[IFITAOAMV] Chapter 29

'Of all places...'

Charlotte’s jewels were renowned as the finest in the industry, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. This was the family of the original story’s heroine, the very one Edwin would go so far as to kidnap and fall in love with. 

I took some solace in the fact that, for now, Edwin and Lillian hadn’t crossed paths. 

'If he kidnaps Lillian, he’ll not only have the Crown Prince to deal with but also Duke Chavini.'

That would complicate things considerably, even if he did manage to seize Sephiro’s Sword. My survival would be in even greater jeopardy.

Wait, Edwin had already found me, a Jueri, so there shouldn’t be any reason for him to seek out another white-haired woman. 

But what if he learned the truth about his predecessor’s death?

Would he still leave Lillian alone then?

There was no guarantee of that.

'No matter what happens, I have to stop Lillian's kidnapping.'  

But with my own situation already precarious, could I really pull it off? I suddenly felt unsure of myself.

Meanwhile, Edwin, in high spirits, confidently walked into the shop.

"Welcome. Do you have a reservation?"  

"Seth Millian."  

"Please wait a moment while I check the reservation list."

The short-haired clerk quickly ran to the counter.

"Why isn’t the reservation under your name, Ed?" I whispered into Edwin's ear, making sure the other clerks couldn't hear.

"If I used my name, everyone here would be too terrified to say a word."  

"Oh…"  

"It doesn’t matter when I’m alone, but today I’m with my bride. I want to make sure we can shop comfortably."

Was it because the image of the Dragon of the West from the original story was so intense?  

The idea that Edwin was being considerate of me felt strange and unfamiliar. I didn't know how to respond, but fortunately, the short-haired clerk returned with another employee just then.

"Welcome, Count Millian. I’m Sheila Eimont, the manager here."  

The manager, with neatly tied pink hair, greeted us politely.

"It’s your first time at Charlotte’s, isn’t it? Please, let me show you to the second floor."

The manager led us to a private room. As Edwin sat me on his lap, just as he did at the mansion, the clerks widened their eyes in surprise. However, they quickly regained their composure. The manager, still wearing her professional smile, calmly asked,

"Is there anything specific you’re looking for today?"  

"I’m here to look at engagement jewellery for my bride."  

"If you have a preferred gemstone, we can prepare something to match."

"Do you have a favourite gemstone?" Edwin asked.

I shook my head.

"I don’t know much about gemstones... Could you pick one for me, Ed?"  

"What if you don’t like what I choose?"  

His sparkling eyes seemed to be testing me. From all the time I’d spent with Edwin, I had naturally developed a sense of what he expected.

"If you pick it, Ed, I’ll love it."

Fortunately, this seemed to be the right answer, as Edwin’s lips curved into a soft smile. Meanwhile, I quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Every moment felt like a test.

"How can you be so sweet? You’re adorable," Edwin said, playfully tapping my nose. The female clerks' eyes brightened at the scene.

"Did you hear that? My bride said she’ll love whatever I choose."  

"Then what type of gemstones should we prepare?"

"Hmm, bring out coloured diamonds. A full set."  

"Understood."  

"Oh, and since my bride loves wearing matching jewellery with me, bring a ring for me as well."

How long is he going to keep bringing up this couple's item thing?  

I blushed with embarrassment, and the manager, along with the other clerks, smiled warmly at me.

A short while later, the table was covered with various diamond jewellery pieces, including blue diamonds and others in different colours. The size of the jewels was impressive, but the precision of the cuts was so exquisite that the brilliant sparkle nearly blinded me.

As I leaned toward the jewels, seemingly entranced, Edwin firmly wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Hmm, let’s see. Which one would suit my bride?"  

Edwin carefully examined each piece of jewellery. As I followed his gaze, one particular diamond caught my eye. Coincidentally, Edwin picked up a ring set with that very diamond and held it up to my hand.

"This is an orange-hued diamond known as a Fire Diamond. It’s one of the rarest among coloured diamonds," the manager explained. As I listened, the colour reminded me of marigolds.

'Would owning this make me happy, too?'  

The thought crossed my mind, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the diamond.

"It matches both my hair colour and my bride’s perfectly," Edwin noted as he set the ring down and picked up a pair of earrings, holding them to my ears.

"These are Fancy Vivid, the highest grade among coloured diamonds."  

"We’ll take this. The full set," Edwin decided.

"Currently, there isn’t a matching men’s ring available, so it would need to be custom-made," the manager informed us.

"Do it. But make sure that anyone who sees them knows they’re a matching set," Edwin insisted, his gaze sharp as he emphasised the need for a set.

As the jewellery, worth the price of several mansions, was being packaged, I stared at it in a daze. The thought that I should stop Edwin crossed my mind, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak. If I tried to stop him now, the pleasant atmosphere we had maintained so far could turn icy in an instant.