***

  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.”


  “Yes.”


  Leticia smiled in response and took hold of his outstretched hand……

  The two climbed into the carriage with the rings for the Count and Countess of Aster. Since it was the first time for the two of them to ride alone in a carriage like this, Leticia touched the ring box with a slightly awkward expression.

  Enoch was quietly watching her, and slowly began to speak.

  “Is there anything going on these days?”


  Leticia’s hand, which had been touching the ring box, stopped for a moment. She then raised her head with an indifferent expression.

  As soon as her eyes met Enoch’s, Leticia was startled into silence.

  Enoch’s face was the same as always, but somehow he seemed to know everything. Then, as soon as she heard the words that followed, she realized he knew to some extent what she had been hiding.

  “I don’t want you to hide your hardships and try to endure them alone.”


  “….”


  “I wish you would give me the chance to be of help.”


  At first, it sounded like a rebuke. When she looked at him, she could see that he was worried.

  She could feel his affection, so Leticia swallowed her excuses and smiled helplessly.

  “I guess it’s become a habit. I’ll try to slowly become better at speaking about it from now on.”


  “So what is going on?”


  “It’s… um…”


  She hesitated for a moment, and then the carriage stopped. They heard the voice of the coachman saying that they had arrived at the Aster’s residence.

  Enoch sighed, and alighted from the carriage with Leticia.

  As soon as they arrived at the mansion, Count Aster and his wife were waiting for them at the door. They approached them with a bright smile.

  “Welcome, Duke Achilles.”


  “Thank you for your kind invitation, Count Aster.”


  While Enoch and Count Aster greeted each other, the Countess moved to greet Leticia.

  “How have you been, Leticia?”


  “Yes, I’ve been well. Has the Countess been healthy?”


  “I’ve been well, and haven’t been sick recently. Did you have any difficulties with your trip here?”


  Worried that she might be tired, she held Leticia’s hand tightly.

  The Countess’ hands, wrapped around her own, warmed her heart and made her smile.

  “Not at all, I was happy just thinking about visiting with the Count and Countess.”


  The Countess smiled at her sincere words. The Count approached the two and said.

  “It’s not comfortable here. Let’s go sit and talk inside.”


  At that everyone nodded and entered the mansion.

  As soon as they entered, they felt a warm and welcoming environment, as if they were embraced by a gentle spring atmosphere. Leticia was feeling more at ease as she walked through the mansion, which was filled with the personality and ambiance of the Aster couple.

  The four arrived at the drawing room and began to talk in earnest.

  Enoch was the first to speak first.

  “We’ve brought a gift to thank you for your kind help.”


  Count and Countess Aster opened their gifts, confused but grateful.

  “This is…”


  “They are rings crafted with a pink diamond.”


  As if he couldn’t believe it, Count Aster kept alternating looking at Enoch and the rings.

  When he invested in the mine that hadn’t produced any gemstones for 10 years, he did so without any expectation. Enoch must have known this, but he couldn’t hide his discomfort at the Count’s surprise.

  “Are these couple’s rings?”


  “Yes, Leticia advised me that a matching set that you can wear together would be best.”


  “Oh, really. Leticia said that?”


  The Countess, who was listening quietly, smiled brightly and asked Leticia.

  The Count and Countess seemed to be pleased with the rings, even though she had merely asked for them to be made as a pair. Leticia was touched by their happiness, but waved her hand in embarrassment.

  “Yes, but I didn’t do anything but suggest the rings.”


  “Don’t say that, I’m so grateful that you prepared these for us. Of course, I’m grateful to Duke Achilles too.”


  Countess Aster added the last part really quickly, in case Enoch was upset by what she was saying to Leticia.

  Recognizing that the Countess’ eyes were still on the ring, Enoch pushed the ring closer.

  “Try it on now.”


  “Haha, then I won’t say no.”


  As if waiting for those words, Count Aster quickly took the smaller of the rings and spoke to his wife.

  “Here you go, my lady.”


  “Oh my! It fits perfectly.”


  After putting the rings on each other, the two of them showed off the rings to Leticia and Enoch.

  Their faces were as bright as children who had received the gift they wanted most on their birthday.

  “I’m glad the rings fit perfectly.”


  “They look good on you.”


  Leticia and Enoch smiled as they watched the couple with satisfaction.

  After admiring her ring for a while, the Countess turned to Leticia and asked in a cautious tone.

  “But what’s wrong?”


  “What?”


  “You look a little under the weather.”


  Leticia smoothed her dress with her fingers in embarrassment.

  It was the third time she’d heard that she looked unwell.

  They were worried about the dark bags under her eyes. Enoch, who was sitting beside her, gently took her hand and his eyes were telling her something important.

  It’s okay.

  So you can say it comfortably.

  Somehow, his eyes gave her the boost she needed, and Leticia slowly unfroze while holding Enoch’s hand tightly.

  “The thing is…”


  It was only hard at first, but once she began to confess, the rest came out more easily.

  She told them about the rumor that had been circulating around her lately.

  The three, who listened in silence to Leticia talk, looked increasingly grim. Leticia bowed her head and quietly finished her story.

  “I don’t know who spread the rumor, but I think it was someone from my family.”


  “What?”


  Count Aster, who had been holding back, involuntarily raised his voice. Seeing Leticia’s startled expression, he then took a deep breath to calm himself down.

  “No, it’s such a… Ha…”


  However, the more he tried to calm down, the more the anger built up. Count Aster was struggling to endure, before he sighed and said.

  “Wait a little bit, it’ll all be settled soon.”


  Count Aster nodded firmly, as he wanted her to trust and rely on him.

  There’s only one way to deal with such a situation.

  Rumors are always covered by a new rumor.

  *************************************************************