LUW 36

Chapter 36

“It’s a bit too extravagant for everyday wear. If I get another opportunity, I’ll be sure to wear it out.”

In truth, Pierre had taken it all away as soon as they returned to the mansion, but the Margrave had no way of knowing that.

“Is that so? I thought that level of glamour suited you perfectly, Miss Niberius. A woman truly shines when she’s adorned. Since it’s come to this, I’ll gift you a few more outfits. And I’ll be generous with the jewels this time!”

He burst into hearty laughter. His blatant flaunting of wealth felt vulgar, but Cecelia forced a bright smile and played along.

“That’s so like you, Margrave. I’ve never received such expensive clothes in my life. And the jewelry you gave me back then—wasn’t it all amethyst? I’ve never seen such vivid purple stones before.”

As Cecelia spoke with admiration, Zilgurk snorted with pride.

“Ah, yes. I’m the only one in the empire who owns such amethyst. Only a few artisans can process such high-purity gems, and they all belong to my family.”

Cecelia widened her eyes and asked with curiosity,
“Does your family craft the gems themselves?”

“It’s just a hobby of mine. I like rare and beautiful things. The Archduke, on the other hand, doesn’t seem interested in such matters, does he?”

Though Zilgurk spoke casually, there was a subtle tone of disparagement toward Pierre. Cecelia lowered her head slightly and put on a downcast expression.

“Yes, His Grace doesn’t place much importance on such things. He even said luxury is wasteful. There are times when I find that a bit disappointing.”

Zilgurk let out a laugh, as if he had been waiting for this.

“That just means he doesn’t truly cherish you. A real man never spares money on his woman.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

Cecelia nodded dutifully, then cautiously glanced at him and asked,

“Margrave, do you perhaps have a gem workshop on the estate?”

“It’s not far from here. Are you interested in gemstones?”

“What woman isn’t interested in jewels?”

Cecelia smiled shyly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Of course, in truth, she much preferred hunting over jewelry. But that wasn’t who Cecelia needed to be right now.

She had to act like a more frivolous and luxurious woman.

“Is that so? Then let’s go take a look.”

He agreed far more readily than she expected. Cecelia let out a small gasp, her surprise genuine.

“Really? Is that okay?”

“Of course. I don’t usually show it to others, but consider this a token of my trust.”

Cecelia’s eyes gleamed.

“You really are so generous. Unlike some people I know.”

“Haha! Let’s get ready then. Dunkan!”

Zilgurk called for the servant who had been waiting outside.

Preparations to visit the workshop were quickly completed. While they waited, Cecelia had to patiently endure Zilgurk’s gemstone boasting and disparaging remarks about Pierre.

But thinking of the potential gains made it bearable.

The workshop was located a fair distance from the mansion. They rode on horseback toward the back of the estate and arrived after about twenty minutes.

The area was surrounded by forest, and a small building stood isolated like an island in the middle of nowhere.

Zilgurk took a keyring from his coat and opened the door.

‘As expected, he carries the key himself.’

The moment the door opened, a sharp metallic smell and faint dust drifted out from within.

“Come in.”

Cecelia stepped inside cautiously.

The interior was more modest than she had expected.

The space wasn’t large. Worktables filled the room, with unprocessed gemstone roughs stacked everywhere.

“Feel free to look around as you wish.”

Cecelia’s eyes lit up in admiration.

“…Wow, this is incredible.”

Feigning appropriate awe, she let her gaze drift to one side of the room. There, among the gemstones, were minerals like iron, lead, and copper.

Those materials could be used not just for jewelry but also as raw materials for weapons.

Cecelia glanced at Zilgurk.

He continued bragging without any hint of caution.

That confirmed it for her—this wasn’t the “real” place.

‘A decoy.’

A bit disappointed, she scanned the area, then noticed a partially processed stone on the worktable.

“This one…”

“You have a good eye, Miss Niberius. That’s a sapphire rough.”

From within the rough, dull stone gleamed a transparent blue hue.

Its vivid, deep color reminded Cecelia of Pierre.

That unknowable depth—it looked just like his eyes.

Cecelia found herself smiling.

To think that just seeing the color blue made her think of him. She must have spent quite a lot of time with him lately.

As she stared at the rough gem, Zilgurk approached, clearing his throat.

“Gemstones are fascinating, aren’t they? Who would think such beauty lies within a lump of useless rock?”

“True.”

“People are the same. Without the right eyes, even a gem looks like a mere stone on the street.”

Zilgurk was suddenly standing beside her, looking at her with a strange glint in his brown eyes.

His gaze made her uncomfortable.

“…You really do have a discerning eye, Margrave.”

Feeling uneasy, Cecelia instinctively took a step back—but Zilgurk suddenly grabbed her hand.

The moment his clammy palm touched hers, a chill ran down Cecelia’s spine.

“A man with good eyes can see hidden worth. Just like with you.”

“…Excuse me?”

Cecelia quickly looked around. The servant who had come with them was nowhere to be seen. Now, only the two of them were alone in this small room.

‘What is this…?’

Her worst suspicion had come true.

Zilgurk flared his nostrils and leaned in closer to Cecelia’s face.

She reflexively pulled her head back.

“I knew from the moment I saw you. You’re a raw gem waiting to be polished.”

“You’re quite the joker. I’m afraid I’m no gemstone—you can’t polish a person like that.”

Cecelia gave an awkward laugh and tried to pull her hand free, but Zilgurk only tightened his grip.

“No, a woman can be polished. If she meets the right man.”

“…….”

“A woman becomes truly beautiful when she knows the pleasure of love.”

Revulsion crept up from her toes to the top of her head.

The sheer disgust made her scalp prickle, and Cecelia gritted her teeth.

Her body moved instinctively—she was just about to knee Zilgurk in the side—

When the door to the workshop creaked open and the servant, Dunkan, cautiously stepped inside.

“Apologies, Margrave. A letter just arrived. It’s marked as urgent.”

Zilgurk clicked his tongue and glared at the servant.

“Can’t you see I’m busy? I’ll check it later. Get out!”

“Well… It’s just that the letter bears a special seal…”

The servant hesitated and glanced meaningfully at Cecelia.

It was a silent signal—now wasn’t the time to speak.

Zilgurk seemed to catch the message and, with a scowl, let go of her hand.

With a forced apology, the Margrave mounted his horse and rode off first. The servant told Cecelia to follow and then got on his horse as well.

Only once the two were completely gone did Cecelia finally let her expression crumble.

“Ugh. Disgusting.”

She vigorously rubbed her hand against her dress where his touch lingered.

Then she let out a long sigh.

“In the end, I didn’t get anything.”

She had come all this way and spent all this time, only to be subjected to gemstone bragging and a disgusting advance.

Of course, Pierre had warned her not to push herself, saying this was just a preliminary investigation—but Cecelia didn’t have time to waste.

She wanted to finish this mission as soon as possible.

Her father didn’t have forever. She couldn’t afford to be leisurely in a place like this.

Just as she was about to turn and leave with heavy steps, something caught her eye.

By the side of the workshop, the grass was pressed down, forming a narrow path.

‘…An animal trail?’

Cecelia glanced ahead.

The Margrave and the servant were already far ahead, out of sight.

She quietly dismounted and approached the path.

No—it wasn’t an animal trail.

The grass had been pressed down by carriage wheels.

‘This isn’t from animals. People have been passing through here.’

Paths that people use frequently don’t grow grass. Which meant—

It was a hidden passage that led elsewhere.

‘Found it. A clue.’

A subtle smile crept onto her lips.