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“I think I can see why people call you a witch.”
“Rumors can’t be trusted. I’ve heard rumors that Jedia Teneb is so attractive that marrying him was only possible if you’re a member of the royal family.”
Eliana told him as she looked around the garden.
“What do you mean? Are you saying that it feels like a false rumor?”
“You’re making it like that. You yourself. Personally.”
[T/N: She’s saying that he’s not being very “attractive” right now.]
“…….”
“Or perhaps you do not wish to show me your attractive side. So what are you going to do? I’m busy. Tell me quickly.”
Eliana spoke as if she didn’t mind if Jedia refused. She actually felt that way too. It was something she said impulsively anyway.
A cold breeze blew. Eliana’s dress gently fluttered in the wind. The scent of her perfume wafted in the air, and Jedia frowned a little more.
She was a type of woman he had never met before. He didn’t know how to deal with her. Jedia wasn’t bold enough to accept her offer blindly. He was a meticulous person, perhaps closer to calculative.
But he couldn’t resist wondering what she would offer. As he couldn’t readily decide and merely twitched his lips, Eliana smiled leisurely as she moved closer to Jedia.
“Wh-What is it? Why are you coming closer?”
“I’m going to pass by. My business here is done.”
“I haven’t answered yet.”
“You won’t be able to answer. Do you know what I’ll propose? A person as cautious as you won’t readily accept my offer.”
“Anyone would do the same.”
“Is that so? He wasn’t like that when I met him.”
“Who is ‘he’?”
Eliana looked at Jedia and said.
“You have too many questions. You aren’t even taking out your chips. Witches aren’t that kind.”
Eliana opened her fan and covered her face. She then leisurely walked past Jedia. Then Jedia spoke as if he was holding on to Eliana who was about to leave the terrace.
“Wait.”
“What?”
“Negotiations fall apart. No matter what you do, you won’t be able to use my mother’s nobility.”
“I see.”
Eliana replied sarcastically. Jedia said urgently.
“So tell me. What are you trying to propose?”
“Alright. But keep in mind.”
“…….”
“This is the last one. You can’t ask me any more questions. I will not answer.”
“Are you really going to keep that up with the Teneb family?”
“You are the representative of the Teneb family, or are you all of it?”
“…….”
“What I want-.”
Eliana spoke to him with a smile, without lowering her fan.
“I want you to let me meet the Jordian merchant group.”
“……!!”
The Jordian merchant group was the largest in the countries of Contino and Conter. It was also closely related to the Ministry of Finance of each country. They were also the only merchant group that could distribute military supplies.
Obviously, they were a connection that could never be made except through Jedia. The Jordian family, who run the merchant group, were the type of people that ordinary citizens did not dare to contact, even though they were not nobles.
“Why do you want to be connected with the Jordian family?”
“You really need to listen to me.”
“…….”
Eliana turned away. Completely showing her back, she coldly said,
“I told you you can’t ask me any more questions from now on. Well then, it was nice to meet you, Jedia. Be well.”
Eliana said, as if she’d never see him again, then walked away. The clacking sound of her heels pounded Jedia’s heart.
He had more questions. He wanted to ask about her intentions, her future, and her dreams. It didn’t matter if they were insidious or not.
‘What the hell is that woman trying to do? Where did such a woman fall from?’
Jedia bit his lip, muttering the unspoken words to himself. Jedia wanted to reject the attraction he felt all throughout his body. He became more curious about her so he wanted to fold his desires like a piece of paper.
Jedia stared at her back for a while, then turned around. The faint scent of her perfume still lingered by the terrace window.
***
Baroness Daisy Seamus looked down the hallway. Eliana had definitely told her to come out after the second song. It may have been a trick, yet she had no choice but to be deceived.
Her husband’s affair. Nothing was more serious these days for Madam Seamus. She wasn’t sure who it was with, but her husband was definitely wandering about. He was also having relations with not just one, but several people.
Only then did her relationship with her husband become estranged. Baron Seamus started hiding more from her. They shared less meals together in the mansion, and so did their conversations. Their talks never got anywhere. He would give her precious jewels from time to time, but that wasn’t what Madam Seamus wanted.
She then heard the sound of clicking heels in the distance. Half of the woman’s face was covered with her fan, but she knew who it was with one glance. She was the most glamorous woman at today’s ball.
Eliana Rose.
Madam Seamus thought it was certainly her. Rumors have revealed who her men were. Today, not only did she get out of another man’s carriage, but she was even escorted by Gillian Hutt, that said it all.
But she was no pushover. She turned the situation around in an instant. She had humiliated her for making a scene. Moreover, the Seamus family was criticized by Count Odelli. The situation was led by everything she said, and Madam Seamus was forced to suffer with eyes wide open.
Perhaps even her coming out here was because she was completely caught in her plans. However, even if that was the case, she couldn’t help it.
Madam Seamus wanted to know. Who it was that Jackson, her love, is having an affair with.
“I came as promised, so tell me. Who is it?”
“Even here, there are only people who want to receive without giving anything.”
“What?”
“Apologize first. Baroness Seamus.”
“Apologize?”
Baroness Seamus snorted and went on.
“Did you just tell me to apologize? Even after humiliating the Seamus family so much in front of Count Odelli? Jackson had to apologize several times, which he didn’t have to.”
“Right. He bowed his head again and again to Count Odelli. But what about me?”
“…….”
“No one apologized.”
“…….”
“Especially after all those things that Madam said to me? You made someone else’s wife a mistress, then treated her like a waitress at a bar, didn’t you?”
Baroness Seamus bit her lip. There was nothing wrong with what Eliana said. Eliana lowered her fan and went on.
“There must have been a few other wives as well. Baron Seamus isn’t very meticulous and often sheds his traces here and there. Was it because you thought I was the easiest out of all of them?”
“Th-That’s not it. That, that kind of thought…….”
“Was it too accurate?”
Eliana let out a “Pfff” and looked at Madam Seamus. Her green eyes shone brightly. Eliana continued calmly, emphasizing each one.
“First, I am not his mistress. I met Jackson Seamus for the first time today.”
“…….”
“Second, I don’t know much about him right now. But I have more ways to investigate than Madam.”
“…….”
“Third, I decide whether I will look into it in the future or not. That decision will depend on Madam’s behavior. You don’t have to apologize. After all, I’m a stranger to the Seamus family, and after today, it would be fine for me to say that I cut off ties because I had been offended.”
Eliana’s words were sharp. Whoever it was that said she was an idiot blinded by luxury, Daisy Seamus wanted to wring and destroy their mouth. She wanted to scream at them and ask where they heard such nonsense.
She was smarter than any noble she had ever met. Both men and women.
Baroness Seamus knew that from the moment she came here, she had nowhere to retreat. But her pride had already been hurt too much. She never wanted to apologize. But there were times when she had to do things she didn’t want to.
Baroness Seamus closed her eyes, then opened them and spoke.
“Forgive me for my rudeness today, Madam Hunter. I completely misunderstood the Madam. There will be no such thing in the future. I apologize.”
“Thank you, Madam. You must have hated saying that more than death.”
Baroness Seamus looked at Eliana as she lifted her slightly bent body. You made me do that even though you knew? When Madam Seamus stayed speechless due to her mischievous side, Eliana laughed and continued.
“I will greet you formally. This is Eliana Rose.”
Baroness Seamus looked at Eliana’s outstretched hand, and held it firmly. Baroness Seamus opened her mouth as she tightly gripped Eliana’s hand in between hers.
“I am Daisy Seamus. Now that we’ve exchanged everything we’re giving and receiving, tell me. Who is Jackson playing with? Is it just one person? Or are there several people?”
Baroness Seamus said it as if she was about to break “the mistress’ leg” right that moment. Eliana thought that it showed her desperation.
‘I have to get this woman on my side too. Using all the information I have.’
Eliana thought so, then placed her free hand over hers.
“Baron Jackson Seamus.”
Eliana’s lips paused for a moment, then moved again.