Chapter 36
The splendid carriage stopped at the entrance of the alley. Passersby glanced at it out of the corners of their eyes as they went along the street. At that time, Logan, having dismissed his attendants, visited a jewelry shop alone with Anne.
‘First, you have to spend generously. If a man seems stingy with money, a woman’s affection drops immediately.’
Logan recalled Benjamin’s advice again. When he heard it, it had sounded quite persuasive. After all, material things were the most certain way to convey goodwill.
But that, too, depended on the person. Logan never found an opportunity. Inside the shop, which had a ‘Closed’ sign hanging for business, Logan sat slumped on a reception sofa while Anne happily enjoyed shopping on her own.
“Oh, this is pretty. I’ll take it.”
“Thank you, Young Miss.”
“What about that, what is that?”
“You have a good eye. This just came in recently…”
The jeweler brought out a new assortment of accessories onto the display. Anne picked out items that suited her taste one by one.
“This one. And this one too.”
Her hands moved without hesitation as she selected various jewels. There was no need to ask the price. She had been coming here for years, so she could roughly guess the price range just by the merchant’s attitude. Anne made her purchase decisions immediately.
In fact, the Avery family was the wealthiest house in the kingdom after the royal family. And Anne Agnes, the beloved youngest daughter of the Avery family. There was no way she had ever lacked money or been unable to indulge herself, so naturally, there was absolutely no room for Logan to intervene.
Logan stared at Anne’s back with a sulky look. Unless House Avery were driven into ruin, it was impossible to win her favor with money. Then what else was there, something only he could give. Something that couldn’t be obtained no matter how much money one had.
It wasn’t that such things didn’t exist. A royal treasure passed down through generations, or a tiara reserved only for the queen. Even Duke Avery couldn’t provide such things. Having finally thought of an angle, Logan casually cut in.
“You’ll be receiving plenty after the marriage. Do you really need that many jewels?”
The merchant’s gaze immediately turned toward Logan. The first virtue a tradesman needed was tact. He quickly sided with the prince.
“Most reasonable, Your Highness. Compared to what you will receive as the princess consort, these are no different from pebbles. Ahaha.”
Unlike the merchant, who laughed falsely, Anne looked at Logan with a blank expression. What Logan wanted to emphasize was the first part, but Anne fixated on the latter.
What, is he actually hinting that I shouldn’t be buying accessories, when he’s a prince? How petty.
Turning her eyes back to the jewels, Anne replied bluntly,
“I never asked Your Highness to buy any for me.”
Whoosh. A cold atmosphere, unfitting for a couple. The merchant shut his mouth tightly and watched the two cautiously. One was the duke’s daughter, a longtime patron and major customer. The other was the prince of the kingdom. If the two happened to quarrel here, it would be difficult for him to take either side.
However, unlike his worries, the outcome was decided quickly. Logan answered in a subdued voice.
“I see.”
The merchant blinked in a daze. According to rumors, the prince didn’t like his fiancée very much, but from the perspective of someone who had seen countless couples here, the prince was clearly deeply taken with the lady. Perhaps the rumors had only been idle talk.
Then again, the fact that he had come here with her instead of choosing from among the countless royal treasures was unusual in itself. Since it had come to this, perhaps he should help the prince out a little. There would surely be many occasions for gifts even after the marriage.
Trying to ease the frozen atmosphere, the merchant quickly added,
“Would Your Highness like to present Her Ladyship with one as a gift? To commemorate today.”
Logan’s eyes lifted sharply, and Anne frowned in displeasure. A chill ran down the merchant’s spine. Was that not the right move? Cold sweat began to run down his back.
At that moment, Logan suddenly rose from his seat.
“Shall I?”
He walked steadily toward the counter. Leaning sideways, Anne shot him a suspicious look.
What’s with this guy. Did he really eat something strange?
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.