Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

Lord Cyrus’s friend, Lord Ruifeng, had designated a shop located in the middle of the Artisan District.

“A jewelry store… is it?”

That’s what the sign said. It was a modest three-story building, not very big, with an unusually sturdy steel door firmly shut. It didn’t exactly give off a welcoming vibe.

The Artisan District had a different atmosphere from the market we had passed through earlier. For one, there were fewer people around. Everyone seemed to be working inside the buildings. Basically, ordinary citizens didn’t wander here for shopping. That made sense since the signs read things like “Blacksmith,” “Ironworks,” “Button Shop,” “Glass Processing,” and “Custom Leather Shoes,” indicating these were shops only visited when needed, and people left as soon as their business was done.

Yet, this building stood out among them. With no windows, there was no way to see inside.

“This place is patronized by the royal family and the prices are extremely high. Refusing first-time customers suits it just fine.”

Lord Cyrus said this as he knocked on the door knocker.

Surprisingly, the door opened quickly. A tall young man greeted us with a gentle smile.

“Welcome, Count Granado.”

“Hey, Giovanni. It’s been a while. Have you heard from Ruifeng?”

“Yes. He’s waiting for the Count inside.”

Guided by the shopkeeper, we entered. Lord Cyrus shrugged.

“That guy… if he was coming too, he should have said so in the letter. I would have postponed my shopping.”

“No, the items were entrusted the day before, but he suddenly came this morning. He said he wanted to see the face of Count Granado’s fiancée.”

“He’s as whimsical as ever. Well, fine. Where’s Ruifeng? Out for a meal?”

Lord Cyrus looked around the shop.

It wasn’t very large. Display cases lined the walls, with a small counter at the back. To the side was a narrow staircase. Aside from the shopkeeper, no one else was visible.

When our eyes met, the shopkeeper gave a slight, amused smile.

“Lord Ruifeng is napping on the reception sofa on the second floor.”

“Napping? Calling someone and then leaving them to sleep?”

“He has been working since early morning, so it’s understandable. He asked me to wake him when Count Granado arrived.”

“Really, that guy’s whims are hopeless…”

Still, Lord Cyrus headed for the stairs. I tried to follow but was stopped at the first step.

“Marie, wait on the first floor. No strange customers come to this shop.”

“Oh… I see. Indeed, it would be rude to enter while he’s resting.”

“Besides, he has a habit of sleeping naked.”

N-no way! I hurriedly stepped down the stairs.

“While you wait, feel free to look around the shop. If you see something you like, tell Giovanni. Anything in the cases is yours to buy.”

“Absolutely not!”

I shook my head vigorously. After all, the price tags I glimpsed earlier listed amounts enough to support a whole family for a year with just one piece.

This shop apparently traded not in jewelry but in raw jewels themselves, showing huge stones I had never seen before. Their brilliance and prices were dizzying to look at directly. I stepped back toward the entrance, keeping my distance from the display cases. Instead, my eyes caught an antique-style wooden cabinet with small plates arranged on top.

Curious, I approached the cabinet. The plates held color-coded beads. Wait, could these be tiny gems?

When I looked at the shopkeeper, he immediately explained.

“These are fragments and small damaged pieces from the design cutting process. Originally high-quality jewels, but unusable for our products, so we sell them cheaply.”

I see… Indeed, they were so small I could barely pinch them, but their colors were vivid and transparent, very beautiful. Looking closely, I noticed holes drilled through the center.

The shopkeeper quietly came closer as I examined them intently.

“You can sew these beads onto clothing or thread them with tetsu silk to make simple accessories. Would you like some, ma’am?”