PSTB 28

~Chapter 28~

I followed behind him slowly. Just like yesterday, he went to his office.

I almost wished he would give me something important to do. All I did every day was follow him around. Should I make a doll that looks like me, so he could carry it instead?

When he first started bringing me along, I was a little excited, honestly. Maybe he wanted to be with me? But before a day even passed, I realized—

I was just his stress reliever. Like a punching bag.

He always dropped a bomb of nagging on me.

How I walked, how I talked…

“Simon said I was fine!”
“I’ll prepare a new teacher and new lessons.”
“Sorry. I’ll fix it.”

Whenever I barely finished a lesson, I quickly sat down, worried it would start again.

I had to sit like a mouse, not making a sound while he worked. Just like now.

When Etienne got to the office, he focused on his paperwork. I paced for a bit, then sat in the armchair that had become my spot.

I drew pictures with my finger on the red velvet covering the chair.

I even gave my Etienne doodle horns and drew snot dripping from his nose. Still annoyed, I poked the eyes I drew with two fingers.

“Meanie…”

I could feel Etienne glaring at me. He wouldn’t even let me mutter to myself. If he didn’t want me around, he should just let me go. What am I, a thinking chair? Grumble grumble.

The kind maids brought snacks to me. I reached for them quickly.

Even if I was upset, I couldn’t say no to cookies.

I bit into a black sesame cookie, and it made a crunchy sound.

“Be quiet when you eat.”

Etienne nagged, not even looking up.

I couldn’t stand it anymore. I jumped up and marched over to him. He looked up at me, surprised.

I made a fist!

And glared at him.

That was the biggest rebellion I could do against my “sponsor.”

“We’ll leave soon, so just wait a bit longer.”

Etienne spoke calmly, like he was calming down a whining puppy, and turned back to his paperwork.

What, am I a dog?

After grumbling for a bit, I quietly sat down again.

…He better not take too long.

I grabbed another cookie. Etienne seemed to forget I was even there, going back to his work.

Once I was sure he wasn’t looking, I stuffed the cookie in my mouth and tried to chew quietly so it wouldn’t make a sound.

So humiliating. Hmph.

Etienne kept his nose in the paperwork for a long time after that.

He said we’d leave soon…

My eyelids felt heavy.

My belly was full, the chair was comfy—of course I got sleepy.

With the soft sound of his pen writing in the background, I started to nod off. I didn’t know how much time passed, but suddenly Etienne was at my side, tapping my hand.

I quickly wiped the drool from my lips.

“Let’s go.”

When I got up, I figured we’d go to the training grounds, since Etienne sometimes went there. But instead, we got into a carriage and arrived right in the middle of a busy shopping street.

Where was this?

“Go in.”

Etienne opened the door to a fancy-looking shop and nodded for me to go in. Still sulking, I followed him and looked around inside.

As soon as we stepped in, the staff bowed, waiting for us. I bowed back, even though my eyes kept wandering everywhere.

I couldn’t help it. As soon as I walked in, it felt like I’d been hit with some illusion magic.

There was a huge window inside the shop. The glass was carved with geometric patterns, scattering the light everywhere, making the jewelry on display shine even more beautifully.

We were in a jewelry store.

My mouth watered. Even though it wasn’t food, it somehow made me hungry.

“Control yourself. Your eyes are rolling everywhere.”

Etienne snapped at me. I quickly stopped and straightened my posture.

“Where are we?”

“You can see, can’t you?”

“I know, but you could just answer me, you know? You never go easy on me.”

I tried to act annoyed, but honestly, my heart was fluttering.

He must have brought me here to buy me something. Eek!

I took a step closer. As I changed the angle I looked from, the jewels glimmered in different ways. I pressed a hand over my chest.

“There are so many pretty things, my heart is pounding.”

“Your Highness, what would you like to see? Any jewel you want…? Or maybe the color of your dress?”

The shopkeeper’s voice trembled. I couldn’t tell if it was from being in front of someone powerful, or from excitement at the thought of a big sale.

“Bring out everything.”

“Everything…?”

The shopkeeper repeated dumbly, then snapped to attention.

“Yes, right away!”

Soon, all sorts of jewels were spread out in front of us. The shopkeeper clearly wanted to sell as much as possible, piling the jewelry up until there was no more space.

“Pick one.”

Unlike me, ready to rush forward, Etienne leaned back in his chair.

I didn’t hesitate and started picking.

“Well, the most important thing is the party, so a necklace and a pair of earrings, and…”

I looked at my empty hand. Not even a simple wedding ring.

I glanced at Etienne.

“And a ring too.”

Hearing me, the shopkeeper brought out a ring with a huge jewel. The clear, square-cut stone sparkled.

“How about this? It’s hard to find such a big one, even if you want to.”

He quickly slipped the ring onto my finger. It was so heavy, it spun around my finger.

“This is too big. It’s uncomfortable.”

“Oh, I see. That’s too bad. It suits you so well, though.”

He gently took the ring off my finger. I grabbed his hand.

“What did you say this was?”

“It’s a diamond, Your Highness. A whole 35 carats.”

Oh my gosh, how much is this worth! No wonder it spins—if it was on my finger, it would just helicopter away!

I looked back at the jewel. Now that I knew its value, it sparkled even more. I glanced at Etienne.

He was still indifferent. Was it really okay to pick something so expensive?

Noticing my look, Etienne’s eyes paused on me.

“It’s fine.”

His answer was short and blunt, but it clearly meant yes!

The shopkeeper was even more excited than I was and brought out a matching set of rings.

The heavy necklace and earrings had diamonds that shone just like the ring.

“They’re so pretty…”

“Aren’t they? Then how about this?”

I answered like I was under a spell. The shopkeeper pointed at another jewel. This one was sapphire blue, like Etienne’s eyes.

That one was pretty too… but the diamond was more expensive.

I groaned happily over my tough decision.

Not noticing my struggle, the shopkeeper ran to get even more jewels.

Meanwhile, my greedy eyes scanned over everything.

“Wow, what kind of accessory is this?”

A string of red rubies flowed over my hand. When I moved my fingers, the line of rubies sparkled elegantly.

Etienne leaned forward and took the accessory from my hand.

Was I being too greedy? Was he telling me to control myself?

I gave an awkward smile.

“It’s just… I’ve never seen one like this before, so it’s interesting.”

Instead of scolding me, Etienne reached out. I flinched without thinking. But I felt a gentle touch on my head.

I slowly opened my eyes. Etienne was frowning slightly, fixing the accessory into my hair.

I watched his focused face. It felt strange, like someone was tickling my side.

“It’s done.”

I quickly looked away in case our eyes met. I picked up a mirror.

“Wow… I look so pretty.”

I always bragged about myself, but this time I meant it. The red rubies looked perfect with my pink hair.

What should I do with this beauty? I’m already married, but I look so pretty other young men will regret not having me.

As I admired myself, Etienne kept fixing the accessory in my hair, not satisfied with its position.

“It’s awkward because it’s my first time doing this.”

His serious face, carefully adjusting the jewelry, was unexpectedly cute. It made my heart flutter.

“Why are you being so nice all of a sudden? And buying me all this?”

“I’m not a stingy person.”

He said it just like that. I was confused for a second, but then remembered something from before.

When we went to the market—

“A husband should buy his wife a ring, a necklace, and everything else! You’re so rich! Stop keeping everything for yourself! So, tell me—who’s stingy now?”

That’s what I’d said to him. I felt embarrassed and let out an awkward laugh.

Now I felt like a spoiled youngest daughter.

“You still remember that? I just said that to get some good food, you know. Not that I don’t want these things…”

He really isn’t stingy—no, actually, he’s pretty thoughtful.

Looking at all the jewels, I tried to find a fancier word than “stingy.”

He’s being a great sponsor—I should treat him well.

I was back to seriously thinking.

The expensive diamond was nice…

The ruby accessory Etienne put in my hair was nice too… Everything was so pretty—what should I pick?

Hey, any rich lady want to come take me home? If you go with me, you’ll be the belle of the ball.

The jewels kept tempting me.

Gosh, is this like choosing between noodles or fried rice? What should I pick to look smart?

After thinking a bit, I asked Etienne,

“How much am I allowed to pick?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like, is there a limit on how many or how much? If you set a standard, it’s easier for me.”

Etienne looked at me, like he didn’t understand.

“You’re not making me pick just one, right? Please.”

“Pick them all.”

“All…?”

“Anything you want.”