She felt that the rumor had definitely spread when people passing by glanced at her. Leticia shrank at the sound of whispering that she could hear.
She stayed up all of that night, knowing that such a rumor had spread about her.
She worried about whether to give up or move forward.
Leticia wanted to wait until the rumor disappeared, because she couldn't stand people's eyes watching her.
It was not that difficult to wait for when the rumor subsided. She was familiar with holding back and hiding.
But...
I don't want to hide.'
Leticia didn't want to be ashamed of herself anymore. She didn't want to make her hard-earned work meaningless with just one rumor.
She knew best that no matter what she did, the rumor would follow her like a black mark.
So Leticia went to the square today with her baked cookies, but people were still reluctant to buy from her. Some people would even become angry at her, demanding why she was selling such ominous things, so it was even harder to endure today.
I thought it would be like this, but...'
Leticia sighed, and hugged her basket of cookies that she couldn't sell at all.
She was about to enter the Achilles' mansion like that, when she found someone standing at the front door waiting for her.
Leticia's pace accelerated as soon as she noticed that it was Elle.
"Why are you waiting outside? It must be cold."
"Come on, it's not that cold. Let's go inside."
Elle, who had been pacing with her arms crossed, stopped with a welcome expression as soon as she saw Leticia. She paused for a moment when she looked up at Leticia questioningly, then Elle asked carefully.
"What happened?"
"Huh?"
"You don't look good."
Worried eyes looked at her, Leticia let out a small sigh.
"Actually, the cookies aren't selling very well."
"Hmm? Why? I can't help right now, but I wish I could."
Elle frowned at Leticia, who was smiling in embarrassment.
She didn't seem to have heard anything about the rumor.
Even if she had heard the rumor, Leticia had no doubt that this family would defend her.
Yes.'
It's okay because there are people who trust her.
Leticia said to Elle with a smile on her face.
"Come to think of it, I'm a little hungry. Elle, did you have dinner yet?"
"Right, instead of doing that now, let's go to the drawing room together."
"Huh?"
"Hurry up!"
Elle was in a hurry and Leticia worried it might be something distressing. When she saw Elle's mouth lift up in a smile, she knew it wasn't anything bad.
Relieved, Leticia followed her to the drawing room, where Enoch was already there waiting for them.
As soon as she made eye contact with him, Elle pointed to something on the table.
"Look at this, Sister! It's the pink diamonds that just came out!"
Elle seemed unable to control her excitement as she talked.
"Wow..."
As soon as she saw it, Leticia was in awe.
They were about the size of a small blueberry, but it was definitely much clearer and more brilliant than the last pink diamond she saw.
"It looks like it would make a great accessory."
Elle said, while looking down at the pink diamond with a covetous look on her face. Enoch flicked Elle on the forehead for being so outrageous.
"There's already an owner."
"What? Who are you going to sell it to?"
"It's not like that."
Stopping for a moment, Enoch glanced at Leticia and answered casually.
"I'm sending it to the Count of Aster."
"What?"
Leticia had been looking at the pink diamond for a long time. She opened her eyes wide in shock and raised her head to look at him.
As soon as their eyes met, Enoch said with a slight smile.
"I want to thank him with a pink diamond for investing in the mine."
"Count Aster invested in the mine?"
"Yes"
Leticia approached Enoch as he nodded matter of factly, she then asked.
"Since when? No..."
"He invested on the day of the Hunting festival. He said to me; Please take care of Leticia'."
"Oh, my God..."
The more she heard, the more she couldn't hide her surprise. She could feel Count Aster's affection that she hadn't known about, and she felt very moved.
When Enoch noticed, he moved a strand of Leticia's behind her ear, and suggested.
"Would you like to go with me to Count Aster's mansion?"
"I'd love to go with you."
Enoch smiled as Leticia replied quickly before he could finish his sentence.
"I'd rather it look like a finished gift, then a rough gemstone."
Standing beside him, Leticia mentioned cautiously.
"Why don't we get matching rings for the Count and Countess?"
Count Aster and his wife were known for their gentle and compassionate personalities, but they were more respected for their close relationship. She thought it would be nice to give them a gift as a couple, so she suggested the matching rings.
"That's a good idea. Then the jeweler should be..."
"I'll ask the owner of Pegasus!"
Everything went better than Leticia expected.
Except for the fact that the rumors about her were spreading in the Capital.
What should I do?'
It was unfair to give up on her dream like this. However, she couldn't stand the glances and murmurs from people, so she swallowed the sigh that was threatening to escape.
Leticia struggled to bear it and smile while commenting on how pretty the rings were.
She didn't realize that Enoch was staring at her silently.
***
When Enoch asked for the pink diamonds to be made into rings, the owner of Pegasus was thrilled that he was entrusted with the most precious gemstone in the Empire.
A few days later, a set of pink diamond rings arrived.
As soon as she saw the rings, that were more elaborately crafted than she had expected, admiration flowed from Leticia.
"They're so pretty! I'm sure the Count and Countess will like them!"
Leticia said while holding Enoch's arm in excitement. The radiance was so bright that it looked like it would shine in the dark.
There was a reason the jewel was called Forever Youthful and Beautiful' and Makes WIshes Come True'.
"Thanks to Leticia's suggestion."
"No, I'm more grateful that you listened to my suggestion."
Enoch looked at Leticia, as she thanked him. He smiled and reached out to her.
"Let's go then."
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