Chapter 2

Adele clasped her hands and stopped herself from laughing as she looked at Jerox in embarrassment.

To be at the top, it is only natural to have your own jeweler. It’s the basics of the basics. There is no other place in the South that’s greater than Yuden. Even so, he visited the town that is well-known for producing jewelry… and there is only one reason.

“Did you find any valuable gemstones anywhere?”

“Th-that…”

‘Ah, this will take a while.’

Adele pretended not to know and decided to wait for Jerox even though it’s not herself to do so. Adele smiled at the corners of her mouth, thinking of what occasion is today.

“…Adele.”

“It’s okay, so speak comfortably. It is not like we are strangers to each other.”

Adele and Jerox first met nine years and five months ago, and it has been three years since that happened.

Adele gracefully supported her chin with her white, slender, bare fingers.

Thick, black hair and pink eyes. Adele tapped her cheeks as if they were paintings.

‘Now that you are cornered, it is time to get to the point.’

“You see… there is something I would like to say, but I don’t know how to tell you.”

“Oh, really?”

The plan has been laid out, however, pretending to be surprised is another thing. Jerox gulped his dry saliva as Adele’s pink eyes twinkled and surpassed any jewels.

“I am unsure how to tell you, but I think I should be the one to let you know first.”

“Oh…”

‘Then, talk to someone else first.’

Adele gently closed her eyes in a mixture of feeling frustration and understanding. She knows that Jerox is nervous, but they cannot stay forever like this. Adele’s decision is final, whether Jerox approached her forcefully or cautiously.

‘Let’s calm down, the rest of the things I still need to do…’

The tasks Adele had been postponing came to her mind, from checking the inventory that entered the port, to checking the sales that were sent from each branch. She is considering staying up late tonight and wishing for Jerox to speed up.

“…Adele, are you listening?”

“Huh? Oh, of course.”

‘I think I missed an important topic because I was busy thinking about something else. But who am I anyway? Even if I just woke up from my sleep, I can conduct a meeting immediately in five languages. And this is what it means to be the true heir. Anyhow, it’s obvious that Jerox will confess now, but it should not be obvious that I know.’

‘Let’s think.’

‘An old friend who once passionately confessed his love stopped by a jewelry store. His usual calm demeanor is now replaced with nervousness, unable to bring himself to face me. If that is a gift box that’s bulging in his coat, that should be the size of 2.5×2.5 inches, that is at least more or less in 3 carats.’

At this point, it’s easier to pretend you don’t know anything.

‘If I can’t figure out this much, I don’t deserve to be the family’s successor.’

‘What I need to do right now is to pretend.’ Adele looked straight into Jerox’s eyes, setting the mood.

“Yes Jer, you’re right.”

‘I don’t know what he meant, but isn’t it one way or another that him going to another jeweler means he’ll propose?’

“Hmm… Well, if you do, there’s nothing I can do anymore. A lot has changed since three years ago.”

“Thank you, Adele. I can’t believe you’d be understanding.”

“Understand… What are you talking about? Of course, there’s something between us.”

“Thanks to you, I feel relieved. Thank you for cheering me on.”

“…huh?”

‘You’re not thankful for me accepting the ring but rather for cheering you on?’

Adele blinked, and her lips turned pink-red as her eyes from biting. ‘This feels like I’m cheering for a friend who is going to propose…’

“I hope she’d like it. Ah, I still want you to take a look at it. After all, you have a keen eye, and you know her taste well.”

‘No… what is this situation…’

Jerox took out the box from his pocket and opened it, Adele’s prediction of three carats diamond shone brilliantly at her.

“…”

‘I have never thought there will come a day where I cannot smile even when there’s a diamond in front of me.’

Adele finished her tea in one gulp, but her thirst remained the same. Fortunately, Adele can still smile.

‘Wow, am I a bird now?’

Adele swallowed every word and lowered the hand that’s holding her chin. She is certain that Jerox didn’t come to her to confess his love, all she can do right now is keep her composure and maintain her charm.

Adele gathered her thoughts and raised her head.

“…it is nice. The cut and the grading is good.”

“Haa, that’s a relief. I hope Noella likes it as well.”

“W-wait a minute.”

Adele’s smile disappeared from her face and raised her hand. ‘Even if this situation turns unpleasant, there is something I need to clarify.’

“Um… to clarify, the ‘Noella’ you’re referring to is…”

“…”

“…is my sister, Noella Sergio?”

◇◆◇

“You’ve returned, my lady.”

As Adele entered into the Count’s mansion, the servants bowed their heads in unison.

Adele took off her gloves with an expressionless face and paced back and forth on the marble floor. She passed by the servants as if she did not notice them and headed straight to her room by the second floor, the most splendid room in the mansion, where her mother- the Countess, used to reside. The fact that Adele is using it means she is the recognized Lady of the House.

“You returned home late, my lady.”

“…Jackie.”

Adele came to her senses when she saw Jacqueline worried while waiting for her. She is the only one Adele trusts and can open up to, all among the people within the Count’s residence. Jacqueline is also casual to Adele.

Jacqueline picked up Adele’s gloves.

“Were you able to talk together? What did Master Jerox say? Did he really go to Setona jewelry?”

“Ah… It seems so.”

“Knew it! I knew it!”

Jacqueline clasped hands, wandered around Adele excitedly as if it were her that got proposed to, and she later calmed down and made eye contact with Adele through the mirror. She combed Adele’s hair, who was sitting in front of the dressing room.

“You should have said so earlier!”

“…”

“Oh my, look at these eyes! There is no beauty as yours, not only in the South but throughout the Empire! It is no question that Master Jerox fell for you! So this is what you were waiting for…”

“Jackie, I’ve got a bit of a headache.”

“Of course. After all, even if it is you, my lady, for sure it is shocking to receive a proposal at a young age, despite what other ladies say.”

“…”

“I’m sorry, but can you leave me alone?”

Adele leaned back with a faint smile. Silence fell and in an instant Jacqueline gasped.

“M-my lady! What are you talking about?!”

“Ah, I forgot to tell you. Noella is the one Jer likes.”

Clank.

Jacqueline dropped the comb she was holding. She is in great shock to the point that she did not notice she dropped something.

“If people see you, they would assume you’re the one who got dumped.”

Adele smiled bitterly and removed the accessories herself, as Jacqueline was still frozen in shock. ‘Now that I see it… I put in a lot of effort today.’

‘But I feel somehow relieved after letting it out.’

‘In fact, I couldn’t even properly bring myself to bid Jerox and just left in a dazed state.  We never dated nor promised a future together. I could ask the two when they became so close, but they would think I am nitpicking.’

“This can’t be! How could he! How can he be this ignorant, it is not even a long time since he confessed!”

“…Right.”

Whether Jacqueline raised her voice out of frustration or not, Adele remained sullen.

‘See, I am not the only one who is shocked.’

Despite what had happened, Adele laughed bitterly for being comforted this way.

“I’ve heard you’re the only one for him! That he can’t live without you!”

“…that was three years ago.”

“He said he would wait for you! That he will be waiting for you, even how many years have passed!

“…so you eavesdropped back then?”

“…”

‘Let’s just stop thinking about it.’

‘There is no place in the mansion where Jacqueline doesn’t go. I don’t blame her for being there. The reason I took her by my side is her being quick-witted and bubbly.’

‘And above all else…’

“If your heart is sincere, confess again in three years. If you still feel the same way then, I’ll consider it again.”

It was none other than Adele herself who said that.

Adele, absorbed in succeeding the Count, could not afford to think of Jerox, much less accept his heart. In addition, she was merely a young lady of eighteen; an existence in having a relationship is burdensome.

‘However, I did not see it coming that he has felt like that towards my sister.’

For a lot of reasons, Adele smirked at the bittersweet outcome of what had happened.

‘This is ridiculous.’

Adele looked into the mirror as lost for words on how to express her feelings.

“Hm…”

Black hair that is rich and pink eyes. From Adele’s white waxy skin to her thick lips, she is truly gorgeous.