Chapter 46

"Because! A 1.05 million mail for a diamond of this size is ridiculous!"

It was around the same time that Amelia and Logan had gone out to buy a dress. In a certain jewelry store in the capital, Kaido, a roar echoed.

The one roaring was – Melissa, the maid of the Haggle family.

In Melissa's hand was a pair of earrings with a red diamond, and she was approaching the timid-looking store owner at the counter with a fierce demeanor.

"For a diamond this small to cost 1.05 million, even a gem fraudster would set a better price! Are you out of your mind!?"

"H-However, ma'am... As I've said multiple times, this diamond is called 'Bloodstone,' a precious gem found only in the North Mountains. It's 0.1 carats, but compared to other stores, it's not at all expensive..."

"I don't care about that!"

Bang!!

Melissa slammed the counter.

– The incident started with Melissa's attempt to negotiate a discount.

On the third day after Cedric had ordered her to collect the preparation money, while enjoying shopping in the capital, Melissa, who had a weakness for shiny things, was drawn into a jewelry store.

Thinking it would be a shame not to buy something, she set her eyes on a pair of earrings with a sparkling red diamond.

However, when she saw the price tag, she winced.

Melissa, after all, was a maid of a viscount's family.

While it wasn't impossible to buy, the price, which would be a significant expense, was glaringly bright.

Roughly, it was three months' salary.

For a normal person, this price would make them hesitate to even consider buying, but Melissa was in high spirits from being in the capital, had some savings, and most importantly, had fallen in love at first sight with the clear red diamond she had never seen before. This strong desire to have it pushed her to act.

(Maybe... just a little cheaper?)

The store owner seemed timid and might give in if pressured.

Melissa, who tended to be assertive with those weaker than herself, felt a wicked thought arise.

At first, she subtly asked if a discount was possible, but contrary to her expectations, the owner firmly refused.

Unbeknownst to Melissa, this store was one of the most prestigious and historic in the capital.

To maintain its brand image, the store had a policy of not accepting discounts.

Despite Melissa's persistence, the owner only shook his head.

Originally short-tempered and unable to tolerate things not going her way, Melissa's tone gradually became harsher.

In the end, her words turned into a heated exchange, leading to the opening lines.

"You must be taking advantage of me because I'm from the countryside!"

"N-No, that's not the case at all..."

Once her temper flared, she would throw a tantrum and try to intimidate with loud threats to get her way. This was Melissa's unchangeable style, even in her late thirties.

Melissa, who was steadily becoming a troublesome old lady, was completely unaware of this.

"Just shut up and give me a discount! Or else, I won't let you off easily!"

Despite the presence of other customers, Melissa, with her head in a rage, started yelling.

In the end, losing her composure, she grabbed the owner by the collar.

"Ma'am, please stop this!"

Usually, the store's clientele were composed celebrities, and the owner, initially bewildered by Melissa's outburst, finally grew stern.

"If you continue to cause a disturbance, I will call the military police!"

The word 'military police' finally calmed Melissa.

Her strategy was to quickly retreat when faced with a stronger opponent.

"...Tch, just go bankrupt, you lousy store."

Leaving the earrings and the words behind, Melissa roughly opened the door and fled the store.

"Ugh, this is so frustrating..."

Melissa genuinely wondered why she had to endure such unpleasantness.

Spreading an aura of anger, she marched through the capital's streets.

She used to have a bit more self-control, but the long-standing issues in her marriage, the fatigue from being relieved of her duties as Amelia's chaperone, and the cold looks from her junior maids had all accumulated, worsening her already bad temper.

Of course, she was completely unaware that this was entirely her own doing.

After walking for a while, Melissa took a breath.

She got angry quickly but cooled down just as fast.

This was a characteristic of her anger.

"I should probably head back soon..."

She had already visited all the places in the capital.

It was time to return to work.

"Ugh... what a hassle..."

Muttering lazily, Melissa headed towards the carriage.

...

To begin with, even though it had been about three days since leaving the Haggle family, the reason she was still dawdling in the capital was...

– It's not often I get to come to the capital. I have to enjoy it, or it would be a waste!

It was purely selfish.

For Melissa, who had been confined to the mansion, the trip to the Helmburg family via the capital was too tempting.

She had ended up stopping in the capital and spent her days sightseeing and shopping.

If you think about it, it was a clear case of dereliction of duty, but Melissa considered it a well-deserved break after years of service.

If asked why she was so late, she could come up with various excuses like being unwell or delayed by an accident.

With her long tenure, she knew Cedric's character well.

She thought he wouldn't fire her now, and at worst, she could smooth things over with the preparation money.

However, Melissa, who was finally heading towards the carriage, stopped again when a fragrant, delicious smell wafted by.

"Maybe I'll have one last taste of the capital's famous cuisine."

It had already been three days.

A few hours' delay was pointless to worry about, and she had an important mission to collect the preparation money.

Storing up energy for that was entirely reasonable, Melissa thought.

She was unaware that this indulgence was directly linked to her increasingly plump figure.

The fierce demeanor from earlier was nowhere to be seen.

With a light step, Melissa walked towards the store emitting the delicious smell.