Chapter 137

Elin, who had already brought the tea, put teacups down in front of Ayla and Baron Noir.

To quench his dry throat, Baron Noir hurriedly picked up the teacup.

“It t-tastes very good.”

“I’m glad that it is to your taste.”

As if calmed down by the warm tea, the Baron gave Ayla an awkward smile.

Then, his rough hands started to unpack the tributes that he had brought.

“This is a rare tea brought from the Libert Kingdom. There is a popular belief that every cup of tea brings you health, so there is no distinguished guest that doesn’t have this in their residences.”

“It smells very good.”

“It tastes as good as it smells.”

Drops of sweat began to flow down from Baron Noir’s face as he unpacked each tribute and explained it one by one.

From tea imported from the Libert Kingdom to gold bars from noble families, small jewels and accessories, to carpets made from skinned animals. There were all kinds of things, but the one thing that caught Ayla’s eyes were the fragrances.

“Although it is now a ruined country, this is a precious fragrance brought from Pella, which was once a holy land for wizards. The fertile territories of Pella were all devastated by the frequent wars. Thanks to that, there are not enough ingredients to make fragrances, and right now, only very small amounts are made.”

“I’m curious about the scent.”

Baron Noir gave a small nod at Ayla’s words and turned the cap of the small crystal bottle.

Through the open gap, it gave off a scent of fragrant roses and a thick musk scent, as if it were a dried musk deer’s scented pouch.

Ayla brought the crystal bottle the Baron handed her to the tip of her nose.

Then, Ayla nodded her head with a satisfied smile.

“It’s good.”

“And lastly… One of the most precious jewels of the Stellen Kingdom, the Queen’s Elegance.”

After hesitating for a while, the Baron placed a small box, that was believed to contain the jewel, in front of Ayla.

It felt like everyone’s eyes were focused on the jewel box.

Ayla opened the box with a nervous expression, putting on her gloves and a magnifying glass close to her eyes.

Inside the box, there was a small jewel that gave off a brilliant glow that alternated between blue and purple.

Ayla, who, as Theon had said, picked up the jewel and looked closely, frowned slightly.

‘Huh?’

There was a scratch on the bottom that she thought would not be there.

Ayla’s lips twitched and she focused again on the jewel she was holding.

‘No matter how you look at it, there is a scratch…’

After examining the jewel, Ayla quietly placed it on the box and smiled at Baron Noir.

“Is it to your liking?”

“Yes. I like it very much. As I have heard, it is a beautiful gem.”

“If it is used by such a beautiful princess, the jewel will shine even more even though it left the Stellen Kingdom.”

Ayla nodded, as if agreeing with Baron Noir’s words, and remained silent.

Then, she lowered her long eyelashes and bit her lower lip hard.

‘He brought the real thing…?’

As if to make fun of the two people who thought he would definitely bring a fake, the jewel was flaunting itself and emitting a brilliant color.

***

The plan was falling through.

Baron Noir’s numerous tributes alone made the plan a success, but this wasn’t something they started just to extort him.

Although it did not belong to Ayla, money was overflowing with just the secret fund Theon had created.

Maybe she was naive for expecting something related to her father to show up while working.

Thinking that this was the end, somehow all of this seemed boring.

Is it because of that? To be honest, the Baron, who was continuously talking to himself, was annoying.

“Will you be going back to Ruit now?”

“Probably.”

“It seems that Grand Duke Ermedi cares about the Princess very much.”

“I don’t think that’s part of Baron Noir’s business.”

“Ahem… I apologize.”

Ayla, who was having a poor conversation with the Baron, noticeably hardened her expression at Devin’s tactless words.

It seems like her head still hurts when she thinks of the stubborn Kyle.

Displeased, Ayla looked at Baron Noir, who was stirring up something unnecessarily without knowing what was going on.

Ayla let out a small sigh as she saw Devin staring at her while hesitating, and got up from her seat.

“Excuse me for a moment. Orhan, take care so that the Baron doesn’t get bored.”

Before hearing the Baron’s reply, Ayla secretly glanced at Theon and left.

As if aware of the seriousness, Theon, who was watching the situation, quietly followed Ayla.

“Is there any problem?”

“The jewel… Has a scratch. I don’t think it’s a counterfeit.”

Theon’s expression also darkened noticeably as Ayla whispered with a gloomy expression on her face.