CHAPTER 039
In the bustling street, the jewelry shop stood out, a two-story building made of rugged yet grand white travertine stone. The emblem of a four-leaf clover, a mark permitted only to the Empire's representative jewelers, was intricately carved into the square frame of the main entrance.
The long glass windows surrounding the building were all covered with thick satin curtains, but the massive crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling of the second-floor balcony sparkled, tempting passersby. Although the interior couldn't be seen, the building seemed to warn that while one could dream by looking at the chandelier, they should not enter recklessly.
In front of the main entrance, six or seven sturdy and imposing security guards, who could easily rival the Imperial soldiers, were standing, checking the identities of those entering.
As the head of the security team allowed the Emperor and Arabelle inside after seeing their fake lower noble ID cards, he said, “As you know, you can only browse on the first floor.”
“Why…?”
“The second floor is reserved for nobles with first-grade IDs. If you try to go up to the second floor, you might face the embarrassment of being thrown out onto the street. Please be careful.”
The head of the security team, who had been working there for over seven years, answered while trying to avoid the over-six-foot-tall man's arrogant yet icy gaze. He could now tell at a glance who belonged on the second floor and who belonged on the first floor without even looking at their IDs.
Just by looking at the way the man escorted the petite lady, he could tell that the man was of no ordinary status. He was ready to guide them directly to the second floor, but the ID presented was that of a lower noble. Though the question was brief and not particularly threatening, it somehow made the back of his neck feel cold, causing the head of the security team to swallow dryly and sneak a glance.
After listening to the security team leader's explanation, Emperor Maxwell nodded calmly and entered with Arabelle. As he had said, the first floor was bustling with wealthy merchants, commoners, and lower nobles, and there were four or five men in the same uniforms as the guards at the entrance, standing at the stairs leading to the second floor.
Arabelle, now inside, stood on her tiptoes and quietly asked the Emperor, “Do we start the inspection now?”
The thought of conducting a secret investigation made Arabelle's heart race uncontrollably. But the idea of being able to do something for the Emperor and the Empire also excited her, causing her cheeks to flush. Arabelle had never once thought she was useful in her life. Instead, she grew up believing she was a nuisance, someone who was just an annoying burden, as her father, sister, and brother had told her. She was 'annoying and unlucky' just by existing.
But now, looking into the Emperor's beautiful red eyes, which held her kindly like a ruby, Arabelle thought, "When I'm with His Majesty, I feel like I can be someone needed and valuable, not just an annoyance."
The Emperor's red eyes glimmered as he looked into her clear eyes that couldn't hide her feelings. Bending deeply at the waist and neck, he whispered to Arabelle, “Of course, we need to proceed with the investigation. But if we start the inspection here right away, it might raise suspicion.”
The Emperor gently tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear with his long fingers, adding, “So, for now, we need to buy as many jewels as possible and inspect them elsewhere. That way, people won't doubt that we're a couple.”
Blushing up to her forehead from the lingering warmth on her earlobe, Arabelle nodded. “Your role is very important for the success of this investigation.”
“What should I do?” she asked, her determined eyes shining. The Emperor, smiling as if amused, replied, “You need to buy all the jewelry that catches your eye. The more we buy, the better we can understand how many fake jewels have infiltrated the store.”
Arabelle, led by the Emperor, stood in front of the booth displaying the most expensive jewelry. Her wide eyes began to tremble, overwhelmed by the dazzling and luxurious jewels, the likes of which she had never seen before.
“May I help you?”
An attendant appeared behind the glass display case and greeted the Emperor and Arabelle. Since Arabelle was frozen in place and unable to respond, the Emperor pointed from one end of the glass display case to the other with his long fingers and said briefly, “All of these.”
“We can only show you one item at a time, according to our policy,” the attendant said. The Emperor narrowed his eyes slightly and replied, “I’m not asking to see them, I’m saying I’ll buy them all.”
The attendant and Arabelle, both shocked, looked at the Emperor simultaneously. There were at least over twenty of the most expensive jewelry pieces on the first floor.
If any other man had said this, the attendant wouldn’t have given it a second thought. But now, she glanced once more at the man with the different atmosphere. It would be difficult for a lower noble to buy even one set of jewelry displayed here at once, but something about this man made it impossible to dismiss him.
As the attendant busily packed the jewelry into velvet boxes, the Emperor frowned slightly as if dissatisfied. “Seeing them up close, they’re predictably coarse. I’ll go check the second floor, so could you wait here?”
Claiming that the jewelry designs, known across the continent beyond the Empire, were coarse was outrageous. The attendant, exasperated, breathed out through her nose as Arabelle nodded to the Emperor.
“You can't go up to the second floor so easily...”
Ignoring the timid attendant, the Emperor strode away with his long legs. Watching the dazzling jewelry made Arabelle feel a bit dizzy, and she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand when she heard a pleasant, trembling voice from behind.
“Lady Arabelle, isn’t it?”
Turning her head, Arabelle's large eyes took in a young man with blonde hair. Despite the attention of everyone in the shop being drawn to the stunning young man on the boundary between a beautiful boy and a charming young man, his gaze was fixed solely on Arabelle.
“Yes, that's correct.”
When Arabelle nodded, the young man's expression brightened with joy, and his voice trembled as he asked, “Do you remember me?”
After thinking for a moment, Arabelle awkwardly shook her head and replied, “I’m sorry.”
“No, it's okay. It’s been a long time, so it’s only natural that you wouldn’t remember. Besides, our meeting was very brief.”
Hearing the sadness in the young man's voice, trying to sound cheerful, made Arabelle feel sorry and bow her head slightly.
"Two years ago, when I was on the brink of death after eating poisonous mushrooms on Mount Hampfort, you saved my life..."
As the man spoke, Arabelle's eyes widened even more, taking in the man before her. He slowly and clearly stated his name while taking a step closer to Arabelle.
"Timothy Coral. Do you remember?"
Covering her mouth with both hands in disbelief, Arabelle asked, "Timothy?"
Timothy's eyes curved into crescent moons as he replied, "You remember. I was worried you might have completely forgotten me. Thank you."
"No, not at all. I never expected to see you here... I'm sorry I didn't recognize you immediately."
Arabelle's round eyes also curved into a bright smile, and Timothy's cheeks turned red and lifted upwards as he returned her smile.
"My appearance was quite awful back then, so perhaps you wanted to erase me from your memory."
When Timothy made a joke, Arabelle burst into laughter, and he began to laugh along with her.
Just then, a cold voice pierced through the air above Timothy's head.
"I'm curious to know what's so amusing between you two."
Both pairs of a kind, clear green eyes, and brown eyes simultaneously turned to look at the sharp red eyes, which narrowed before quickly returning to their usual state.
"Your Majesty..."
As Timothy hurriedly tried to kneel in a knightly bow, the Emperor swiftly placed both hands on his shoulders, lifting him up.
"We are undercover, so act naturally."
Following the Emperor's instructions, Timothy cautiously nodded and straightened his back.
"It looks like it's time to pay. Otherwise, we'll have to put the items back in the display case," the attendant said, pointing to the large box containing the velvet cases.
The Emperor nodded. "Take the box upstairs and wait. I've instructed you to pack it with the jewelry selected from the second floor."
The attendant, standing with his mouth open in disbelief, snapped to attention as the Emperor raised an eyebrow. Bowing deeply, the attendant hurriedly carried the box to the stairs leading to the second floor.
Timothy stood beside Arabelle and softly introduced her to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, let me introduce Arabelle of the Delcranc family..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the Emperor's red lips opened.
"Lady Arabelle, we need to go upstairs as time is short."
The Emperor bent his arm forward, and Arabelle gracefully stepped forward and placed her hand on his arm. The gesture was so natural, like that of lovers, that Timothy's eyes wavered in surprise.
"Unfortunately, we must part ways here today. We'll arrange another meeting later."
Without giving Timothy or Arabelle a chance to say anything, the Emperor escorted Arabelle away. As Timothy, bewildered, tried to follow them, the Emperor's arm around Arabelle's shoulder pulled her into his embrace.
In an instant, Arabelle's figure was hidden behind the Emperor's large cloak.
At the same time, the Emperor turned his gaze to Timothy, a cold warning in his crimson eyes not to follow.
Timothy had heard plenty about the Emperor's fearsome blood-red eyes that could plunge the surroundings into a pit of terror. But never had those infamous eyes been directed at him. Until now.
Facing the Emperor's gaze for the first time, Timothy's face turned pale with goosebumps.
The joy of finally finding his lifesaver and the woman he admired was short-lived as his emerald eyes watched Arabelle disappear into the Emperor's arms with a sense of helpless longing.
Comments
Post a Comment