The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

"Do you see how that mirror is glowing? My face looks positively radiant!"

"They say they're blending local Glowcap derivatives for color stability—whatever that means."

"I must send word to my sister in the city. She'll want the first samples before the gates even open."

Amid this heady excitement, Mikhailis allowed himself a brief moment to simply…breathe. Maybe all the sleepless nights and precarious experiments were worth it if they could bring genuine wonder to these people. His imagination wandered to future expansions: perhaps they could do traveling showcases, or partner with artisans from distant lands to share techniques. The possibilities felt endless.

Then someone screamed.

The sound cut through the courtyard's lively chatter like a sudden gust of wind in a meadow of tall grass, sending a ripple of startled silence through the assembled crowd. Heads whipped around, eyes wide with shock, as people instinctively took a step backward, unsure whether they should be afraid or merely curious. But unlike the kind of shriek that heralds disaster or misfortune, this cry contained a strange undercurrent of wonder, as if an unexpected bloom had burst into the world at that very moment. It came from a regal figure standing near the center of the pavilion—a figure whose lavish lavender gown shimmered in the morning light, its threads of silver embroidery catching the sun's rays in a spectacle of brilliance.

Her name was Lady Amaris of the Aurentium line, and she was known for her unwavering poise and refined taste. So when she let loose that exclamation—a pitched, astonished cry—people immediately feared that something dreadful might have happened. Yet what they saw next defied such expectations: Lady Amaris pressed her fingertips lightly to her cheeks, a look of utter rapture spreading across her face. The onlookers who had hurried backward a moment earlier began to shuffle cautiously forward, drawn by the sight of this duchess appearing not hurt, but positively spellbound.

Estella, who had been methodically guiding a group of attendants in setting up ornate displays of shimmering powders and enchanted mirrors, froze mid-instruction. She'd been in the midst of pointing out where to place a decorative panel featuring a softly lit runic design, but the shriek tore her focus away. Her eyes snapped to Lady Amaris, immediately scanning the woman's expression for signs of genuine distress. Yet instead of fear or pain, Lady Amaris seemed… delighted. Bewildered, Estella stood there for a moment, uncertain whether she should be rushing forward to aid the duchess or simply stand back and watch this unexpected tableau unfold.

Rhea, who was never one to remain idle when a commotion erupted, started to move swiftly through the clusters of richly dressed courtiers and curious onlookers. She cut across the courtyard with a subtle, practiced grace, her posture reminiscent of a seasoned soldier's readiness. Mikhailis, seeing Rhea advance, decided to follow. He'd been checking the alignment of a small, arcane-laced mirror a moment before, but his sense of responsibility—and curiosity—spurred him onward. The sunlight glinted off the polished cobblestones as he hurried to keep up, the faint echo of his footsteps drowned out by hushed whispers in the crowd.

By the time he reached Lady Amaris, the hush that had temporarily settled over the courtyard gave way to a soft chorus of relieved murmurs and delighted giggles. The duchess looked positively enraptured, her gaze flitting between her own reflection in a nearby mirror and the compact in her hand. A subtle sheen clung to her cheekbones, catching the daylight in luminous swaths. Mikhailis recognized the product at once—the new cosmetic line he and Estella had spent countless hours refining. She must have sampled a fresh pot from one of the demonstration tables. Typically, participants were invited to do so under the guidance of an attendant, but apparently, her excitement had compelled her to try it right then and there.

"Your Grace," Mikhailis said, gently clearing his throat as he approached. "Are you… alright?" His question hung in the air, a mixture of genuine concern and cautious optimism. After all, a scream in the midst of so many onlookers generally spelled trouble. But from the duchess's radiant expression, trouble seemed nowhere to be found.

Lady Amaris's eyelids fluttered, not from fatigue or distress, but from an evident rush of elation. She turned to face Mikhailis and Estella, her eyes shining as brightly as the shimmer on her cheeks. "This is… extraordinary," she breathed, voice trembling in a far different way than anyone had anticipated. "I just… I looked in that mirror, and… by the heavens, I've never seen anything like it!" She caressed her cheekbones in gentle, almost reverent motions, as though expecting the sheen to vanish the instant she touched it.

Estella exchanged a quick, relieved glance with Mikhailis. She stepped closer, her posture a shade more relaxed than it had been moments earlier. "We only released a few testers so far," she explained, her voice adopting that warm, explanatory tone she used whenever discussing the intricacies of their product. "It's a proprietary blend of local herbs and carefully distilled Glowcap essences, integrated with a subtle enchantment to enhance natural radiance."

Rhea, having arrived at Lady Amaris's side, folded her arms but couldn't help a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I take it the effect is… pleasing, then?" she asked dryly, though even she was not immune to the curious sparkle in the duchess's eyes.

"Pleasing?" Lady Amaris let out a musical laugh, the kind that carries all the joy of a sudden revelation. "It's far beyond pleasing. I've never felt so confident—so utterly transformed—yet still like myself. I was merely dabbing a small portion onto my cheek, and I caught sight of my reflection. The moment I saw how I looked, my breath just… it left me!" She laughed again, cheeks coloring with excitement rather than embarrassment at her uncharacteristic outburst.

Those nearest to Lady Amaris pressed in a bit closer. Whispers of "May I try?" and "Where did she get it?" began filling the air. Attendants, who had been rattled by the sudden scream, now found themselves fielding an onslaught of eager requests. Esteemed guests who had approached with concern were now overcome with curiosity. What had caused this proud duchess to quite literally cry out in awe?

Estella, initially stunned by the event, seemed to regain her footing. She cleared her throat gently. "We have mirrors and lighting set up in the next pavilion," she announced, gesturing to a space where several stands displayed potions, powders, and elegantly engraved jars containing samples of the new line. "If you'd like to experience it for yourselves, please, feel free. Our attendants will assist with proper application."

A ripple of excitement moved through the crowd. People gravitated toward the stands like moths to a flame, each one seeking that same moment of revelation Lady Amaris had just experienced. Mikhailis watched the swirl of finely dressed nobles, court advisors, and foreign dignitaries converge on the booth in a manner that put him in mind of a festival—and this was still supposed to be just a preliminary showing.

He turned back to Lady Amaris. "I'm glad you're alright," he said, exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "For a moment there, we feared something terrible had happened."

Her gaze softened. "I do apologize for giving everyone a scare," she replied, sweeping a hand through the air in a delicate gesture of contrition. "In all honesty, the surge of wonder took me by such surprise, I couldn't hold back my voice. But no harm has been done—quite the opposite."

Estella offered a small bow, the tension in her shoulders almost visibly dissipating. "Your reaction is precisely why we poured so much effort into refining these cosmetics, Your Grace. We aimed to create something more than mere face paint—something magical, in every sense of the word."

Mikhailis nodded, recalling the late nights hunched over arcane diagrams and the numerous trials in which Rodion had run advanced calculations on glowcap infusions. With each iteration, they'd sought not just to enhance beauty, but to craft an experience that felt like a gentle unveiling of one's hidden radiance. Lady Amaris's reaction was living proof that they had succeeded.

All around them, the estate courtyard resonated with joyful commotion. Advisors who had been strolling by paused to observe the makeshift demonstration, some exchanging amused glances while others stepped forward to sample a swirl of color. Attendants found themselves inundated with requests for specific shades, from demure rose to the more adventurous amethyst hue. The air was thick with the interplay of excited voices, the clinking of glass jars, and the faint, melodic hum of enchantments within each product.

Rhea, arms still crossed, scanned the buzzing crowd. "I haven't seen so much excitement in the courtyard since the unveiling of the new spire extension," she commented, letting her guard stance relax. It was clear that she, too, was impressed by the effect this line of cosmetics had on everyone.

Mikhailis allowed himself a small laugh. "I suppose we expected a stir, but not quite this fervor before the official unveiling."