Inside the box was a glittering diamond ring.
“My beloved,” Claus said, looking up.
Jeanette felt like she was on the verge of fainting. Those amethyst-like eyes, full of sweetness and emotion, were gazing right at her.
“Jeanette, I love you. I want to be by your side, make a family with you, and be the one to protect you until the very end. So please allow me to give you this everlasting light. Won’t you marry me?”
It was a second proposal. Jeanette’s face flushed in an instant. The audience was abuzz with whispers.
“Huh? Is this also staged?”
“But doesn’t that girl look too pure?”
“Look, she’s so red in the face. I don’t think they’re acting!”
You’re right, this isn’t acting! Jeanette couldn’t say that out loud, of course, instead covering her face with her hands.
“What do you say, Jeanette?” Claus asked quietly. Though he knew the answer, there was a note of trepidation in his gaze all the same.
“Ummm...! O-Of course, yes, I accept...!”
“Thank you,” Claus said, immediately pulling her into a hug.
The audience once more erupted into cheers, and some people whistled through their fingers.
“Good for you, buddy!”
“Congratulations!”
“I hope you’ll both be happy!”
People shouted encouragement, while Jeanette’s eyes darted around helplessly. In contrast, Claus smiled leisurely, waved, and called out, “Thank you!” After a moment, he added, “Be sure to get your diamonds from Matheson! We have a wide selection that is sure to appeal to all customers!” Of course, he hadn’t forgotten about advertising. His bright smile caused a few more shrieks to resound from the crowd.
Jeanette and Claus left the stage while everyone cheered. Matheson Trading’s associates were handing out leaflets advertising the diamond rings. Naturally, the leaflets depicted engagement and wedding ring sets that Matheson was selling.
“You really did it, Claus...” Kyuriakris stomped over toward them, crossing his arms with a stern look on his face. “I can’t believe you tried to discourage me by doing a public proposal!” he grumbled, a vein bulging on his temple.
Behind him, Jeanette’s father was smiling and clapping. “Good grief, Claus! What a brave show!”
Claus smiled at the baron, before laughing at Kyuriakris’s words. “Discourage you? No, you’re wrong. I wanted to discourage everyone present and tell them that Jeanette is my fiancée.”
“Huh?! What’s with that calm smile of yours?! It’s seriously grating on my nerves!” Kyuriakris snapped.
Meanwhile, a blushing Christine rushed over to Jeanette. “What just happened, Jeanette?! I had no idea something this wonderful was coming!”
“Um, actually, I didn’t either...”
“I thought so! You were bright red!” The woman giggled, poking Jeanette’s cheeks. “He’s such a schemer! I can’t believe he hid it from us. But it made for a great sight!”
“I-I-I’m so sorry! You and the duke were supposed to be the stars of the show, but in the end, Claus and I stole the attention...” Jeanette said, feeling remorseful.
Christine’s eyes widened with shock. “My, what are you talking about? You two were always the stars of the show. Right, dear?”
“Right,” Duke Pablo agreed. “This is your business, so you’re the stars. But we had plenty of fun watching something that stirred such nostalgia.”
“Lady Christine... Your Excellency...” Jeanette felt the corners of her eyes burn in response to their kind gazes.
“Besides, the play will still be performed a few more times, no?” Christine added assertively.
The duke’s eyes grew wide. “What? Is that true?!” he asked. He must’ve been convinced that it would only be put on once.
Unfortunately for him, Christine had already granted her permission, and multiple performances were scheduled. Of course, the couple would get royalties from it.
“Yes!” Jeanette answered. “We’ll put it on over and over, until the phrase ‘everlasting light for two’ takes root!”
“Ughhh... My reckless rampaging will spread all over the capital...!”
“What are you saying? The play shows off your gallantry. It makes me proud,” Christine said, planting a kiss on the duke’s cheek. His face instantly relaxed.
Their harmonious relationship was thriving as always. Jeanette watched them with a smile, until a panicked Sara dashed over to her.
“Milady, I have bad news! We have more customers than we expected at the kiosk we set up! If things continue this way, there’ll be chaos in the plaza!”
“What?! Excuse me, but I must leave now!” Jeanette said, bidding the duke and duchess farewell before following Sara to the kiosk.
Her and Claus’s strategy had begun with the realization that if they simply brought out diamond rings, the classes unfamiliar with them surely wouldn’t have been interested. Claus had then come up with the idea of putting on a play featuring a diamond wedding ring. Getting people emotionally involved in the Pablo couple’s story created a great starting point. Informing them about the diamond’s meaning and long tradition inspired attachment and longing.
The result was a great success.
They had set up a display area in the plaza to allow everyone to see the diamonds for themselves. But there was more interest than they ever anticipated, so now Jeanette, Claus, and even Kyuriakris and Sara ran over to deal with the situation. They hurriedly guided those who were genuinely interested in purchasing the products to the Matheson store.
Jeanette looked over the ridiculous number of contracts they’d knocked out today, before casting her gaze to the night sky. Everything went well! I hope diamonds will keep growing in popularity! And I hope they reach her one day too...
She wondered what would make a good gift for that girl. Imagining a diamond ring twinkling on the girl’s slender finger, Jeanette gazed at the sky and prayed.
Later that evening, Jeanette, having finished wrapping up many matters, was reclining on the sofa. Claus, who’d gotten home later, entered the room. While loosening the tie around his neck, he sat down next to her. “Good work today, Jeanette.”
“Lord Claus!” Jeanette hastily straightened up.
Claus smiled at her. “It’s fine, you can relax. You had a busy day.”
“B-But you came back even later than I did!” Jeanette responded, flushing and glancing away. In reality, she’d been flabbergasted by that public proposal, and this was the first time she was properly speaking to Claus since it had happened. And even though it was the second proposal, for some reason her face felt hot.
Claus noticed, and clasped her hand. “Sorry I kept that secret from you. I wanted to say it to you in front of everyone, but did you dislike it?” he inquired with a slightly dispirited countenance.
Jeanette quickly shook her head. “No, it’s nothing like that...!” Her face reddened again as she spoke.
Claus had first proposed to her when she had visited the Guivarch estate in order to break off their engagement. At that time, Jeanette hadn’t even dreamed that Claus liked her, so rather than happy, she’d only felt startled. However, ever since then, Claus had shown her how he felt about her over and over (though his methods were slightly pushy).
And now, she finally understood: Claus truly meant it when he said he loved her.
So I have to respond in kind too...! Jeanette thought, even though the idea of saying such things out loud embarrassed her.
She clenched her fists to motivate herself, and stammered. “Um, this is a bit embarrassing, but... I was really happy when you proposed to me, because I also... I also love you, Lord Claus!”
I said it! Jeanette felt relieved that she’d been able to get the words out. Then, a shadow fell over her. She looked up in confusion, only to see Claus’s face right in front of hers. He seemed to be at his wit’s end, desperately resisting something, which made him look terribly sexy.
Waaah! He’s so close! Your face is dangerous, Lord Claus!!!
Claus’s long fingers caught the bewildered Jeanette’s chin. “Jeanette...” he said, his violet eyes drawing closer.
Even Jeanette knew what he was about to do. He’d already done it once in the past, after all. She readied herself, tightly closing her eyes. His lips pressed against hers, passionate and intense. He kissed her hungrily, and when he finally pulled away, Jeanette was gasping for air.
Th-That was...kind of amazing...?! Jeanette thought, feeling dizzy.
Uncharacteristically, Claus was blushing as well. “Sorry. I was so happy I couldn’t help myself. Though...I was still holding back.”
“Y-You were?!” she squeaked. Then what’s going to happen to me when he really goes for it?! Jeanette was too afraid to ask, and only gulped.
Whether he knew her feelings or not, Claus was still flushed as he spoke. “Heh... I’ve been holding back this whole time, but it might be impossible now that I’ve gotten a taste of it once. I don’t think I’ll be able to stop myself every day... All right, let’s get married as soon as possible. I’m sure if we give them enough money, the wedding venue will be able to move the date up...!”
Lord Claus, is it just me or are you saying some disturbing things right now?! Jeanette watched worriedly as he mumbled under his breath like he was possessed. But then she suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands.
Claus looked at her curiously. “Hmm? What is it? Are you ready to have the ceremony now?”
“Why would you think that?! Um, no. I wanted to ask if you’d be opposed to me selling the diamond mine to a certain family?”
“A certain family? Which one?”
“Well...”
Jeanette whispered the answer into Claus’s ear.