[IFITAOAMV] Chapter 36

"Keep looking. Also, investigate whether she might have been taken to a foreign country," Edwin instructed.

"Understood."

"Now, I should go see my bride. I wonder what she’s up to right now," Edwin said, a lighthearted hum in his step as he left the room.

*

"What are you doing?" Edwin asked cheerfully as he burst into my room, walking over and sitting beside me.

"I was reading," I replied.

"Hmm. The types and properties of gemstones, the world of enchantment, meditation techniques..." Edwin picked up a few of the books scattered on the table, flipping through them before chuckling softly. "Is this because of your gemstone research?"

I nodded slightly, watching his reaction. I’d been trying different methods with gemstones whenever I had the chance, but nothing had worked. That’s why I started reading more systematically, hoping to find a proper method.

"Making any progress?" he asked.

"…No, but I’m working hard, so I’m sure I’ll figure it out soon," I quickly added, worried he might get upset over my lack of results.

"You should be working hard," Edwin said, his tone gentle, though there was a firmness to it that made me shrink back slightly. It felt like he was subtly scolding me for not having results yet, even if I was trying.

His hand, which had been softly stroking my hair, slowly moved to the nape of my neck. The sensation was chilling, and I froze, holding my breath. I felt as if any sudden movement might cause him to tighten his grip.

*Is he angry because I haven’t made any progress? But I haven’t had much time to study...* I wanted to explain, but fear kept my mouth sealed. Tears welled up inside as I silently begged Edwin to spare me with my eyes.

"A hardworking student deserves encouragement, don’t you think?" he said, but instead of being angry, he looked amused. His hand, which had been lingering ominously at my neck, suddenly withdrew.

I felt a brief wave of relief, only to be startled again by the cold sensation against my neck. I didn’t have the courage to touch it, but when I glanced down, I noticed a new necklace.

"What do you think? Do you like it? You can’t carry those gemstones with you everywhere, so I had it made into a necklace," Edwin said, smiling as he gestured toward the jewellery boxes. His expression was filled with anticipation as he waited for my reaction.

"Is this for me?" I asked, still unsure of his intentions.

"Yes, so you can keep researching gemstone magic," he replied.

*So, he wasn’t angry after all.* I felt my tension release, and I leaned back against the sofa.

"Are you touched? If I’d known you’d be this happy, I would have given it to you sooner," Edwin said, mistaking my relief for gratitude.

*How does this look like I’m touched?* I thought, bewildered by his interpretation, but I gave up trying to understand him. Instead, I picked up the necklace he had given me.

The necklace was made of platinum, with a black gemstone about the size of a thumbnail hanging from it. The stone shimmered with various colours as it caught the light, creating a mysterious, almost mesmerising effect.

"I’ve never seen a gemstone like this before," I murmured, glancing at the jewellery boxes on the table. Edwin gently took the gemstone from my hand.

"This is an opal. Black opals are the most valuable," Edwin explained, his eyes lingering on the black opal with a hint of an emotion I couldn’t quite place. It was different from his usual cold, fierce stance—something deeper, darker. It made me uneasy, but I didn’t dare ask about it.

"The necklace we bought from the jewellery store the other day is too heavy for everyday wear. This one is lighter, so it’ll be more convenient for your practice," he added.

In other words, it was another subtle push to make progress quickly. Although the added pressure weighed on me, I reminded myself that this was something I needed to do for my own sake as well, so I tried to stay positive.

"I’ll do my best," I replied, clutching the necklace with renewed determination. Edwin let out a small chuckle at my resolve.

A knock on the door interrupted us, and Edwin granted permission for Seth to enter.

"A package from Charlotte has arrived," Seth announced.

At Edwin’s nod, Seth approached with a silver tray, which bore a jewellery box embossed with Charlotte's logo.

"It’s finished already?" I asked, surprised.

"I couldn’t wait to see you wearing our engagement rings, so I made a special request to have it done quickly," Edwin said with a smile.

*A request? More like a threat,* I thought, silently sympathising with the jewellers who must have worked day and night to meet his demands.

"Bring my bride’s ring as well," Edwin instructed. Jenny quickly fetched the ring from the dressing room.

"Let’s see how well they’ve done," Edwin said eagerly.

While he was excited to see the rings, I was more concerned about his reaction. If he wasn’t pleased with them, it could be disastrous for the jeweller.