The Art of a Brilliant Political Marriage - Chapter 15

When Cielin arrived at the jewelry shop, Vefa looked at the gems on display with a bored expression. Litte stood quietly behind the two of them.

“What is this? It’s just the usual shop. I bought something here just the other day. What about this place is supposed to catch my brother’s eye?”

Cielin knew that the Zikkeldocra family favored this jewelry shop. When she investigated their finances, she also checked their spending habits. Cielin knew exactly how much the mother and the sister-in-law were buying because Litte had found the receipts for her. It was one of the top jewelry shops in the royal capital. Even without investigating, she knew most nobles used it.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the Zikkeldocra family—what kind of item are you looking for today?”

An elderly man, who seemed to be the owner, came from the back and bowed politely. He didn’t bow to Vefa, their regular customer, but to Cielin. As expected of a high-end shop, they were quick to gather information.

He likely knew that Cielin was the daughter of a wealthy, crooked moneylender and had married into the Zikkeldocra family. Even though he knew it was Cielin’s first time in the shop, he offered his highest-level sales pitch. So, Cielin pretended to brush back her hair and casually showed the owner her bracelet. Just seeing that, the sharp-eyed man caught his breath. However, he quickly fixed his expression. He was truly a professional. Sensing something, Vefa raised an eyebrow in annoyance.

“Do you use this shop too?”

“No, it’s my first time.”

The owner’s smile deepened at the exchange between Cielin and Vefa. Because her father used a jewelry shop he had seized as collateral for a debt, the items given to Cielin were always from that other place.

“My Lady, what would you like to purchase today?”

“I don’t know. I was brought here by this person.”

The owner had spoken to Cielin, but Vefa answered, mistakenly thinking he was talking to her. As Cielin wondered how to respond to Vefa’s blunt attitude, the door opened. A girl about the same age as Vefa entered. She was dressed magnificently and was accompanied by a handsome manservant who looked a bit older. Her outfit and elegance made it clear at a glance that she was a high-ranking noble lady. However, the smile she gave Vefa was filled with clear malice.

“Oh, if it isn’t Vefa Zikkeldocra. What are you doing in a place like this?”

“Shopping, obviously.”

“Oh? I suppose if you only make small purchases, it’s nice to be able to visit many times.”

She seemed to be implying that if one bought expensive items, there would be no need to visit a jewelry shop for a while. Or perhaps she was teasing Vefa for coming so often. Indeed, the things Vefa bought were relatively affordable. It was obvious the shop did not try to sell very expensive items to her, likely guessing the Earl’s true wealth. The girl clearly understood this just by looking at the gems Vefa was wearing.

The girl firmly shut down Vefa’s counter-argument, which had been meant to treat the question as stupid. In terms of being firm and composed, the other girl was superior. No matter how you looked at it, Vefa seemed like a small player.

However, since they were arguing in a shop like this, they were both the same. It wasn’t elegant at all.