Here Comes the Golden Spoon! - Chapter 2

Adele clasped her hands and stopped herself from laughing as she looked at Jerox in embarrassment.

To be at the top, it was only natural to have your own jeweler. It was the basics of the basics. There was no other place in the South that was greater than Yuden. Even so, he visited the town that was well-known for producing jewelry… and there could only be one reason why.

“Did you find any valuable gemstones anywhere?”

“Th-that…”

‘Ah, this will take a while.’

Adele pretended not to know and instead decided to wait for Jerox, even though it was not like her to do so. The corners of Adele’s mouth lifted, thinking of what occasion it was today.

“…Adele.”

“It’s okay, so speak comfortably. It is not like we are strangers to each other.”

Adele and Jerox first met nine years and five months ago, and it had been three years since that happened.

Adele gracefully supported her chin with her white, slender, bare fingers.

Thick, black hair and pink eyes. Adele tapped her cheeks as if they were paintings.

‘Now that you are cornered, it is time to get to the point.’

“You see… there is something I would like to say, but I don’t know how to tell you.”

“Oh, really?”

The plan had been laid out, however, pretending to be surprised was another thing. Jerox gulped his dry saliva as Adele’s pink eyes twinkled, which surpassed any jewels.

“I am unsure how to tell you, but I think I should be the one to let you know first.”

“Oh…”

‘Then, talk to someone else first.’

Adele gently closed her eyes in a mixture of frustration and understanding. She knew that Jerox was nervous, but they could not stay forever like this. Adele’s decision was final, whether Jerox approached her forcefully or cautiously.

‘Let’s calm down, the rest of the things I still need to do…’

The tasks Adele had been postponing came to her mind, from checking the inventory that entered the port, to checking the sales that were sent from each branch. She was considering staying up late tonight and was wishing for Jerox to hurry up.

“…Adele, are you listening?”

“Huh? Oh, of course.”

‘I think I missed an important topic because I was busy thinking about something else. But who am I anyway? Even if I just woke up from my sleep, I can conduct a meeting immediately in five languages. This is what it means to be the true heir. Anyhow, it’s obvious that Jerox will confess now, but it should not be obvious that I know.’

‘Let’s think.’

‘An old friend who once passionately confessed his love stopped by a jewelry store. His usual calm demeanor is now replaced with nervousness, unable to bring himself to face me. If that is a gift box that’s bulging in his coat, that should be the size of 2.5×2.5 inches, that is at least more or less 3 carats.’

At this point, it was easier to pretend you didn’t know anything.

‘If I can’t figure out this much, I don’t deserve to be the family’s successor.’

‘What I need to do right now is to pretend.’ Adele looked straight into Jerox’s eyes, setting the mood.

“Yes Jer, you’re right.”

‘I don’t know what he meant, but doesn’t it mean, one way or another, that him going to another jeweler means that he’ll propose?’

“Hmm… Well, if you do, there’s nothing I can do anymore. A lot has changed since three years ago.”

“Thank you, Adele. I can’t believe you’d be understanding.”

“Understand… What are you talking about? Of course, there’s something between us.”

“Thanks to you, I feel relieved. Thank you for cheering me on.”

“…Huh?”

‘You’re not thankful for me accepting the ring, but rather for cheering you on?’

Adele blinked, and her lips turned the same pinkish red shade as her eyes from biting. ‘This feels like I’m cheering for a friend who is going to propose…’

“I hope she’d like it. Ah, I still want you to take a look at it. After all, you have a keen eye, and you know her taste well.”

‘No… what is this situation…’

Jerox took out the box from his pocket and opened it. Adele’s prediction of a three-carat diamond shone brilliantly at her.

“…”

‘I have never thought there will come a day where I cannot smile even when there’s a diamond in front of me.’

Adele finished her tea in one gulp, but her thirst remained the same. Fortunately, Adele could still smile.

‘Wow, am I a bird now?’

Adele swallowed every word and lowered the hand that was holding her chin. She was now certain that Jerox didn’t come to her to confess his love, but all she could do right now was to keep her composure and maintain her charm.

Adele gathered her thoughts and raised her head.

“…it is nice. The cut and the grading is good.”

“Haa, that’s a relief. I hope Noella likes it as well.”

“W-wait a minute.”

Adele’s smile disappeared from her face and raised her hand. ‘Even if this situation turns unpleasant, there is something I need to clarify.’

“Um… to clarify, the ‘Noella’ you’re referring to is…”

“…”

“…is my sister, Noella Sergio?”

◇◆◇

“You’ve returned, my lady.”

As Adele entered the Count’s mansion, the servants bowed their heads in unison.

Adele took off her gloves with an expressionless face and paced back and forth on the marble floor. She passed by the servants as if she did not notice them and headed straight to her room on the second floor. It was the most splendid room in the mansion, where her mother- the late Countess, used to reside. The fact that Adele was using it meant that she was recognized as the Lady of the House.

“You returned home late, my lady.”

“…Jackie.”

Adele came to her senses when she saw Jacqueline with a worried expression, waiting for her. She was the only one Adele trusted and can open up to among all of the people within the Count’s residence. Jacqueline was also able to be casual towards Adele.

Jacqueline picked up Adele’s gloves.

“Were you able to talk together? What did Master Jerox say? Did he really go to Setona jewelry?”

“Ah… It seems so.”

“Knew it! I knew it!”

Jacqueline clasped her hands, wandering around Adele excitedly as if it was actually her that got proposed to. She later calmed down and made eye contact with Adele through the mirror. She combed Adele’s hair, who was sitting in front of the dressing room.

“You should have said so earlier!”

“…”

“Oh my, look at those eyes! There is no beauty like yours, not only in the South but throughout the Empire! It is with no question that Master Jerox fell for you! So this is what you were waiting for…”

“Jackie, I’ve got a bit of a headache.”

“Of course. After all, even if it is you, my lady, for sure it is shocking to receive a proposal at such a young age, despite what other ladies say.”

“…”

“I’m sorry, but could you leave me alone?”

Adele leaned back with a faint smile. Silence fell, and in an instant, Jacqueline gasped.

“M-my lady! What are you talking about?!”

“Ah, I forgot to tell you. Noella is the one Jer likes.”

Clank.

Jacqueline dropped the comb she was holding. She was in great shock to the point that she did not notice she dropped something.

“If people saw you, they would assume that you’re the one who got dumped.”

Adele smiled bitterly and removed the accessories herself, as Jacqueline was still frozen in shock. ‘Now that I see it… I put in a lot of effort today.’

‘But I feel somehow relieved after letting it out.’

‘In fact, I couldn’t even properly bring myself to bid Jerox goodbye and just left in a dazed state.  We never dated nor promised a future together. I could ask the two when they became so close, but they would think I’m nitpicking.’

“This can’t be! How could he! How can he be this ignorant, it has not even been a long time since he confessed!”

“…Right.”

Whether Jacqueline raised her voice out of frustration or not, Adele remained sullen.

‘See, I am not the only one who is shocked.’

Despite what had happened, Adele laughed bitterly for being comforted this way.

“I’ve heard you’re the only one for him! That he can’t live without you!”

“…that was three years ago.”

“He said he would wait for you! That he would be willing to wait for you, no matter how many years have passed!

“…so you eavesdropped back then?”

“…”

‘Let’s just stop thinking about it.’

‘There is no place in the mansion where Jacqueline doesn’t go. I don’t blame her for being there. The reason I took her by my side is her being quick-witted and bubbly.’

‘And above all else…’

“If your heart is sincere, confess again in three years. If you still feel the same way then, I’ll consider it again.”

It was none other than Adele herself who said that.

Adele, absorbed in succeeding the Count, could not afford to think of Jerox, much less accept his heart. In addition, she was merely a young lady of eighteen; an existence in which having a relationship was burdensome.

‘However, I did not see it coming… that he has felt like that towards my sister.’

For a lot of reasons, Adele smirked at the bittersweet outcome of what had happened.

‘This is ridiculous.’

Adele looked into the mirror, lost for words on how to express her feelings.

“Hm…”

Black hair that was rich and pink eyes. From Adele’s white waxy skin to her thick lips, she was truly gorgeous.