CH 24

How can he be so insatiably courting my family year after year, even though he had no interest in me?

「I always thought he was thinking of me, as he was about her.」

How can he had such a misunderstanding? The last ten years have proven that it’s impossible. There is no point in making a mealy-mouthed wooing.

「Ryniel-sama, thank you for being angry with me for my sake. I don’t know why that thing doesn’t agree to end the engagement, but that thing’s heart is not with me.」

She has always lived in Raul’s heart.

「Even if this is a present to me, there is no jewelry(feelings) in there that means anything to me!」

I reached for the case that is still on the table.

「Besides, what we need now wouldn’t be the meaning of the stone. It’s the evidence or possibility that this may be the lost jewelry.」

So don’t look at me like that, everyone.

「Right?」

I popped it open and there was no amethyst, my birthstone, or emerald, the color of Raul’s eyes. And of course my colors, opal, citrine and amber.

Sitting in the case was an interrupted gold chain, a large pearl, and a piece of gold.

「This is another rare pearl…」

「It’s a lot bigger again, isn’t it?」

Ryniel-sama and Gaspar said admiringly.

「…Is this really, what Countess Bauer brought to you?」

「Yes, it’s definitely what we received.」

「I see…」

It was indeed a large pearl with a beautiful luster that was worthy of admiration. However, what was there was a badly distorted pearl.

Pearls come in a variety of shapes, and those used by the nobility are the rare and valuable true circles. Teardrop-shaped or oval pearls are also preferred depending on the item, but it is unlikely that they have such a severely distorted shape as this one.

「It’s possible that the pearls are lost in the sense that they are made of pearls, but first of all, aristocrats don’t use objects of this shape.」

Moreover, all that is used in this necklace are these distorted pearls and a gold chain.

The value of jewelry is in proportion to its size and beauty, and it’s quite poor for use by aristocrats who prefer jewelry that uses large, shiny stones that are wasted and decorated in a garish manner.

「I don’t think this is what that man purchased, and I don’t see why Countess Bauer would ask for it to be restored.」

In terms of aristocratic values, this necklace is as good as trash.

「This one has a lot of flavor, though. You like it, Missy, this kind of thing.」

「I agree. I think it’s a beautiful pearl, even though it’s distorted in shape, it looks like one of the wings of an angel, depending on how you look at it.」

I don’t like big jewels or glittering decorations, to say the least.

As the queen’s lady-in-waiting, if I were to use something poor, it would affect Myra-sama’s reputation, so although the jewelry and metals are first-class, the items I prefer to use are relatively simple in design.

「In terms of the shape and design of the pearls, they’re not the kind of thing that would be used by a noble, but they aren’t that bad either. The chain is pure gold and the luster shows that the mother-of-pearl layer is thick, although the shreds are very sharp. It’s not something the average person can easily afford.」

It means that it’s not first class, but it’s not second class either. I would venture to say that it’s a semi-first-class product.

「What do you mean the shredded way is egregious?」

Perhaps concerned about the way he said it, Ryniel-sama asked Gaspar what he meant.

「Look at the piece of chain. See how the loop is distorted as if it was pulled? This is not a broken piece due to deterioration. It was shredded by force.」

「…Chains can be cut by brute force…」

「Pure gold is soft and can be done with a woman’s strength. Has that lady ever seen a public performance? I often see noble ladies doing it in staging.」

「What kind of content is a stage that shreds chains of pure gold by force!?」

「It’s a love-hate story for the ladies.」

What are you trying to watch, Neil!?

「Love/hate, huh…」

「Women are scary..」

Is it my imagination that the two people who let out a potty-mouthed mutter are looking at me with some distant look in their eyes?

「Also, I’ve been told that parts for the restoration of this jewelry are in short supply, and we will provide those parts.」

「What are those parts?」

「Amethyst and citrine.」

「Ohh, that’s Missy’s color and birthstone.」

For a moment, I didn’t think it was possible, but I shook my head to shake it off.

「That combination is often used. It’s not particularly unusual.」

「Well, you’re right. It’s a combination that’s essential for a golden upswing.」

「We can’t deny it. It’s one of the possibilities.」

That’s true…

I looked up with a bad feeling, and my eyes met Neil’s, who was smiling meaningfully.

「The requested amethyst is not purple quartz. It is green crystal, green amethyst.」

「Eh…?」

I couldn’t believe my ears at the name of this unexpected gem. The most common type of amethyst is purple crystal, and green amethyst is a very rare and precious gem that is rarely seen.

「Hah!? We don’t have anything that rare and valuable… ahh!!」

Whatever he remembered, Gaspar suddenly stood up with a loud voice.

「Ah— that. Missy, that’s it, it’s there. It was there!!」

「Eh, what is?」

When I reached out my hand to calm Gaspar, who wasn’t getting the point, I could feel the heat from the tip of my hand.

「Hey— Gaspar, you’re burning up.」

「That’s not important. Moreover…」

Gaspar grabbed my outstretched hand and excitedly said.

「I was here the other day. A guy came by selling green amethysts!」

A man came to sell a rare and valuable green amethyst. And at a time like this?

「……That’s quite convenient, again.」

As if anticipating my thoughts, Ryniel-sama raised one eyebrow and muttered.