Chapter 43
“I’ll buy you one.”
At the sudden declaration, Rosie’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit. Her reaction was so cute that Ainar nearly burst into laughter.
When Ainar had spotted Klidden walking into the ship’s corridor carrying a completely soaked Rosie in his arms, he had briefly wondered—just for a split second—if Klidden harbored improper intentions toward her.
It wasn’t entirely unreasonable. His level of concern had seemed far too intense for a man who had only just met her.
But Rosie’s neck was still immaculate—untouched.
Soon enough, something he bought her would hang from that pale neck.
Not Klidden’s necklace, but his.
The thought inexplicably put him in a very good mood.
Unfortunately, that bliss didn’t last long.
“No, I’ll have to decline.”
Rosie’s firm refusal killed it instantly.
“I have no reason to receive anything more from you, Manager.”
If anything, she should be the one giving him something.
‘Ah. That’s right.’
The thought struck her, and Rosie’s eyes widened further.
If he insisted on not accepting the ticket price, then paying him back this way might not be so bad.
Rosie scanned the jewelry displayed in the boutique, looking for something a man could use, and her gaze landed on a brooch made of red ruby. Although too large to be an ordinary lapel pin, it would look quite good as an accent on a cravat.
“I don’t need anything. But what about that one, Manager?”
Ainar frowned when she abruptly pointed to a jewel no bigger than his pinky fingertip. Her intention was unclear.
‘Does she want me to buy her that? But she just said she wouldn’t accept gifts. And if I’m buying, wouldn’t something bigger be better than that tiny brooch?’
Just as his thoughts spiraled in that direction, Rosie spoke again.
“The color’s similar to your eyes. I think it would really suit you.”
“…What?”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to buy it for you. As payment for the ticket.”
Ainar would remember this moment for the rest of his life.
Not once had a woman offered to buy him jewelry like this. The only gifts he’d ever received were formal ones from his family—birthdays, academy graduation, and the like. But someone casually saying that?
It was a first.
Ainar stared at her, still looking somewhat stunned. But Rosie turned away from him and addressed the shop owner.
“Could you take it out for a closer look?”
“Yes, of course.”
The owner promptly retrieved the brooch and handed it to her. Rosie held it up against Ainar’s cravat, examining how it looked.
“Wow. It looks perfect!”
She had suspected it would suit him, but seeing it against his neck made the effect undeniable. The atmosphere around him seemed to transform.
Ainar cleared his throat awkwardly.
“I appreciate the thought. But allow me to—”
“No. This is in place of the ticket.”
Rosie cut him off before he could finish and immediately asked for the price. Without giving him a chance to protest, she paid for it herself.
Truthfully, she wasn’t wealthy enough to casually buy jewels for someone. But unless she did something like this, she knew she would never shake the feeling that she owed him.
Then something else caught her eye—a transparent sapphire brooch, the complete opposite of the ruby.
The observant shopkeeper quickly took it out and held it toward her.
“Would you like to try this one as well?”
“…No, that’s fine.”
Rosie smiled awkwardly.
In truth, the sapphire reminded her of Klidden’s eyes.
Just as the shopkeeper was about to put it back, Rosie stopped him.
“W–wait.”
She swallowed.
“…Just… give me that one too.”
She didn’t even ask the price. The shopkeeper nearly grinned off his own ears. Rosie wrapped the brooch carefully in cloth and tucked it into her handbag—the first impulsive purchase of her life.
Meanwhile, Ainar lightly brushed the ruby brooch now gleaming at his throat. The situation was the exact opposite of what he’d expected—he had ended up receiving jewelry from her.
“……”
Wearing something given by someone else felt strange… yet not unpleasant.
Rosie and Ainar continued their day together. They stopped by several more shops, bought small items, then had dinner at a well-known restaurant once their hunger returned. She had never expected their outing to turn into such an enjoyable day.
The next morning, Rosie woke early as usual and stepped outside. Yesterday, she’d missed breakfast in the cafeteria and had to order room service instead. She wondered if things would be different today.
Truthfully, she preferred eating around others—even a few strangers—rather than alone in her room.
She smiled as she approached the cafeteria staff at the entrance.
“Hello, good morning.”
“Yes, Lady Rosie. You’re up early again.”
He greeted her warmly, as always.
“Is the cafeteria open today?”
“Yes, of course. I’m very sorry about yesterday.”
He bowed slightly, looking genuinely remorseful.
“It’s fine. Things happen when you’re working.”
The staff member blinked in surprise. Nobles rarely acknowledged the hardships of employees.
Rosie rummaged in her handbag and handed something to him.
“Oh, right. Please take this.”
It was a small, round tin—its purpose unclear at first glance. The staff tilted his head.
“What is this, Lady Rosie?”
“Ointment. For the injury you got yesterday.”
He blinked again. Rosie scratched her cheek, embarrassed.
“It’s new—I didn’t use it.”
“Why would you…”
“It’s nothing. Please don’t worry about it.”
She hurried past him into the cafeteria before he could respond. At this hour, it was practically empty—only a few servants of nobles eating quietly at the far tables.
Rosie sat on the terrace, her favorite seat, and began to eat.
The peaceful morning felt perfect.
Until—
“—Why won’t you let me in?!”
A familiar voice rang out from the entrance. Rosie turned, startled. A distressed employee was blocking someone who was shouting indignantly.
And that someone was—
“…Mae?”
Rosie froze.
Mae—the maid who had once served Lily Kikern alongside her.
Rosie dropped her fork. It clattered loudly against the marble floor.
“I’ll bring you another fork, my lady,” a server whispered, clearing it away, but Rosie didn’t hear him.
She could only stare at Mae, who was fuming.
“Move! Are you going to keep treating me like this? I might be here as an attendant maid, but ignoring me is the same as ignoring my lady! Do you understand?”
Mae shouted, invoking her mistress without a hint of shame. If Mae hadn’t changed employers, that mistress could only be Lily Kikern.
Rosie’s blood ran cold.
‘No way… She didn’t come all the way here looking for me… did she?’
A hollow laugh escaped her.
