TCBCVF 119

~Chapter 119~

As expected from a luxury brand that took the most noticeable spot on the first floor of the department store, there was already a long line of people waiting in front.

“Welcome, Lady Claudius.”

“We’ve been expecting you.”

It seemed she had made a reservation in advance, because the staff greeted her with great respect.

We were soon guided straight into a private VIP room.

And what greeted us there was—

“Ta-da, it’s a couple bracelet!”

Lady Eva smiled brightly at me.

Dangling beneath the rose gold chain, a heart-shaped pendant was split into two halves.

The pendants were pink and blue, clearly made to match my and Lady Eva’s eye colors.

“Look, if you put the two pieces together like this…”

When the broken halves were joined, the pendant turned into a full heart.

Showing it proudly, Lady Eva declared:

“I ordered it myself while thinking of Laritte.”

…Lady Eva, for me?

I stared blankly at the bracelet.

Lady Eva lifted her chin proudly, waiting for praise.

“This is the only one in the world, you know?”

Sharing a gift to celebrate friendship…

I carefully reached for the bracelet.

Clink.

The golden chain and pendant clashed together, making a soft ringing sound.

I was filled with deep emotion.

Even though I had promised myself never to live in Seraphina’s shadow again…

Memories of those days as her maid came back clearly to me.

Days I never wanted to experience or return to.

‘Yes… this is what friendship really is.’

A relationship where both care and respect each other sincerely.

Not one person forcing themselves to match the other, but standing on equal ground.

Through Lady Eva, I finally understood what true friendship meant.

I lifted my head slightly.

Lady Eva was staring at me nervously.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“Of course, I’m really happy.”

I smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Eva.”

At that, Lady Eva looked relieved and quickly grabbed my wrist.

“Give me your hand. I’ll put the bracelet on you.”

The bracelet jingled on my wrist.

Its shining beauty almost brought me to tears.

As I carefully touched it, afraid of leaving a scratch, a thought suddenly struck me.

“Um, tomorrow is the holy day, right?”

“So what?”

“Shouldn’t we exchange the bracelets then?”

“Eh, what does it matter?”

Lady Eva looked fondly at the bracelet on my wrist.

Then she suddenly pushed her own wrist toward me.

“Put mine on too.”

I fastened the bracelet onto Lady Eva’s wrist.

She shook it playfully, looking back and forth between her wrist and mine.

Her lips never lost their smile.

And at that moment, I made up my mind.

“Eva.”

“Why are you calling me?”

She was still distracted admiring the bracelets when I answered.

“I’ll pay half the price for these bracelets.”

Lady Eva jerked her head up.

“What did you just say?”

I smiled warmly.

“I also want to give something to you.”

I had already thought about giving her a gift.

But since her tastes were so luxurious, I couldn’t decide on anything.

If I chose something and she didn’t like it, it would be troublesome.

Even though she wasn’t the type to complain, I still wanted to give her something she would truly love.

So I had planned to buy her something today while we were out together…

‘This is even better.’

But after hearing me, Lady Eva frowned.

“No need. Laritte, you already became my friend, didn’t you?”

“That’s the same for you too, Eva.”

When I answered like that, she shut her lips tight.

I coaxed her again.

“Since they’re friendship bracelets, it makes sense for us to gift them to each other. Right?”

“But I wanted to pay for all of it myself…”

“I heard that the real meaning comes when both friends pay and give it to each other.”

At that moment, Lady Eva’s shoulders twitched.

“It means… that the friendship will never change forever.”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if such a saying was even true.

But I had once heard that noble ladies would sometimes exchange matching gifts as a symbol of friendship.

In fact, friendship bracelets were already an old-fashioned trend.

But clearly, Lady Eva wanted to experience every trend between friends—how cute.

“Never changing forever…?” Lady Eva repeated, half convinced.

“Yes. So let’s do it this way—you buy one for me, and I’ll buy one for you. How about it?”

“Still… letting Laritte pay…”

“I want our friendship to last a long, long time. Please?”

I pressed firmly.

After thinking a while, Lady Eva turned her head away with a pout.

“Well… if Laritte insists that much…”

But the corners of her lips curved up slightly.

She was clearly happy.

Proof of that was in her light steps as we walked out of the shop.

“Where should we go next? Is there anything else you want?” she asked, glancing back at me.

I shook my head and asked instead,

“Could we stop by the men’s section? Maybe clothes or accessories?”

“Why? To give your brother a gift?”

“Yes. He gave me earrings before, and he helped me during the Count Gusto affair, and also…”

I counted the favors I had received from the Duke, then suddenly blushed.

“…Now, I think our relationship is close enough that I can give him something back.”

Until now, it felt like I had only been receiving from him.

I wanted to finally give him something in return.

“Tch.”

Lady Eva pouted.

“How unfair for someone who doesn’t even have a boyfriend.”

Ah—did I upset her?

I nervously glanced at her.

“B-but Eva, you said you support me and the Duke…”

“Who said I don’t? I do, I do!” she grumbled, grabbing my wrist.

“I just don’t like having to give Laritte to my brother!”

Uh…

I smiled awkwardly.

If we were talking about time spent together, I was with Lady Eva far more often than the Duke anyway.

After all, the Duke was so busy, it was hard for him to make time.

Lady Eva stopped pouting and looked up at me.

“So, do you have something in mind already?”

“Not really. I don’t know much about men’s things, so I’ll just look around.”

“Fine. Let’s go then.”

We headed to the men’s clothing store.

Jackets, shirts, cravats—

All kinds of things filled my eyes.

‘A cravat seems… too cheap.’

Even though this department store only sold luxury brands, and everything was high quality…

Since I owed him so much, I wanted to choose something more expensive and meaningful.

So I dismissed the idea of a cravat and touched a men’s coat displayed on a mannequin.

‘This would be nice, but…’

The problem was, if I bought a suit or coat, I’d need his exact measurements.

‘His measurements…’

In my mind, I suddenly pictured the Duke’s sculpted figure.

His sharp jawline, his elegant neck.

Beneath the stiff collar of his shirt, his broad shoulders and strong chest…

‘Ahhh!’

My face burned hot, and I quickly lowered my head.

Am I… am I really a pervert?!