Chapter 68
Just a little while ago.
Our carriage arrived at the most famous jeweler in the Imperial Capital.
Kadiyan had something to discuss with the coachman, so I went inside first.
“Welco—.”
The manager (it said so on his name tag), who had reflexively started greeting me at the sound of the door, spotted me and shut his mouth.
Inside the spacious store, there were about four other employees besides the manager.
In an instant, their gazes gathered on me, then scattered, and they each went back to what they were doing.
What is this awkwardness?
It felt like I’d been scanned from head to toe.
Several employees had clearly made eye contact with me, yet why did it feel like they were treating me as if I didn’t exist?
‘Ah, it’s that.’
Just as I began to feel a chill, I understood the situation.
They must not approach first, for the sake of customers who feel burdened by excessive kindness!
So that people can browse comfortably!
‘As expected of a famous jeweler—so different.’
If I were the shop owner, I’d be trailing right beside the customer.
What if you let them wander among all these luxurious jewels and they turned into a thief?
It seemed security here was tight enough that they didn’t need to stick close.
There were even two guards at the entrance.
‘Wow. So many jewels.’
The glass display cases sparkled brilliantly with the gems inside.
I really shouldn’t come here with His Majesty. They might mistake him for a jewel that escaped and put him on display there…
He’d probably call that ridiculous nonsense if he heard me, but I was completely serious.
Even if you took every jewel here and used them to adorn His Majesty, they wouldn’t stand out. They’d all be buried under His Majesty’s beauty—!
‘Still, I can’t not buy a gift.’
I touched the heavy pouch of gold coins and the stack of checks I’d brought with me.
‘Hehe. I came prepared today.’
His Majesty still wore the cufflinks I gave him with my first salary.
Just when I’d forget about them, they’d flash from his sleeves to remind me…!
Why, why does he keep wearing them…?!
At this point, wouldn’t I be declared innocent even if I claimed His Majesty was the one who seduced me first?!
‘…Calm down.’
I suppressed my excitement with a deep breath.
Calm down, my body. It’s a problem if I act like this outside, too…!
Anyway, today I planned to buy a gift for His Majesty and return gifts for the birthday presents I received last time.
I’d sent back gifts from people I didn’t know well or wasn’t close to,
but I couldn’t return the gifts from the people of Prodintha Palace and the chapel, the escort knights, Heli, Chobi, Captain Henkel, and Chancellor Ebon.
No matter how firmly I refused and returned them, they just came back to my room again.
It reminded me of when Fyu was still in a box.
‘Should I buy something for Fyu and Master, too?’
It would be cute if the two of them matched accessories as a couple.
‘I have a lot to buy. Today is a flex day.’
My eyes sparkled.
I could wander around picking whatever caught my eye, but since it was my first time at a jeweler and the place was large, I figured it’d be better to hear explanations.
“Excuse me, I—”
I tried asking a nearby employee for help, but they briskly walked away.
Didn’t they hear me?
Hmm. That could happen.
I spotted another employee nearby who wasn’t assisting anyone and walked toward them.
“Excuse me, I’d like to look at some items.”
Whoosh—
Even though I spoke right in front of them, the employee left without a word.
Wow. I’ve been wearing the cloak Chobi gave me lately—maybe I gained superpowers.
Did I develop invisibility along with holy power?!
Yeah, right.
‘I think… I’m being ignored?’
Then I heard voices coming from what looked like a storage room where Employees 1 and 2 had gone.
“A commoner girl comes in alone—what does she think she’s going to do?”
“Did she mistake this place for a stationery shop?”
“Heh. Even if she’s dumb, she wouldn’t fail to read the sign. She’s probably never bought jewelry before and doesn’t know the prices.”
Ah.
Nothing had happened for a while, so I’d forgotten—but in this world, I looked young.
When the black correction effect was applied, everyone was too busy being fascinated to think about my age.
But in my Lili appearance, I looked about seventeen.
And I’d worn modest clothes so I wouldn’t stand out.
So I looked like I didn’t have money.
I’m an adult, though… My wallet is full, too…
Sob.
So it wasn’t that they were letting me browse comfortably—they just didn’t think I could afford anything and didn’t bother with me.
They call this a famous jeweler? What kind of service is this!
I wasn’t expecting a red carpet welcome—just answers to questions would’ve been enough!
‘Such cold treatment… my heart is wounded…’
I was about to leave when a young-looking employee approached me.
They hadn’t been there when I first came in.
“C-Customer. Is there something you’re looking for…?”
They looked inexperienced, like they weren’t used to the job.
Their name tag said Trainee, so they must’ve just joined recently.
The trainee is the nicest one here…
“Ah, yes. I’m looking for something suitable as gifts for people around me.”
“Ah, then… would you come this way, please…?”
I followed where the employee guided me, and saw a row of luxurious brooches displayed in a glass case.
“H-How about these? They’re popular these days… Since they’re designed for both men and women, they’d be good for group gifts. They come in various colors, too…”
“Ooh.”
“T-They’re shaped after water droplets and laurel leaves. The surroundings use semi-precious stones… and the center has sapphire or emerald. Th-This ribbon is detachable as well.”
The brooch they recommended—stammering in a trembling voice—was exactly my taste.
Should I go with this? Would buying about thirty be enough?
“They won’t be able to buy it once they hear the price. Why’s that one trying so hard?”
“Leave it. Since they’re bad at the job anyway, they might as well handle a country bumpkin like that.”
“Why take them there of all places? It’s right in the middle of the store—so noticeable. Ruins the view.”
I could hear Employees 1 and 2 and the manager snickering.
Ah, seriously. That’s irritating.
We even made eye contact earlier, and they’re still acting like that.
‘Ignore them. Ignore them.’
I just needed to buy my things.
‘Then I’ll get these as return gifts, and just look for His Majesty’s gift and Fyu’s and Master’s.’
I pointed to the end of the display case with my left index finger.
“Then I’ll take everything from here—”
“Madam! Welcome!”
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Both my husband and I have been busy lately. I was passing nearby, so I stopped in to inspect the store in his place.”
“Oh my, thank you for your concern. As you can see, there are no problems at all.”
Behind me, near the entrance, things became noisy.
But nothing could stop my flex today.
I slid my finger across the top of the display case and pointed to the opposite end.
“All the way to here—!”
…
I bit my tongue.
“Hey, how long are you going to stay? If you can’t buy anything, leave. Madam is here—having a commoner like you around ruins the atmosphere.”
Employee 1 suddenly appeared and shoved me hard.
I was pushed sideways and almost fell, but I grabbed the glass display and stopped myself.
Heh. My reflexes have improved from training lately.
“What are you doing?!”
“Gasp.”
At the familiar voice, I lifted my head to find the owner of the shout.
Kadiyan, who had just entered the store, must have seen me being shoved.
Two guards rushed at Kadiyan as he drew his sword.
With his skills, he could’ve shaken them off easily, but—
“How dare you…!!”
The attention of customers and employees turned toward them.
‘Ugh. Kadiyan, no commotion.’
Our eyes met, and when I shook my head, Kadiyan’s chest swelled and fell as he tried to suppress his anger.
He lowered his sword, but he still looked like he was barely holding himself back.
But even if we protested angrily to the staff here, they probably wouldn’t listen at all.
“Excuse me!”
I raised my hand high and called out boldly.
At my sudden action, several employees looked at me.
“Excuse me, Madam!”
When they realized the person I was calling was the shop owner’s wife, the employees and manager turned pale.
The employee who shoved me grabbed my arm, stammering,
“A-Are you cra—”
I ignored them and raised my voice again.
Only then did Madam, who had been staring at Kadiyan, turn toward me.
“Oh my.”
When our eyes met, she widened her eyes in surprise, then smiled brightly in recognition and walked over.
“What brings you here?”
“Ms. Olivia, hello.”
I smiled and greeted Olivia.
Knowing that I didn’t want to reveal publicly that I was Lili, Olivia deliberately avoided mentioning my name.
As expected of the perceptive owner of the Antoine Confectionery.
That aside…
Glancing around, I saw the employees’ eyes darting between Olivia and me as they tried to grasp the situation.
“I have something to ask.”
“Please, anything.”
Right. Why waste energy getting angry at the employees?
“I’d like to leave a message in the customer feedback box—where should I go?”
The customer service center is the best, after all.
***
VIP Room, Headquarters of Antoine Confectionery.
At Olivia’s earnest request, Kadiyan and I were treated to a meal at a restaurant and then visited the headquarters for tea time.
“I feel terribly ashamed, Lady Lili.”
“Not at all. I’m actually grateful! You even gave me a discount.”
“I should have given them to you for free. It’s only regrettable that you refused.”
Even though I’d softened the story of what happened at the jeweler, Olivia became furious.
She gathered all the employees and declared she would hold them accountable for classifying customers and treating them differently.
In the process, the manager’s embezzlement was even uncovered, causing a major incident.
Olivia said she was able to resolve the jeweler’s problems thanks to me, and as thanks and apology, she tried to give me all the jewelry I intended to buy for free.
But how could I accept something that expensive for nothing?
We compromised—using both the employee discount and a friends-and-family discount—and I purchased the jewelry cheaply.
His Majesty and Olivia alike.
Rich people are so generous it’s troublesome. Troublesome, but… incredibly cool.
One day, I want the financial power to casually tell someone, “Just take this expensive jewel.”
“But it seems you have many people to give gifts to. It’s rare for someone to buy so many at once like you did, Lady Lili.”
For a moment, I froze.
I’d better answer this carefully—otherwise later people might deduce something like:
‘The brooches sold to Lili were the ones the Saintess gave to people around her. Therefore, Lili is the Saintess.’
My mind spun rapidly.
Then I opened my mouth.
“Ms. Olivia, actually…”
