Chapter 47
“A banquet to announce Lady Vanessa’s engagement, huh…”
“This is the first time I’ve received an invitation with the Iris seal.”
Countess Kael let out a soft laugh at the cute handwriting on the invitation and asked her husband, Count Kael.
“What kind of person is the duchess-to-be? Have you met her before?”
“No. I’ve heard plenty of rumors, but I’ve never met her face-to-face.”
“Why not? Didn’t both Marquis Pennian and Count Volani swear loyalty to her? Aren’t you even a little curious?”
“I am curious, but if I go and rumors start spreading that Kael also pledged loyalty, it’d be a headache.”
No wonder the Four Great Houses were called the pillars supporting the ducal house.
In emergencies when the Duke is absent, the heads of the Four Houses are tasked with resolving issues by majority vote.
So, with two of those houses already having sworn loyalty, the duchess-to-be essentially had a solid foundation of support.
“Whether Marquis Pennian and Count Volani pledged loyalty out of genuine faith or under the Duke’s orders, it’s still a dangerous gamble if taken too far.”
“Oh my, are you already afraid you might end up pledging loyalty before even meeting her?”
“I’m not afraid—just cautious. There’s no smoke without fire.”
“You’re not going to suddenly turn around one day and say you’ve pledged loyalty to her, are you?”
Count Kael waved a hand dismissively at his wife’s narrowed eyes.
“Why would I be so moved that I’d swear loyalty to the duchess-to-be?”
“Who knows? The plum tree revived, maybe the divine beast will be reborn too.”
Count Kael snorted lightly at his wife’s remark.
“If the divine beast does return, forget pledging loyalty—I’ll carry the duchess-to-be around the ducal estate on my back.”
“Don’t forget you said that.”
Though she playfully threatened to spread the word, Countess Kael regarded their exchange as the kind of banter that happened naturally between husband and wife.
“So you haven’t met her yet? Then I’ll go meet her first and let you know what she’s like.”
“I look forward to it. No one in all of Pennington has an eye for people like you do.”
“All of Pennington? Are you saying someone in the capital might have a better eye than me?”
“Haha! How would I know? I’ve never even been to the capital.”
“Seriously, you should at least say your wife is the best on the continent…”
She shot her husband a playful glare, but then burst out laughing.
Ten years into their marriage, with a seven-year-old child, they still had the sweet atmosphere of newlyweds.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duchess-to-be. I’m Countess Kael.”
Countess Kael greeted me gracefully with a curtsy and a soft smile.
“You’re just as beautiful as I heard. Such clear, pure green eyes—they remind me of peridot.”
“Peridot?”
“Yes. Did you know that sometimes stars fall from the sky? Peridot is a gemstone occasionally found in those fallen stars.”
With dramatic flair, Countess Kael raised her hand like an actress and spoke in a lively tone.
“‘I’d pluck the stars from the sky for you!’ A classic line from romantic novels, right? But not a single hero has ever actually delivered a star. However! By chance, I happen to have a peridot of vivid color found in a fallen star—”
“Countess, that’s enough.”
The matron opened her fan with a sharp snap and gave Countess Kael a cold stare.
But Countess Kael simply laughed aloud, unbothered.
“Oh dear, I’ve made a fool of myself in front of the duchess-to-be. Please forgive me.”
“Oh, I’m fine! I’ve never heard of a gemstone from a fallen star before. That’s fascinating!”
“Fufu, there are many beautiful and mysterious gemstones beyond just peridot. Girls!”
At her clap, the uniformed staff moved in perfect coordination.
Two long tables were covered in red satin, and dozens of gemstone cases were laid out.
On the front table were sets of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets—already crafted jewelry. The back table displayed raw, uncut stones.
“You can be assured of the quality of any piece. Please, pick one.”
Countess Kael’s eyes sparkled with anticipation over what I might choose.
‘Is the countess testing me too…?’
I recalled the plan the Duke and I had discussed the night before.
“Countess Kael is a merchant, right? When merchants meet someone new, it’s only natural they wonder: how wealthy is this person? And how much of that wealth can I access?”
“Hmm… but I’m not rich…”
“What do you mean? You have me—your rich fiancé.”
“But you’re rich, not me.”
“Irene. I’ve told you this before: a man’s value is seen in how much he spends on his fiancée. I don’t want to be a stingy jerk, so go ahead and spend lavishly.”
“How lavishly?”
“Enough to make Countess Kael fall for you. I’ll even teach you a magic phrase…”
I wasn’t sure if this was okay since it wasn’t my money but the Duke’s, but I decided to treat this as part of the process of winning the matron’s trust and getting the envelope.
…Even though we were probably spending more on this banquet than my grandmother’s medical bills.
‘Well, at least I can leave the jewelry behind when I leave the ducal estate.’
It was a relief that I wasn’t the main character of the banquet, considering the obscene amount of money being burned for it.
Before chanting the magic phrase, I turned to Vanessa.
She was admiring the jewelry, cheeks flushed with delight.
“Vanessa, do you like anything in particular?”
“I’m not sure yet. They’re all so pretty.”
They truly were. I scanned the table and pointed to a diamond set—the only one that included a tiara.
“How about this? You’re the star of the banquet, so I think something like a tiara would suit you.”
“Just me? It’s your formal debut too, Irene.”
“Well, I’ll have plenty more opportunities to shine in the future.”
Dear Matron! Are you listening?
“This banquet is also to show everyone you’ve recovered your health, so it’s only right that the spotlight’s on you.”
“Yes, yes. She’s right. Countess, help her try on that tiara.”
“Yes, Matron.”
Jumping on board with my comment, the matron quickly gave instructions to Countess Kael.
The countess, who had been quietly listening, directed her staff to place the tiara on Vanessa’s head.
“Take a look in the mirror. Do you like it?”
“Oh my, it’s beautiful…! What do you think, Irene?”
“Hmm… It’s pretty now, but I think something a little bigger and flashier would suit you better.”
“Yes, yes. With that strong hair color and volume, a modest tiara might get lost. Countess, do you have more tiaras?”
“Of course. Girls!”
With another clap, a display of tiaras was instantly arranged before us.
After several try-ons, we finally found the one that everyone agreed was perfect for Vanessa.
“The sapphire accent is so gorgeous.”
“Then we should match the rest of the jewelry—main pieces in diamond, accents in sapphire.”
Even before the matron finished speaking, another display was rolled out.
It was fascinating how, even with the same type of gemstone, each design was so unique that examining them one by one was a real treat.
And then, suddenly, a particular jewelry set caught my eye.
