Chapter 63
He clenched his fist tightly, as if making a firm decision.
“I should cancel my visit to the Count’s estate as well.”
From that moment on, whenever the Grand Duchess tried to set Ebony up with him, Dedrick would call for Eugene and the prince.
Even though Ebony stayed longer than others, Dedrick never allowed himself to be alone with her.
Only after she left without achieving anything did Dedrick finally speak to me.
“We’ll find another way to move the wardrobe.”
He spoke with such determination that I simply nodded quietly.
Somehow, looking at him reassured me.
It gave me a strong belief that he would never turn his back on me.
About two weeks after the banquet at the Grand Duke’s estate…
Perez left the imperial palace dressed casually. In his hand was a small box containing the jewel Marilyn had given him.
He was heading to a famous craftsman to personally request a custom piece for the jewel.
The reason for the delay in placing the order was simple.
The palace had been in turmoil because of a cursed doll.
With Marilyn’s help, the cursed doll had been found, and not long after, a maid was revealed to be the culprit.
The emperor dismissed the matter lightly, saying, “It was just a doll meant to cause some minor illness, and we already found the culprit. Let’s not make a big deal out of it.”
It was an absurd decision, but there was no way to argue against it.
After all, the culprit had died before further investigation could be done.
“The maid even left a note admitting her crime before taking her own life, so there’s nothing more to dig into.”
Because of that, the empress was furious but couldn’t push the matter any further.
“If the emperor continues to favor the concubine, we need to create a rift between them first…”
Otherwise, the emperor would always take the concubine’s side.
Perez scowled in frustration just as the coachman spoke up.
“Your Highness, we have arrived.”
Since he had already sent word in advance, Perez went straight into the workshop of Afton, the most renowned craftsman in the empire.
The workshop was filled with a dusty, stuffy atmosphere. As he looked around, Afton approached and greeted him respectfully.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
“Likewise.”
Perez walked toward the craftsman’s worktable and said,
“I came to personally request a commission from you.”
“Haha, there must be many skilled craftsmen other than this old man.”
“You’re too modest.”
Afton smiled warmly. His deeply wrinkled face and brown eyes gave off a kind aura.
Perez took out a diamond first.
“Please craft a dazzling necklace with this.”
This was a decoy gem.
The concubine was sure to watch his every move, and there was no need to bait her too soon.
“Especially since Marilyn’s jewel doesn’t belong to me, I have to be extra careful.”
In Perez’s eyes, it was no ordinary gem.
Next, he quietly took out the jewel Marilyn had entrusted to him.
“This is…”
Afton took the jewel, mesmerized, and held it under the light. A deep, oceanic blue glow spread throughout the workshop.
This was why Perez believed the jewel was special.
He couldn’t take his eyes off its shimmering blue light.
“It’s definitely beautiful.”
And incredibly mysterious.
“It feels like I’ve seen something like this before…”
Afton mumbled as he examined it with a magnifying glass. Suddenly, he flinched, his pupils trembling in shock.
“Your Highness, where did you obtain this?”
“Is that important?”
“As a craftsman, the source doesn’t usually matter much, but do you know what this is?”
“Is it dangerous?”
Afton shook his head and explained,
“This is a crystal infused with the power of a non-human race. Even if you offered a fortune, you could never buy something like this.”
Non-human races were mystical beings blessed by the gods—such as fairies and spirits.
Ancient records mentioned that they once coexisted with humans, but due to human greed and conflicts, they had vanished from sight.
Now, they were nothing more than legendary beings.
Perez opened his mouth slightly in surprise before asking,
“…Are you sure?”
“I can’t be completely certain. I only read about it in very old books. But this gem matches the descriptions perfectly. It looks like an ordinary blue jewel at first glance, but up close, you can see waves of blue energy inside. However, what puzzles me is the red mist within it.”
It wasn’t visible at a glance, but under a magnifying glass, a faint red mist swirled inside the jewel.
“According to theory, non-human races cannot possess red energy.”
Since they were blessed by the gods, they could never carry ‘red energy,’ which symbolized misfortune.
“If this really is a crystal of a non-human race, what does that mean?”
“In simple terms, a non-human’s crystal is like their heart. Giving it away is like giving away their heart—giving their everything.”
“…That sounds romantic.”
Did that monster even realize?
What she had given him?
“Especially since it has red energy.”
Even though she introduced herself as a ‘wardrobe monster,’ her true nature might be something else.
“Can it still be crafted into jewelry?”
“Of course. But I must be careful not to alter its shape. What would you like me to make?”
“A single earring.”
“I can’t make a pair. If I break it, the jewel will change.”
“One is enough. Please keep this discreet. I will compensate you generously.”
“It is an honor to work on such a rare gem. I should be the one paying you for this opportunity.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll leave it in your hands.”
“I’ll keep in touch with updates.”
Leaving the workshop, Perez got into his carriage and watched the passing scenery.
“I should visit the Grand Duke’s estate.”
A small smile spread across his lips.
Perez suddenly showed up unannounced today.
On top of that, he kept touching his earlobe as if hinting at something—likely about the jewel.
So, I was planning to meet him, but…
“Didi, aren’t you going to sleep? You’re studying too much.”
“I’m really focused today.”
Didi refused to sleep.
The later he stayed up, the more anxious I became.
‘I should just pretend to be asleep.’
I climbed into the wardrobe and said,
“Didi, I’ll sleep first then!”
“…Can I sleep inside with you?”
“O-oh, but tonight, I really feel like sleeping alone?”
I couldn’t let him see the gift.
It was a surprise present!
“…”
At my rejection, he hung his head, looking completely dejected.
H-he looked too pitiful!
I couldn’t resist and peeked my head out towards him.
Seeing his disappointed face, I ended up confessing. Well, everything except for the gift part.
“Um, Didi… actually, I need to meet the prince to check something…”
Didi looked up, sounding hurt.
“…It’s a secret from me?”
“It’s not really a secret. I’ll tell you later.”
After all, it would all be revealed once I gave him the gift.
“Promise you’ll tell me?”
“Of course! I have no secrets from you!”
A gentle smile spread across Didi’s face.
“Okay! Then go ahead. I’ll wait for you.”
“Got it. I’ll be back soon!”
Being honest is always better than misunderstandings.
I immediately moved to the prince’s room. It seemed like he had been staring at the wardrobe because as soon as I slightly opened the door, it swung open.
“You’re here?”
“If someone saw this, they might think you can actually see me…”
He reached out his hand to me, but I politely pushed it aside and climbed down from the wardrobe by myself.
He chuckled and walked over to his desk. Then, placing a pen and paper on the table, he said,
“Alright, let’s test your spelling skills.”
“I’ve been preparing for this day.”
[What brings you here?]
“Pfft.”
What? Why is he laughing?
There’s nothing wrong with my spelling!
I picked up the paper and checked carefully, but I couldn’t find any mistakes.
Perez, who had taken back the floating paper, kindly explained,
“I laughed because of the way you wrote it. But your spelling is perfect.”
“Haha!”
Of course!
I’m not dumb.
I just learn a little slowly, that’s all.
“Anyway, why did you call me?”
I tapped the paper, urging him to get to the point. Dedrick was waiting for me, so I needed to finish this conversation quickly.
“I placed an order with an artisan. For the gemstone you mentioned.”
“Finally!”
[How long will it take?]
“It’s a delicate piece, so it will take time, but he said it won’t take more than two months. When are you planning to give the gift?”
[When Didi becomes an adult.]
“I asked him to craft it so beautifully that its value can’t even be measured in money. So just wait patiently.”
Perfect.
Letting Perez handle this was definitely the right decision.
“But there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
