There are some things Conna doesn't understand, but she knows them completely well.
Nicolas isn't dissatisfied with the Golden Cup; he's just teasing Kael.
As for the reason, it's quite simple: he was so absorbed in researching these two items a while ago that he forgot the time and missed an important opera.
At that time, Nicolas was regretful for several days.
Originally, it was his own forgetfulness, which had nothing to do with Kael, but it just happened to coincide.
However, knowing the truth, she doesn't plan to stop it and just cheerfully watches Nicolas make things difficult for Kael, as if she's watching a wonderful stage play.
Kael, naturally unaware of all this, scratched his head in distress under Nicolas's gaze.
He never expected Nicolas to even refuse the Hufflepuff Golden Cup. Since when could Christmas gifts be picked and chosen?
Moreover, it's a Golden Cup, how did it become a dull piece of gold to Nicolas?
Something's off... Kael's eyes flickered.
But this is good. He was reluctant to give away the Golden Cup in the first place; he only brought it out as a courtesy.
When Nicolas is embarrassed to accept it, it will have nothing to do with him.
He just didn't expect Nicolas to not only be unembarrassed but also unimpressed with the Golden Cup.
Although the result is almost the same, the meaning is entirely different.
"You weren't just being polite, were you?" Nicolas seemed to see through Kael's thoughts and squinted as he spoke.
"Of course not." Kael laughed dryly a couple of times. "I was just joking around to lighten the mood, in fact, I've already prepared the real gift."
"Then show it quickly," Nicolas once again extended his hand, looking at Kael with interest.
In his heart, he had already decided that no matter what Kael took out later, the result would be like that of the Golden Cup.
Nicolas didn't believe Kael could produce another special Soul Artifact... like the Sword of Gryffindor.
But even if he did, Nicolas didn't think he would find it interesting.
Of the items said to be left by the Four Founders, only the Sword of Gryffindor isn't an alchemy item in the traditional sense, but a weapon forged by a Goblin.
To Nicolas, such a thing is no better than a piece of gold.
And indeed, it was just as he thought; Kael no longer had a Soul Artifact, but he did have other things.
Under Nicolas's gaze, Kael swiftly put away the Golden Cup on the table, taking out a refined silver canister instead.
"This is snatched from Professor Dumbledore," Kael said solemnly, "You have no idea; for this item, he didn't speak to me for more than half a month."
"Oh?" Nicolas raised an eyebrow.
He didn't doubt Kael's words.
As soon as Kael took out the canister, he recognized it as Dumbledore's belonging.
According to each Alchemist's habits and characteristics, their manufactured alchemy items also carry different imprints.
Even if it's the same thing, once made by different alchemists, there will be some differences in the details... This is their unique mark, like a signature on an article.
And this silver canister "clearly" wrote Dumbledore's name on it.
Besides, there was another detail.
A few days ago, when he met Dumbledore, the latter looked indeed gloomy; initially, he didn't think much of it and assumed it was because of Voldemort.
But thinking about it now, his expression was more like the vexation after something was stolen.
When he considered this point, Nicolas's expression changed immediately... even Dumbledore was distressed, how interesting.
"Oh, this canister is quite exquisite," he said with a chuckle, "But there's one thing I can't understand."
"What?" Kael asked.
"You just said you snatched this from Albus to prepare a Christmas gift for me, right?"
"Yes," Kael nodded repeatedly, "It took me a great deal of effort."
"Then that's strange," Nicolas said, inspecting the canister, "According to you, it happened at least half a month ago, but I decided to invite you as a guest only yesterday; the timing doesn't add up."
"Ah, this..." Kael mumbled, "I saw it in Divination Class... I must have some prophetic talent."
"That makes it even stranger," Nicolas said, "Not that I want to deny your talent.
"But Kael, do you remember the Crystal Ball you saw in the room earlier? That too is an alchemy item, with the function of making me aware of any prophecy concerning me.
"If I remember correctly, it hasn't lit up in five years."
Nicolas stared intently at Kael, as did Perenelle and Conna; especially Conna, it was the first time she saw someone make Kael so passive.
...it was quite interesting.
"I, I misspoke earlier." Facing Nicolas's questioning, Kael quickly changed his tune, "Actually, I saw myself going on a trip during Christmas, so I guessed I would come here."
"Is that so, that makes sense," Nicolas showed a look of relief, "I thought the Crystal Ball was broken, that thing is not easy to repair."
"Oh, and thank you for the gift, I like it very much," Nicolas said, picking up the canister. He didn't even look at what was inside before directly handing it to the House-elf Tata, instructing him to take it back and store it carefully.
It looked as if he was afraid Kael would take it back.
Kael noticed this too, but what could he do... against a six-hundred-year-old Old Wizard, thick-skinned and cheekily unreasonable, he had no way.
Tata was quite skillful, and this sumptuous dinner was no less than Hogwarts's banquet, even offering many dishes from other countries, catering to all tastes.
The other three were thoroughly enjoying their feast, except for Kael, who chewed everything as if it were dry bread.
But Kael had no idea this was just the start, and more disheartening events awaited.
After dinner, Perenelle took Conna to explore the manor, where many magical places existed... a ceiling that changes the weather at will, an opera house that offers an immersive experience, and various alchemy items found everywhere...
These were sights you wouldn't find elsewhere.
Even though Conna wanted to find a quiet spot to finish reading her book, those magical places fascinated her, and she left following Perenelle.
"Do you like opera? Or concerts?"
"Rarely," Conna's voice sounded a bit restrained, "Does radio music count? I often listen to Weird Sisters' radio music."
"Radio music is good too, very suitable for students. I remember watching a Christmas dance party performed by Wobeck ten years ago, and the radio sales tripled at that time... Come dear, I'll take you to see the live version."
The two quickly disappeared up the stairs.
Meanwhile, Nicolas also took the bottle of Phoenix Potion and eagerly went to the laboratory they had visited earlier.
Almost in the blink of an eye, only Kael was left in this place, oh no, Tata was still there, the House-elf.
"Mr. Kael, if you've finished dining, could you please move aside?" Tata asked, holding a cloth and looking up at Kael.
Kael subconsciously stood up and moved to the side.
"Thank you, sir," Tata said, snapping his fingers at the table, which immediately started moving, shaking its legs and running off along with the chairs down a suddenly emerged corridor on the left.
Tata quickly wiped the floor clean, following them into the corridor, and then the corridor disappeared into thin air.
During the entire process, Kael stood by and watched.
He knew that corridor led to the kitchen, but he had never been there, and Tata never gave him the chance.
Just when he thought, since he had nothing else to do, he might as well check out the kitchen, the corridor vanished.
Now, there was truly no one left around him, isolated as if only three people had been here all along.