Chapter : 60
“The room is ready.”
At the staff member’s words, I quickly turned around.
Following their guidance, I entered a room deeper inside the store, furnished with a sofa.
As soon as I sat down, tea was brought, and a clerk carrying a tray with jewelry cases entered.
The store owner, wearing white gloves, lifted a necklace and spoke.
“This is our new collection. Demand is extremely high right now, so these sell out almost immediately, but we’ve kept this one in the safe for our VIP customers.”
I looked at the necklace in the store owner’s hands.
It was a necklace with glass gems surrounding a red ruby.
It would match Viviana’s red hair beautifully.
Viviana tilted her head slightly and gestured for the next box to be opened.
The next box revealed a necklace adorned with countless diamonds. It was incredibly glamorous and beautiful, but if one wasn’t careful, it looked like it could feel heavy on the neck.
‘It’s too flashy, so it actually looks a bit tacky…’
Contrary to my thoughts, Viviana seemed to like it.
“Shall I try it on?”
Viviana, holding the necklace, looked at me and Eloy.
Her delicate features seemed slightly overshadowed, but I said nothing.
‘She seems to like it, so I’d better not say anything unnecessary.’
I scanned the boxes on the table.
I saw a ring with a large teardrop-shaped diamond. When I looked closer, the clerk took out the ring and held out a hand to me.
I extended my hand politely, and the ring slid onto my finger. Because of the size of the diamond, I could feel the weight in my hand.
“It really suits you.”
If I moved my hand wrong, I felt like I could hit someone.
In a company setting, maybe that would matter, but here, I probably wouldn’t need to use it…
I smiled lightly and held out my hand again.
For a place that earlier claimed to have nothing, quite a few accessories were now displayed before us.
Seeing these sparkling, beautiful items was truly enjoyable. Eloy, sitting beside me, was trying on a sparkling hair accessory.
‘I wonder when we’ll go home.’
While watching the two of them excitedly admire the accessories, I noticed Viviana staring intently at the necklaces in front of her.
“Everything suits you, Viviana.”
“Then, of course…”
“Shall we buy them all?”
All of them?
I widened my eyes as I scanned the boxes in front of Viviana.
No matter how much money one has… do you really need ten necklaces when you only have one neck?
The store owner, smiling broadly, opened a few more boxes in front of Viviana.
Viviana’s head seemed about to nod at any moment.
“They all suit you, but aren’t they for a party? I think it’s better to choose one that matches the dress.”
I knew I was speaking out of turn… and it wasn’t even my money…!
I couldn’t stop my imprudent mouth from talking.
“Not all of them are suitable for daily wear…”
The store owner’s expression stiffened slightly at my words. Viviana turned to look at me.
‘Ah, I probably overstepped.’
I had wanted to buy everything, but now I wondered if I shouldn’t have interfered.
Just as I was about to feel a bit embarrassed, Viviana’s eyes sparkled.
“Then you’ll choose the one that matches the dress, right?”
“Eh?”
Why does it become my job? I don’t even know what your dress looks like.
Before I could react, Viviana started speaking quickly.
“Send everything here to the Erillion Manor. I’ll cover the rental fees.”
“Understood.”
The store owner, smiling again, quickly packaged the boxes, and Viviana jumped up from her seat.
As I awkwardly followed her, Viviana spoke to a servant waiting outside.
“Prepare the carriage immediately and inform the manor that we have a guest coming.”
‘Is that guest… maybe me?’
After giving the order, Viviana turned toward me with a delighted expression.
“I’m so pleased you could visit.”
“Ah… haha…”
I wanted to go home so badly, but…
I was also curious about what kind of dresses someone as wealthy as Viviana would choose.
And about the manor itself.
Fine. It seems they weren’t going to let me go home anyway. This is just my happy imagination. Why not?
I let out a deep sigh and called the servant who had followed me.
“Tell them we’re visiting the Erillion Marquis Manor. We’re going to look at the dresses and then leave.”
The servant bowed upon hearing me and went toward the carriage.
Since we were going anyway, there was nothing else to do. I might as well go quickly…
Still, I was curious about the quiet Eloy.
I turned toward Eloy, who had been hesitating behind, and he approached Viviana and me.
“I’ll head back now, then.”
Viviana, who had been watching for the carriage, looked at Eloy with a puzzled expression.
“Why? Didn’t you want to go to the manor?”
“You told me not to come.”
“When did I?”
Viviana and Eloy looked confused at the same time.
“Oh my? So does that mean you invited me as well?”
“We’ve been together all this time, but are you telling me Eloy should be sent home alone?”
“….”
“How lowly must you think of me? Fine. Let’s get in the carriage.”
Eloy’s ears seemed to turn red for a moment, then he smiled brightly and got in.
See? These two are surprisingly friendly with each other.
I smiled contentedly as I got into the carriage.
“Wow…”
Stepping down from the carriage, I couldn’t help but exclaim.
I had wondered just how wealthy the richest person in the empire could be, but the view of the Marquis’s manor before me could only be described as magnificent.
Having seen the palace adorned with white, beautiful sculptures and the grand ducal mansion made of black bricks, I thought no ordinary mansion could impress me.
But this two-story mansion, built of red bricks and draped with ivy, looked classical and elegant.
Its beauty rivaled that of a palace or ducal mansion, and I found myself completely distracted by the building as I circled it.
The interior was even more astounding.
The moment the door opened, light poured in, dazzling my eyes.
The hall was enormous, and the chandeliers hanging from above were so intricate that I couldn’t help but wonder how they were even installed.
‘Do they polish those crystals every day…?’
The crystals decorating the chandeliers sparkled so brightly it seemed like it would take days just to clean them.
Inside the hall, servants in neat uniforms and butlers in suits lined the sides, forming a path.
‘Wow…’
I was instantly overwhelmed, unsure what to do. A butler at the front greeted us.
His suit was so sharply pressed that it looked like he couldn’t bend his limbs.
“The Marchioness will appear shortly.”
At the end of the path, the Marchioness walked out. The incredibly beautiful Marchioness wore a dress far more elaborate than casual attire.
As she approached us, she smiled kindly.
“Pleased to meet you. The Marquis is currently away, but he’s hurrying back as soon as he heard the news.”
“This is my first time meeting you. I’m Selene Weddon.”
“I wish to see you twice,” she replied playfully, making me smile.
Being a high-ranking noble, I had expected Marchionesses in novels to be aloof, so her kind and cute tone left a strong impression.
“Pleased to meet you, Marchioness. I’m Eloy Calat.”
“Ah, so I get to meet Miss Calat too. How delightful!”
She didn’t seem to resemble Viviana much. The Marchioness ignored Viviana, focusing on Eloy and me.
“I’m glad Viviana’s friend could come… I’ll do my best to make your visit enjoyable.”
“Thank you, just for saying that,” I replied. The Marchioness smiled warmly and clasped my hand.
It was unexpected hospitality.
Feeling shy and flustered, I glanced around, and a butler whispered something to the Marchioness.
Her expression shifted, and she looked at me.
“Guests from the Count’s manor have arrived in the reception room.”
“Our manor?”
The Marchioness nodded.
Why? Not knowing the reason, I tilted my head in confusion, and Viviana spoke to the butler.
“You’ve gathered them in my reception room, right?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Then let’s go. Mother, see you later.”
The Marchioness smiled and waved lightly.
I thought we were entering, but Viviana turned and headed toward the manor entrance again.
We just arrived, and now we’re going out again?
I’m already at my limit resisting gravity…
Also, I still haven’t confirmed who came from our manor.
Seeing my confused expression, Viviana shrugged.
“You’ll go to my manor.”
