✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Translated by: Sienna
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
“Ruby? I don’t think I’ve seen her wear that before…….”
At Cornelia’s words, Medelin hurriedly added,
“Oh, that’s because she treasures them. You’ve never been to the annex, so you don’t know, but the matriarch has so many ruby jewelry pieces.”
Although she worried about any further suspicions arising, the naive Cornelia easily fell for it.
“Oh, I see.”
Just then, the salesperson approached.
“Duchess, shall we craft a bracelet using the finest jade?”
Cornelia nodded.
“Yes, and could you show me this ruby necklace for a moment?”
The salesperson’s face lit up as she pointed to the most expensive necklace in the pamphlet.
“Yes! Please wait for the Winter Flower!”
Medelin’s face lit up as she watched.
‘Choosing a ruby necklace after ordering a jade. Will the matriarch slap this foolish raven?’
Although she couldn’t tarnish the raven’s reputation, she managed to make her waste a significant amount of money.
Besides, with the matriarch’s impending wrath, she felt like she could go home with a lighter heart.
Medelin stood up.
‘There’s nothing to be gained by staying here. Since I’ve made the raven pay for her foolishness, it’s best to return home.’
“I’ll take my leave then.”
As she moved to leave, Cornelia grabbed her wrist. Startled, Medelin tried to pull her hand away reflexively but found herself unable to move.
‘What? What kind of force…’
As Medelin looked at Cornelia like that, she flinched.
‘That look in her eyes, it’s similar to the one I saw in the palace gardens…….’
Then, Cornelia smiled.
“Why? Stay a bit longer.”
“Oh, that’s… I completely forgot that my father asked to see me for a moment. How could I have forgotten?”
“Oh, really?”
Only then did Cornelia let go of her hand.
“Thank you so much for taking the time to see me. Usually, when you come to the mansion, you don’t come to see me… so I was a little… upset.”
“Well, that’s because it was getting late, and sometimes…”
“Yeah, I know. I know you didn’t do it on purpose. Besides, you even met me outside the mansion now.”
Medelin clenched her fists as the words kept straining her.
‘Did she dare to mock me?’
Moreover, it’s not that she doesn’t come to the mansion, but she can’t. Cornelia’s words felt like she was making fun of her.
‘Just wait; I won’t let you off easily.’
Medelin hid such thoughts and smiled.
“I’m glad the misunderstanding is cleared. Well then, I’ll be going.”
After Medelin left, Cornelia went back to her expressionless self.
People still looked at her, whispering disapprovingly.
“Whether they have a good or bad relationship, I really can’t tell.”
“But wasn’t it Lady Arzen who brought up the topic first?”
Just then, the salesperson came back with a jewelry box containing the necklace.
“Please check it.”
Cornelia looked it over and nodded.
“Can I take this right away?”
“Yes, I’ll wrap it up immediately. And when the jade you ordered is finished, shall we deliver it to the Duchy?”
“Yes, I would like it delivered to my mother-in-law, the matriarch.”
The salesperson then asked with a gleaming look.
“Ah, was it a gift for the matriarch?”
Cornelia simply nodded.
“It’s been five years since I got married, and it’s always a bit regretful that I don’t get along well with my mother-in-law. So, I prepared this gift with the desire to get along well.”
Upon hearing this, the salesperson looked a bit sympathetic.
Understandably, jade was not a highly admired gem among the noble ladies.
“Duchess, may I dare to make a suggestion?”
When Cornelia nodded in agreement, the salesperson spoke.
“As you may know, jade is not a highly sought-after item among ladies. If you don’t mind, how about gifting something else? A bracelet made of high-quality pearls might be more affordable than top-grade jade, and it seems like something the matriarch would appreciate.”
Suggesting to replace the already commissioned item with something more affordable was a gesture of kindness from the salesperson towards Cornelia.
Watching the situation, the other noble ladies also agreed, assuming Cornelia would naturally switch to a pearl gift.
But…….
“No, keep it as it is. This jade is for the matriarch, to appease her heart.”
Upon this response, everyone, including the salesperson, sighed in unison.
However, it was only for a moment, as Cornelia’s next words made their ears perk up again.
“I, too, know that the jade is an unwelcome gem. However, this was prepared to appease my mother-in-law’s heart.”
“If it’s to appease her heart…”
“My mother-in-law wanted to invest in my jade mine, but I declined because I plan to sell it soon. So I ordered the jade bracelet as a gesture of apology.”
Only then did they understand why Cornelia insisted on giving jade as a gift.
“And knowing that she wouldn’t be pleased, I brought my cousin, who is close to my mother-in-law, to ask her what jewelry she liked.”
Finally, Cornelia murmured with a bitter smile.
“Perhaps… she might see me in a different light.”
The ladies listening to her sighed inwardly.
Although Cornelia had been rumored to be a troublemaker, they found it sympathetic and pitiful to see her suffering from the effects of her high status.
And as if to echo their thoughts, the salesperson spoke up.
“Don’t worry. From my experience, there hasn’t been a lady who dislikes jewelry. She’ll surely appreciate it. And, after all, your cousin Lady Arzen vouched for it, didn’t she?”
At that answer, Cornelia gave him a slightly bitter look.
“Yes, it was fortunate that she was close to my mother-in-law.”
The salesperson gave her a wistful look, then rose to her feet.
“Well, then, I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”
Usually, the only reason the salespersons talked to the ladies was to sell more products. So they deliberately stalled, taking as much time as possible to wrap the item.
“I’ll wrap the necklace nicely and bring it to you.”
However, even the salesperson seemed to be swayed by compassion, not wanting to keep Cornelia in the midst of gossip mongers.
As the salesperson disappeared to pack up, Cornelia was approached by a middle-aged lady.
“Duchess Blant, I haven’t seen you in a long time.”
Cornelia recognized her and returned the greeting.
“Ah, Countess Alto. It’s been a while. The weather is quite lovely today.”
Contrary to expectations, the response was unexpectedly gentle, leading other noblewomen nearby to approach Cornelia.
“Greetings, Duchess of Blant.”
“Yes, good afternoon, Marchioness Gest. Those topaz earrings suit you very well. Did you purchase them today?”
Cornelia acknowledged each of them with familiarity, a stark contrast to her usual arrogant attitude towards noble ladies.
Then, without thinking, someone said.
“Madam, I actually overheard your conversation with the salesperson a little while ago. Excuse me, but did the matriarch try to touch your property?”
While everyone sighed, some couldn’t help but feel curious about the situation and didn’t blame the oblivious speaker.
Instead, they kept their mouths shut and waited for Cornelia’s reaction.
‘Will she get mad and spread gossip about her mother-in-law?’
‘Or perhaps, she might cry and lament.’
However, contrary to their expectations, Cornelia stood up with an awkward expression.
“Thank you for your interest in my affairs, but the salesperson has returned.”
She bowed gracefully and smiled.
“I’ll take my leave then.”
As Cornelia turned and walked away without another word, the ladies could not help but be honestly impressed.
‘Normally, a young lady of her age would seize the opportunity to gossip about her mother-in-law, but…’
‘She’s adept at handling her mother-in-law; the princess is deeper than she appears.’
It was clear that the matriarch was trying to get her hands on her wealth. But Cornelia denied it by leaving the room.
In other words, they had a suspicion but no hard evidence, so it was hard to say anything.
Disappointed that their prey had escaped, they shifted to a different topic.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Leaving the jewelry store, I wore a smile of relief.
‘Well, that’s enough for today.’
When a daughter-in-law openly gossips about her mother-in-law, the one who will suffer the consequences is her.
So I defused the situation by pretending it was an accidental spill, and excused myself.
As I boarded the carriage, I looked at the carefully wrapped ruby necklace in my hand and smirked.
“Anyway, my mother-in-law will soon be the subject of genuine gossip.”
