While everyone was looking over the materials they had received, Draco suddenly seemed to think of something and turned back with concern to glance at Hermione, who was keeping her small face stern and unusually serious.
It had to be said.
Hermione, wearing that cool, aloof executive look, really did have a different sort of charm, one that drew Draco's gaze.
Noticing Draco's little movement, Hermione secretly rolled her eyes at him in annoyance. "Pay attention."
It was hard to tell whether that tiny complaint was because Draco kept glancing around, or because he had secretly run off to have a date with Fleur.
Faced with Hermione's "resentful" gaze, Draco seemed to understand something. He did not explain, but instead secretly took her small hand under the table.
The sudden, bold gesture caught Hermione completely off guard. She nearly let out a soft cry because of Draco's movement.
She tried to pull her hand back.
Her eyelid twitched.
Realizing she could not break free, Hermione could only bite her lower lip and glare at Draco with an annoyed look.
However, her flushed face and shy eyes directly proved that Draco's method was quite effective.
At the very least, the resentment she had felt toward Draco moments ago vanished the instant their fingers intertwined.
In its place came a pounding heart and the corners of her mouth that she could not quite suppress.
In a certain sense, Hermione was rather easy to satisfy.
...
In any case.
Although she really wanted to snuggle up to Draco... and do something with him.
This setting and timing were not suitable for such intimate actions. More importantly, Hermione, who was very thin-skinned, did not want anyone else to see.
So, after secretly glancing toward the others, Hermione lowered her voice through gritted teeth and warned him, "Let go of me already!"
"You're not angry anymore?"
"...You rogue."
Hearing Draco's words, Hermione gave him an incredulous look. After she realized what he meant, she glared hard at him.
When had this rotten guy become so shameless?
In the end.
Unable to do anything about Draco, Hermione could only force out a smile filled with murderous intent. "Do I look like I'm 'angry'?"
Seeing Hermione on the verge of exploding, Draco knew he could not go too far and finally, regretfully let go of her soft little hand.
After Draco released her, Hermione let out a breath. Whether it was relief or disappointment, even she was not sure. Then, guilty as a thief, she glanced in Pansy's direction.
Because no matter how one looked at it.
What Draco had done just now had been far too stimulating for Hermione.
...
Fortunately, no one noticed the little movements Draco and Hermione had made in private.
After that brief interlude.
Draco finally turned his gaze back to Pansy beside him, whose face looked somewhat excited.
Judging from where Pansy was looking, it was clear that all her attention was currently fixed on the patterns they had just mentioned.
Draco blinked. "If I remember correctly, the inspiration for the Tarot cards came from your idea, didn't it?"
"Mm. Well? It's amazing, right?"
"In terms of the result, it really is quite good."
Hearing Draco say that, Pansy straightened proudly and looked at him with an expression that was clearly asking for praise.
It had to be said. If Pansy were a little puppy, her tail would definitely be wagging wildly right now.
In fact, Draco's memory was quite good.
Just as Draco remembered, the design concept involving the Tarot cards had indeed been proposed by Pansy first.
As for why Pansy had done so.
The main reason was that Hermione had suggested the idea of the Knights of the Round Table.
Because Pansy did not want to fall behind Hermione, inspiration struck her, and she joined in the design of this room as well.
Interestingly enough, Pansy had also taken the initiative to take over the arrangements for each person.
As for that.
Leaving aside whether Pansy's original purpose had been selfish or not.
Judging by the current situation.
Pansy was now looking forward with great anticipation to the day when the 12 upright and 12 reversed Tarot cards surrounding the Round Table would all have their own holders.
One could imagine that when this was finally completed, that scene would surely bring a great sense of accomplishment.
Although they had not yet gathered all 24 members, just looking at the people currently present already gave it the right feeling.
Not only that, the sense of ceremony alone was enough to satisfy Pansy and make her excited.
Mm... of course, perhaps this also had a great deal to do with the fact that she had received the Empress card.
Especially when she saw that Hermione could only stand behind Draco, Pansy felt even more convinced that her idea had been absolutely correct.
After all.
The card Draco had received was the Emperor.
...
Tap, tap, tap.
As time passed.
Once Draco noticed that everyone had finished reading the materials in their hands, he gently tapped the edge of the table with his fingertips, drawing everyone's attention to him.
Admiration.
Inquiry.
Anticipation.
And excitement.
Facing the various gazes cast toward him, Draco did not feel stage fright, nor did he show the slightest discomfort because of them.
At the very least, not a trace of hesitation or guilt could be seen on Draco's face.
As if he were a born king.
In any case.
Once everyone's attention was on him, Draco slowly spoke. "Before we begin the meeting, I think it is necessary to introduce the member who only arrived at the branch today."
As soon as he finished speaking.
Everyone's gaze turned toward Fleur, who was also seated at the Round Table.
Some of them were very familiar with her, while others found her unfamiliar.
But most of all, they were surprised by Fleur's joining.
The reason for their surprise was not Fleur's beauty, but because this was the first time everyone present had heard about this from Draco himself.
Before this, they had heard nothing at all.
Fleur Delacour was also one of them...
In fact.
Even Hermione, who was in charge of all the meeting arrangements and looked like Draco's personal secretary, now wore an expression that said it was exactly as expected.
Clearly, before this, Hermione had not known about it either.
And so, Hermione, who had already been very concerned about this matter, was now glaring at Draco's profile with a hidden, annoyed gaze.
If not for the fact that there were others present, and if she did not have to consider Draco's need to maintain his authority in front of everyone, Hermione might have questioned him on the spot.