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Chapter 8
Bay looked at the little girl standing before him, still wearing the same calm expression.
Even after hearing such a cruel story, Coco did not waver.
“I know. But I’m different. The land and the gemstones were already certain, and now I even have you, Mr. Bay—the representative who was the hardest to find. I already have everything I need. Of course, my financial situation isn’t ideal, but naturally, I’ve prepared other methods as well.”
Watching Coco answer clearly and without hesitation, Bay realized just how long she must have been planning this.
Even so, he added anxiously,
“If you want to succeed according to your plan, you’ll need to monopolize gemstones that are eye-catching enough to stand out, and the craftsmanship must be top-tier to match. The designs also need to be unique and unlike anything else. Otherwise, succeeding in the jewelry business will be difficult. There are already noble families that own numerous gemstone mines.”
Instead of answering, Coco simply stared directly at Bay.
Unable to understand the meaning behind her gaze, Bay tilted his head slightly before suddenly freezing.
“…Ah. A gemstone that hasn’t appeared in the world yet.”
Only then did Bay hurriedly examine the lilac necklace placed on the desk.
Exquisite craftsmanship. Sophisticated design.
After confirming that much, Bay covered his slightly open mouth with one hand.
That confident and composed attitude hadn’t come from nowhere.
If that was true, then just as Coco said, she already had everything she needed. As long as a new gemstone was truly discovered in that mine.
‘If that happens, this business is guaranteed to succeed. Gemstones are one of the luxuries nobles can’t live without.’
And a gemstone with two colors unlike anything seen before?
The nobles would reach for it no matter what it took.
Bay began to see Coco differently. Despite her young age, she had already conceived an incredibly bold business venture. He admitted that his earlier worries had come from his own prejudice.
‘The plan is still rough around the edges because it hasn’t been refined yet, but it’s daring—and she even has the ability to carry it out.’
Bay didn’t dislike people like this.
In fact, Venus especially would love someone like her.
They admired people who took on challenges. Of course, they didn’t mean fools who jumped into a pit of fire without knowing their own limits.
When Bay fell silent, Coco stepped forward and concluded the conversation herself.
“I’ll tell you the details after the gemstone is discovered.”
“I’ll look forward to that day.”
Watching Coco smoothly explain her plans, Bay found himself anticipating how this business would grow in the future.
He saw limitless potential in Coco.
Of course, there were things that needed improvement, but considering she had grown up in an environment where she knew nothing about business, her plan was remarkably impressive.
Naturally, Bay became far more motivated to help Coco than before.
“I’ll support your initial funding. In return, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”
“If it’s a request…”
“Before that, first, I’ll make it possible for you to purchase the abandoned mine in the Loro region immediately. I’ll also support the hiring of miners and craftsmen.”
Coco was tempted by Bay’s proposal. Then there would be no need for Oried and her to sell the precious prime locations they had worked so hard to find.
Still, she felt slightly uneasy, unable to understand what kind of request would make him willing to support her this much.
“That’s too…”
“Ah, I forgot to mention it. The lands you found—sell all of them to me. Wouldn’t that solve everything?”
“I don’t want to sell all of them. The places I personally took interest in are the ones I intend to buy myself.”
“Oh my, haha. Then how about selling only enough land to match the amount I support you with? And if you sell them to me, there won’t even be any commission fees.”
At those final words, Coco’s calm eyes sparkled like brilliant jewels.
For the first time, she finally looked like a girl her age, and Bay subtly curled the corners of his lips upward.
Without hesitating any longer, Coco immediately accepted.
* * *
Thanks to Bay, the abandoned mine was purchased quickly, and miners could be deployed immediately.
For the time being, digging the mine would take time.
During that period, I spent most of my days exactly as before.
Though there was one new addition to my schedule…
Visiting Venus at the temple.
Partly because I wanted to thank her for sending Bay to me, but also because I somehow felt like I should report everything that had happened.
So today, I visited the temple a little earlier than usual.
“You’re still coming and going from the temple.”
A gruff voice stopped me in my tracks.
It was Hedwin, one of the male leads I’d met before.
As I usually did with the priests, I greeted him politely.
“Have you been doing well?”
“And now you’re curious about that?”
No, I wasn’t curious. It was just basic courtesy…
But before I could even explain myself, Hedwin coldly brushed past me.
I was so dumbfounded that I just stammered without managing to say anything.
Why does he hate me now?
Shouldn’t someone like me, a background extra, be forgotten once the heroine saves him…?
Ah, wait. Does he dislike me because I snapped at him back then?
…
…Hmm. It’s fine!
I quickly got over it.
I can just dislike him more instead.
Ignoring him, I headed toward Venus. Anyway, there was no reason for us to run into each other after this. We hadn’t met at all until now.
And even if we did, I could just avoid him.
I’m good at avoiding people.
* * *
Watching Coco enter the annex while looking puzzled yet completely unconcerned, Hedwin frowned deeply.
He had thought about apologizing if they met again, but instead Coco greeted him with that ridiculous question about whether he had been doing well.
Did he look like someone who would be doing well after hearing those words?
It was absurd.
More than anything, Coco seemed completely unaware of why he was angry.
‘She doesn’t even realize that what she said to me back then was harsh.’
Hedwin let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.
Just then, Roserussell appeared before him.
The moment she spotted Hedwin, she hurried over and greeted him cheerfully.
“Hedwin, it’s nice to see you again. You remember me, right?”
Hedwin stared at Roserussell blankly, almost asking who she was before quickly shutting his mouth.
Then he remembered she was the person who had appeared after Coco abruptly left that day, and he belatedly greeted her.
“Ah, it’s nice to see you. Thank you for that time.”
“Oh, it was nothing. Are you feeling better now?”
Although Hedwin hadn’t explained the details to Roserussell—since he’d been too shocked by Coco’s words at the time—she had still comforted him and handed him a handkerchief.
The pink handkerchief sat neatly beside the yellow one in Hedwin’s desk drawer.
“Ah, the handkerchief. It’s in my room. I’ll return it to you.”
“Ah…”
Blushing slightly, Roserussell fidgeted with her fingers.
“So you kept it. It’s alright. You can keep using it, Hedwin!”
Then Roserussell smiled gently and introduced herself.
“I’m Roserussell of the Greentea Marquis family. Please call me Rose.”
“I couldn’t possibly use your nickname so casually.”
“It’s fine though…”
Avoiding the trailing end of her sentence, Hedwin spoke again.
“If you insist, then I’ll return the handkerchief another time. If you have nothing else to say, may I leave first? I’ll be late for prayer.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I ended up blocking your way for no reason.”
As Roserussell stepped aside, Hedwin gave a small nod and walked past her.
She watched his retreating figure before tilting her head in confusion and continuing on her way.
* * *
“Coco!”
Venus, who had been sitting against the headboard reading a book, warmly greeted me the moment I entered.
Awkwardly returning the greeting, I slowly approached her.
“Hello, Venus. How are you feeling today?”
“I’m fine, so don’t worry.”
She always acted fine in front of me like this, but I knew there had been no improvement since that day.
She should have already been discharged by now, yet her complexion hadn’t improved, and her body only seemed to grow weaker.
“Did you eat anything yet?”
Hiding the desserts I’d brought behind my back, I asked timidly.
I was coming to report what had happened, but arriving empty-handed felt strange, so I’d prepared something simple.
Watching me, Venus smiled softly.
“Not yet. I was craving something sweet, but there are no snacks here. And I can’t exactly ask the priests to buy me desserts.”
Thank goodness.
I sighed inwardly in relief and carefully held out the bag of desserts to her.
“I brought some desserts, though I’m not sure if they’ll suit your taste.”
“Oh my. I was just craving dessert. How did you know so perfectly?”
Venus exaggerated her reaction on purpose, probably so I wouldn’t feel embarrassed.
Then she beckoned me closer.
As I cautiously approached, Venus gently stroked my head as if praising me.
I wasn’t used to being treated so warmly, like a child, so I subtly avoided her hand.
Venus smiled knowingly and naturally withdrew it.
To stop the atmosphere from becoming even more awkward, I quickly arranged the desserts on a tray and placed it on her lap.
Then I carefully spoke while watching her reaction.
“I don’t really have much money yet, so it’s not anything expensive…”
But I guarantee it tastes good.
Of course, it probably wasn’t as good as the desserts sold at expensive bakeries…
I nervously glanced back and forth between Venus and the cake in front of her.
Still, I hoped she’d enjoy it.
The desserts here were really delicious.
It was a cake I occasionally bought for myself too.
I wanted Venus to try the most delicious thing I’d ever eaten.
That thought suddenly made me realize something.
‘Rather than coming here to report things… this is more like visiting someone who’s sick.’
Watching Venus smile happily over a simple slice of cake, I understood.
The reporting was just an excuse.
Venus took a bite of the cake with her fork and covered her mouth in surprise.
“It’s really delicious. Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
What I’d wanted was to feel this reaction and warmth beside her.
My chest felt ticklish with awkwardness, yet seeing her enjoy it made me strangely happy.
So even if I come for no particular reason, Venus still welcomes me.
For some reason, that realization comforted me.
After asking for permission, I gently placed a hand on her forehead.
She still had a slight fever.
“Your fever still hasn’t gone down?”
“Well, something major happened, didn’t it? It seems to be a personal issue, so you don’t need to worry too much.”
Then she softly stroked my cheek and whispered kindly,
“Thank you for worrying about me, Coco.”
I stared quietly at Venus.
…Is this what having family feels like?
Someone who makes your heart flutter every time, who smiles warmly even over the smallest things.
Would that child need this kind of warmth too?
Just as I feel lonely because I forgot you, do you feel the same?
I missed that child terribly.
Shaking my head quickly to regain my composure, I told her about what happened with Bay.
Though in truth, it felt less like a report and more like casual conversation.
“Thanks to the person you introduced me to, everything is going smoothly.”
Venus looked at me silently before nodding and congratulating me.
“That’s wonderful. Do you like him?”
“Yes. Thank you so much.”
Seeing how sincerely grateful I was, Venus pinched my cheek lightly with a slightly sulky expression.
“The one who should be grateful is me.”
And just like that, I unintentionally ended up chatting with Venus late into the night.
When I glanced out the window and realized it was already dark, I jolted in shock.
I was having so much fun that I completely lost track of time…!
Venus tugged lightly on my sleeve while suppressing a laugh.
“It’s dark now, so take a carriage home. As for the fare…”
It seemed like Venus was about to pay for the carriage, but I raised my hand first and refused.
I did feel grateful toward Venus, and I truly liked her, but it was my own fault for losing track of time while chatting, so I had to handle it myself.
“It’s alright. I prefer walking.”
Besides, if the baron saw me arriving in a carriage and asked where I got the money, I wouldn’t have an answer.
And I couldn’t risk him discovering my connection to Venus.
Seeing the pity in Venus’s eyes, I hurriedly said goodbye and quickly left the temple before the atmosphere could turn any stranger.
