She Is Not a Witch

Lady Fenrai of the Anemis family entered the hall from outside. Her light red hair cascaded in large spiral waves, and her bright yellow dress was distinctly Rococo in style. The long dress, supported by internal whalebone, appeared very puffy, with layers upon layers of ruffled hems. Light red flowers matching her hair color and silk ribbons adorned the dress. She looked like a proud, magnificent peacock.

If Loranhil was otherworldly and dreamlike, then Fenrai was the pinnacle of earthly beauty. As soon as she entered the hall, she spotted the eye-catching Lady Lacey and quickly walked over, holding up her dress. Her maid Penny, following behind, worried she might trip and fall due to her haste.

“Hello, I’m Fenrai of the Anemis family. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hello, I’m Lacey of Carithes,” Loranhil replied with a slight curtsy, her transparent eyes showing some surprise at encountering the Anemis young lady here today.

But surprises often come in threes, and with the attendant’s welcome outside, another wave of excitement arrived.

“Miss Melu and Young Master Bel of the Helis Merchant Association have arrived~”

A girl of about seventeen entered the venue, holding her brother’s hand. She wore a simple, forest-inspired light green dress and had chestnut-blonde hair. The boy beside her, about 14-15 years old, wore a white suit with golden floral patterns.

“Melu, you’re here too,” Fenrai waved in greeting, evidently familiar with her.

Finnerton first welcomed the young ladies’ arrival, then made introductions. As more guests arrived, the host of the banquet had to excuse himself to greet them, leaving the young ladies to chat among themselves.

“Bel, go find your friends to play with.”

Melu released her brother’s hand, allowing him to move freely. The boy quickly joined his peers in another corner of the banquet, with several attendants discreetly following to prevent any mishaps.

The three young ladies sat in a corner of the bustling hall. Many guests had noticed them, drawn by their extraordinary status and beauty. Others who wished to approach were intercepted by nearby attendants.

“This seems to be our first meeting, Lady Lacey,” Melu smiled at Lacey, who was Loranhil.

“Yes, I’ve just taken over the merchant association. I apologize for only now finding time to meet everyone,” Lacey replied with a smile, explaining. (Hereafter, Lacey refers to Loranhil)

Melu was the eldest daughter of the Helis family. Helis and Carithes had many business connections and were considered close. Once, the head of Helis had jokingly told Angus that if he had a son, he could marry his daughter to him. Though a jest, it indicated the close relationship between the two families.

At the Agdelin house, Jelinc had also said that if faced with difficulties in Hopland, one could seek cooperation with the Helis family, known for their kindness, loyalty, and excellent reputation.

“Sigh, are you both ignoring me?” Fenrai, seeing Lacey and Melu chatting happily, felt left out, unable to join the conversation.

“Not at all, Fenrai. Haven’t you been talking this whole time?” Melu smiled slightly, her beautiful and gentle exterior hiding a hint of playful mischief.

“Melu, you’re bullying me again. You never let me play with you~” Fenrai pouted, while Melu’s light laughter could be heard beside her.

Lacey looked at the two girls before her and asked curiously, “Have you known each other since childhood?”

“Yes, Fenrai and I are about the same age. Hopland’s circle isn’t very large, so we’ve known each other for a long time. She likes lively things, while I prefer quieter ones.” Melu picked up a glass of lemon juice with ice, clinked it with Fenrai’s cup, then took a sip.

“Melu has loved reading since she was little, and sometimes she’d tell ghost stories to scare me. Don’t be fooled by her gentle appearance; she’s a woman with deep schemes,” Fenrai whispered, badmouthing her friend.

“Fenrai, you’re speaking ill of me again. It’s just that you’re too silly,” Melu retorted.

“Wah, I’m not silly. I just don’t like studying,” Fenrai protested weakly.

As the young ladies were chatting, the last heavyweight guest arrived.

“Young Master Edley of the Tisphone family has arrived~”

With this, the young generation of Hopland’s five great merchant associations, or rather the five great families, had finally gathered.

They were: the Nisos family with their tilted wine bottle emblem, mainly dealing in various alcohols, occupying 40% of the Snow Flower Seven Countries’ market share and exporting overseas.

The Anemis family with their seven-colored gemstone flower emblem, primarily dealing in various flowers, gems, and jewelry. Nearly half of the luxury jewelry worn by nobles in the Snow Flower Seven Countries came from their family.

The Helis family with their yellow-green camellia emblem, mainly dealing in tea, coffee, sugar, and spices, supplying nearly 60% of high-end beverages in the southern and western parts of the continent.

The Carithes family with their black-petaled, purple-stamened night lacquer flower emblem, primarily dealing in timber, citrus fruits, cotton textiles, and shipbuilding. Nearly 30% of the ships in Vegar were built by them, possessing the best shipbuilding technology in the alliance.

Lastly, the Tisphone family with their emblem of a short sword piercing a skull, mainly dealing in weapons, gunpowder, whale oil, etc. They supplied 20% of the weapons in the Snow Flower Seven Countries, with their “Blade of Vengeance” renowned across the continent.

Years ago, the Helis and Carithes families had made an exchange to avoid overly fierce competition. Carithes abandoned the spice industry, ceding the spice route of the Strawberry Kingdom to Helis. In exchange, Helis transferred a large number of forests and citrus estates to Carithes.

Since then, Carithes focused on shipbuilding, while Helis gained control over the beverage and spice markets in the Snow Flower Seven Countries. The two families reconciled and often cooperated. The night lacquer flower was a rare flower from the southern islands with supernatural properties, an extremely precious spice. This was also the origin of Carithes’ fortune and the story behind their family emblem.

At this moment, a somewhat playful and irreverent young man entered the hall. He wore a large-brimmed hat and a tight-fitting suit reminiscent of a naval uniform, predominantly white and blue. The buttons on his chest were undone, revealing some of his chest muscles. His sexy appearance caused many women in the hall to scream.

Upon entering, he immediately scanned the hall, briefly greeted Finnerton, then strode towards Lacey’s table with large steps. He brushed aside several infatuated girls who tried to greet him, leaving them with stars in their eyes as if about to faint from excitement.

Reaching Lacey’s table, he first bowed his head in greeting, then looked up with a carefree smile.

“Beautiful young ladies, my name is Edley. May I request all of you to become my wives?”