Chapter 50
On the tip of Lina’s finger, there was the sealing mark of the royal family on the letter. Adele accepted it and took the letter out of the envelope.
「Dear Adellia Maktus,
I heard that you have gotten ill due to the foolish conduct of the princess. I can
only apologize to you as her brother.
Please do not feel burdened and accept this gift I have sent as a token of my sincerity.
It would bring me joy to see you at the dinner party in good health.
Signed,
Rayence Quincet 」
Adele switched her attention from the letter to Lina who held out a box wrapped in black velvet. When she removed the cover, a golden necklace with a 12-carat emerald unveiled itself in front of her.
“Oh my…”
Surprised, she touched the large jewel with her trembling fingers. At that moment, the emerald shone. The wound she received while making food for Noah not long ago healed instantly.
She gasped.
This was no ordinary thing. It was a necklace imbued with healing magic!
Adele sighed and bit her lip.
If I refuse this, it would mean that I have not received his apology. On the other hand, if I accept this, the value attached to this precious gem is quite burdensome, not to mention it’s healing properties.
The hand, which was about to push the box away, hesitated. Then she realized that her body was aching here and there.
She picked up the necklace.
Lina was attentive to her mistress’s actions and carefully took and clasped it behind her nape. The elegant jewelry hung around her pale neck with the gemstone laid between the valley of her breasts. Soon, a dazzling light shone and engulfed Adele’s body.
After a while, the kiss marks began to disappear, and the swollen areas had been healed. The maids who saw it was at a loss for words.
“M-milady, what just happened? Was that magic?”
Seeing that her body was all healed, she remembered the emperor and smiled.
“This is nothing to be surprised of. In any case, what date is today?”
Lina rubbed her eyes in disbelief and answered.
So, there’s just a week before the dinner party. Adele had a lot to prepare. She also had to host a tea party event the following month.
She stood, “I’m going out to the streets tomorrow. Prepare well according to my arrangements.”
“Yes? Ah! Yes, milady!”
In response to Lina’s answer, the other maids also came to their senses and started organizing the bedding and clothes.
***
“Milady, it’s been a while since I’ve been out on the streets. There are many shops I haven’t seen before, they must be new!”
Lina excitedly took a quick glimpse of the surroundings and spoke in an eager voice.
Adele smiled and silently gazed about, her eyes shifting from left to right was the only movement that came from her.
Due to her former husband’s funeral and her subsequent marriage, she only had the time to meander the streets after two months. During those two months, it was apparent that lot has changed.
There was a newly opened dessert shop where there was once an empty lot, and there’s this boutique putting up a fancy signboard. She came out to prepare for a dinner party, but this change of scenery somehow uplifted her mood.
“Ah, milady! I heard that the circus is coming in today!”
Circus?
“Is that so? We have a lot of time, let’s take a stroll for a bit.”
“Yes, milady!”
While listening to Lina’s enthusiastic reply, she saw another boutique across the street. She had to go to a dinner party, so she naturally had to buy a dress.
Adele was walking towards the store when she abruptly paused, some men sauntered past her grumblingly and walked into the alley right next to her. She heard their griping words.
“Shipbuilding work is all sh*t.”
“I feel bad for you. Who knew the ship you built for the Duke Maktus would be ruined just like that?”
Her eyes widened when she heard them say the familiar name. As they entered the alley, Adele unwittingly moved her steps. Lina called from behind, but Adele beckoned her to wait for a moment and followed after them. The men continued chattering without knowing that somebody was following them.
“I feel wronged. I checked every nook and cranny over and over again. I even had the bulbous bow perfectly attached but when the ship came back, it disappeared! It must have been deliberately removed by someone!”
As far as Adele knew, the bulbous bow was a structure attached to the ship that served to block the resistance from the waves. How could it be gone?
No matter how careless Enon was, there was no way he wouldn’t have checked something that concerned his safety. Besides, Enon was the only one who died on the ship. Maybe someone had a grudge? But he’s not the type of person to make enemies…
Another man spoke, “Man, how can a person cut a bulbous bow by himself? If it had been cut off, at least one arm would’ve fallen off together!” he paused, “You’re lucky though, the new duke didn’t ask for any compensation.”
Hearing the other person’s words of comfort to the shipbuilder, Adele thought of Noah.
Why didn’t he ask for compensation?
Usually, when such an accident occurred, the victim/s or their family would demand reparations and the builder would be punished. This was customary.