Above all, the tragic love story made the listener sentimental. It was even more so when it was about an early death, which contradicted the meaning of the jewel, which was 'eternal blessings.'
"The woman was overcome with sorrow. Tears fell like pearls from her beautiful face. And at some point, she disappeared from public view. People soon thought that she had become a widow and run away with another lover."
Rosentine lifted the jewel a little higher. No one would have noticed, but with the jewel, Rosentine was proving that the lady's love was still beautifully preserved.
"But it wasn't. This jewel was given to his wife when the nobleman died. Its meaning was eternal blessings. It contained his wish that his beloved, whom he was leaving behind, would be blessed forever. Not even death could separate them. It is said that the wife wore this brooch until the day she died."
Rosentine suddenly remembered Shartus's face. She explained roughly what she would say to him, but without being so dramatic.
Thinking about it that way, she felt a little sorry for directing it like this and giving the brooch to Arolne, but there was nothing she could do about it.
After all, the 'eternal blessing' she gave her was no different from saving his life.
"His Highness said that he wishes for Lady Arolne's well-being."
Rosentine took a step forward and stood in front of Arolne. Arolne caught the brooch that had just reached her.
Instead of love or affection, it was a blessing. But the romance contained within was enough to satisfy her. Arolne, tilting her head haughtily, attached the brooch to one side of her dress.
At that moment, it was the most notable jewel in the salon.
"You are a thoughtful person."
“You are that kind of person.”
Rosentine smiled like a maid, adding that it really suited her.
The woman wearing the jewels that caught the eye became the main character. Rosentine, as the stage director, celebrated the end of Act I.
Next came Act II. Mariette was staring at them in disbelief. No way? Really? She didn't have to listen to what she said, and the meaning of the face was clear
A jewel steeped in legend is inherently precious. Furthermore, the only person currently in possession of this jewel was a woman named Arolne Mulde.
'It'll really hurt your pride.'
Rosentine hoped their pride would be torn to shreds, their venom spurring them to work even harder to destroy the "uniqueness" of Arolne Mulde.
Since she was currently the sole owner of the jewel, Rosentine slowly looked around the salon. Everyone seemed to be deeply interested in the gem. While it appeared to be no different from any other gem, the legend it held was truly unique.
It was natural for a nobleman who pursued extravagance to want to get his hands on it.
"Is that jewel the only one in the world?"
"I don't think so, Madam. The traces have certainly disappeared, but the craftsman who crafted this jewel must be somewhere."
"That was a good story. I'd like to give one to my daughter, too."
"I'm honored that you liked it."
A bigger fish than expected was caught. It was Therese Margus.
She rose with the most restrained manners, honed over time. The salon's hostess, the most influential woman in the room, showed interest, and everyone nodded in agreement.
It was certainly a jewel that anyone could gift to someone they cherish, even if it wasn't shared between lovers. Wishing you eternal blessings.
They also breathed a sigh of relief that there was still a way to obtain the jewel.
It's not impossible, but it's a gem that requires a lot of effort to find.
If you have ot, it will satisfy your considerable desire for conquest and collecting, and it will be a good entertainment even in the dull world of society.
"Where did you hear that story?"
"My great-grandmother told me that she heard it from a person who served a noble person."
"I want to give a round of applause to the main characters of the story."
"Madame Margus's applause, I'm sure they'll be delighted."
People's attention naturally turned to the jewels as Terese Margus spoke. This attention was separate from the interest directed at Arolne Mulde.
Arolne was taken aback by Therese Margus's intervention, but she didn't show it and simply adjusted her clothes so that the brooch would be more visible.
Mariette's group's faces were stained with defeat, so it was as good as getting what they wanted. It was even more so because it was a link that would lead to Shartus's attention.
Arolne lifted her teacup. Rose-scented tea was also offered to Rosentine, who had been a storyteller in the salon, entertaining the bored ladies.
She sat down again between the cushions, sinking in like a shadow. A storm had passed, but she was back again.
Unless she steps forward, Rosentine will remain in the position of maid Roan.
Naturally, the center of attention was Arolne Muld. Throughout the salon's considerable time, she watched people chatting about gems. Among them, a group secretly shared information about a jeweler they knew. They seemed to be keeping information to themselves, hoping to be the first to find out.
A fierce treasure hunt in the social world was beginning.
***
Rosentine walked down a long corridor. Beside her were figures who seemed to hang motionless in midair, faces she couldn't read.
The palace, which was particularly haunted, seemed to be even more haunted when she wandered through empty spaces. The more she wandered, the more she realized that the palace was a place with many hidden spaces.
The palace was divided into new and old buildings, and even among the old buildings, there were some that were built much earlier. The places where people frequented were mostly new buildings.
Unless they explore the palace with the same determination as her, others won't feel out of place. Above all, if they don't see these ghosts lined up like this.
Rosentine was on her way to find Ranon. The wise, famous spirit who once aroused her wariness simply by looking at him had suddenly become a fool.
In the presence of other ghosts, they do not reveal their inner feelings. Even the promise he made with her. It was clear that being a ghost was very boring. Therefore, there must be ghosts that will grant requests.
'Because I won't just be playing around.'
Rosentine recalled what he had said amid the echo of her own footsteps.
This wasn't a chess game. You make a move, and your opponent doesn't react.
It was a method of hunting each other by moving simultaneously. Only a few days remained until the "Demon Eye Poison" they thought they had ingested from Shartus took effect. Once that limit was passed, the enemy would undoubtedly find it strange.
If so, the next simulation will be executed without delay. Rosentine was wary of that.
"Ranon."
- Long time no see, Rosentine.
Ranon moved as if emerging from the shadows. His face, which had been creaking for a moment, regained its lifelike expression. His platinum hair, still intact, was fading like the dawn.
He circled through the air and approached Rosentine.
- Rumor has it, Rosentine, are you looking for the jewel?
"The person you found last time is dead. The person who hired the group poisoned him."
- It's a really easy way. Humans are so weak; if you just stir up their insides, they'll just die.
"I don't want Chartus to be like that."
Looking into Rosentine's eyes, Ranon closed his eyes and smiled. It was a shallow expression that looked like it was about to break. He circled around Rosentine.
Soon, his lips moved to her forehead, as if they were about to touch her cheeks.
- You care about that child.
"Don't talk nonsense."
- Is blood-soaked gold truly beautiful?
Before she could ask what he was talking about, Ranon took two steps back from her. Now Rosentine could see his whole body.
-Tell me why you're here, Rosentine.
"...Second mock."
- You heard it from Martin. Correct?
Rosentine nodded. The ghost, who always liked to be near the armory, spoke to her every time she passed by.
Judging from the content of the words, most of them were about knightly fights, battles, or famous weapons, but not to the point of not listening to them.
Of course, it's only when she wants to.
However, the words that Martin rhymed that day were completely different. It was something that could not be ignored and passed by.
Perhaps an armory that was neither completely enclosed nor exposed was suitable as a place for a simple secret meeting. When Martin learned that Rosentine was looking for a conspiracy, he happily recited a passage.
- Gifts.
"Gifts."
Ranon nodded slowly in agreement. A gift is a blade, was a quote from a history book that he often used.
***
- When it comes to gifts, there is only one thing.
Rosentine glared at Shartus with a face of deep concern. Shartus, suddenly stricken with pride, stared at her in silence.
Rosentine's face, with her lips stretched out and her eyebrows tucked in the middle, was honestly cute and funny.
Even as Rosentine, it wasn't easy to stare at Shartus with such a frown. It wasn't easy to maintain a firm expression while looking at that face.
She was human, too, and when faced with a face like Shartus's, her facial muscles relaxed. This was especially true because she was slowly becoming accustomed to him.
But the cause was obvious, and there was no one else to look at. Rosentine was now contemplating how to bring up the issue. Her brain was spinning, feverish, and ready to burst.
'How do I tell the Prince to take a look at the things I will give to him?'
The problem was this. Even if it was her, she felt she had to be cautious about saying, "Hand over the legendary item you'd found. Let's see if it's poisonous."
Depending on how you listen to it, it could sound like, 'You are the real culprit, and the target was actually the Crown Prince!'
Of course, if there are exceptions, you shouldn't have looked at the person in the first place, but that's about it.
If Shartus continues to tolerate it, it's only a partial matter, so don't worry about it.
If he didn't consent, all she had to do was glare at Hostang. Strictly speaking, it was progress. Previously, it was difficult to keep looking at Shartus's face, so Rosentine immediately turned her gaze to Hostang.
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