Chapter 20

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Imprinted with the Male Lead Though I'm the Villainess Chapter 28

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“...Ahem, customer?”

You're looking that disappointed. It breaks my heart.

“Please don't be too disheartened.”

“When did I say I was disheartened...”

“Actually, I do have something else that's just as good.”

His appearance was suspicious, but he seemed like a man of considerable means.

The shopkeeper scurried off somewhere and soon returned, grunting as he hauled a safe with an intricate lock mechanism in both hands.

“No thanks. I'm not interested in anything else.”

But Richt rejected it without a moment's hesitation.

'I can't afford to get dragged into something stupid like yesterday. Better head back now.'

He had no idea what priceless treasure was inside, but the way it was so carefully hidden gave him a sudden bad feeling.

“Th-this is a rare opportunity!”

The shopkeeper said in a panicked voice.

The gem he was about to show off had been acquired with great difficulty through all his connections, and he'd poured his heart into polishing it over the past two months. It was a premium piece.

How could he treasure it so dearly, only to get this lukewarm reaction!

“You won't regret it!”

“Ugh, hey!”

As Richt showed no sign of budging, the shopkeeper grew anxious too.

He knew his actions were rude, but in desperation, he grabbed Richt's lapel and hurriedly unlocked the safe.

Anyone would surely understand his discourtesy once they laid eyes on the gem's beauty.

“Behold—'Lunet,' imported straight from the Kingdom of Ibnia, known as the paradise of gems!”

“...!”

Richt stared at the object placed before him in disbelief.

Nestled on a red velvet cushion, it was cut in an oval shape and was about the size of his thumb—quite large.

“This is...”

“What do you think? Trade with the kingdom has only just opened up to the empire, so it's incredibly rare.”

Even from its transparent, flawless sparkle, you could tell it was top quality.

But that wasn't why he was shocked.

It had an overall pink hue, but depending on the angle, a subtle golden shimmer danced within.

'Luciana.'

The resemblance was striking enough that her name slipped into his mind unbidden.

'Haah.'

This is it. It looks just like that woman.

His instincts, which had been nagging him all night about the pink diamond, now shoved it aside and started chanting the name of this new gem instead.

—This is it! This is the real gift for Lucy!

“Haah.”

Here we go again.

Richt roughly rubbed his cheek in exasperation. But to the shopkeeper, it looked like he was simply awestruck by the gem's beauty, beyond mere words.

'As I thought! I could tell from how he picked my collection—he's got a good eye. He fell for the Lunet at first sight!'

Satisfied with Richt's reaction, he shrugged and chattered on.

“It's going to be all the rage soon. Especially among noble ladies—they'll adore this color. Word is, the trendsetters are even hitting the black market to get their hands on Lunet.”

Richt stared at the Lunet for a long moment with an inscrutable expression before asking, as if he'd been waiting for the right moment.

“A gem women like?”

Damn it. Why did my mouth move on its own?

He startled himself, as if he'd heard something ridiculous even from his own lips.

“Haha, of course! Unlike other gems, it's so delicate and lovely! That's the charm of Lunet!”

'Oh ho. Was he looking for a gift for a lover? Quite the romantic customer, despite appearances.'

Turning a mere beautiful stone into proof of noble love was always a good thing.

I wonder who the woman is that's captured this prickly nobleman's heart.

The shopkeeper let his imagination run wild until Richt's question about why he was grinning made him cough hastily.

“Ahem. As for the price, think around this amount.”

Emphasizing its rarity and his own exquisite craftsmanship, he handed Richt a paper with the price written on it.

“...”

It was cheaper than the jewelry set from yesterday, but for a single gem, it was still quite steep. Though to the wealth of House Cassio, it was nothing.

Richt raised one eyebrow as he gazed at the sparkling Lunet.

'If I go back empty-handed again today, I'll just repeat the same nonsense.'

His eyes, bloodshot from staying up all night, stung with fatigue.

'I can't take any more sleepless nights. That's the whole reason I'm buying this.'

Birthdays be damned. He was just annoyed at all the hassle because of Luciana.

He'd come back here precisely to shut up his rampaging instincts.

“I'll have someone come by later with the payment when they pick it up.”

“Of course! Whatever suits you!”

Damn. What the hell have I been doing since yesterday?

Worried someone might recognize him, Richt pulled his hood lower and quickly left the shop.

“Miss, happy birthday!”

“Mary!”

Luciana happily welcomed Mary, who arrived early in the morning with a gift box.

“My goodness, you didn't have to go this far.”

“I'm your personal maid—of course I did!”

Mary wiped under her nose with her index finger, beaming proudly.

“Thank you for celebrating with me.”

“Hehe. It's too early to be surprised. There's another gift for you!”

The party hadn't even started yet, and it was only 7 a.m.—already?

'Did Mother and Father prepare this?'

Soon, another box was brought to Luciana.

She tilted her head as she received a letter from Mary along with the gift tied with a yellow ribbon.

“Huh?”

This is... from Brother?

Luciana's eyes widened at the name signed at the bottom of the letter.

Did he send it timed perfectly for today to surprise her?

Her clear eyes, filled with joy, scanned each carefully written line.

「Lucy, happy twenty-first birthday.

I wanted to tell you in person, but sadly, this letter will have to do.

How have you been? I'm so busy I barely know what day it is.

Still, I don't hate it. Old memories keep coming back. Maybe because I've returned to the estate after so long?

Oh, the castle is just as you remember. Even the little rose garden you loved.

The flowers are all wilted now in winter, but whenever I take a solitary walk there, I vividly recall holding hands and strolling side by side.」

The tender letter, stirring long-buried nostalgia under the name of memories, continued at length.

After reading the final well-wishes for her health, Luciana hid her sniffles and carefully untied the ribbon on the gift.

“A music box?”

“Oh my! It's from the Paiella Workshop!”

Mary spotted the engraved initials in the corner and let out a small gasp, pointing at something.

“Look at this! Doesn't it kind of look like you, Miss?”

It was a little girl spinning happily with a bear doll in her arms.

The girl, dressed in a dress with white frills at the cuffs, was as lovable as the music box's melody.

“Goodness! The Sub-Marquis must have commissioned a custom music box just for you!”

“What? They have such a long waitlist—half a year at least. When did he start preparing this?”

Cotton-candy hair and eyes like a young sun.

The happily smiling girl inside the music box looked just like Luciana as a child.

“I can't do anything with Brother.”

“Hehe. Don't celebrate yet, Miss! The party will be amazing too!”

Now then, time to get ready to be the star of the ball?

“Um... Mary? Can't I just go with something simple?”

“Absolutely not! The star has to shine!”

Mary grinned wickedly with a comb in hand, ignoring Luciana's averted gaze.

'Ugh, I'm exhausted.'

The birthday banquet concluded successfully.

Thanks to inviting mainly ladies from families with close ties or those she'd maintained casual friendships with since debuting in society, there were no social headaches.

Luciana eyed the wooden box on the tea table amid the mountain of gifts.

'This method is inefficient no matter how I look at it.'