Free Web NovelChapter 91: Chapter 91: The Arrogant Jeweler
Luther, at the wheel, kept his eyes on the road, a smile fixed on his face.
He acted as if he hadn’t heard what Louis said.
Yu Zhizhi, sitting in the front passenger seat, was drawing on the glass with her finger. She traced a five-pointed star on the fogged-up window.
The snowy forest outside, bathed in the light of dawn, looked hazy and indistinct, like a fairyland.
Straight ahead along this road was Paradise’s command center.
It was also where Luther usually worked.
Turning onto the main road, a winding path led to the steam train.
「An hour later.」
They arrived at Divine City, the city in the Moon Rising Empire closest to the sea.
The moment she stepped off the train, Yu Zhizhi was greeted by the refreshing, salty sea air. She wore a beige overcoat, a light-colored knit skirt that fell to just above her ankles, and a pair of warm brown boots. A joyous smile spread across her face as she stepped onto the snowy ground.
She tugged her warm, fuzzy scarf with both hands. Her rabbit ears drooped, and her cheeks, reddened by the sea breeze, looked as cute as a juicy peach.
Many of the Beastmen at the station couldn’t help but look astonished when they saw her.
’—What a beautiful female!’
’I wonder which noble family’s young lady she is?’
The two "bodyguards" following her had an extraordinary air about them, especially the black-haired young man in the dark green uniform, who stayed close by her side.
Louis was afraid she would fall.
He kept a constant eye on her footing.
After all, it had been snowing in Divine City for several days straight, and though the platform had just been de-iced, the ground was still very slippery.
"The Guard Team made an appointment with Merchant Geoffrey in advance. He should be waiting for us by now."
Yu Zhizhi nodded lightly. "Okay."
Clutching a small brown leather case, she felt a little nervous about finally meeting the merchant.
The Divine City’s Guard Team sent a car to pick them up.
Soon, they arrived at Geoffrey’s manor. It was a seaside villa, sprawling over a vast area very close to the ocean. After entering the estate, it was still a drive of more than twenty minutes.
The car finally stopped before a magnificent cluster of white buildings, looking just like a palace of the Divine Clan from a storybook.
Servants were lined up on both sides.
One of them, a Steward who appeared to be in his forties, opened the car door for Yu Zhizhi.
"Esteemed Miss, you’ve finally arrived. To welcome you, we’ve specially invited the best pastry chef in Divine City."
The Steward knew that his guest was a noble lady highly regarded by the Guard Team, so he dared not show any neglect.
After getting out of the car, Yu Zhizhi gave the middle-aged man a slight smile.
The Steward was momentarily stunned.
’So cute!’
’It’s been so long since such an adorable little female from the Rabbit Clan visited the estate!’
’I just hope Master is on his best behavior this time.’
’And that he isn’t too harsh.’
Luther spoke. "Lead the way."
The Steward led them into the grand hall.
In the brightly lit reception hall, elegant piano music played. A slender, tall man stood by the French windows, his back to them. He held a violin, slowly drawing the bow in time with the music.
The Steward bowed. "Master, they have arrived."
The young man, dressed in the red attire of a nobleman, stopped his movements.
He slowly turned to look at the Rabbit Clan female who had just entered.
The man’s eyes brightened. He set down his violin, stepped forward, and gave a slight bow. "Adorable Miss, it is a great honor to have you in my residence. Might I ask, are you betrothed?"
"Uh." Overwhelmed by the man’s sudden ardor, Yu Zhizhi couldn’t help but take half a step back. "I’m not..."
"I am Geoffrey, the wealthiest merchant in the Moon Rising Empire. My estate is currently in want of a mistress. I wonder if you might be interested, Miss?"
The middle-aged Steward, standing off to the side, couldn’t help but wipe the cold sweat from his brow with a handkerchief.
’The master is always so impulsive.’
’But this young lady’s status is clearly out of the ordinary. She was personally escorted by the Guard Team from Paradise!’
Sure enough, Luther from the Guard Team’s expression had turned grim.
"Lord Geoffrey, this young lady is the most honored guest of Paradise. Please refrain from making such casual advances."
"I was just joking~"
Geoffrey chuckled. His gaze shifted from the little Rabbit Clan female to a long table laden with all sorts of small desserts.
"Adorable Miss, these were all prepared for you. Please, help yourself."
"Thank you."
Yu Zhizhi clutched her small leather case. Just as she was hesitating over how to begin, Geoffrey, who was in the middle of eating a small cake, suddenly asked a question.
"So~ to what do I owe the pleasure of this sudden visit?"
Geoffrey ate his cake and listened to the music, seemingly lost in his own world.
Yu Zhizhi stated frankly, "I heard you bought a pair of Mermaid’s Eyes last week."
"Curious? You wish to see them?" Geoffrey looked pleasantly surprised. "I am always willing to appreciate them with a person of taste."
"I want to make a deal. Would you be willing to sell that pair of Mermaid’s Eyes to me?"
The jewel merchant paused, his cake halfway to his mouth. When he looked at Yu Zhizhi again, the smile in his eyes had vanished, replaced by undisguised mockery.
"This pair of Mermaid’s Eyes... perhaps you could buy them from someone else for a steep price, Miss. But in my possession, they are priceless."
"To be frank, collecting beautiful Mermaid’s Eyes is one of my greatest pleasures."
"If you have come to admire my treasures, you are most welcome."
"But if you’ve come with the presumptuous notion of a trade, the door is behind you. See yourself out."
The Steward whispered from the side, "Master... a little more tact, please..."
’Then again, Master has always been like this.’
’But this little Rabbit Clan female could very well be a noble S-Class!’
’Her family might be incredibly powerful. Even if a deal is impossible, it would be wise to stay on her good side.’
Yu Zhizhi bit her lip and asked softly,
"Is a trade really out of the question? These eyes are very important to me. Is there anything else you desire? I can—"
"Let me be clear. I am fabulously wealthy, with business that spans the entire planet. There is nothing I desire that I cannot obtain with the utmost ease." ƒreewebɳovel.com
Geoffrey took a sip of his black tea and snorted. "What a bore. Daring to covet my Mermaid’s Eyes. Show them out."
Luther wasn’t the least bit surprised by Geoffrey’s attitude.
His status in the Moon Rising Empire was unique; no faction could touch him.
After all, there were treaties in place. If anything happened to Geoffrey within the Moon Rising Empire, it would affect the war on the front lines.
He might show some restraint for a member of the Moon Rising Empire’s Royal Family, but that was about it.
Louis raised an eyebrow. ’What an arrogant peacock.’
’I wonder if that mouth of his will still be able to run on like this when I’m snapping his neck?’
Yu Zhizhi sighed softly. "I understand."
’His stance was firm. There was no room for negotiation.’
A trace of disappointment appeared on her face.
Yu Zhizhi slowly turned. Her rabbit ears drooped as she started toward the exit.
Luther immediately followed her.
Once they were outside,
Louis smiled. "Miss, just let me sneak in tonight and slaughter him."
Luther said, "He is an honored guest of the Moon Rising Empire. You can’t be reckless."
Yu Zhizhi thought, ’The side quest has probably failed.’
’I won’t be able to give the Mermaid’s Eye to Yusen as a gift.’
’Sigh...’
’This is so upsetting.’
Just then, the Steward came running out of the reception hall in a panic, so flustered that he nearly ran out of his shoes.
He shouted, "Wait! Wait!"
