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Chapter 27
Light streamed through the transparent glass windows decorated with tapestries, scattering across the floor like starlight.
The walls were lined with masterpieces, and the grand banquet hall, adorned with golden stonework, glittered as if flaunting the wealth of the Milake Empire.
The nobles, already gathered to enjoy the luxurious party, filled the hall. The lively atmosphere was heightened by dancers following the rhythm of a cheerful waltz.
Nobles danced gracefully with perfect posture, fluttering like butterflies.
On the side, others clinked glasses and shared warm conversations.
But the topic on everyone’s lips was the rumored gemstone said to emit two kinds of light.
“That gemstone supposedly shows two kinds of light? I heard it’s not magic at all—they just set cubic stones together to fake the effect!”
“Oh? Really? I heard they even brought a magician to trick our eyes, just to sell it!”
Amid all the speculation, no one had any reliable information.
“Whatever the case, it’s a lie. To go this far for attention…”
“Those who spread falsehoods pay dearly. They’ll never set foot in this circle again.”
“Apparently, no personal information was revealed beyond the claim that the gemstone shows two colors. Must be too embarrassing to face anyone!”
“They say the Ezeid Trading Company coveted this gem, yet the reality was so different—it must be mortifying.”
The head of the Ezeid family, listening to the gossiping nobles, felt satisfied. The rumor he had casually planted had snowballed out of control.
Seeing this, the nobles around him began to flatter him, each taking a turn.
“Two lights? Preposterous!”
“Who spreads such nonsense just to attract attention?!”
“A worthless upstart trying any means to be noticed, I suppose?”
Hahaha!
Everyone laughed heartily.
The Ezeid head raised his glass of wine and stretched out with authority.
“Well, even if such a gem existed, would anything else about it be satisfactory? Surely the sparkle would be weak or the stones too small—not even worthy to be called a gemstone.”
“Exactly! The Ezeid head speaks rightly.”
Everyone agreed with his words. He was the most influential figure in the gemstone business, and the profits he earned were staggering.
Seeing that he did nothing to stop the inflated rumor, it was clear there was some truth behind it, and he had backed out at the right moment.
“Asura has allied with the wrong person.”
For a while, things would quiet down.
Asura had shown interest in the gemstone business, so it was essential to keep an eye on him from the start. A single lapse could allow the clever Asura to exploit the gap.
“By the way, I heard another diamond mine has been discovered?”
“Ha! Surely the Ezeid head has monopolized it again.”
The Ezeid head, who had been enjoying the conversation, suddenly stiffened. His hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly with tension.
The nobles noticed the change and exchanged uneasy glances.
He took a deep breath and tried to act nonchalant. This new diamond mine was in an entirely unexpected location—an abandoned mine he had already dismissed as depleted.
He had bought it at an inflated price, pleased with the profit, only for larger diamonds to be discovered there later.
It had been enough to keep him from eating for a while. Though he tried to resell it, the buyer had no intention of selling back.
Why were there more diamonds there?!
Monopoly over diamonds was essentially gone.
“Someone else got them. I gave up some of it, but I have plenty of other gems, so it doesn’t matter.”
He said it calmly, but inside he was furious. The nobles quickly shifted topics.
“By the way, why haven’t any new items appeared recently?”
“My wife keeps asking when the Ezeid Trading Company’s gems will be available. She’s impatient!”
“My daughter and son are the same.”
The nobles were at a loss as the Ezeid head remained silent. This time, they couldn’t tell what mistake he had made.
He brushed his hand across his face. He had an abundance of gems but no artisans to craft them.
He had previously exploited the apprentices, making it appear as though he created designs himself. But now, those fools had lost the apprentices.
“I should have dismissed them and hired proper artisans from the start!”
Too late for regrets. He had failed, and the designs suffered under incompetent hands.
“Be patient. They’re being prepared slowly. They’ll be ready soon, so just wait a little longer, ha ha.”
Watching the Ezeid head’s trembling smile, Bey covered her lips discreetly.
Coco, unknowingly, was causing trouble for the Ezeid head. Bey knew this but chose not to explain the situation to Coco, who was still naive about the Ezeid family.
Though she might hesitate out of pity, Bey and Venus had no intention of instructing her in that regard. They would protect Coco themselves.
Coco was already a strong-willed child, but they did not want to burden her further. She tried to do everything herself, even when it was hard—a child deserving protection.
Her affection had grown so strong that she was impossible not to adore. She worked diligently in everything, yet remained especially tender toward Bey and Venus.
Even small praise made her shy and embarrassed, and at times, guilt colored her expression. She was mysterious, pitiable, and utterly lovable.
Thus, they must protect her. To let her grow properly. It was the responsibility of adults.
“Anyway, I’m excited.”
Bey smiled darkly, imagining the Ezeid head’s reaction upon seeing the Alexandrite worn by the Empress and Princess.
She even imagined him flailing in surprise at the gemstone’s color-changing effect at night. It made the wine taste sweeter tonight.
She was already excited to tell Coco everything that happened. Coco, giggling and covering her mouth with both hands, would be utterly adorable.
At that moment, a loud horn sounded, and a servant shouted.
“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress enter!”
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness the Princess enter!”
Everyone paused their dancing and conversations, splitting aside to make a path. The Emperor and Empress, followed by the Crown Prince and Princess, entered in order.
Bowing nobles passed between them as they reached the head table.
“Raise your heads.”
At the Emperor’s commanding voice, all eyes lifted.
“Since it’s a festival, do not trouble yourselves—enjoy it fully.”
The Emperor clapped once, and the musicians resumed. Yet all eyes remained fixed on the head table.
The Emperor leaned toward the Empress, whispering softly.
“Am I captivated by my wife and daughter’s beauty?”
“Or perhaps by these gemstones?”
“Truly exquisite.”
“I intend to bid on Your Majesty’s brooch at the auction. Please don’t be upset for not presenting it first.”
“Hm? I wouldn’t be upset. You thought of my wife first—commendable indeed.”
Adeline, seeing her parents’ sweetness, turned her head as if to hide a knowing smile. The luxurious hair vine reflected the light brilliantly.
Everyone fell silent, captivated by its beauty.
“Is it an emerald?”
“Doesn’t the sparkle seem even more radiant?”
“I’ve never seen a gem like this before…”
“Look at the design! Elegant yet grand, isn’t it?”
“Could it be a new item from the Ezeid Trading Company?”
“The design is unique—none of the other hair vines are similar.”
“When will it be available? I must know!”
“Looks like it matches the Empress’s necklace.”
“I can’t take my eyes off it…”
Nobles’ gazes were glued to the Empress’s necklace and Princess’s hair vine. Bey memorized every reaction carefully.
The Empress and Princess enjoyed the attention. They had worn the rumored two-light gemstone first.
Even as a promotional tool, it was generous and well-received.
They strolled leisurely, eventually descending from the head table. Nobles flocked around them. Bey followed closely.
“Your Majesties! What gemstone is this? Emerald?”
“The design is extraordinary! May I ask where you acquired it?”
Despite the flood of questions, the Empress and Princess calmly answered each one.
The gemstones and the attention they drew were exactly what they intended for publicity. Whoever noticed their taste might even receive new gems first in the future.
When the Empress spoke, all ears turned.
“I’ve heard rumors—a gemstone that emits two kinds of light.”
Adeline, growing bored, tried to move away, but the Empress stopped her. She signaled Ella, who nodded and held Adeline’s arm gently, whispering.
“Stay put until Her Majesty finishes speaking. You’ve been warned.”
“…Tch.”
Adeline clicked her tongue but complied. The Empress continued.
“It’s called Alexandrite.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Why the sudden question…?”
Though no one cared much for the fake gemstone’s name, they concealed their displeasure.
“Here it is—the Alexandrite that emits two kinds of light.”
The Empress touched her necklace, the Princess lightly adjusted her hair vine, and everyone gasped.
“Is that… the gemstone rumored to have two lights?!”
“Incredible! The rumor of a fake was false! How dazzling…!”
The chandelier light amplified Alexandrite’s brilliance.
“It was false! Ezeid must have spread that rumor out of envy!”
“Understandable. Even without two lights, such color is irresistible.”
“Please, provide information!”
“Which guild? How can we contact them?”
Amid the chaos, Bey found the Ezeid head—staring at the gemstone, trembling with frustration. His ridiculous state was quite a sight.
Had he felt even a fraction of the pain he had caused others?
Bey looked at the Empress, making eye contact, and she smiled knowingly.
“Miss Bey, please come forward.”
The Empress gestured, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Bey? You mean Bey, the Asura sub-guild leader?”
“Oh! A big player has arrived!”
Few had noticed Bey, as she had concealed herself while observing.
“You all know who it is without introduction. The guild is Demeter. Contact through Asura.”
A young lady raised her hand timidly.
“E-excuse me… you said it emits two kinds of light…”
The Princess stepped forward eagerly. The Empress respectfully gave her space.
“I’m curious how it changes color under the soft moonlight in the glass greenhouse.”
Everyone was intrigued, yet neither the Empress, Princess, nor Bey revealed the exact effect.
“…We’ll have to wait until night to see it.”
“Not difficult. We plan to enjoy the day and then chat in the glass greenhouse at night.”
“I can’t wait for night to come!”
Everyone praised the Empress’s and Princess’s jewelry without reservation.
