Chapter 37
Still, Logan wouldn’t back down. He continued, almost proudly.
“Choose something you like. No matter how expensive it is.”
“Then I’ll show you something more special!”
Instead of the sulking Anne, the merchant answered loudly. Brimming with enthusiasm, he hurried into the storage room. He intended to take this opportunity to present all of his hidden items, the premium pieces he had never even dared to display because they were too expensive.
The shop grew quiet. Anne stared at Logan suspiciously.
“Seriously, why are you acting like this?”
“What do you mean.”
With an indifferent expression, Logan looked over the accessories Anne had chosen. He had no intention of criticizing her taste. Rather, he was thinking of remembering them for reference when he prepared a surprise gift later.
Not knowing his thoughts, Anne quickly gathered all the jewelry toward her side as if hiding it.
“You suddenly came to see me today, and brought me here. All of it. This isn’t like you, Your Highness.”
It was a precise observation, and Logan had no good answer. If he said he wanted to make a good impression now, she would probably think it was nonsense. More than that, he was dissatisfied that her form of address had gone back to ‘Your Highness’. Just last night, she had called his name several times.
This was the real problem. He should never have let her leave at dawn. Even if they had tangled their tongues and limbs, it meant nothing. They had only shared their bodies like beasts, and afterward there had been no chance for any real conversation.
The same had been true on the carriage ride to the shopping district. Anne had only stared out the window to fight off sleep, and Logan had only watched her profile. Even if their bodies had communicated to some extent, any conversation between their hearts was still a distant matter.
While Logan hesitated, the merchant returned. He lined up several small boxes on the counter.
“Thank you for waiting!”
Despite the uncomfortable air between the two, the merchant was full of energy. And the moment the lid of the first box opened, Anne’s previously indifferent eyes widened.
“Wow…!”
The admiration came out on its own. A diamond ring that shone brilliantly. Not only was the quality of the stone exceptional, the craftsmanship was as well. The merchant opened the remaining boxes. Each one contained high-end pieces capable of capturing attention at a glance.
The merchant quickly put on gloves and carefully took out one ring. Anne immediately accepted it and examined it from every angle. A blue diamond without impurities. Something rarely seen even at auctions. Anne’s eyes widened as she asked,
“Why didn’t you show these earlier?”
“Well, these items carry a certain meaning…”
The merchant gave an awkward smile. Not understanding, Anne tilted her head. No matter how valuable they were, it was strange that he hadn’t shown them to her at all. After all, there weren’t many people who could afford such pieces anyway.
Ahem. After clearing his throat, the merchant continued.
“You know how it is. Things like these are usually for when a man kneels…”
He glanced at the prince. That was enough to convey the meaning. Rings, especially such extravagant and expensive ones, were typically used for proposals.
Anne quietly looked down at the rings. For a moment, her engagement ring came to mind. She had been only five years old. The ring, made to fit her short, chubby fingers, had been resized several times as she grew. But after it stopped fitting for the last time, it had been left as it was.
After the engagement ceremony, Logan had never worn his engagement ring even once, and the same was true at official events. Because of that, Anne couldn’t wear hers either, so the only time she had put it on was alone in her room, holding it up to the light. After realizing she would never wear it again, she had simply left it in her jewelry box.
And Logan, who had completely forgotten the existence of the engagement ring, casually pointed at the colorful rings.
“Choose one.”
“No thanks.”
Anne replied curtly. Her mood, which had already not been good, dropped to the bottom. Hadn’t he understood what the merchant meant. Anger rose in her chest. Then again, since they were getting married anyway, she might end up receiving a proposal after all. Probably because the queen ordered it, out of a sense of duty.
The sharp tension filled the shop again. Logan carefully examined the rings. What was the most precious thing that could convey his feelings. He pointed at a pink diamond ring.
“How about this one.”
“Not my style.”
Anne answered indifferently. But without realizing it, her gaze fixed on the ring.
That one’s actually really nice. Maybe I should come back later alone and buy it myself.
As if he had seen through her thoughts, Logan immediately took out the ring and said to the merchant,
“We’ll take this one.”
“Thank you!”
“I said no, okay?!”
Anne raised her voice in surprise. Then, startled by her own reaction, she quickly shut her mouth.
Logan looked at her without saying anything, and Anne’s eyes darted away. Was that too much? I should apologize now.
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