May shouted, jumping up and down like a child. Her eyes were shining brightly it was clear that she was overjoyed. It was the same with Verne. Although she didnât express it, Cersinia could see it.
âVerne, if thereâs anything you want to see, feel free to do it.â
âCan I really do that?â
âItâs your free time right now.
When the permission was granted, Verne opened her eyes wide and looked around like May.
Cersinia, along with May and Verne, went on Fabian Street in the middle of the capital. Fabian Street was the capitalâs central market. It would not be an exaggeration to say that you could find all goods from various empires came in. Most of the woodwork made in the Mulain Village, where Cersinia and Ben lived for a while, was also exported to Fabian Street. Therefore, the streets full of attractions were always crowded, and many things here easily caught eager eyes. Cersinia walked slowly, watching Verne and May as if caring children.
âMay, you will stumble and fall.â
âItâs okay! Cersinia, look at this jewel!â
Cersinia smiled as she looked at May hopping like a rabbit. The mansion felt stuffy, so she decided to go out, but she didnât know May would like it so much. She should have brought her out right away if she knew about it.
âWow⊠so pretty,â Verne muttered while looking at the rose-patterned brooch, mesmerized.
Cersinia looked at Verne with slightly puzzled eyes. She understood that May, who lived far from the capital, was amazed, but Verneâs behavior was a little strange. Verne, who lived in the capital all the time, could have come to Fabian Street if she wanted to, but she acted like it was her first time here.
âVerne, is this your first-time visit to Fabian Street?â
Not able to overcome her curiosity, Cersinia asked the question, and Verne, who was mesmerized, came to her senses.
âYes⊠Itâs actually my first time.â
âDidnât you live in the capital?â
âSince I was little, I had to earn money by doing chores at home. Iâve never been out much.â
Verne chuckled as if nothing was wrong, but the atmosphere became somber. Cersinia felt uncomfortable as she seemed to have brought up something pointless.
âIâm sorryâŠâ
âYes? Never mind. Itâs so good to see them like this!?â
Verne shook her head and said that. Cersinia nodded slightly and let Verne look further. Perhaps because Verne was the female protagonist, so the twists and turns of her life were very dramatic. Every time Cersinia asked something, a salty past popped up. Just like now.
âNever ask anything moreâŠâ Cersinia made a promise to herself.
The more she knew about Verne, the more human she became. She felt sorry for her past, but it was clear that she grew up to be an upright person despite her past.
Cersinia became quite close to Verne. She was able to speak casually to her. Still, Verne, who was probably 22 years old, seemed to think of Cersinia as an older sister. But thereâs nothing good about being too close. Sheâs staying with her to understand the novelâs current situation.
Verne was one of those who stood next to the Crown Prince in the original novel. She wanted Cersiniaâs death more than anyone else, and she was one of those who benefited from Cersiniaâs death. Thanks to Cersinia, the relationship between the Crown Prince and Verne has grown stronger. Of course, it hasnât happened yet, but she couldnât help being uncomfortable around her. So when she was dealing with Verne, she built a wall without realizing it.
Even Verne felt it too, so it was not easy to come closer. Cersinia thought it was just the right thing to do for now. She thought the further development of their relationship wouldnât help anything.
Walking through the noisy Fabian Street, Cersinia slowly gazed at the jewels. There was a rustling sound behind her, but she didnât pay it no mind. Because she had been hearing it since she came out of the Grand Duchy. The sound persistently heard through the large crowd was the sound of armor hitting each other. They were knights of the Grand Duchy. When Cersinia said she wanted to go out, their master ordered the knights to guard her.
âWhat is the use of the knights?â
Whether there were two knights or ten knights, Cersinia was stronger than them. But she allowed it because it was Benâs order. Today was the third day she had been with Verne and the fifth day since she didnât see Ben. Ben didnât even show a single strand of his hair. What the hell was he doing? It feels like heâs been avoiding Cersinia.
âNo way, is he really avoiding me?â At that moment, Cersiniaâs face crumpled.
âNo, why am I being like this?â
After that day, she felt uncomfortable facing Ben, but the thought of him avoiding her made her angry. Cersiniaâs tightly pursed her lips, which trembled.
âItâs a rare gem that canât be found anymore.â
Cersiniaâs gaze turned to the word ârare gemâ among the numerous voices. The source of the sound was a nearby jewelry vendor.
âIs it true?â
âYes! Look at this shining red jewel. Isnât it opaque enough for you to not be able to see inside? That means this gem is really pure.â
The owner said excitedly and gave additional explanations to the person standing in front of him. Cersinia looked at the gem held by the jewelry vendor. At a glance, it shines beautifully under the sun, but her eyes couldnât be deceived.
âItâs fake.â
âIf it was in the jewelry store, they would sell it for 5 million shillings. But, you were lucky enough to come into my stall, so I will sell it for 2 million shillings. Itâs a rare and pure gem that canât be found occasionally in stalls. Thatâs how rare it is.â
The elderly-looking woman opened her handbag, at the jewelry vendorâs words. Anyone could tell that the jewelry vendor had caught a prey. Cersinia, who had been watching everything, sighed and approached them.
âThat fake for 2 million shillings is really crazy.â
âIts blood rose spinel.â
Cersinia intervened between the swindler and the woman, who seemed likely to pay at any price.
âWhat!â
The jewelry vendor, who was about to receive money from the woman, said in frustration.
âThe more transparent a blood rose spinel is, the more value it has. Itâs opaque, but itâs also very murky. This gem is the fakest among the fakes.â
Cersinia said it regardless of the swindlerâs shout.
âWhat do you know! Iâm the jeweler!â The jeweler blushed and shouted.
âAre this ladyâs words true?â The woman holding her handbag asked the jeweler in a very calm voice.
The woman didnât seem to be noble, but her gestures and tone were elegant.
âMadam, thatâs not true. That woman is talking nonsense. Hey, who do you think youâre!â
When the jeweler angrily yelled at Cersinia in case worried about missing his prey, two knights standing behind Cersinia stepped up to run to her.
âNo, itâs okay.â
Cersinia stopped the knights because she didnât want things to get bigger and attract peopleâs attention. They bowed at Cersiniaâs order and stepped back.
âIâm just a customer, but what do you think, lady?â
The woman, who was watching Cersinia with strange eyes, slowly said.
âIf Madam doesnât believe me, Madam can see it for by yourself with asking a few jewelers nearby. This jewel is fake.â
At that the ownerâs face became ridiculously blue.
âItâs the lowest of all fakes, so itâs a gem that you can get even below 10,000 shillings.â
âReally, itâs the fakest Iâve seen so far, itâs value could even be lower then 10,000 shillings.â
The jewelry vendor tried to sell the gem that wasnât even worth 10,000 shillings for 2 million shillings.
âI see. I will make sure not to buy anything suspicious.â
âM-Madam! Iâm really sorry!â
The jewelry vendor begged when the old woman firmly closed the handbag.
âShould we call the security guard and check it out togetherâ
The womanâs voice, which rang so low, was so powerful that it overwhelmed people. Cersinia felt a mysterious aura from the woman. Obviously, her attire was quite ordinary, but her aura was unique. The woman neatly tied her platinum blonde hair, and there were no blemishes on her wrinkled skin. Her transparent blue eyes were deep, and her posture was elegant.
âP-Please no⊠Iâm sorry.â
The jewelry vendor couldnât help but bow his head countless times and apologized to the strong-willed womanâs attitude. If she had stopped by the nearby jeweler and asked for the blood rose spine, it would be soon revealed the gem was fake
âIâll get going.â
Having nothing else to say, Cersinia turned around after a brief goodbye to the woman. Her shoulders were raised to the brim with pride because it felt like she had saved an innocent citizen who almost got scammed.
âLadyâ
Cersinia turned around at the sound of someone calling her from behind.
âI might have gone too far, but Iâm grateful for your help. If you donât mind, Iâd like to know the Ladyâs name.â
Seeing Cersinia making a puzzled expression, the woman said that with a kind smile.
âNo, itâs fine.â
Cersinia flatly refused. It wasnât difficult for her to say her name, but it would be difficult if her name spread around. Because Cersiniaâs name has been rumored so far. She didnât want anyone to know her name. She didnât have any contact with the woman, so it was certain she would never see the woman again, so there was no need to tell the woman her name.
âThenâ
Cersinia moved quickly. She moved quickly, fearing the woman would catch up her. Luckily, the womanâs voice was not heard again. She headed to May, who was absorbed in sightseeing for a long time.
âThat is why Iâm so curious about you, Lady.â
The woman muttered as she watched the back of Cersinia moving away. Her appearance, which will not be easily forgotten, was imprinted in the womanâs mind. Her blue eyes twinkled as if she had found something she had been coveting for a long time, and the old woman walked slowly. Then the shadow, hiding in the crowd, followed the woman.