The shop that Lord Cyrus's friend, Lord Rui Feng, had designated was located in the middle of the craftsmen's district.
"A jewelry store...?"
That's what the sign said. It was a three-story building, not particularly large, with an unusually sturdy steel door that was firmly closed. It didn't give off a welcoming vibe.
The craftsmen's district had a different atmosphere from the market up to this point. First, there were fewer people around. Everyone was working inside the buildings. It seemed that ordinary citizens didn't wander around for shopping. After all, the signs read "Blacksmith," "Ironworks," "Button Shop," "Glass Processing," "Leather Shoes Tailoring," and so on—places where only those with business to conduct would visit and leave once their business was done.
But this building was different. It had no windows, so the inside was completely invisible.
"This is a store that serves the royal family, with extremely high prices. It's just right to turn away first-time customers."
Lord Cyrus said this and then knocked on the knocker at the door. Surprisingly, the door opened quickly. A tall young man with a gentle smile greeted them.
"Earl Granado, welcome."
"Hey, Giovanni. It's been a while. Has Rui Feng told you about it?"
"Yes, Earl Granado is being waited for inside."
Guided by the shop owner, they entered the store. Lord Cyrus shrugged.
"What's with him? If he's coming himself, he should have written that in the letter. Then we could have done the shopping later."
While looking around the store, Lord Cyrus continued.
"It's not that big. Display cases are lined up around the perimeter, and there's a small counter at the back. There's also a narrow staircase. Within my line of sight, there's no one else besides the shop owner."
When their eyes met, the shop owner had a somewhat wry smile.
"Lord Rui Feng is taking a nap on the sofa upstairs."
"Sleeping? After calling us here?"
"He's been working since early this morning, so it can't be helped. I've been told to wake him up when Earl Granado arrives."
"Truly, his whims are beyond comprehension..."
While saying this, Lord Cyrus headed for the stairs. I tried to follow, but was stopped after taking one step.
"Marie, wait for me downstairs. No strange customers will come into this store."
"Oh... I see. Of course, it would be rude to enter someone's private space while they're resting."
"Besides, that man has a habit of sleeping naked."
That's not acceptable! I hurriedly descended the stairs.
"While you wait, you can look around the store. If you like anything, tell Giovanni. I'll buy it for you, whatever it is in the cases."
"No way!"
I shook my head vigorously. After all, the price tags I glimpsed earlier were for items that could feed a family for a year.
It seemed this store dealt not in jewelry but in raw gemstones. Large, unfamiliar stones were displayed, their brilliance and price making me dizzy. I moved back to the entrance and noticed an antique wooden cabinet. Small dishes were lined up on top.
What could it be...? Curious, I approached the cabinet. The dishes contained colored beads. Could these be small gemstones?
The shop owner, noticing my interest, explained immediately.
"These are fragments and small, flawed pieces from the design cutting process. They are of good quality but not suitable for use in our store, so we sell them at a low price."
I see... Indeed, they are very small, but the colors are vivid and they are very beautiful. Looking closely, I noticed a hole in the center.
The shop owner, seeing my intense interest, came over.
"You can sew these beads onto clothing or thread them onto silk to make small accessories. Would you like to try, madam?"
"No... I really don't have much money."
"I'll give them to you. Take as many as you like."
"Really? But even if they're small, they're still gemstones, right?"
I tried to find a price tag but couldn't. The shop owner said they were usually given as a bonus to regular customers. Indeed, compared to the main products, they might be considered a bonus in size and price, but they were still gemstones. Moreover, I wasn't a regular customer; I had just come with Lord Cyrus.
When I declined, the shop owner looked troubled.
"Our biggest customer is the royal family, but we also source from the Granado Trading Company and hope to maintain a good relationship with Earl Granado..."
"In that case, entertain Lord Cyrus. I won't interfere with his business."
"No, no. I mean, I hope to have a good relationship with Earl Granado's wife as well. Please, take everything on that shelf."
What? Really? The idea of being offered as many gemstones as I wanted was something I never thought I'd hear in my life.
I was thoroughly flustered by this extraordinary situation. It also seemed suspicious. Was he being too generous? They say nothing is as expensive as something given for free, and if I took them, I might cause trouble for Lord Cyrus later. I couldn't accept them.
Still, I couldn't say "I don't need them." The truth was... I wanted them, but my hesitation made it hard to say.
The small, sparkling fragments on the white dish. The vivid green... so beautiful. I wanted these beautiful things. For the first time in my life, I wanted gemstones.
"Um... I can't take them, but if I were to buy them, how much would they cost?"
The shop owner, looking surprised, quoted a price that was cheaper than I expected. I could afford a few with my own money. I carefully picked them up, stuttering, and finally said, "I'll take these, please."
The shop owner took the stones from my hand. I watched his back as he returned to the counter, still nervous.
My heart was racing, and my feet felt light. Wow... I did it. I bought gemstones!
Feeling like I had done something wrong, I looked around nervously. Lord Cyrus hadn't returned yet, so I needed to pay before he came back.
The shop owner returned with the stones in a small leather bag and a tray of small items.
"Can you make something with these? Since I've taken the money for the gemstones, I'll give you silk thread and clasps. I also have embroidery thread for bracelets and leather cords."
"Thank you. Then, I'll take the silk thread and, if you have it, a sewing needle..."
"Ah, you're going to sew them onto fabric. Please wait a moment."
The shop owner returned to the counter. I cautiously peeked into the leather bag I had received. In the dim light, three green stones sparkled. I smiled.
Suddenly, the leather bag disappeared from my view. Did the gemstones fly up? No, someone's hand had reached from behind and taken the bag.
"Hey!?"
I turned around quickly. A man I didn't know was there.
It wasn't Lord Cyrus. He was about the same age, but with pale skin and short, silver hair, the opposite of Lord Cyrus, who had dark skin and long black hair.
Who is he? How did he get so close... or did he just enter the store?
He narrowed his ice-blue eyes and chuckled.
"Hello, miss. You seem to be in a good mood. Did you make a good purchase?"
His familiar, flirtatious tone was familiar. I had just been approached in the same way.
I won't be fooled again. This must be what they call "flirting." The lines are the same, so I think that's what it is. I don't know his purpose, but I can learn. I quickly took back the leather bag, took three steps back, and made a polite bow.
"Yes, thanks to you. I have a companion, so I'll be going now."
That's right, the best way to handle this is to keep my distance. I tried to turn away, but the leather bag was snatched again in an instant.
"Companion, a man?"
I groaned and snatched it back immediately.
"A man, what's it to you?"
"Friend? Or lover?"
"Fiancé!"
He took it again. Eventually, he held it high, out of my reach, and dodged my attempts to grab it. I tried to call for help, but the shop owner, who had been at the counter, was gone. I had to fight on my own.
This guy is tall. Not as tall as Lord Cyrus, but I couldn't reach his hand even if I stretched. He was also very agile. I flailed my arms desperately.
Throughout this struggle, the silver-haired man remained calm.
"Engaged, huh? What's he like? Did you fall for his looks or his wealth?"
"Neither!"
"Is it an arranged marriage by your parents? Or mutual love?"
"Neither is your business! Give it back!"
"It is my business. If it's an unhappy arranged marriage, you should break it. I'm better than a boyfriend, right?"
What is this guy saying?
I was so shocked that I couldn't speak, my mouth hanging open. Did he think I agreed? He smiled, a smile that could make any woman melt—but of course, I didn't nod.
"Don't worry about the breach of contract. My family will pay for it. I'll buy you a large diamond instead of these cheap stones."
"I don't want them!"
I answered immediately and jumped to finally retrieve the leather bag. I clutched it to my chest and ran toward the stairs.
He didn't chase me but was still watching. I shouted back.
"I'm not with Lord Cyrus just because I have to. He's much better than you!"
...That was just to get rid of the flirt. I just wanted to say something to this overly confident man.
...That's all. I didn't say it for Lord Cyrus to hear.
Right after I shouted, I heard a groan behind me. I turned around to see Lord Cyrus on the stairs, pressing his mouth, trembling, and crouching as if trying to suppress a cough.