The voice that came through the closed door was quiet, but it was definitely Sister Sherry.
I quickly shook my head at Jackjack.
Jackjack stopped pecking with his beak.
I was nervous, wondering if the door might open.
Fortunately, I heard one of the maids call for Sister Sherry.
[Little Quartz, she went downstairs!]
Aqum pressed its ear to the door in my place to listen to what was happening.
‘We almost got caught!’
I stood on the step stool and opened the window.
Jackjack fluttered inside.
“Jackjack, people might get suspicious if you peck on the window like that.”
“Why? I look like a harmless titmouse, don’t I?”
Jackjack tilted his head curiously.
“You look more like a clever titmouse that knows how to send coded messages.”
“Then I’ll try another method next time.”
Jackjack answered nonchalantly.
The fact that he accepted my opinion showed that he was fine with what I said.
“So, what brings you here today? Did the interim agent send you?”
“Nope. Your wonderful grandfather did.”
“My grandfather?”
Huh. I wonder why Grandpa sent Jackjack.
Jackjack replied.
“He said you should stop by for a moment before going to the training center tomorrow.”
***
Why would Grandpa want to see me?
Surely you’re not going to say the diamond mine is off limits—after saying I could choose any mine?!
The thoughts I wrestled with all night ended up meaningless. What my secretly-visited grandfather told me was beyond anything I had expected.
“Aunt Marian is preparing a gem too? And if the dwarves don’t like her gem, she’ll give me 15% of her jewelry business shares? Why?”
“She’s paying for butting in. And also for rummaging through my drawer without permission.”
Apparently, Uncle snooped into Grandpa’s drawer and read a letter.
That led Aunt Marian to get greedy for performance results.
“Hm—”
“You look like you don’t understand? I thought you’d be happy about the chance to make a lot of money.”
“I just don’t understand why Aunt Marian would accept such a deal.”
“Be specific.”
“Well, for starters, 15% is way too much.”
Aunt Marian’s jewelry business had been launched with funds from the Count of Travel family.
Because of that, 50% of the net profit counted toward her achievements, but 50% of the business shares belonged to the Count’s family.
That meant Aunt Marian could never own more than 50% of the business.
I didn’t know her exact share, but even so—would she really risk giving up 15% to someone else?
“And then?”
“I have nothing to lose even if I fail. But Aunt Marian stands to lose 15% of her jewelry shop if she fails. That’s a huge risk compared to the chance of success. If it were me, I’d never take that deal.”
“There’s no such thing as ‘never.’ Best not to use that word so lightly.”
Grandfather gently patted my head. Then, in a voice tinged with complexity, he said.
“This is the kind of position where people are willing to do things that make no sense—just to have it.”
“Well, I don’t want it.”
“My little troublemaker is saying such spiteful things. If my children heard you, they’d be absolutely livid.”
His laughter made it clear he was joking.
I laughed along and shifted the topic.
Still, it feels unsettling.
If this deal succeeds, I’ll own a portion of Aunt Marian’s assets.
It felt different from simply inheriting what my relatives might leave behind in another life.
“Oh right, Grandpa.”
“Yes?”
“What happens if someone finds out who I really am? I mean, when I receive the shares.”
“That only matters after your jewel wins over the dwarves’ hearts. You’re thinking too far ahead. You’re very confident, aren’t you?”
“Eep!”
Grandfather flicked my forehead lightly.
“Do you know who I am? I’ll create a flawless false identity for you.”
“Ooh!”
“Start thinking of a pseudonym for the contract.”
I nodded at Grandpa’s words.
Even though something still felt off and I couldn’t quite understand Aunt Marian’s decision—
This fight wasn’t one I started, right?!
It would only be polite to do my best to win the fight that was brought to me.
And thankfully, something good came out of it too.
Hehe.
I just came up with a perfect solution to the pearl earring problem.
***
The main branch of Marian’s jewelry shop was in the Imperial Capital.
While Hevant and Yossel had built their businesses near the Count of Travel’s estate, Marian had a different vision.
To rise higher, one must start from the heart of the Empire.
‘The Diamond House must become mine!’
In truth, Marian’s jewelry business had been a success.
A luxury jewelry store catering to royalty and nobles in the Imperial Capital—that was the image she firmly embedded in people’s minds, and that reputation was key to the success of her branch stores as well.
‘The most perfect jewel is subjective.’
That’s why Marian was confident.
Selling to people in high positions required more than just the highest-grade gems.
What truly made them perfect—was her specialty.
‘The story matters.’
Even the finest gem’s value could vary immensely depending on the story attached to it.
Even a simple topaz could become a one-of-a-kind gem if it carried a tale of tragic love from centuries past.
“This diamond was once worn by the empress of a fallen empire during her coronation. It’s flawless—pure and clear as an ice crystal. At 17 carats, I think you’ll be pleased with it.”
“It’s rare, yes, but do you have something with a deeper story? This client is very important—I don’t want to disappoint.”
“Madam, how about this? It’s an obsidian said to have been held in the hand of a legendary alchemist at the moment of his death. It emits a soft glow even in darkness—as if the alchemist’s soul lingers within.”
“Hmm. Obsidian isn’t usually considered valuable as a gem. But the story is good—keep it aside for now.”
Marian sat in the director’s office at the main store.
Branch managers were presenting valuable gems to her, all per her orders.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
Marian called. At her permission, a staff member entered—one of the clerks who dealt directly with customers in the store.
“Madam, there’s a customer asking to see you.”
“A customer?”
Marian carefully picked up the diamond with her gloved hand and asked.
“Is the visitor royalty or nobility?”
“No, he’s a Baron. It’s his first time visiting our jewelry shop.”
“Then tell him I’m unavailable.”
Normally, she might have at least shown her face, but right now she didn’t have time to spare for such matters.
Because she has to show the perfect gem to the dwarves before the outsider Lassek mentioned does.
Her eyes lit up with intensity as she focused on the diamond.
Just as the employee was about to quietly step back, bowing slightly—
“Yes. I will convey that to Baron Oldman’s representative.”
Freeze. Marian’s hand halted mid-motion.
“…Baron Oldman’s representative?”
She murmured and turned her gaze from the diamond to the employee. Her piercing stare made the employee flinch as he answered.
“Y-yes. His representative is here.”
“What’s the full name of this Baron?”
“Well…”
The employee hesitated, unable to answer immediately, which irritated Marian.
“I clearly told you to memorize our clients’ names. Manager, how are you training your staff?”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“A-ah! I know it! It’s… Rich Platinum Oldman, Baron Rich Platinum Oldman!”
Startled by Marian’s scolding, the employee blurted out the name.
The managers in the office looked utterly dumbfounded.
It sounded less like a noble’s name and more like a ridiculous alias made up by some money-obsessed nouveau riche. None of them had heard of the Oldman family before.
“…Is that a fake name?”
One of the managers murmured.
“No.”
Marian gently set down the gemstone and took off her gloves as she rose to her feet.
“It’s his real name.”
Because that’s the name written on the contract.
She smirked and then instructed the employee.
“Lead me to Baron Oldman’s representative.”
