Chapter 27

The shop was a jeweler who had always closed the store whenever he served Roman, as he did business exclusively for Duke Tonz for that duration. Hence, when the door was locked, most would turn around. But today, someone was not sensible enough to know its meaning and instead kept rapping on the door.

“Please excuse me for a moment….”

Eventually, in order to escape the uncomfortable atmosphere, the owner chose to go out for a moment.

“Duke. I will choose the jewelry I pointed out earlier.”

She stated after the owner went out. More than anyone else, Prillance should have been the type of person who would have wanted the red diamond, yet at the moment, she seemed to be rebuking Roman for his actions.

“Do you dislike that jewel?”

Hence, Roman concluded that perhaps she either hated the red diamond or hated red jewels in general.

“It’s not that. Expensive jewelry doesn’t always suit you.”

Roman’s eyes, which rarely widened, grew in surprise. It was a remark he never would have thought would come out of Prillance’s mouth.

“It’s better to choose what would suit our outfits. That is all that matters.”

Prillance’s words were as shocking as a blow to Roman’s head. To think that he would hear these types of words from her. Besides, it really looked like it wasn’t a significant concern for her.

“Ha.”

Again, a dumbfounded chortle came from his mouth. The sound grew louder as Roman laughed boisterously.

Prillance really was a woman different from what he thought she was. His idea of her had turned upside down in just a day.

Now he could admit that she was truly a different person. No, rather, he realized he didn’t know anything about her at all.

Suddenly Roman smiled. Prillance looked at him anxiously and was about to call his name when the door suddenly opened.

“Lady, there are already customers inside…I apologize.”

The owner belatedly came running back, but it was already too late. He quickly apologized to the two.

“Lady Royne. Please come back another time…”

“It’s been a while. Duke Tonz, Lady Weiand.”

Ignoring the owner who was about to quickly expel Cecia, Cecia greeted the two. Her eyes were full of anger.

“So it was you.”

Roman calmly remarked. It seemed that Prillance was the only person surprised at today’s sudden encounter with Cecia.

“Forgive me for my rudeness.”

Cecia’s tone was sharp, unlike its content.

“If you knew it was rude, then you shouldn’t have come in.”

Roman abruptly exclaimed. Cecia flinched at the words. Next to her, the owner also became startled. Roman glared in their direction. The owner wiped the sweat that formed due to his fierce stare.

“Did you not receive a letter from our residence?” (Cecia)

“I received it.”

Seeing Roman answering her calmly, Cecia clenched her dress. When she came here to talk about the design for the red diamonds her father had bought in advance, she had doubted her ears when she heard the voices inside. Roman wasn’t the type of person who would laugh uproariously like that. She had thought it couldn’t possibly be him. But she wanted to confirm it for herself.

Moreover, when they sent a letter asking to prepare jewelry and wardrobe for the imperial ball, he had been silent for several days. So when she saw him laugh with a gleeful expression, next to that awful woman, she didn’t know what came over her.

“Then…Am I supposed to accept this situation?”

Cecia’s voice trembled. Her eyes moistened, and she suddenly felt miserable.

“She will just be my partner for this ball, Lady Royne.”

Roman knew Cecia was soft-hearted, unlike his father, Viscount Ben. With his heart growing weak at the sight, he spoke with a small sigh.

But Prillance became puzzled at Cecia’s question.

“Hold on. Lady Royne…requested to be the Duke’s partner for the imperial ball?”

Prillance, who had been listening quietly from the side, asked Roman. He was not sure whether or not she was asking the question to him or Cecia, but her eyes were on Cecia. Hoping she had misheard, she waited for Cecia’s reaction.

“That’s right. Was there a reason I couldn’t?”

Cecia’s eyes wrinkled, looking saddened as moisture formed inside them. Prillance tried to organize what she had just heard in her head.

“Is that true?”

Prillance asked Roman once more.

“That’s right.”

Prillance seemed startled by his reply. Her gaze turned to Cecia before shifting back to him. Then she put a hand on her head.

“Let’s leave for now. You won’t be able to buy jewelry while we are still here anyway.”

Seeing Prillance become frantic at the moment, Roman stood up to accompany her out. He judged that it would not be good for them to continue facing each other.

“I think you need to brush up on your manners, Lady Royne.”

Roman spoke softly as he passed Cecia who was standing at the door. She felt the frigidness in his words.

Seeing Roman passing by indifferently, Cecia felt like crumbling down and weeping on the spot. It was the first time he had been so cold to herself.

Even at their first meeting, he had not treated her like this. It was so strange and unfamiliar that she felt like crying.

“Did Lady Royne really ask to be your partner?”

Prillance ascertained once more as they went inside the carriage.

“That’s right.”

“And the Duke refused?”

“I told you I was going as your partner this time. Of course, I refused.”

Roman firmly stated his position. All throughout their ride in the carriage, with a stunned face, Prillance seemed to keep muttering something to herself. Roman could not tell who the reason was, or why. He could only helplessly stare at her until they arrived at the residence of Marquis Weiand.

“If you are still worried about who my partner will be – you can stop. I will be going with you.”

He knew it was his fault that Cecia went into the jewelry store. Escorting Prillance from the carriage, that was all Roman could say.

Prillance only nodded at him. However, she still looked worried. He watched as the still troubled Prillance entered their mansion.