Guild. Have a great time, everyone.”

“Lee Hoyeon, the magician! If you could spare a moment…”

“Us too! We want to discuss collaboration with our guild!”

“Please direct official requests through the Iris Guild.”

With a smile, Lee Hoyeon turned away.

Alice and Irene, members of the Iris Guild, were in front of him.

Isaac followed closely behind them, casting a glance in his direction.

“Magician Lee Hoyeon. You look much better than a few days ago. Did you use magic?”

Isaac stepped forward to greet Lee Hoyeon, wearing a friendly smile, but he seemed somewhat upset.

“Thank you for the compliment. My secretary is quite interested in my appearance.”

“Is that so… tsk.”

He wanted to suggest announcing his marriage to his beloved secretary, but Isaac held back his words, conscious of the reporters around.

Now, it was essential to publicize the friendship between the Iris Guild and Lee Hoyeon.

“Why does that playboy-like guy…?”

The reason he showed animosity towards Lee Hoyeon was simple.

He had seen his two daughters staring blankly at Lee Hoyeon.

He wanted to shed tears of blood as a father…

“Anyway, have a good time, Guild Master.”

Lee Hoyeon nodded and looked at Irene and Alice behind him.

He recalled Scarlett’s words.

– Displaying friendship is invaluable.

– Friendship? What’s that?

– It’s a French greeting where you touch cheeks and make a kissing sound. You must have heard of it before, right?

– …I think I’ve seen it on the internet somewhere? But I don’t recall experiencing it myself.

– It’s a greeting done among family, friends, or lovers. It’s not common in public settings. However, if there’s a strong bond, people often do it even in public.

Bisou (Kiss).

A European-style greeting where cheeks touch and a kissing sound is made.

Although not typically done in public settings, Lee Hoyeon and Alice shared a bond deeper than that.

It seemed like a suitable way to show their closeness, so they had coordinated beforehand.

“Alice?”

“Ah…”

But something was off.

Alice had agreed to meet first, but she stood still as if frozen.

“Alice. Don’t you think it’s awkward to just stand there like that?”

“… Did you spray perfume?”

“Oh, did I?”

Scarlet had recommended it, but why did the perfume suddenly appear?

Sensing an awkward atmosphere, Yi Ho-yeon stepped back slightly and examined Alice’s face.

Her flushed cheeks, eyes avoiding direct contact, quickened breath, and a racing heart.

Yi Ho-yeon could finally grasp the state of Alice and Irene.

They were feeling embarrassed.

The cause… could be understood without much thought.

They were embarrassed at seeing the effort Yi Ho-yeon had put in for today.

‘Indeed, women understand women’s hearts well.’

Scarlet must have prepared herself accordingly.

Yi Ho-yeon lowered his rising smile, took Alice’s shoulders, and pressed his cheek against hers.

As their cheeks warmed, he made a kissing sound on one side and greeted the other side as well.

Still not fully composed, he infused a bit of magic into Alice’s body.

“Eek! Ugh… Hoo…”

Feeling the familiar sensation, Alice shivered and looked surprised at Yi Ho-yeon.

Seeing him smiling mischievously, reality came rushing back to her.

‘What a foolish thing to do…’

Feeling fluttered and nervous looking at that pervert.

Alice had never felt so annoyed with herself as she did today.

She wished she could disappear into a mouse hole.

Leaving Alice alone for a moment, Yi Ho-yeon approached Irene.

“Irene, it’s been a while.”

He also pressed his cheek against Irene’s, but she too stood there blankly.

In the end, he infused magic into Irene just like he did with Alice.

“Oops! Oh!”

Irene blinked and looked directly at Yi Ho-yeon.

Then, alternating between looking at Alice and Yi Ho-yeon, she let out an indescribable moan.

‘Irene has this cute side to her.’

Yi Ho-yeon smiled as he met Irene’s gaze.

She must be debating whether it’s Alice or herself.

The answer to that question can be given on the bed.

“Now, let’s all go inside.”

Yi Ho-yeon approached them to display his friendship with the Iris Guild.