✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Translated by: Alina
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Lost in thought for a moment.
Knock knock.
“Madam, it’s Landon.”
“Come in.”
Recently, Landon had been diligently following Xenon as per my advice, reporting proudly to me every morning about what he had done.
As Landon entered the room, he began reporting on yesterday’s activities as usual.
“Yesterday, I followed Xenon closely to showcase my diligence. But….”
‘Even if he speaks, there won’t be any clues about Xenon.’
As I sighed at the beginning of another tedious conversation, something caught my attention.
“Xenon went to see the matriarch? When?”
“Well, it’s not exact, but it was between 3 and 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon.”
As far as I knew, Xenon had no significant interactions with the matriarch. Since becoming part of the Duke’s household, he has always been Erich’s aide.
‘Moreover, even though he temporarily oversees household affairs, wouldn’t there be no reason for him to report to the matriarch? The matriarch has control over the Duke’s estate accounts and vault keys. But ultimately, the budget is the Duke’s authority, not the matriarch’s.’
Therefore, there was no reason for Xenon to visit the matriarch regarding household matters.
Yet Xenon met the matriarch first.
‘There might be a connection between them.’
Briefly smiling at my realization, I spoke to Landon, who was looking at me with a puzzled expression.
“I see. Congratulations.”
“Pardon?”
Perplexed, he asked, and I smiled as I continued.
“Don’t you get it yet?”
Landon looked at me with a puzzled expression before averting his gaze.
“Thank you for suddenly congratulating me, but I didn’t understand your intention.”
“I see. I must have expressed myself poorly.”
I then explained to him the reason behind my words.
“As you know, the actual mistress is still the matriarch. Why do you think Xenon visited her? Perhaps it means you can return to your position as butler?”
“S-Such profound implications…!”
However, Landon soon wore a puzzled expression.
“But then, why hasn’t the matriarch called me back to be a butler?”
“Well, perhaps she’s not yet convinced.”
“Convinced…?”
Anxiety crept onto Landon’s face as he pondered this.
I reassured and encouraged him.
“Don’t worry. Xenon has acknowledged you, hasn’t he? If you make a good impression on the matriarch, she might acknowledge you as well.”
Seemingly gaining confidence from my words, Landon quickly nodded.
“Yes, I am truly grateful for your words of encouragement, Madam. I will do my best.”
‘Yes, but I should be the one thanking you.’
Already considering how to draw out the usually reserved matriarch, Landon’s presence around her to catch her attention was a relief for me.
“Stay strong. Your efforts will undoubtedly lead to your reinstatement as a butler.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
After Landon left, I chuckled to myself.
‘It’s time to execute the plan in earnest.’
Do you know when people are most relieved?
It’s when they feel that the annoying problem that was bothering them has disappeared.
If Xenon doesn’t see Landon, he will surely begin to take action.
‘He’ll probably contact the noble family that introduced him.’
I immediately called for Sardin.
“It’s about Xenon. I think it’s okay to start trailing him again.”
Sardin nodded in understanding. “Finally, the time has come. Understood.”
“Oh, and about Xenon’s past with the Information Guild…”
Just as I was about to give him a discreet order,
Knock knock.
Along with the sound of a knock, a maid’s voice was heard from outside the door.
“Madam, someone has arrived from the jewelry store.”
With the news I had been waiting for, I raised the corners of my mouth.
‘Ah, finally.’
I immediately responded to the maid.
“Guide them to the reception room first. I’ll be down shortly.”
Of course, the jewelry was important, but I couldn’t ignore Xenon’s true identity.
‘If Xenon is disguised as someone else, then his motives are likely…’
If the matriarch has a connection to Xenon, then it’s natural to suspect her first.
“Find out if there is anyone associated with Viscount Arzen who resembles Xenon.”
After giving Sardin orders, I lightly put on makeup and adorned myself.
Although it was necessary to appear pitiful as the tragic heroine of the drama for the visitor today, it would be troublesome if I looked too pitiful.
Therefore, I made sure to present myself as a moderately dignified and elegant duchess.
‘This should be enough to appear like a tragic heroine.’
With a composed expression, I left the room.
ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
In the reception room of Blant’s mansion, Rone, the manager of the Shining Stone, sat with a tense expression.
‘What’s to worry about? I prepared everything so carefully.’
When she first received the commission, she was excited.
After all, the client was Princess Cornelia, the Emperor’s daughter, and the recipient was the most influential noble in society. Furthermore, the matriarch was known to only purchase jewels from Twinkle, a jewelry store that competed with Shining Stone.
Therefore, Rone wanted to elicit praise from such a prominent lady and turn her into a regular customer this time.
‘But I almost ruined our reputation when the matriarch rejected the necklace. But….’
<No need to worry. There’s nothing wrong with the necklace.>
<But the matriarch damaged the necklace I presented. Isn’t it because he didn’t like me, the person who gave the gift?>
By attributing the reason for the broken necklace to the Duchess herself, Shining Stone’s reputation was preserved.
‘It’s something she would never normally do….’
Although known as the best jeweler used by nobles, the standards of nobility were not as high as one might think.
Customers blaming jewelry for failed proposals, getting angry because someone they dislike bought the same jewelry, or threatening to return it after wearing it to a ball and not liking it—they all blamed the jewelry store.
‘But the Duchess said it wasn’t our fault, even though she knew her reputation would suffer.’
That’s why her sister, Russell, the workshop owner, forged the gem into a bracelet with the desire to help the Duchess restore her relationship with the matriarch and recover her tarnished reputation.
‘Hopefully, the matriarch won’t reject it this time.’
At that moment, the door opened without warning.
Seeing the beautiful Duchess, the manager stood up with a stunned face and then hurriedly bowed.
“Hello, Duchess, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has indeed been a while. Miss Rone Felton.”
‘She knows my name?’
Rone couldn’t help but feel touched that the esteemed Duchess knew her name.
“By the way, Miss Felton, I believe you have a reason to visit our mansion today?”
Blushing at first, Rone composed herself.
‘Yes, this bracelet… It will surely be of help to the Duchess.’
She opened the jewelry box she had prepared on the desk.
“Here is the bracelet you ordered before.”
Even in Rone’s eyes, the jade bracelet was exceptionally beautiful.
The smooth luster shone on the opaque green body, and platinum branches and gemstone decorations adorned the jade, adding splendor to what could otherwise be a dull stone.
Furthermore, we created this piece to represent Cornelia’s viewpoint.
‘I never thought jade could be so beautiful.’
Rone, the manager of the jewelry store, never imagined that a jewel with its lackluster shine could transform into such a beautiful piece.
‘The Duchess’s eye is truly extraordinary.’
It was at this moment that Rone was looking at Cornelia.
Praises flowed from Cornelia.
“Indeed, you have crafted it even better than I described. It’s truly beautiful. Anyone who sees this bracelet will surely be amazed.”
“In that case, should I have it delivered to the matriarch?”
Cornelia’s response exceeded her expectations. Therefore, Rone harbored hope that the matriarch would receive it with joy this time.
However…
“To be honest, I’m hesitating too. It’s really beautiful to my eyes, but… I think we should assess the atmosphere first.”
Upon hearing this response, Rone inwardly sighed.
‘I put in a special effort to prepare this as a gift for the matriarch of Blant…’
One was rejected and broken, while the other was treated like a mischievous child.
Seeing the painstakingly prepared jewels go to waste, Rone felt a pang of disappointment and wounded pride.
‘But since the Duchess liked it, I’ll take comfort in that.’
Thinking so at that moment…
“Oh, did you bring the necklace?”
In response to Cornelia’s question, Rone hurriedly placed the jewelry box she had brought on the table.
“Here it is.”
Cornelia’s long, white hand opened the jewelry box and took out the necklace.
The necklace, adorned with large top-grade rubies, platinum, and tiny diamonds, exuded a dazzling yet elegant grace.
As Cornelia looked satisfied with the necklace, a sense of satisfaction arose in Rone’s mind.
“It’s truly beautiful.”
After finishing her words, she held the necklace to her neck and asked Rone.
“How does it look? Does it suit me?”
“Yes, it suits you very well.”
Originally intending to give a perfunctory response, Rone found herself speaking sincerely due to Cornelia’s striking beauty with the red ruby necklace against her fair skin.
‘I don’t understand why such a person is rumored to be a troublemaker.’
As Rone gazed at Cornelia in a daze, Cornelia continued,
“You must have wondered why I insisted on having this necklace repaired, didn’t you?”
