Chapter 15
The whispers of the young ladies could be heard.
“That’s not the necklace she was wearing before.”
“My goodness. I’ve never seen a design like that. It’s beautiful.”
Vivian’s eyes narrowed as she spoke sharply.
“Wait a minute, where on earth did she get that?! This is ridiculous. I swear she was pale and trembling just a moment ago!”
At her words, the other young ladies around them glanced over at Lydia. But this time, their gazes were filled not with mockery, but with envy.
‘So my designs work here, too.’
Adelaïde slowly scanned the jewels worn by the other young ladies. Most of the designs seemed to follow the current trend, flaunting large gemstones to show off their splendor. They were heavy with clusters of raw stones but lacked any real sophistication.
In contrast, the necklace Adelaïde had given Lydia was different. Small pearls were linked together like a cascade of water droplets, shimmering subtly with every movement to create an elegant curve.
“The necklace falls so smoothly, like water. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I have to ask where she bought it.”
“Hush, Vivian will hear you.”
A small whisper spread through the young ladies. A thin wrinkle formed on Vivian’s forehead. Lydia, her gaze unwavering, walked confidently past Vivian’s group.
“Did you see that? The looks on their faces?”
“That was so satisfying.”
“Adelaïde, I’m so lucky to have met you.”
Sincerity was evident in Lydia’s voice. Adelaïde gently patted the back of Lydia’s hand.
“You’ve come at just the right moment.”
Without her even sensing his presence, the Duke was standing behind Adelaïde.
“Your Grace?! Ah! This is Lady Lydia of the House of Marquis Pendragon.”
Lydia gave the Duke a light curtsy. The Duke inclined his head slightly in return.
“Adelaïde, if you’ll excuse me for a moment.”
Lydia stepped aside to give them space. The Duke naturally extended his hand toward Adelaïde. Adelaïde took the Duke’s hand and stood beside him. In that instant, the entire ballroom fell silent.
‘Huh? What’s going on? Why did the mood suddenly change?’
Everyone’s eyes turned to the two of them at once. After a brief silence, someone’s whisper started a small ripple that began to spread.
“Look over there. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a woman with Duke Karsiten!”
“He’s even holding her hand. I can’t believe it.”
The young ladies’ whispers soon grew into a murmur.
“Could she be… his fiancée?”
“Oh my, look at her necklace. I’ve never seen anything like that anywhere in Lumegria.”
“It matches her earrings. I wonder who made it?”
The noblewomen, one by one, began to whisper behind their fans.
“Usually, the dress is meant to bring out the jewels, but in her case, the jewels are alive with the dress.”
“It’s like light is flowing down. Could it be a Crédenet?”
“I doubt it. I was at his jewelry shop just two days ago, and there was nothing like that.”
Though bewildered gazes poured down on her, Adelaïde actually let out a small chuckle. The Duke himself, however, seemed completely unfazed by the surrounding reactions, looking down at Adelaïde with a blank expression.
“Have you made a friend already?”
“It just sort of happened.”
Adelaïde replied nonchalantly. Leaving the murmurs and jealous stares behind her, she walked on, holding the Duke’s hand. Glancing up at him, she thought the deep blue suit complemented his cool demeanor surprisingly well.
‘Yes, he is handsome. On a level you’d rarely see even in Korea.’
Adelaïde gave a slight nod, looking with satisfaction at the sparkling chain on the Duke’s jacket.
~~~
A few days ago.
“Here, this is for you.”
“What is this?”
“I made one for you while I was making my own. Since you’ve given me so many gifts.”
Uncharacteristically, Adelaïde had been unable to meet his eyes and had rushed out. Because of that, Adelaïde didn’t see the corners of the Duke’s lips twitch upward slightly.
~~~
While Adelaïde was lost in memory, the entrance to the ballroom began to stir with a commotion.
“The guests of honor are arriving.”
Following the Duke’s gaze, she turned her head to see the King, Queen, Crown Prince, and princess of Lumegria making their entrance. As the royal family, more splendid than anyone else, took their places, the atmosphere in the ballroom reached its peak. The King accepted the greetings of the nobles and ascended the dais. The surroundings instantly fell silent.
“Tonight is an occasion to introduce the ‘Tear of Moonlight,’ the pride of the Kingdom of Lumegria. This jewel is a legacy of our royal family, and its brilliance rivals that of the moon in the night sky.”
As the King proudly extended his hand, the royal advisor approached with a silver tray. On the tray, a large diamond reflected the light, shining dazzlingly.
‘So that’s the jewel?’
Adelaïde’s eyes sparkled. Befitting its name, the ‘Tear of Moonlight,’ the jewel had a soft, silvery-white glow. Everyone held their breath, gazing at the jewel as if mesmerized. Adelaïde felt it was a design so perfect it made her heart tremble.
‘The cutting angle, the intensity of the luster, the uniformity of the color… I’ve never seen this kind of processing method, not even in the modern era.’
Just then, a middle-aged nobleman with a benevolent smile stepped forward.
“This jewel symbolizes the prosperity and peace of the royal family. It is His Majesty’s wish to share its value with everyone gathered here tonight, which is why we have unveiled it.”
“Who is that?”
Adelaïde whispered to the Duke.
“That is Kain Rosenfield, the royal advisor.”
“Rosenfield? The Rosenfield?”
The Duke simply nodded in response.
‘Wow, so that’s the man who owns that massive merchant company? He runs a business with such a scholarly air? Why on earth would a man like that create a tool for shattering crystals?’
Adelaïde tilted her head in thought. As the introduction of the jewel concluded, a burst of applause erupted. The music began again. The nobles crowded around to get a closer look at the ‘Tear of Moonlight.’ Gasps of admiration came from all around.
“The legacy of the royal family is truly different.”
Unable to contain her curiosity, Adelaïde also moved closer. The jewel before her was as radiant as a silver moon. But then, her eyes caught a subtle incongruity.
‘Something’s strange…’
Adelaïde leaned forward and examined the jewel intently. She moved from one side to the other. The Duke stood a step behind, simply watching her.
“What is it?”
The Duke approached Adelaïde and asked. As Adelaïde came closer, looking as if she wanted to say something, the Duke bent his head down to her.
“It’s a fake.”
The Duke’s eyes instantly glinted with a sharp light. At that moment, a nobleman beside them bristled.
“What did you just say? A fake!”
All eyes in the vicinity turned toward Adelaïde and the Duke.
“How dare you make such a wild accusation about a royal treasure!”
A murmur filled the ballroom. Flustered, Adelaïde gripped the Duke’s arm tightly.
“Are you certain?”
The Duke looked directly into Adelaïde’s eyes and asked again.
“Yes. A birefringence test would reveal it immediately, but I don’t have the tools right now. I’ll have to think of another way.”
The Duke’s gaze fell to Adelaïde’s fingertips gripping his arm, then moved back to her face, which was lost in thought.
“Hmph, does a young lady from a failing house now dare to insult the royal family?”
An elderly nobleman, his face flushed, raised his voice. But Adelaïde answered calmly, without wavering.
“That is not my intention. I merely stated the fact that the jewel is a fake.”
“How dare you say such a thing in a place like this!”
“If you believe it to be a baseless accusation, then give me a chance to prove it. I will show you myself that my eyes were not mistaken.”
A short silence fell. Everyone held their breath, watching Adelaïde. The angry nobleman turned his head toward the King. The King was clearly displeased, but faced with the stares of the nobles, he reluctantly nodded.
“Very well. Go ahead and prove it.”
Given the opportunity, Adelaïde’s eyes lit up. But she soon grew concerned about the Duke. At that moment, she heard the Duke’s low, firm voice from beside her.
The Duke crossed his arms leisurely, his expression unconcerned. Adelaïde didn’t dislike the feeling that the Duke trusted her.
“Do as you wish.”
As if she had made up her mind, she approached the ‘Tear of Moonlight.’ The jewel before her shimmered softly, as if it held life within it.
‘It certainly is beautiful.’
Like a moon holding its own light in the darkness, the diamond was a harmonious blend of silvery-white light. Each well-cut facet reflected the light, creating tiny rainbows, and its brilliant luster took the breath away from all who saw it.
‘But no matter how perfectly beautiful it is, a fake is still a fake.’
Everyone’s eyes were on Adelaïde. As the murmuring of the nobles reached her ears, she clenched and unclenched her fists. The Duke gave a slight nod.
Adelaïde raised the ‘Tear of Moonlight’ high. Gasps could be heard from here and there, but she no longer hesitated. She threw the jewel in her hand onto the hard marble floor with all her might.
Shatter!
Dazzling fragments scattered in every direction. A silence fell over the room as if cold water had been thrown over it.
“Gasp! What in the world…!”
Adelaïde Saint-Clair.
In a strange silence mixed with shock and disbelief, all eyes were fixed on one person.
The Duke’s gaze wavered. She felt more unfamiliar to him now than on the day they first met. But that unfamiliarity, paradoxically, made his heart pound harder.
‘Adelaïde, just how far do you intend to surprise me?’
The murmuring of the nobles grew louder, and the commotion intensified.
“A fake, you say? Impossible!”
“This is an outrageous insult.”
Just then, a man walked forward. It was the royal advisor, Kain Rosenfield. He approached Adelaïde with a gentle smile.
“Young lady Saint-Clair.”
The nobles began to murmur.
“Saint-Clair… isn’t that the family that used to hold the royal jewelry commission?”
“But it’s been a long time since they’ve made any royal jewels.”
“Still, their eye for gemstones must be as sharp as ever.”
Rosenfield raised a hand to quiet the murmuring.
“May I ask for an explanation, my lady?”
Adelaïde did not hesitate. On the contrary, a confident smile graced her lips.
