If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 38
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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She was taken aback.
It was uncomfortable enough to keep receiving things, and now being gifted something so expensive was beyond her. When did he even order this without telling her? She wanted to confront Cain about this if he were in front of her.
“Well, come on. Madam.”
“It would really suit you, Miss. Refusing might not be polite to the giver, you know? It might have been ordered to match the wedding dress.”
Somehow, it seemed like Liana wanted to see the large diamond around Agatha’s neck more than Agatha herself did. Everyone around her was eagerly observing the jewelry.
How could she refuse any further at this point? Agatha let out a faint sigh and nodded.
“Wow. It was beautiful to look at, but it’s even more beautiful around your neck.”
As Liana finished putting on the necklace and tidying Agatha’s hair with her hands, she stepped back and exclaimed. Madame de Borre and several apprentices behind her all poured out their admiration in unison, as was customary.
Such a beautiful necklace had never been seen before, and it undoubtedly shone even more because of the Madam’s endorsement. How well it must have been chosen by the Marquis to suit the Madam. The adulation from the dressing room staff continued incessantly.
Ding.
The persistent clamor that didn’t seem to subside momentarily stopped with the sound of the entrance bell.
“Today, Lady Kristin is visiting, so we’ve put up a notice that we’re not receiving guests.”
Madame de Borre calmly nodded. The person who entered after she opened the door was a woman dressed simply. It was undoubtedly a maid who had come on someone’s errand.
“Madame de Borre, the Grand Duchess has come to find the Circassian gown from last time.”
There was only one Grand Duchess in this country. It was Grand Duchess Norfolk, known as the queen of the social circles in Leden. Her attendant had come to the dressing room for her.
“Oh, I was planning to bring it tomorrow, I didn’t know she would send someone directly. Madam, if it’s alright with you, can you wait for a moment?”
Agatha nodded. She was the one who had an appointment first, but she couldn’t pretend not to know about the Grand Duchess’s errand for finding the dress.
With permission, Madame de Borre hurried inside the dressing room to find the dress. As the person who had been filling every moment with chatter disappeared, silence soon enveloped the room.
Agatha looked at her reflection in the mirror that Liana was showing. The necklace around her neck felt quite unfamiliar. A mix of apprehension about whether it was okay to accept such a thing and the excitement of trying on beautiful jewelry for the first time intertwined in her chest.
Agatha raised her hand and touched the necklace. It was indeed a strange thing to receive a gift meant only for her.
Lost in the enjoyment of this unfamiliar excitement, Agatha didn’t recognize the face of the man behind the Grand Duchess’s attendant, emitting a menacing gaze.
Madame de Borre soon reappeared. She handed the clothes to the Grand Duchess’s maid and exchanged a few words, wearing a somewhat embarrassed expression. The only ones eavesdropping on their conversation were the employees of the dressing room.
Agatha continued to contemplate whether it was acceptable to accept such expensive gifts without any conditions, while Liana was relentless in persuading her mistress.
It was customary for a bride-to-be to receive such gifts before the wedding. Refusing when the Marquis had put so much thought into it would be considered impolite, and so on. Liana’s skills in persuading her mistress, seeking occasional agreement from the maids standing behind her, were excellent.
The tradition of giving expensive gifts to a bride-to-be had long been entrenched. Gifts to the bride were seen as a measure of the groom’s wealth, and those who valued their honor would go to great lengths to increase the price of the gifts. From small diamond rings to precious treasures comparable to a noble family’s annual income.
Considering Cain Vernat’s reputation and capabilities, such a gift would by no means be considered excessive.
According to the apprentice tailor who was observing the situation, this necklace was not an ordinary item; it was crafted from the finest pink diamond, among the top tier of diamonds.
Pink diamonds, which had recently begun to trend in Leden, were scarce compared to demand, thus their value was high. Wealthy noblewomen had lined up to purchase pink diamonds without hesitation, but as they were not produced within the empire, one had to wait at least a few months.
Even then, unless one had a close connection with a jeweler, they would waste time and not obtain the diamond.
“Moreover, refusing a wedding gift is akin to declaring a breakup, Miss.”
Liana’s final blow ultimately drove the point home.
Madame de Borre was well connected with all the noblewomen in the capital. If she were to return the gift in front of her, the rumor would spread in no time. Embellished with the imaginations of envious and resentful individuals, causing a stir in the capital.
“Alright, then. I understand. I can’t tarnish the Marquis’ reputation.”
Agatha said with a shallow sigh, realizing that she couldn’t mar Cain’s dignity. She delicately touched the necklace hanging around her neck.
