# 17
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I suppressed the anger rising inside me and carefully examined the jewelry one by one.
"This necklace has a unique design. I have never seen a piece like this before."
“As far as I know, this piece has been trending for about a year. It seems you didn't notice because you weren't interested.”
“…So what about this bracelet? The stones are cut in a teardrop shape and arranged to resemble a flower.”
“It looks more like light than a flower.”
...Calm down, you just have to calm down.
Ian, who reluctantly followed me into the drawing room, ignored every piece of jewelry I ected.
I tried to draw within myf three strokes of the Chinese character for “patience” and tried my best to please him.
“Just help me choose one, will you?”
The jeweler looked at us warily, pretending not to notice our exchange of opinions. He cleared his throat awkwardly, probably thinking this was a nice conversation between a happy couple.
All this effort to keep up appearances was not in vain.
Ignoring the jeweler's gaze, she squeezed Ian's hand firmly.
"… What is this?"
“Just stay still.”
I silenced Ian's annoyed tone forcefully and tightened my grip on his hand. Acting in love with him in front of someone made me feel sick, but I had no choice.
Contacting a jeweler was not just to choose a brooch.
If Lady Zed was my personal source of information, then this jeweler, who often met many nobles, was more like a megaphone.
In simpler terms, he was supposed to spread rumors about us.
'Make sure people know we get along before the party, Jeweler.'
At that moment, Ian and Eloise's reputation was in tatters.
Ian Cloud, the cold-blooded duke who even neglected his wife, and Eloise Cloud, who lived a ghost-like life after marrying him.
This couldn't go on.
At the very least, before Diana returned, I needed to turn Ian into, if not the most eligible man, then one that many would desire.
Only then will Diana's reputation endure when the two finally fall in love.
'I can't let Ian be an idiot who treats his wife horribly, divorces her, and then starts flirting with Diana.'
I didn't care for Ian, but Diana, who would be in a relationship with him, was my precious heroine.
For her sake, I can do this more often.
The key to regaining social image and reputation was gossip.
After all, isn't there research that shows that people are more likely to believe things they hear from a third party rather than a direct source?
Once the nobles became interested in the rumors spread by the Goldsmith, attending the Season's Ball together would confirm those suspicions. This was my plan.
“What about this brooch?”
I picked up a brooch that caught my eye and showed it to Ian. It was heart-shaped, split down the middle, with a purple gemstone in the middle.
“Do you like this?”
"Of these, yes. I think it would go well with my red dress, and it also matches your eye color."
“Then let's go with this.”
'Look at this behaviour.'
His response was blatant that he just wanted this whole ordeal to be over. She suppressed the urge to tell him out of it.
“Can you look at me for a moment?”
Ignoring his indifference, she lifted the brooch to his tie. He shivered slightly at my sudden approach but did not move further, allowing me to do as I pleased.
"Hmm, it suits you. It looks nice."
I alternated between looking at the brooch and his face before nodding my head, satisfied
'I hate to admit it, but his face does all the work.'
I waved the brooch to the jeweler, who was still watching us cloy.
“We'll take this.”
“As expected, Her Highness has an eye for these things! This brooch is one of the best pieces we have acquired recently. The heart shape symbolizes two lovers sharing half of their hearts...”
She smiled politely, letting the jeweler's long explanation go in one ear and out the other.
'Share hearts, my feet.'
If it had been up to me, I would have split Ian in half instead.
“There you are.”
She handed the brooch to Ian. He stared at me expressionlessly, clearly not understanding my intentions.
I blinked my eyes and said,
“You have to put it on me yourf.”
"I?"
"Who else would I ask to do that? A jeweler?"
I rudely handed the brooch to him, and noticing the jeweler standing nearby, I leaned over and whispered gently in Ian's ear, pretending to be friendly.
“…Do you remember our previous conversation? Add some compliments when you nail it.”
Ian, who was reaching for the brooch, stopped and turned his violet eyes to look at me silently.
His expression said, “Are you really going to make me do this here?”
“It won't be fun if you don't,” I replied with a look of my own.
Under my determined yet joyful gaze, Ian closed his eyes tightly. A rare expression of horror crossed his face.
He reluctantly opened his eyes and, very slowly, began to fasten the brooch to the middle of my collar. With a gentle click, the half-heart-shaped brooch was attached to my clothing.
“What does it look like?”
I flashed him a smile, though mine was less sincere and more urging him to respond. Ian, on the other hand, remained silent for several seconds, clearly struggling to find the words.
After what seemed like an eternity of awkward silence, he finally stammered, clearly hesitant
“You are... more beautiful than a brooch.”
...Is he joking?
“Ian?”
"Yes?"
“This is not a compliment, this is just stating the obvious.”
Of course, I'm prettier. Just look at this face.
Although I wasn't completely satisfied, the embarrassed expression on Ian's face made me realize that this was probably the best he could do.
'Well, he tried.'
Most importantly, judging by the jeweler's wide-eyed expression as he watched us from a few steps away, this ridiculous trick seemed to have worked somewhat.
When our eyes met, the jeweler coughed awkwardly and asked
“Oh, can I wrap the other one for you?”
“No need. Just put it carefully in the box.”
“Understood. Ah, how about this option? For an additional fee, we can infuse the perfume into the brooch using an artifact. It’s a very popular method these days.”
"Is this correct?"
“Yes, you know the saying – lovers who are truly in love wear the same perfume. With this pair of brooches, they will give off a special scent when worn together.”
The jeweler grinned, gauging my reaction. It was clear that the additional cost of this option would be very profitable for him.
I smiled sarcastically and nodded.
“Not a bad idea. Here you go.”
Since I was planning to make a fuss over these matching brooches in front of the nobles, adding a special touch like this seemed appropriate.
"Great! In that case, while we're working on it, here's the box and certificates of authenticity."
The jeweler handed over the box and documents with a respectful bow, smiling with joy.
“Can I also have the pin you're wearing for a moment?”
"certainly."
I handed him the pin I was wearing. He placed it next to the other half in a clear glass box and began the process of adding the scent.
After about five minutes, when he returned the pins, they gave off a faint floral scent.
I inhaled the scent, and a happy smile spread across my face.
“Look at this, Ian.”
Ian hesitated for a moment before leaning forward slightly to catch the scent. After raising an eyebrow, he paused before finally speaking.
"… not bad."
“I think so too.”
This should be enough to attract some attention.
I put the brooch back in its box and paid the jeweler for his services.
“Mmm, smells nice, doesn't it?”
I felt so good about myf, I didn't notice Ian who was quietly watching me from nearby.