Chapter 26
There were actually quite a few jewels for men as well. When she moved one room deeper than where she first entered, she saw various ornaments. They were larger and rougher than the ones for women.
“A man, huh? Age range? Title? I’m not sure how to choose.”
For some reason, upon entering this room, he didn’t just seem rude—he seemed genuinely bothered. Agnes ignored the half-hearted question and randomly opened drawers one by one. Then, in one of the drawers, she found a necklace.
It seemed suitable for someone who used a sword, something that could be hidden under clothing.
The Marquis of Rizen was still working at the Royal Knights and she had never seen him train personally, but considering the knights’ routines, it seemed fine.
“Wrap this one too.”
As soon as she randomly picked a necklace without hesitation, the jeweler looked at her in surprise.
“You picked so carefully before, but now you’re just grabbing anything?”
Since nothing was in his hands, it seemed the gift she had chosen was already in Tarin’s hands. She had wanted to at least touch the box herself before giving it.
By now, she no longer paid attention to the owner’s tone. His blunt way of speaking had become so natural that she just accepted it. Perhaps he was used to dealing with nobles.
Luckily, she wasn’t the type to care much about social rank due to her unique background. Otherwise, she might have worried unnecessarily about offending someone.
“This isn’t just anything. I thought a necklace would suit someone who fights. The gem’s color seems fitting for him… It looks excellent.”
The transparent stone seemed like crystal, shaped as a rectangular prism, sparkling in a silvery-white hue. Inside the transparency, several rectangular pillars had a silvery-white sheen, as if intentionally designed that way.
This place had many unique gems. She left that drawer open and began checking the others.
It would probably take a whole day to examine them carefully, so she was opening drawers randomly—but it was surprisingly helpful.
“Still looking?”
“I’ve noticed from before—if you’re going to keep saying that, you should state your title, or at least change your tone.”
Agnes finally spoke up. How arrogantly he ran his business. It wasn’t really her concern, but she couldn’t help feeling bothered.
As with the dress shop earlier, she wasn’t exactly righteous—just irritated.
“Some things can’t be revealed.”
“If it’s something that must be hidden, you should make sure no one notices. This is basically asking, ‘Please tell me who you are,’ isn’t it?”
Showing slight displeasure, Agnes resumed opening drawers.
Around the twelfth drawer, she discovered something amber-colored, glimmering inside.
It was round and seemed somewhat deep, resembling… her own eyes. Her hand instinctively reached for it, but she noticed it just in time before touching it. It was a necklace.
“Seems you like this one.”
He spoke briefly, but Agnes was captivated by the amber gem.
Though they had shared time before, she had never given him a gift. She couldn’t appear on his terrace herself, so perhaps this could serve as a token of gratitude…
She would ask Tarin later and then give the gift.
“May I ask who this is for?”
The red-haired owner smiled brightly, hiding his eyes, and asked. This time he seemed genuinely interested, even adjusting his tone.
Agnes looked at him calmly and replied,
“It’s for my fiancé.”
Hearing her answer, he smiled, raising his eyebrows slightly.
“Oh? You must love him quite a lot. And you’re giving such a gem even before receiving one yourself?”
Hmm, perhaps it was too extravagant a gift after all.
“You don’t necessarily need to repay a gem with a gem. As long as it’s fine to purchase it, I’d like it wrapped.”
Agnes responded confidently, unfazed. Perhaps due to the lighting or his silver-reflecting eyes, he appeared both beautiful and mysterious.
“If buying it is a problem, would you choose something else?”
With perfect tone now, he seemed like an enigma. There was something distinctly different about him from ordinary passersby.
“Hm… No, if this doesn’t work, I won’t choose another.”
She didn’t need to buy anything else just for the sake of a gift. She doubted she would find anything else she liked.
After she decided, he furrowed his brows slightly. Perhaps he didn’t want to sell more.
“What’s the problem? I’ll wrap it…”
He spoke normally for a moment but quickly reverted to his comical tone. Agnes chuckled and prepared to leave as he gathered the necklace.
“Ah, wait.”
The jeweler suddenly called her. Agnes looked back as she was about to head to the first hall where Tarin waited.
In the center of the dark gray space, the pinlight highlighted his figure in a way that made him appear more like a flat illustration than three-dimensional.
“Wait.”
He repeated the same words to her, then opened a door. If this was the second hall, he had gone into a third space.
Agnes didn’t peer in or follow—if it had been necessary, he wouldn’t have said “wait” and vanished.
As she waited, she could hear busy clattering inside. He seemed to be searching for something. Perhaps adding a small gift? Thinking of shopping in the previous world, Agnes considered leaving for a moment. Only after quite some time did he reappear.
“This is for you—a gift.”
“…A gift?”
She questioned automatically, without even checking what he was offering.
She had entered a jewelry store, not expecting a gift. Why would the owner hand her something?
Seeing her suspicious, doubtful eyes, he appeared unfazed. Perhaps he was aware she was skeptical.
“Of course, it may seem suspicious, but it’s not. Since it’s your first visit, it’s a gift to encourage you to come often.”
Carefully, Agnes accepted the box. Raising it to open, she looked at him. He gestured with raised eyebrows, inviting her to open it.
Inside was a small necklace with a pendant shaped from a gem. It had a deep, lake-like dark blue color.
“Do they give one free necklace for buying three?”
He just stood there, hands behind his back, as if it didn’t matter.
“Should I say it’s for anyone, or that it’s special for customers?”
“I didn’t know anyone would believe it’s given to just anyone.”
Agnes shook her head, closed the box, and handed it back. A small failure—the expression on his face was unfiltered.
“Wrap it with the transparent crystal necklace too.”
Smiling faintly, she handed him the boxes. Turning, she left for where Tarin waited. Behind her, she heard his quiet laughter.
“Oh, miss. What did you buy inside?”
Tarin, holding the small necklace boxes in both hands, immediately asked as she came out. He had probably tried to follow her but couldn’t find the right moment.
“Tarin, I bought a gift for His Highness the Crown Prince… is it okay for me to give him a gift?”
“Oh my!”
Tarin, upon hearing this, reacted even more enthusiastically than when she had given him a gift.
“Good heavens, you’re so romantic! There’s no rule that a lady can’t give a gift! It’s amazing!”
Seeing how delighted Tarin was, Agnes felt a strange reluctance. Perhaps this was something ordinary young ladies couldn’t do.
“Here, it’s wrapped.”
Tarin tilted his head in confusion at the three small boxes. She carried four boxes in three paper bags and left the shop. He waved goodbye from inside.
“Oh! Wasn’t Kirkan inside there?”
“Not inside, just a brief visit.”
“Whatever the phrasing, it’s totally exposed now!”
At that moment, voices suddenly rose again. At the same time, a gust of wind pushed Agnes’ skirt from left to east, lifting the edge near Tarin’s side.
Such irregular wind and the whimsical, feminine-like voices—she had become familiar with them from past experience.
Was it the same entity as before? Or even if not identical, like people having names, did each of these entities have a distinct identity?
Or did such voices appear wherever the wind blew?
With Tarin right beside her and Tamohan watching from the next block, she bit her lip to hide any sign of her abnormal state.
