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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: An Impulse and a Command
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"Welcome."
As he stepped into the jewelry store, an employee bowed respectfully.
Dietrich spoke.
"I'd like a recommendation for a gift. It's for a woman, in her early twenties..."
"Ah, right this way, please."
The employee guided Dietrich to a glass display case.
All sorts of jewels sparkled, showing off their splendor.
"These are the popular designs these days."
The employee took out a bracelet case and presented it to Dietrich.
*Clink.*
The bracelet, strung with beads of blue gems, reflected the light with a glossy sheen.
"This piece is meant to evoke the sea with its turquoise stones. Lately, there isn't a lady in the viscounty who doesn't own one of these bracelets..."
"..."
But Dietrich wasn't listening to the explanation.
His gaze was fixed on a pair of earrings in one corner of the display case.
They were studs, not flashy, but their delicate craftsmanship caught the eye.
The translucent, rosy-pink gem in the center of each earring was strangely familiar.
"Your Grace."
A gentle voice echoed in his ear.
In that moment.
'Ah.'
Dietrich realized.
That pink gem... it was the very color of Lalitt's eyes.
"...Sir? Sir!"
"Ah, yes."
Snapping back to his senses, Dietrich looked up.
"Are you interested in this piece?"
The employee smiled brightly and took out the earrings Dietrich had been staring at.
"They're rose quartz earrings. Aren't they lovely?"
"..."
Without realizing it, Dietrich imagined the earrings dangling from Lalitt's earlobes.
They would suit her very well.
However.
'Is there really a need to buy something for Lady Ansi too?'
Lalitt was merely Evanjeline's friend.
Of course, it was true she was having a positive influence on his sister, and he was grateful for that, but...
And yet.
"The turquoise bracelet you showed me earlier, and these as well, please."
Before he knew it, the words were leaving Dietrich's lips.
"Yes, of course. Shall I have them gift-wrapped for you?"
*Why am I doing this?*
Feeling estranged by his own strange behavior,
"Please do."
Dietrich gave a slight nod.
"Thank you, please come again!"
Dietrich exited the jewelry store, seen off by the employee.
'Oh dear.'
He belatedly looked down at his hands with a troubled expression.
When he came to his senses, Dietrich was holding two impulsively purchased gifts, one in each hand...
His attendant, who had just woken up and was waiting for him, asked in bewilderment.
"Why are there two gifts?"
"That's none of your concern," Dietrich replied curtly.
'Well, if you say so.'
The attendant gave a slight shrug, conveying something to that effect.
Then, he handed Dietrich a letter.
"By the way, a letter has arrived for you, Your Grace."
"A letter?"
[Evanjeline von Claudius]
His sister's signature was clearly written on the envelope he had casually accepted.
'...What on earth has she gotten herself into this time?'
A chill inexplicably ran down his spine.
Dietrich unfolded the letter, unable to hide his skeptical expression.
[To my dear brother, Dietrich.
There's going to be a party at the Viscounty of Ansi on July 5th.
So you have to come, too.]
Such audacity, skipping even a simple greeting to get straight to the point.
Dietrich read the sentence below with a dumbfounded look.
[I know your business trip is pretty much over as of today.
And you're in the Ansi Viscounty anyway, right?
Since you've come all this way, you might as well show your face at the party and help my friend save some face. Got it?
—From the prettiest, cutest, coolest, and most lovable Evanjeline in the world]
That was baffling enough.
But Evanjeline's letter wasn't over yet.
[P.S.
To uphold the dignity of Duchess Claudius, I've decided to cover the party expenses.
I'll put it on a tab for now and have them bill the Duchy later.]
"...Well, she's certainly bold about it."
Dietrich muttered in a daze.
As if it wasn't enough to state only her business and end the letter, she was also acting as if the party expenses were his to pay as a matter of course.
After staring at the letter for a long while with an incredulous look, Dietrich sighed deeply and turned to his attendant.
"Find out what on earth this is all about."
"What?!"
*My warm bath, my freshly grilled steak and dessert ice cream, my early slumber in a soft bed...!*
His sweet, long-awaited plans for rest were all shattered.
The attendant's face fell.
* * *
And so, the next morning.
Dietrich was briefed on the full story behind Evanjeline's letter.
"...So, Eva just went ahead and declared she'd be throwing a party at the Viscounty of Ansi?"
Dietrich pressed his throbbing temples.
"First, send a letter of apology and a gift. And of course, we will cover the costs of the party..."
Just then.
*Knock, knock.*
A hotel employee appeared with a short knock.
"Your Grace, a letter has arrived."
"..."
Speak of the devil. It was Evanjeline again.
Dietrich unfolded the letter with a weary expression.
At the same time, he heard the phantom sound of Evanjeline's shrill yelling.
[Brother, why haven't you replied!?]
She wasn't even bothering with the proper format of a letter anymore...
And what audacity, to have sent a letter just last evening and then press for a reply first thing in the morning.
Dietrich felt a deep sense of doubt about his sister's character.
[Brother, you're coming, right? Huh?
I already bragged to Lady Ansi.
I told her I'd make sure you had the first dance with her at the party, no matter what!]
*She's already sold me out?*
Dietrich read the next sentence with a look of disbelief.
[So you absolutely have to come.
Got it? You have to!
And make sure you reply by lunchtime today!]
And with that, Evanjeline's demanding letter ended, omitting even the customary closing pleasantries.
"...Haaa."
Dietrich let out a deep sigh that seemed to come from the very bottom of his heart.
Honestly, he knew what the smart choice was.
It would be wise to return to the capital as quickly as possible.
He had saved time by cutting back on sleep; it would be more efficient to use that time to handle other matters.
So, he should obviously reply that he wouldn't be attending...
"..."
Dietrich glanced at the tabletop.
The gift boxes for Evanjeline and Lalitt were sitting side by side.
"Um, Your Grace. How should I reply?"
Just then, his attendant asked cautiously.
Dietrich subtly furrowed his brow.
'Right, I have to give Lady Ansi her gift anyway.'
In truth, a gift could easily be given when they met in the capital.
He didn't even have to give it to her himself.
He could have Evanjeline pass it along, or simply have someone deliver it directly to the Ansi townhouse.
Knowing this full well, Dietrich ultimately...
"Tell them I'll attend."
He couldn't stop the words from leaving his lips.
* * *
The southern social circle was in an uproar.
It was surprising enough that the Viscounty of Ansi and the County of Gusto were holding parties on the same day, but it was even more shocking that Duchess Claudius herself had suggested the date.
The Duchess had personally declared that she would attend the Ansi family's party.
"There were rumors that Her Grace has been close with Lady Ansi recently, but..."
"Still, I never imagined she would attend a party at the Viscounty of Ansi."
"It's not as if Her Grace is known for being particularly active in society, is she?"
Until now, Duchess Claudius had only rarely attended parties hosted by the most prominent nobles, even in the capital.
This was the first time she had ever made an appearance in provincial society.
"This must be quite predicament for the County of Gusto."
"Indeed. No matter how much influence the County of Gusto wields in the south, can they even compare to the Duchy of Claudius?"
All eyes in southern society were now fixed on the Viscounty of Ansi.
And at that very moment.
At the Viscounty of Ansi...
