Chapter 2 – Part 4

“All 9.6 million?”

“Yes. And I only want Azilend rubies. I’m not interested in other stones.“

Eliana’s demand was bold. 9.6 million gold was no small amount.

“I hope this doesn’t come off as rude, but may I ask why you’re choosing to work with me instead of your regular jeweler?”

Before finalizing the deal, Sadie couldn’t resist asking.

“I’ve heard great things about Briss—he’s excellent. And while I couldn’t visit often before because of my family’s regular jeweler, I believe your store is on its way to becoming the top jeweler in Moira’s capital. I wanted to establish a relationship ahead of time.”

Eliana knew how to flatter him.

A smile that Sadie couldn’t hide spread across his face.

“Show me that I’ve made the right choice.”

“Of course, Lady Leiberte. You won’t regret it.”

The contract was drawn up, and Eliana paid an additional 400,000 gold as a gratuity. The amount surprised Sadie, who widened his eyes.

“That’s too generous; you don’t have to give so much…“

“Take it. I’m giving it because I want to. Just make sure the deal goes smoothly.”

Eliana smiled warmly.

* * *

“Bank and jewelry matters are settled.”

Eliana didn’t climb into her carriage right away.

“I want to look around the city a bit.”

She walked around with Mila, taking in the sights. Eliana’s sharp eye caught several items that would soon fall out of fashion.

‘There are quite a few opportunities here to make quick profits, even beyond jewels.’

She diligently jotted down notes in her notebook, wholly engrossed in the task, unaware that someone was watching her.

‘Eliana.’

Calix stood outside a general store window. He was returning from the palace with his aide, Logan, having been summoned by the Emperor. The palace was filled with nobles, and Eliana should have also been there.

‘But she’s not.’

Eliana, who should have been by Cedric’s side, was nowhere to be found. No one seemed to be looking for her either. It bothered Calix, but Eliana didn’t seem upset about missing the palace gathering. She was instead beaming as she strolled through the city.

Her innocent smile, which made Calix smile, held his gaze.

“Um… Your Grace, shall we go inside?”

Logan asked when Calix didn’t move from the shop’s window. His eyes followed Calix’s line of sight to see Eliana Leiberte, the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

“Ah…“

“Are you planning to greet her, my lord?“

Calix’s intent gaze made Logan curious.

The bell on the shop’s door jingled. Still, Eliana didn’t turn around, too engrossed in the angel-shaped candle in her hand and chatting with her maid.

‘What’s so pretty about that…’

Suddenly, a shadow fell over the candle.

‘What is this?’

Eliana looked up, surprised to find Calix standing right before her.

“Oh, Calix. What brings you here?“

“You were so absorbed in your shopping that you didn’t even notice I’d come in.“

“Oh, these candles are just too lovely.”

Candles were the latest trend in the city.

‘I wonder if I could market them as luxury items.’

She was lost in thought when Calix glanced down at the candle.

“You haven’t changed.“

“What do you mean?“

“You still lose your head over cute things.“

“Haha. You remember. Yes, I used to be like that.”

Lady Leiberte and Duke Calix were speaking in a familiar tone. Logan found this surprising—he had never seen his lord speak so casually with a noble lady.

Eliana’s eyes sparkled as she held the small candle with care. She picked up another identical candle.

“But they are cute, aren’t they?”

Eliana sought his agreement.

“Candles…”

Calix didn’t really care. He wasn’t at an age to be excited by cute things.

“Yes, as you say, they are cute.”

Yet Calix found himself nodding, almost involuntarily. Pleased with his response, Eliana walked further into the store, where even more candles were displayed on tall shelves.

“Wow, there are so many cute things here too.“

Calix’s indifferent gaze scanned the items, but his serious eyes never left Eliana.

As Calix continued watching Eliana, he noticed she wasn’t just window shopping. She was holding a small notebook, scribbling things down intently.

“What’s that?“ Calix asked, glancing at the notebook in her hand.

“Oh, this? I’m studying market trends,“ Eliana replied casually.

“Market trends?“

“I’m thinking of ways to accumulate some capital.”

Calix was surprised. The Leiberte family was already wealthy, and he had never imagined that Eliana would need to generate more money alone.

“What do you need such a large sum of money for?“

“I have something in mind.“

“Is it related to the royal court?“

“No, it’s for something I want to do. To achieve that, I need some funds. That’s why I’m studying the market trends. I even made an investment this morning.”

“An investment?“ Calix raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, I bought some Azilend ruby gemstones.“

“Gemstones?”

Calix had always known Eliana to focus all her attention on the royal court, but now her interests had shifted.

‘She wasn’t bothered about not being invited to the palace and instead made an investment…?’

He couldn’t help but worry that she might be getting scammed, as the capital was filled with swindlers looking to exploit noblewomen like her.

“But…“

“Don’t worry, Calix. There’s no risk of failure,“ Eliana replied confidently.

“What makes you so sure?”

“…”

‘How could I explain that I’ve already lived through this and know the future?’

Even though Calix wasn’t the type to react violently or irrationally, claiming to know the future would make him think she was mad.

“Let’s just say I have my ways. You don’t need to worry.“

“You know that makes this all the more mysterious, right?“ Calix said in a low voice.

“I know. But trust me, nothing bad will happen. I won’t be taken advantage of like a fool.”

Eliana knew that the value of Azilend rubies would soon skyrocket. It was a surefire investment.

“I’m curious what you need all this money for. Did the Crown Prince ask you to bring money as well?”

Eliana laughed at Calix’s serious expression. It was clear how he viewed Cedric.

‘Greedy to the core.‘

“Sorry for laughing. But no, he didn’t ask for anything like that. Maybe it’s because my father has already provided plenty.”

“…”

“This is just money for my own goals.”

Eliana didn’t want to go into more detail.

‘Cedric’s ambitions, Eliana’s unexpected responses to them, and these cryptic comments…’

Calix realized that everything about her was becoming increasingly puzzling.

“I’ll tell you later when the time is right.“

“I’ll be waiting.“

“Judging by your uniform, you’ve just come from the palace.”

Eliana had noticed his attire adorned with medals from the Emperor.

‘Unlike in the past, those medals now seem like a burden on Calix. The responsibilities imposed by the nobles, especially on someone with royal blood, have weighed heavily on him.‘

“You weren’t there. I noticed your absence.“

“Were you looking for me?“

“…I was concerned.”

Calix spoke honestly.

“I’m used to seeing you always at the Crown Prince’s side.”

“I wasn’t invited, so I couldn’t go.”

Eliana spoke about not being invited with a casualness that surprised him.

“It’s just as well. I’d rather be here shopping for candles with my maid. Candles, with their scents and colors, bring joy, unlike the palace.”

Her tone wasn’t defensive; she genuinely seemed to have lost interest in palace life, which showed in her eyes.

“You’ve been summoned to the palace more often lately, haven’t you, Calix? The Emperor always demands duties after celebrations. Did he do that to you this time, too?“

Eliana’s voice dropped, and her accuracy was unsettling, as if she had been there to witness it herself.

“Impressive.“

“Shall I guess more? The Emperor must have ordered you to smash Peran like you did in the Grinnish battle, right?“

Calix’s eyes narrowed slightly. The command to confront Peran had been given to him privately by the Emperor.

“Calix, I have been keeping a close eye on you. I trust you’ll carry out this command faithfully. Don’t hesitate to crush them completely if there’s even the slightest hint of conflict at the border. No matter the cost, march forward.”

The cost meant lives—many lives. Yet, the Emperor didn’t care about the losses that Calix and his troops would suffer.

“How did you know?” Calix’s red eyes reflected his confusion and agitation.

Eliana stopped all movement, looking up at him.

“It’s not hard to guess. The Emperor always gives you the most dangerous tasks. In any case, as long as you guard the borders well, that’s all that matters, right? It’s better to avoid unnecessary battles. So before engaging in combat…”

Eliana paused briefly before continuing.

“Why don’t you send them a reconciliation letter first?“