Chapter 14
“Don’t tell me you’re planning to meet some strange guy and just fly off, leaving your family behind?”
His unexpected words made me tense for a moment, but that feeling quickly faded.
When did he even hear such news? He really gets around.
My father seemed lost in thought for a moment, tears welling in his eyes.
“I don’t know how the story got twisted, but that’s not true.”
I denied it firmly.
“Really?”
“Of course. It’s true that my sister suggested I meet someone, but I refused right there.”
As if he had never been sad, my father suddenly broke into a big smile.
Could he really be this happy?
I had only told the truth, but his expression changed so quickly it was almost funny.
It seems the biggest obstacle in my marriage might not be my sister, but my father.
I worried that when I announced my engagement to Etienne, he might even faint.
“You made the right choice, Niveia. Just thinking about how shocked I was when I accidentally heard that nonsense….”
He continued chatting lightly.
After listening for a while, I decided it was time to leave for my appointment. I got up.
“Already leaving?”
“Yes, I have an appointment.”
My father looked disappointed at first, then immediately changed to a puzzled expression.
“I thought your friend hadn’t returned from studying abroad.”
“Not that friend. I’m meeting a new friend.”
He always knew just how to poke at my sensitive spots.
Sadly, I only had one friend, and they were studying abroad for some reason.
I couldn’t exactly tell my father I was meeting Etienne, so I had to phrase it vaguely.
“If that’s the case, then fine.”
Fortunately, he didn’t question me further and waved lightly.
“Take care.”
Just as I was leaving the room, something caught my eye.
A newspaper on the edge of the table.
It looked like the one my father had read about the magic ore from the mine.
That…
But that wasn’t what drew my attention.
A corner of the folded newspaper—the left side.
It reminded me of the day I first heard about selling the mine.
Something caught my eyes so strongly that I walked over without realizing it and looked closely.
It was a public notice about selling useless wasteland.
The reason was carefully written: poor location, useless land, etc. Underneath was a photo: an old woman standing with the wasteland.
I see it again.
Behind the old woman, a shining halo of gold coins poured down like rain.
This is an opportunity!
Not as much as when I met Etienne, but even more than the mine.
Having caught luck twice already, I wasn’t going to miss it now.
“Father.”
I picked up the newspaper.
“You’re not reading this anymore, right?”
“Well, not really.”
“I’ll take it, then.”
At first, my father looked suspicious, but then he smiled kindly.
He probably thought I wanted the paper to show my new friend the news about my mine.
I didn’t bother correcting him and left the room quickly.
If I plan something, the best is to act immediately!
I walked briskly toward my room.
When I arrived, Selly greeted me cheerfully.
“You’re back early, Miss?”
“Yes. Things turned out this way.”
I caught my breath at the door and then headed to the table.
I placed the newspaper down and announced:
“Oh, by the way. I’ll buy this wasteland. Get it ready.”
So I could meet Etienne immediately afterward.
“Yes, I’ll prepare it.”
Selly looked confused at first, but soon nodded obediently.
After giving her the task, I was about to leave for my appointment.
But then Selly called me back.
“Miss?”
“Yes?”
“A package arrived while you went to see your master. I think you should check it.”
I was busy, but I decided to check it quickly before leaving.
I didn’t order anything to arrive in my room recently.
I thought back, and I hadn’t shopped for anything lately.
I opened the package. Inside was a ring case.
A ring?
I immediately opened it.
Inside was a ruby ring and a small piece of paper.
I unfolded the note and read it carefully.
“I prepared this for when we sit together. Not sure if you’ll like it. This ring changes your appearance when worn, so keep that in mind.”
The ring—and the note—were from Etienne.
He also wrote that he would wear a ring too, so only the two of us could see each other’s true selves. Others would see us as different people, meaning we could recognize each other and talk without problems.
“I’ll take care of this. You go do what I asked you to do.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Selly left immediately, leaving me alone.
I slipped the ring onto my finger and stood in front of the mirror.
I’m not sure if it’s working yet.
I didn’t see a difference in the mirror, but as Etienne said, others would.
I left for the meeting place with the ring on.
***
To my surprise, everything Etienne wrote in his letter was true.
Using the portable scroll, I arrived at the theater where the play would be performed.
My face must look different now.
Even though I was showing my bare face at the fountain, no one reacted.
It felt strange, something that normally couldn’t happen.
It’s so quiet.
No one looked at me or spoke to me.
No one recognized me.
I felt like I was alone in this huge space.
So this is how it feels…
I thought about what it would be like if I lived away from my family, isolated and unnoticed.
I was experiencing firsthand what it felt like to be ignored in a dark, dull, colorless world.
***
“You’re here!”
A familiar voice called.
I turned toward the sound.
“It took me a while to find you because of all the people.”
It was the man I was meeting today—Etienne.
He looked a little apologetic and glanced at me as if checking my mood.
Our eyes met.
“Even with all these people, you recognized me.”
“Of course. You’re wearing the ring I gave you. I couldn’t not notice.”
Etienne shrugged as if it were nothing and extended his hand toward me.
“Today, we’re both wearing the same ring. I wonder how others will see us.”
He smiled brightly, clearly enjoying the thought. I fiddled with the ring on my finger and said:
“They’ll just see us as ordinary lovers. That’s all.”
Some might see us as a couple because of matching rings. Others might think the rings are expensive and assume we’re married.
“That’s good.”
Etienne smiled and added:
“If we look normal, like an ordinary couple, then it’s fine to act accordingly.”
I almost nodded naturally.
“What are we going to do dressed like this?”
I had a feeling we weren’t just going to watch the play.
“We’ll do everything a secret couple can do.”
Etienne tapped the ring on my finger and answered earnestly.
“For example?”
I wanted a warning before being swept away into whatever would happen next.
“We’ll watch the play together, eat together, and do ordinary things. Other than that….”
He paused, then moved as if to show me by action.
“Like this?”
Peck.
A light, feather-like kiss touched my cheek.
So cute 🥰