Chapter 5 – Part 6

A stack of new letters sat on the table. Eliana reached for the one from Sadie, the jeweler, first.

– Briss Legrin has successfully acquired the gemstone.

Sadie had written that she could pick it up at the jeweler’s shop anytime.

‘Perfect.’

Everyone thought her mind was preoccupied with the shock of the annulment, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Eliana was more interested in retrieving the gemstone and converting the palace items to cash. As she finished reading the letter, the light rain outside had turned into a heavy downpour.

She gazed out at the rain-streaked window. On days like this, nobles often gathered indoors, focusing more intently on gossip. Even without being present, she could guess the topic of conversation. In their eyes, she was the woman who had fallen from just below the pinnacle of society to the very bottom.

“That won’t be me.”

“We must make sure our daughter never ends up like her.”

That’s what they’d be thinking as they gossiped about her. But it didn’t matter; she was confident their opinions wouldn’t affect her.

‘Once they’ve talked, they’ll move on to a new topic.’

Eliana waited for the rain to stop, but it showed no signs of letting up. Not wanting to waste any more time, she prepared to go out. She was the only one left in the house.

“A little rest would do me good.”

The Count of Austin had said those words and left for a villa at the far end of their estate this morning. Though the antidote provided by Doctor Bero had been quite adequate, and his health had improved, it seemed he still needed rest.

Her father hadn’t openly blamed her, but he hadn’t understood her either. They seemed destined to remain on parallel paths, never truly understanding each other.

“Are you really going out in this rain?“ Oliver asked.

“Yes, I’m heading into town.”

Eliana informed him of her destination and then stepped outside.

***

“Welcome, Lady Leiberte.”

Sadie greeted Eliana warmly and led her to the best seat in the shop. A staff member brought over a towel, and Eliana wiped away some of the moisture before sipping the warm tea. She was about to get straight to the point when Sadie took a moment to study her expression.

“I hesitate to mention it, but… it seems there have been some significant developments in the Leiberte family recently.”

Sadie was, of course, referring to the annulment with the Crown Prince.

“I hear the town’s been buzzing about me,“ Eliana remarked briefly, not wanting to delve further into the topic.

“Indeed, it has.“

“Were you among them, Sadie?“ Eliana asked lightly.

“No, no, not at all. I just listened. Keeping an ear to the ground is essential for business.“

Sadie waved his hands defensively.

“There’s no need to be so startled. It’s only natural. You can’t remain silent when everyone else is talking, can you? I understand; it’s fine.”

Eliana shrugged and then got to the point.

“I’d like to see the item now.“

“Thank you for your understanding, Lady Leiberte. Please wait a moment; I’ll bring it right out.”

Sadie returned with a small pouch that had been stored in the vault.

“Here is the ruby from Azilend. Please, take a look.”

Eliana opened the pouch to reveal a ruby the size of a small fruit. It was precisely the amount she had estimated when withdrawing the funds from the bank.

“You needn’t worry about the quality. Briss Legrin is meticulous and has never made a mistake.“

Eliana’s lips curled into a smile as she confirmed the gemstone.

“Thank you for bringing it safely.“

“You paid a generous fee, so it was only right.”

Eliana carefully placed the gemstone deep into her bag.

“May I ask what you plan to do with the stone?“ Sadie inquired.

“…”

“If you’re not planning to keep it as is, we can also handle the processing. Anything is possible, whether it’s a necklace, bracelet, or earrings. Processing it into wearable jewelry will significantly increase its value.“

“I’m planning to keep it as it is for now.“

Eliana’s response was firm.

“Keeping it is perfectly fine, of course. But if you ever decide to have it made into something more beautiful, we’re here.”

Sadie tried to persuade her.

“No, I’m fine.”

Eliana declined once more.

“Actually, more than processing a gemstone…”

Eliana took several jewels she had prepared from a separate bag and laid them on the table. The gems, radiant even in their raw state, sparkled brilliantly under the light.

“These are jewels I received from the royal family. There aren’t many, but I’d like to cash them in immediately.“

“Ah, such precious items…”

Jewels that had passed through the hands of royalty were highly valuable.

Sadie’s eyes widened as he carefully examined the pieces Eliana had brought.

“You intend to sell all of them?“

“Yes, all of them.”

Though gossipers said Eliana was so devastated by the annulment that she could barely function, her gaze as she watched Sadie inspect the jewels was clear and sharp. She was no different from any other noblewoman selling jewels she had lost interest in.

“How about 15 million gold for the lot, Lady Leiberte?”

Sadie offered a price.

“Sadie, isn’t that too low?“ Eliana shook her head firmly at the low price he had suggested.

“It seems you’re not offering a fair deal,“ she said with a clear, decisive tone.

“Let’s just call off the deal. I’ll be leaving now. After all, this isn’t the only jeweler in town.”

Eliana immediately rose from her seat.

“W-Wait, My Lady. We haven’t finished talking yet,“ Sadie quickly interjected, trying to stop her from leaving.

“You know how haggling works—starting prices are always low.“

“I’m not interested in cheap bargaining.“

“I apologize, My Lady. I didn’t mean to offend you,“ Sadie added hastily, thrown off by her sharp demeanor.

“How about 20 million gold?“

“45 million. I won’t go any lower.”

Although the jewels weren’t worthless, 45 million was still a steep price.

“45 million…”

Sadie hesitated, weighing the money and the jewels in his mind. His keen business instinct urged him to make the purchase.

“I’ll buy them.“

“Good. 45 million it is, then,“ Eliana confirmed.

Fear Eliana might change her mind, Sadie hurried to fetch the contract. Eliana swiftly signed it, and the transaction was completed quickly.

‘The Eliana Leiberte I’ve just met is nothing like the one everyone’s gossiping about. They say she always smiles, but she hardly does. They say she’s easily swayed, but she’s anything but.’

He had tried to lowball the price, only to be sharply corrected. Rumors had it that she was soft-hearted and loved to chat, but Eliana was nothing short of composed and firm.

‘She’s full of surprises.’

Sadie had expected the annulment to leave Eliana too distraught to make a deal, but she was making transactions without hinting of emotional turmoil.

“All done,“ Eliana said as she pocketed the contract and the hefty sum of money.

“Please come again. We can also do custom designs. And do reconsider having the ruby processed.“

“I’ll think about it, Sadie.”

Eliana was satisfied with the deal. ‘I wanted to get rid of those jewels as quickly as possible.’

She had named a higher price than expected, and Sadie had accepted it.

“Did everything go well?“ Mila, who had been waiting nearby, asked. Mila and Russell were guarding the many belongings they had brought from the house.

“There’s somewhere else we need to go,“ Eliana replied, pointing to the next block. There was a well-known secondhand dress shop that specialized in selling luxury dresses.

‘I saw it in a magazine.’

She didn’t stop selling the jewels. In no time, she sold off shoes, dresses, and expensive books she had brought from home.

‘Are you sure you want to sell such precious items?’

Every secondhand dealer she visited said the same thing. The price of even a single ornament on the dresses was more than what a commoner would pay for expensive clothing, so the money she collected was substantial. By the time she finished her round through the town, her hands were light, and her bag was heavy with cash.

‘I feel like I’ve struck gold.’

She couldn’t imagine having money in the past unless the Count or Matilda gave it to her. She would passively accept not having it and try to maintain her dignity.

‘But things are different now.’

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.