Chapter 3
Because the doctor advised her not to move as much as possible for a while, Shy had no choice but to summon the jeweler to her bedroom.
It hadn’t been long since she’d injured her head, and yet instead of resting, she was calling a jeweler into her bedroom. What caught her attention was that the maids didn’t seem the least bit surprised.
They looked as if they were used to this kind of thing.
I guess I haven’t been acting all that normal in this place.
Just as she was thinking that, the jeweler entered.
Behind him, a man with small eyes and plump cheeks, came several sturdy men carrying large boxes. They began stacking them around the jeweler.
How many did I order?
Shy could hardly believe her eyes as the boxes piled up. Even if each box contained just one item—since expensive goods were often wrapped in multiple layers—there were still far too many.
The jeweler clasped his hands together, eyes sparkling, his expression wearing a forced sorrow.
“Your Grace, the Grand Duchess, I heard of your terrible misfortune. This humble Naniel cannot express how much my heart ached. The only thing I could do was to hurry and bring you the goods you desired so much.”
It was obvious flattery, meant only to sell. Shy asked bluntly, incredulous:
“…Did I order all of that?”
“Yes, yes. You liked so many things, big and small, that it took some time to gather them. Now I can finally show you.”
The merchant, introducing himself as Naniel, opened one of the lavishly decorated boxes. From inside, he took out a velvet jewelry case covered in red satin. Inside was a ruby the size of an adult’s fist.
“This blood-red ruby crossed three different countries to get here. I worked tirelessly to find the ruby you desired. And next, I have a pearl known as the Mermaid’s Tear, of the highest grade—so rare that collecting enough for a necklace was a real challenge. And then…”
“That’s enough.”
Shy cut him off with a light wave of her hand. If she didn’t stop him, he looked ready to show her every single item in the boxes. She touched her head lightly and asked:
“How much is all of this?”
With a cheerful smile, Naniel bowed slightly.
“Ah, you’re curious about the price. Well, previously you told me not to worry about the cost and to get only the best, so… it is quite a sum. But for Your Grace, it’s well within your means.”
“I asked for the amount.”
Seeing the lack of humor on her face, Naniel quickly answered:
“Fifteen thousand Kapdri.”
Fifteen thousand Kapdri. Just as I thought—an enormous amount.
That was money an ordinary laborer would have to work nonstop for two years to earn.
Of course, the House of Riverstar could easily afford such a sum. It was a ducal family recognized by the Empire, and though it was ranked as a duchy within the Empire, compared to surrounding nations, its lands and authority were equivalent to that of a small kingdom.
Naturally, their wealth was immense. Spending this much would hardly make a dent.
But what bothered Shy was something else entirely.
“How long has it been since I last saw you?”
Naniel looked puzzled by the unexpected question.
“About ten days, Your Grace.”
“Did I buy things from you then as well?”
“Yes, you did.”
“And since my marriage, how often have I bought from you?”
“The timing varied a little, but at least two or three times a month.”
Good lord. Shy gave a short sigh inwardly.
“And each time, was it this much?”
“Sometimes similar, sometimes even more. You have a great fondness for jewels, so if there was one so expensive that other nobles couldn’t buy it, you told me to inform you. No matter the price, you said you could afford it.”
By that point, Shy could only gape inwardly.
Are you insane, Shy Alanttra?!
She cursed at her past self in her mind.
It was one thing to buy an expensive item once or twice to maintain dignity. But to spend like this—this was sheer extravagance.
She was shocked.
Never before had she done anything that could invite gossip. As the daughter of an earl, she’d occasionally worn expensive ornaments to present herself well, but such excess had never crossed her mind.
Even high-ranking nobles didn’t sweep up jewels like this.
Why would I do something so unlike me? Did the sudden marriage make me lose my head for a while? No matter if I’m the Grand Duchess—how much money did I think I had?!
The Riverstar Duchy was known for its wealth, and while she didn’t know the exact authority she’d had, as Grand Duchess she must have had substantial spending power.
Back at the Alanttra County, Shy had been well educated but held virtually no actual authority. The fine things she wore were all given with her father’s approval.
Her teachers had praised her for her understanding, saying she’d make a fine mistress of a household one day.
And yet she had squandered a fortune without cause. She began to suspect she hadn’t been much of a Grand Duchess at all.
With her memories still missing, there was no way to know for sure. But one thing was certain—time couldn’t be turned back, but a bad deal could be undone.
Shy didn’t hesitate.
“I’m afraid I have some very bad news for you, Naniel.”
“Yes? What is it you wish to say…?”
Naniel sounded hesitant.
Jewels could be bought in two ways—by visiting the shop, or having the jeweler come to your home. A jeweler who went to the trouble of visiting a single client at home did so because such clients spent far more than those who came to the shop.
And she had clearly been an excellent mark.
No doubt he’d expected her to eagerly buy everything she liked on the spot. But now that Shy’s tone had shifted, Naniel—quick to read the room—looked uneasy.
She spoke calmly.
“I have favored your jewels for a long time, but unfortunately, I’ve had a serious accident, and my outlook has changed. I still like jewels, but I’ve decided to focus on other matters as well.”
Naniel’s expression darkened, but Shy paid it no mind.
“So, while these are the goods I requested, I don’t think I can purchase them this time. Of course, since this is entirely my decision, I will give you an appropriate consolation sum, though it won’t match the value of the jewels.”
There was no need to mention that she had lost her memory in the accident.
There was nothing good about letting such a vulnerability become widely known.
Naniel forced a servile smile.
“If it’s dresses you want instead of jewels, I can introduce you to an excellent designer. I know a wonderful dress shop that works with our jewelry store. Perhaps once you see the dresses, you’ll think of our jewels again.”
It was clear the jeweler was trying to keep the business going. For a merchant, losing a high-spending client—practically a golden goose—was unthinkable.
But Shy refused without hesitation.
“No, that won’t be necessary. For now, I want to restrain myself and reflect on my life.”
The jeweler’s mouth opened and closed like a fish, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but with such a clear refusal, there was nothing more he could do.
His drooping shoulders looked almost pitiful, but Shy felt no sympathy. It was obvious he’d already profited greatly from her past spending.
It seemed the matter was settled—
Until the door opened, and a man with a presence as sharp as frost stepped inside.
It was Benjamin Riverstar.
