Marianne tilted her head with a puzzled look. Although Lady List kept asking, “What is it?” Louis only grinned and didn’t answer.

Louis set the box down in the living room. Lady List, who had been standing beside Marianne, prodded her side. She carefully opened the lid of the box.

“Ah…”

“My goodness, look at that!”

Marianne let out a soft exclamation, while Lady List burst out in a dramatic gasp. Inside the large box were a dress, shoes, and silk gloves.

The deep blue dress was simple, devoid of extravagant decorations. However, the small diamonds sewn into the fabric glittered splendidly.

It was like a night sky strewn with stars. Or, like a night sea where the starlight had descended.

Louis took out a smaller box from within his arms.

“I have this as well, Mrs. Schneider.”

“Open it quickly, Marianne.”

Lady List, visibly excited, prodded her side again.

“Mother!”

Louis shouted in horror. Lady List plugged her ears and complained, “You’re too loud, Louis. My ears aren’t that bad yet.”

Marianne was grateful that her status as Mrs. Schneider didn’t change her attitude. What Marianne needed now were people who accepted her as she was, like Lady List or Jan, for instance.

Ting.

As the box opened, earrings and a necklace emitting a strange glow were revealed. They were diamonds too, the eternal gemstones, a symbol of love.

“My word! Marianne, look at this. I’ve never seen such beautiful jewels in my life.”

Lady List was making a fuss with her face flushed red. Anyone could think she was the owner of the gift.

Louis opened his mouth with a grin.

“A little while ago, the clothes arrived. Mr. Christoph wanted to deliver them himself, but he had an appointment with the Count today. So, unfortunately, I came on the errand instead. Mrs. Schneider, your tailor confirmed the measurements, but we thought it would be better to deliver them as soon as possible in case alterations are needed. He was very sorry he couldn’t come himself.”
When had she prepared all this? Unnoticed even by herself.

In the end, Marianne lowered her gaze. The tips of her fingers holding the box trembled slightly.

Drip, drip. The sound of water trickling somewhere reached her ears. Her feet grew wet. Gradually rising water dampened her ankles and then her calves.

“I’ll thank Christoph myself… No, I’ll say it myself.”

“Yes, Lord Christoph would prefer that as well.”

Marianne silently nodded, looking at the brilliantly shining necklace. More than any gem she had received before, this shook her heart to its core.

It wasn’t because it was a diamond. She had received more expensive and exquisite gifts several times. Yet never had she felt Christoph’s sentiments as clearly as now.

Unknowingly, her fingers grazed the collarbone area. Over the rough fabric, she felt something convex. It was her wedding ring.

Perhaps.

Marianne thought that perhaps the day when Christoph would break through closed doors was not too far off. She could no longer contain herself and tightly closed her eyes.

Christoph threw his gaze out of the window. The passing scenery seemed indifferent. The sky was high, the clouds leisurely, and the wind refreshing.

It was weather befitting the land where sky met sea, Blauwburg, commemorating the day of its lord’s birth. Everything was perfect. That moment.

“Wait.”

He softly opened his mouth. Click, click, Louis who looked back through the coach window promptly pulled the reins. The slowly decelerating carriage eventually came to a full stop.

Louis rushed over and opened the door. Christoph, stepping down from the carriage, greeted him. Louis, meeting eyes with him, smiled with a pleasant face.

For some reason, Christoph’s brows slightly narrowed. He did not particularly like this efficient and pleasant-faced man.

“How’s your wife and child?”

“Uh… Ah, yes. They’re doing well, thanks to you.”

Caught off guard by the abrupt question, Louis obediently nodded. However, Christoph, who had posed the question, had already started walking, seemingly uninterested in the answer.

“Do you have a place to go?”

Louis had been promoted from a servant’s assistant to Christoph’s personal aide. Though the errands increased, it was a promotion nonetheless. After all, he was now directly serving the heir to the Schneider family.

Yet, for some reason, it seemed Christoph didn’t like him very much. Sometimes he felt the glare sharp as a knife, particularly when Christoph was conversing with Marianne.

Without answering, Christoph walked toward the shop in front of him. Louis, keen to follow, opened the door ahead of him.

“Please come in.”

A portly man with a greasy face greeted him, stroking his mustache. Only after Christoph entered the shop did Louis drop his tense shoulders.

He stood guard at the entrance, like a well-trained watchdog.

“What are you looking for?”