Chapter 19
The biggest pink diamond I had ever seen in my life was 4 carats—the engagement ring my younger sister Leonie received when she became Empress.
The Imperial Gazette had made a huge fuss about how the “devoted Emperor” gave his Empress a ring worth the price of a small city.
But the gem before me now was far larger—easily 12 carats. A pear-cut pink diamond, flanked on both sides by slightly smaller clear diamonds, the whole design resembling a crown.
It was breathtaking.
While I stood there speechless, staring at the ring, he spoke hesitantly.
“They said if I made it any bigger, it would be too heavy. So I thought this size would be suitable for everyday wear.”
“Everyday wear?!”
What, did he want me to walk around as a prime target for thieves?
He nodded seriously.
“Of course, you shouldn’t wear just the ring. I’ve transferred ownership of a pink diamond mine to you—so you can commission matching pieces of jewelry from it.”
…What did he just say?!
“This is way too much for a birthday present!”
“It’s not a birthday present. It’s simply… yours.”
“What?”
Where on earth did this man come from?
While I was still trying to process his words, he took the ring out of its case and held it toward me.
“Won’t you give me your hand?”
…
It was obviously an engagement ring. How could I just put it on?
When I hesitated, he lowered his voice to a gentle murmur.
“I only want to check the fit.”
Who would fall for such an absurd excuse?
Me. Apparently.
Almost as if hypnotized, I extended my left hand.
There I stood, in my pajamas, jerky in my right hand, with an enormous pink diamond slipped onto the ring finger of my left hand.
It fit perfectly. Almost suspiciously perfectly.
And, objectively speaking, it suited me. The soft shine of the strawberry-colored hair that fell to my chest seemed even glossier.
I should have taken it off right away after confirming the size, but before I could, he curled my fingers into a fist and covered my hand with his own.
With my hand enclosed in his, he said,
“I wanted to give you a birthday gift, but I realized there’s nothing in this world truly worthy of Lady Bartoli’s stature. So… it would be best for you to receive it over the course of a lifetime.”
He said “lifetime” as if it were nothing—as if promising to spend my second life at my side was the most natural thing in the world.
Meeting my gaze with a look of complete sincerity, he said,
“I will give you everything I have. All you need to do is have me.”
…
So the real “gift” was himself. It was an engagement disguised as a present, worded cleverly so I couldn’t outright reject it.
And somehow… I didn’t dislike that.
With a teasing smile, I asked,
“No returns?”
“You’ve already opened the package. No returns.”
“But it’s unused.”
Before I could even finish, he lifted my hand and pressed a kiss into my palm. He’d kissed me once before, and now he had no hesitation at all.
“You’ve just used it, so no returns.”
I couldn’t help laughing.
“What kind of product is this—so high-handed?”
“That’s what makes it worth taming, don’t you think?”
He scooped up the white fox watching us from the side and held her in one arm.
That’s when I noticed—his eyes were a pale gray. Like a wolf’s.
A man who seemed like a wild predator no one could ever tame, staring straight into my eyes, said,
“You seem to have talent. So try taming me, the way you’ve tamed Popo.”
…
“Please.”
My heart skipped a beat, and there was a strange tightness in my chest.
Do you think you’re really a fox or something?
How could he act so boldly, so effortlessly, without even knowing me that well?
But one thing was clear—he was serious about this proposal. And that meant I owed him a serious answer, even if he someday changed his mind.
I cleared my throat.
“Then let’s make something clear first.”
“Yes? What is it, my lady?”
His eyes lit up with eager curiosity.
I spoke firmly, as if speaking to Popo.
“No national holidays.”
“…Pardon?”
“You said you’d make my birthday a national holiday. And also… peaches. You can’t wipe out peaches. Lots of people love them. If you wiped them out completely, who knows what kind of effect that would have on the ecosystem. It’s more fragile than you think.”
He was silent for a few seconds after my lecture. Then, suddenly—he laughed. Loudly.
“Don’t laugh so loud!”
I hadn’t expected him to burst out laughing, so it took me a moment to rush over and try to cover his mouth. If someone heard a man’s laughter in the room of a confined young lady, the rumors…
I strained my ears, wondering if anyone outside had heard, while he quietly chuckled. Then, still seated, he reached out and pulled me into his arms.
I lost my balance and fell against him. My jerky dropped to the floor, and Popo quickly snatched it up to place on the tea table.
Holding me tightly, Owen murmured,
“Then I’ll cancel both plans. I’ll miss the holiday idea, but—”
“No!”
“Yes, I’ll give it up. And as for the peaches—how about I just stop supplying them to the Bartoli household?”
“That works.”
Even better, really. Father wouldn’t be able to eat them anymore.
He still hadn’t let go of me. And after a proposal, telling him, “Let go of me right now!” felt awkward, so I stayed still, waiting to see when he’d release me.
Apparently, that wasn’t going to happen. Instead, he lifted me up entirely and strode to my bed, sitting down with me in his lap.
…This was getting dangerous.
Looking into my eyes, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and spoke as if sharing something important.
“Arne really misses you.”
“Ah… Arne…”
The truth was, I missed that adorable boy too.
“What if you came to the dukedom with me tomorrow? The three of us could have a meal together.”
His voice was so gently persuasive that I almost said yes right there.
But I was under house arrest.
“I can’t right now. I want to see him too, but… there’s a situation.”
“When can you come, then?”
“Just wait five days.”
“Five days?”
It sounded to me like he was saying, Five whole days?
But there was no helping it.
“No means no.”
Sensing my regret in my tone, he stayed quiet.
Still, I wanted to do something for Arne. After thinking for a moment, I found the answer.
I wriggled in his lap, trying to get down, but he kept an arm around my waist.
“What are you going to get?”
“A handkerchief—I want to embroider it. It should be in my vanity drawer.”
“Are you really going to walk around when your foot’s still hurt?”
That injury was ages ago… but fine.
Without setting me down, he carried me over to the vanity. I wrapped my arms around his neck, more out of practicality than anything else.
He exhaled warmly.
“It’s exciting when you hold on to me first.”
“This isn’t holding on!”
“You didn’t push me away. At this point, I’m ready to take even the smallest positive sign as acceptance of my proposal.”
“Unbelievable.”
With one arm supporting me firmly, he used the other to open the drawer. Then he paused.
From where I was, I couldn’t see what he was looking at.
“What? It’s not there?”
“No, I found it.”
He answered smoothly, then carried me back to the bed. This time, he set me against the headboard.
I quickly stretched linen into a hoop and picked out thread colors.
“Just wait a bit, my lord. I’m quick with my hands.”
“May I watch?”
It might be boring for him, but… after a moment’s thought, I nodded. He settled right next to me—
