Leia put down her teacup and asked Ares with a playful tone, “Ares, these days it’s hard to meet unless it’s at the salon, isn’t it? You don’t seem to stay in the aristocratic district for long.”
He responded with a polite smile, “I’ve been quite busy lately. Even when I’m at the mansion, there’s a lot of work, so sometimes I have to reluctantly decline visits. Please understand, Lea.”
Leia nodded in acceptance, as if acknowledging his explanation. She really does listen well.
I kept my lips tightly sealed. Honestly, I was a bit hurt. Just as I was about to have a conversation with Ares, Leia appeared and smoothly took over, causing the atmosphere to change.
Naturally, the conversation became led by Leia.
“Did you see the flower buds on the trees along the avenue? It would be so beautiful when the flowers bloom all at once!”
I had thought about that on my way here. However, I didn’t feel the need to agree.
And so, facing the excited girl, it was kind Ares who took the role of engaging in the conversation.
“Is that so?”
“Oh, Ares, you must not have seen it properly. Now that I think about it, the city planners did a fantastic job coordinating the festival date.”
No way…?
No, please don’t!
But the ominous feeling never seemed to be wrong. Leia went on to open her mouth slowly.
“How about we go together during the cherry blossom festival? It would be very enjoyable!”
I couldn’t answer quickly. I couldn’t confidently say that I had a prior commitment with Ares because we were not yet lovers.
Unlike me, who hesitated, Ares immediately responded.
“I’m sorry, Leia. I have a prior commitment on that day.”
… I felt a tension release unknowingly. Perhaps I was unconsciously cautious about whether he would follow Lea’s words.
If I hadn’t suggested to Ares first to go to the festival together, I wonder what would have happened.
Ultimately, my assurance to the ‘writer’ was correct. As long as I’m around, Ares won’t go to the festival with Lea, as I had said!
Just watch. The ‘pillar’ of the novel will never appear!
‘Writer,’ this time, I’ll make sure to quench your thirst properly.
While I was internally triumphant, Lea looked at me with a disappointed face.
“Oh… What about Bianca then?”
Argh! She’s asking me too.
“I’m sorry, Leia. I already made plans with someone else first.”
“I see… I guess I asked too late.”
Leia didn’t hide her face, filled with disappointment. Her puppy-like eyes, so downcast, made me want to comfort her involuntarily.
Phew, that was close. The protagonist’s buff was really powerful.
I find it uncomfortable being together like this with the three of us. Leia is a pure lump, and it’s hard to have a proper conversation with Ares when she’s around. So, without hesitation, I closed the spread-out book and stood up from my seat.
“I’ve stayed too long. It hasn’t been long since my recovery, so I’ll take my leave. You two…”
Why is it so difficult to say a formal farewell?
“You two, stay a bit longer. Since you haven’t been in the salon for long.”
I lightly greeted the two with formalities and turned away. My hand holding the handbag tightened.
“Metis, I’ll go first. See you next time.”
“Ah, okay. Take care. Rest up quickly.”
Metis sent me a comforting glance as I weakly bid farewell. It seemed like she knew that dealing with Leia could be quite draining.
Once outside the salon, I felt like taking a short walk to change my mood. The path lined with pink-tinted trees proved to be excellent for a change of atmosphere.
I wasn’t entirely fearless leaving Ares with Leia. However, if I could change the flow of this novel, their relationship could undoubtedly change as well.
The appearance of the novel’s ‘pillar’ has already been blocked. Since Ares clearly rejected Lea by mentioning a prior commitment, the possibility of the two enjoying a date at the cherry blossom festival has become zero.
So why do I feel so down?
It’s probably because of the inevitable jealousy I have towards Lea. She seemed much happier than me, overwhelmed by thoughts of arrogance. Ares, shining brilliantly, and the pure, white, and innocent Lea seemed to suit each other so well.
I casually touched my long, black hair. Compared to my hair color, I wondered if Lea’s platinum blonde hair would go better with Ares’s lemon-colored blonde.
Haha, I must be incredibly depressed right now. I’m even conscious of Leia to the point of being concerned about things like this. Wake up, Bianca! You are the flower of high society! You are a woman who suits Ares as well as Lea does!
I glanced back.
Could it be that Ares might leave Lea alone again and come after me?
However, my futile hope was quickly shattered. No matter how much I looked back, the door of the salon didn’t open. It seemed so absurd that I couldn’t help but chuckle. As if such a miracle would happen twice.
After completely giving up and leaving, I somehow felt lighter. It was a similar feeling to when I heard from the ‘author’ that there wasn’t much time left in my life. Rather than struggling not to die, accepting fate and giving up made my heart feel lighter, much like now.
Humming a lively tune, I walked into the inner city.
Even though the cherry blossoms lined the streets beautifully, and colorful flowers bloomed everywhere, what could quickly lift my subdued mood?
Shopping, of course! I didn’t hesitate and entered the jewelry store in front of me.
Inside, a few ladies were elegantly choosing jewelry, comfortably seated while a staff member showed them the collection. I also took a seat on a sofa, and a quick-witted employee brought over a catalog.
As someone known as the flower of high society, in other words, a woman whose choice of jewelry could set a trend in any store, I didn’t hesitate to immerse myself in the dazzling array of jewels.
So, it’s only natural that the owner of the jewelry store, not just an ordinary employee, would personally attend to me. Thus, I am now sitting across from the owner of this graceful shop.
“Young lady Uranos, I was surprised last time. No, to think Young lady is selling jewelry.”
I smiled gracefully.
“Due to the urgent circumstances of the free soup kitchen, I had no choice but to do so. Oh, are my jewels still here?”
Upon hearing this, the owner looked very awkward.
“Unfortunately, someone has already bought them. When I mentioned that they were items used by Young Uranos, they sold quickly.”
“Well, it was something I was already using, so it’s a bit embarrassing.”
The owner’s expression changed oddly.
“Well, it might not have been purchased just to wear.”
“Hmm?”
Not understanding his meaning, I asked again, and he waved his hand in a broad gesture.
“The purpose of jewelry is originally to appreciate its beauty, isn’t it?”
“That’s true…”
Jewelry isn’t originally made just to be worn on the head or ears. Maybe it’s because he’s the owner of a jewelry store, but his mindset toward jewelry itself seems different.
By the way, as we chatted, I remembered the jewelry that Ares had given me. Since I was already here, I decided to pick one for him. I may not know when I can give it to him, but having it might provide an excuse someday.
While the store owner was briefly away from his seat, I opened the catalogue. Men’s jewelry options were not extensive, so I decided to purchase a tie pin and cufflinks. Now, I just needed to choose the gemstone.
In my mind, I pictured Ares’s face. A gemstone that suits Ares…
His overall color was predominantly golden. Perhaps because of his blonde hair and golden-brown eyes. Or maybe it was just my eyes that always saw him dazzlingly.
To ensure that it would complement any suit well, I chose a design with a carved hollow for onyx, into which I would insert an imperial topaz. Granted, topazes are delicate gemstones that need to be worn with caution, but I thought the vulnerability added to the charm, especially considering the precarious nature of our relationship that could be severed at any moment in this world.
As the shop owner returned after seeing off another customer, I pointed to the design I had chosen and said, “Please make a tie pin and cufflinks with this.”
“Wouldn’t citrine be better than topaz? Or perhaps yellow sapphire…”
Considering the hardness, the owner’s recommended gemstone was more suitable. However, I shook my head.
“No, please go with this one.”
Realizing that I deliberately chose topaz, the owner tactfully accepted my preference and took my order.
“It will take about a week to complete, Young lady Uranos.”
“That’s fine. Just make it splendid.”
The shop owner smiled warmly and said, “Whoever wears the jewelry gifted by young lady Uranos is undoubtedly a person of great fortune.”
I gave a wry smile. Fortune, in fact, was on my side.
Think about it. The person I had a crush on happened to like me back. What could be more astonishing and miraculous than that?
I decided to pay for the jewelry upon completion. Being a regular customer of my caliber meant I could handle credit transactions without the need for a deposit.
Estimating roughly, it seemed manageable within the budget I had set for maintaining my dignity. Even though I was buying a few pieces of jewelry, it seemed doable with my allowance. Looking at it this way, I might have to thank the “author.”
However, it was strange that, despite creating me as a wealthy individual, the “author” showed a strange aversion to the term “heiress” when referring to the affluent class. Of course, individuals with such beliefs were not uncommon in this world, especially among the commoners or gentrified class who hadn’t inherited aristocratic status.
However, regardless of what others may think, it’s unfair for the “author” to be angry with me. The circumstances of my birth and Ares’ love are unrelated. Moreover, why does the “author” not harbor anger towards Ares when I allowed him a better household and wealth?
The most worrisome aspect is that this novel is from Leia’s first-person perspective, and the “author’s” identity is reflected in Leah. If that’s the case, could Leia also be harboring similar thoughts as the “author”?
If so, it’s a bit perplexing that the “author” granted Leah noble status as a viscount in a noble family, considering the strong aversion to “heiresses.” If the “author” dislikes “silver spoons” so much, wouldn’t it have been more appropriate not to bestow such status on Leah, who is essentially a reflection of the “author”?
I dislike the “author’s” double standard. It would be better if they honestly admitted to aspiring to be a “silver spoon.” It seems more like a conflicted desire, saying, “I want to be a silver spoon, but I don’t want you to be one!”
I hope Leia does not share the temperament of the “author.”
In reality, from my perspective, Leia has been blessed with more than anyone else in this world. The “author” seems to empathise with Leah through superficial aspects like money or family background. It appears that she doesn’t truly understand what is genuinely important.
Suppressing my anger towards the “author,” I left the jewelry store.
Since I had come out for a change of mood, I decided to visit a bookstore and Nick’s Lady Dress Shop. After shopping until the sun set, my mood had finally improved.
