Chapter 44
Rachel held out her hand to show off her wedding ring, a large diamond. Finn chuckled brightly and made a playful remark.
“The Duchess’s eyes look like magnificent sapphires to me. That deep, clear blue—like a lake—has such an enchanting color that I’d want to throw myself in entirely.”
“Oh, Steward Finn, you’re quite something….”
She giggled at Finn’s every word, which didn’t sit well with Stefan. Unable to suppress his irritation, he frowned and interrupted.
“Do you truly like that sapphire, Duchess?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“This garnet is more expensive and a finer gemstone than that sapphire.”
Stefan brought out a rhodolite garnet, clearly hoping she would choose it instead.
“Your Grace, I prefer the sapphire.”
“…Then do as you please.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Rachel, who was delightedly examining the sapphire ring, left Stefan quietly swallowing his disappointment.
“Your Grace,” Finn suggested, “the more jewelry, the better. Why not gift her the garnet along with the sapphire she likes?”
“…Let’s do that, then.”
“As expected, Your Grace has a generous spirit.”
Finn’s cheeky remark earned him a sharp glare from Stefan, who signaled him with a subtle glance. He promptly called over a staff member and handed Rachel a pamphlet.
“If you could select a few designs you like, it will help us when crafting the rings.”
“I’ll choose carefully.”
Leaving Rachel with the shop assistant, the two men stepped aside.
“Look into a certain Marquis Elliot Eden for me.”
“And who might that be?”
“The pest clinging to Susan.”
“Have you already started searching for a match for Lady Edmond on the Duchess’s behalf?”
“No, it’s Ailen Blanche this time.”
“…The obstacles just keep piling up, don’t they?”
Stefan shot a cold look at Finn, finding his remark irksome, but Rachel’s cheerful voice soon interrupted their conversation.
“Steward Finn, Your Grace, could you come over and look at the ones I picked?”
“Yes, Duchess, I’m coming.”
Finn quickly scurried off, leaving Stefan to chuckle incredulously before following Rachel.
“Steward Finn, is this one too flashy?”
“It’s a perfect match for the sapphire.”
“How about this one?”
“That one would suit the garnet well.”
“That’s a relief. I was worried since it’s my first time choosing a design.”
“The Duchess has excellent taste.”
Buoyed by Finn’s compliments, Rachel added a small request.
“If possible, I’d like the sapphire ring to be made in white gold.”
“White gold? Yellow gold would have more value.”
“I’m not concerned about the cost. Please make it as I wish.”
“Understood, Duchess.”
Stefan, who had been listening silently, then spoke up.
“Then make the rhodolite garnet ring in rose gold.”
“Rose gold? Yellow gold and rose gold are hardly different….”
“One should be made to my liking, at least.”
“All the rings are gifts for the Duchess. Why does one need to suit Your Grace’s taste?”
Finn grumbled under his breath at Stefan’s insistence but couldn’t sway his determination. After Rachel’s ring size was measured, Stefan led her out of the jewelry store.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I heard you’ve been to Courtney. Thank you, Steward Finn. Please continue to support my brother.”
“Ah… Yes, Duchess. Don’t worry. Marquis Burke is very capable; he’s catching on quickly,” he replied with a forced laugh.
Grateful to him, Rachel didn’t notice how awkward he seemed.
“I’ll have the rings delivered soon. Have a pleasant evening, Duchess. You too, Your Grace—travel safely.”
Uncharacteristically, Finn escorted them all the way to the shop’s exit and bid them farewell with the utmost politeness. He was worried her words might reach the staff’s ears and spark unnecessary misunderstandings.
After watching their carriage disappear into the distance, Finn let out a deep sigh of relief.
“The Duchess has a sharp memory. And she clearly adores her brother. I’d better send a letter to Belle and tell him to treat Marquis Burke with extra care….”
He was quick-witted but failed to realize that his suggestion was far from welcome news to Leopold.
***
The atmosphere inside the carriage heading back to the Duke’s mansion was awkward.
Was it because of our first meal out together, prompted by Stefan’s suggestion to dine outside? Or because we had walked along the beach, under a cascade of starlight?
Nothing remarkable was said, and there were no particularly special actions, yet everything about him made me restless. After all, such an outing with Stefan had never occurred in my previous life.
Stefan remained mostly silent, his usual demeanor unshaken. He was not one to indulge in idle thoughts, making his expression unreadable. Perhaps that was why I was so curious about what he was thinking.
“…Your Grace, thank you for the gift.”
“It’s nothing.”
“First the dress, now the ring—aren’t you spending too much…?”
It wasn’t that I was dismissing the Edmond family’s wealth. I was merely baffled by the stark contrast between the Stefan of my previous life and the one now. Thus, I blurted something unnecessary.
“Perhaps we should have also ordered rings for your mother and sisters.”
“…That’s unnecessary.”
“Pardon?”
“They already have enough and are enjoying plenty.”
“But still—”
Stefan let out a faint smile and gave a concise reply.
“You donated all your dowry.”
“…”
“The Duchess of Edmond has only her wedding ring left. I merely wished to remedy that. Don’t overthink it.”
“Oh, I see…”
I suddenly felt foolish for having worried unnecessarily.
‘Of course. What was I even thinking…?’
Stefan closed his eyes. After interfering in his sister’s love life and venting his frustration, he was understandably exhausted.
He’d done things he would never have in our previous life—like pretending to be a protective brother or going on something resembling a date. Naturally, it would have drained him.
‘But if we’re talking about exhaustion, he can’t possibly outdo me.’
I had spent the entire day appeasing Susan and dealing with Ailen. My throat was sore, my ears rang, and spending extended time with Stefan had left my nerves frayed, even giving me a headache.
‘I need to soak in hot water as soon as I get home.’
Just imagining myself sitting in a warm bath made me feel relaxed. I must have dozed off for a moment, head bowed without realizing it.
Suddenly, I felt something slip between my head and shoulder. First hard, then soft and cushiony.
‘What is this?’
I groggily opened my eyes and caught sight of Stefan sitting opposite me, withdrawing his hand and observing me as if he were studying a painting.
I realized then that what was supporting my head was a cushion that had been placed beside him. Meaning, the hard thing I first felt must have been his hand.
‘Did he just put a cushion under my head himself?’
I nearly opened my eyes wide in surprise but stopped myself. If I reacted now, we’d only end up in an even more awkward and unnatural situation.
‘I’m asleep. I didn’t notice anything. I felt nothing.’
Oddly enough, the more I tried to convince myself, the clearer my mind became, and my thoughts started to spiral.
‘What did I do today that he liked? Was it when I said I understood the feelings of a protective brother? Or when I held his arm affectionately? Or maybe it was my polite gratitude for the gifts?’
Then I stopped myself. Why was I making such a fuss over a simple gesture like placing a cushion under my head?
‘Does this erase the mistakes of the past life? He let me endure harsh treatment at his family’s hands, ignored the news of my pregnancy, wasn’t there for the births of our children, and even failed to attend my funeral.’
The gods, pitying my wretched life, had granted me a second chance. I couldn’t afford to waste it.
‘I must never forget the pain of my past life!’
***
All in all, I thought it had been a productive day.
Although I got tangled up in unnecessary matters, I confirmed that it wasn’t Rachel who introduced that ridiculous man to Susan, and I now knew her exact ring size.
She must have had an exhausting day as well. Seeing her nodding off in the carriage, she looked pitiful. Without much thought, I slid a cushion under her head, only to realize it had disrupted her sleep.
She clearly looked uncomfortable. I considered feigning sleep to spare her, but watching her, whose thoughts were written all over her face, was too entertaining to look away.
