1. The Groom Candidate Expedition
Two months ago.
“Come sit down, Jer.”
Adelle’s tone was unusually gentle as she welcomed the other person while still seated.
Not that she spoke softly or blushed shyly or anything like that.
She simply wasn’t pointing stiffly at the teacup with her chin or flipping through papers without so much as eye contact, as she normally did.
“You’re later than I expected. I heard you left Rihen last week, so I thought you’d arrive yesterday.”
“Ah, I had to stop by somewhere.”
Jerox walked in carrying a thick bundle of documents, looking visibly apologetic. Understandable—no matter how long they had been friends since childhood, Adelle was now the acting head of the merchant guild, and he was her subordinate.
And this merchant guild was no ordinary one.
‘Yuden’, led by Adelle’s father, Count Sergio, was the most powerful merchant group in the southern region of the Tranes Empire. The South, the most resource-rich of the empire’s four sectors—East, West, North, and South—was entirely under their economic control.
And Adelleide Sergio, seated here, was the eldest daughter and designated successor of the Sergio family.
“Did you make any progress? Any worthwhile deals?”
“Well, their textile techniques are really famous. I brought some samples—want to take a look?”
“Hmm… sure. Later.”
“…You, Adelle?”
Jerox tilted his head, puzzled as she barely glanced at the materials he handed over.
He was clearly wondering if this was the Adelle he knew. But she feigned ignorance expertly.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing. Just… it’s the first time I’ve seen you put off work.”
“Is that such a big deal?”
You’ll be seeing it more often from now on.
Adelle’s smile was prim and elegant. Known as the Flower of the South, she already knew how this new version of herself would be perceived.
“…Adelle, now that I think of it—”
Yes, that’s more like it.
Adelle took a sip of tea, pleased with herself.
Getting up at dawn was routine for her, but it had been years since she’d looked in the mirror instead of going straight to her paperwork.
She hadn’t gone overboard with her appearance, but she had made an effort—and, yes, she was hoping it’d be noticed.
“Hm? What about me? Do I have something on my face?”
She raised her brows, gazing steadily at Jerox over her teacup.
Reading a person’s physical reactions to gauge their mental state—that was her specialty.
“Jer, you’re not sick or anything, are you? Maybe overworked on this trip?”
“No, no. I’m fine.”
Wavering eyes—he’s nervous. His mouth slightly stiff—definitely unnatural.
And he’s swallowed dryly several times already…
Looks like I’ll have to give him a little push.
Adelle smiled as if she had no choice. Honestly, she always had to take the lead—Jerox could be frustratingly passive.
But she knew his personality well. And she had already decided to accept it.
“Jer, I heard you stopped by Setona before coming here?”
“Huh? How did you…”
“And why’d you go all the way there? We’re overflowing with gems here.”
“Oh, well, that’s just…”
Embarrassed, huh.
Adelle laced her fingers together and tried to suppress her amusement as she watched Jerox squirm.
To be the best merchant group, you had to have a jeweler. That was a given.
And there was nowhere in the South more abundant with top-tier gems than the Yuden Guild.
So if he’d taken the trouble to travel to a remote town known for its gem mines, the reason could only be—
“Did you find a particularly nice stone?”
“W-Well…”
Ugh, just spit it out already.
She’d decided to play dumb and wait patiently—but this really wasn’t her style.
Still, she reminded herself what today was and gently lifted the corners of her lips.
“…Adelle.”
“Just say it. Come on. We’ve known each other for years.”
Yes. They’d met nine years and five months ago. And it had been exactly three years since that day.
Adelle rested her chin on her slender, bare fingers—no rings, no accessories, just elegance.
Clink.
With her long black hair and sparkling pink eyes, the way her fingers tapped her cheek looked like a painting.
She had given him enough of a push—now he just had to come out with it.
“Um… actually, I do have something to say. I’ve been thinking about how to bring it up…”
“Oh my, really?”
She’d set the stage, sure—but acting surprised was part of the show.
Her radiant pink eyes sparkled like jewels, and Jerox swallowed hard.
“I don’t know the right way to say this, but I thought you should be the first to know.”
“Oh…”
So you’re saying you’d tell someone else before me?
Adelle fluttered her lashes, mixing sympathy and affection in equal measure. She got it—he was nervous. But this couldn’t go on forever.
Whether Jerox made a bold move or cautiously tread forward, her answer wouldn’t change.
Okay, now… let’s see, what do I still have to do…
Reports from each branch, inventory from the port shipments… she might have to pull an all-nighter.
So if she was going to accept a long-time friend’s feelings, she might as well get it over with.
“…Adelle, are you listening?”
“Hm? Oh, yes.”
Oops. She may have zoned out during the key moment.
But this was Adelle Sergio.
She could handle meetings in five languages, half-asleep.
And honestly, whatever Jerox was about to say was probably the most obvious thing in the world.
Think about it:
An old friend who once confessed his love to her… stops by a jeweler… now he’s too nervous to meet her eyes…
And that square box bulging near his chest? Her trained eye could guess its size—2.5 inches in width and height. A 3-carat top-grade engagement ring, no doubt.
If she couldn’t guess who it was for, she had no business being heir to a merchant empire.
The only thing needed now was a well-played act. Adelle leaned in, looking gently into his eyes.
“You’re right, Jer. I understand.”
She had no idea what he’d just said, but a proposal was always the right answer. That was the basic mindset of a jeweler.
“Hmm… if that’s how you feel, I guess there’s no helping it. A lot’s changed in the past three years.”
“Thank you, Adelle. I appreciate your understanding.”
“Understanding? Don’t be silly. We go way back.”
“Thanks to you, I finally have the courage. I’m grateful for your support.”
“…Huh?”
Wait. Support?
He’s grateful that I’m cheering him on, not that I accepted the ring?
Adelle blinked slowly, her lips pressing into a thin line.
It was like cheering on a friend heading off to propose—to someone else.
“I hope she likes it. Still, I thought I’d get your opinion first. Your taste is impeccable—and you know her preferences better than anyone.”
So it really was just that.
Jerox finally pulled out the box. When he opened it, a dazzling 3-carat diamond sparkled inside.
“……”
She never imagined there would come a day when she stared at a diamond and didn’t smile.
She gulped her tea in one go, but the thirst remained. At least she hadn’t lost the smile on her face yet.
Wow. I really just got screwed, huh?
Adelle lowered her hand from her chin and bit back the useless words forming in her throat.
Now that it was clear Jerox wasn’t proposing to her, all she had to do was avoid humiliating herself.
With every ounce of self-control, she gave a calm nod.
“…It’s nice. The cut’s excellent, and the grade is top-tier.”
“Phew. I’m relieved. I hope Noella likes it too.”
“Wait—wait, just a second.”
Her raised hand wiped the smile clean from her lips.
Okay, forget dignity. There was still a very basic question that needed answering—one any human would ask.
“Just to be sure… when you say ‘Noella’…”
“……”
“You don’t mean my sister, Noella Sergio, right?”
