Chapitre 62: Jewelry in Her Heart

Lily turned bright red as she pursed her lips to prevent a squeal from coming out and embarrassing her in front of Cailina.

She reached and retreated her hand; should she kiss Cailina's hand? Would that be much? Lily gulped, maybe she had already disrespected the Lady with her hesitation.

She returned her gaze on Cailina. Not enough words could describe her beauty, now that she got a clearer look at Odessa's friend, she could not deny that her own appearance as dirt compared to her.

"You have such pretty eyes," she blurted.

Lily immediately clasped her mouth with her hand as she stared wide-eyed. She was done for.

"Oh, I remember your eyes are--" Odessa pointed out.

Cailina gave a small smile, and Ouida stepped forward to introduce herself. She was colder and distant compared to the amiable air that Cailina has.

Lily froze under Odessa's older sister. They were twins, right? The difference between their temperament was mountains and lakes. She composed her, albeit her shaking hands as she leads them to the parlor.

She placed the tea on the table and waited for them to express their displeasure with the tea, but to her surprise, they sipped quietly. There was not a hint of enjoyment or annoyance.

"Ah right, you finished the work you were telling me about the other day," Odessa reminded.

Ouida glanced at her sister and crossed her arms. The other day was their aunt visiting from the Nymphe Kingdom, and Odessa stayed in her room for feeling unwell. She did not bother to check up on her that day as she was occupied entertaining them.

"I-- uh," Odessa avoided her gaze and looked at Lily.

"Ye-- yes."

Lily left to fetch the brooches she has been working on for the past days. She carefully took out the box where she placed her masterpieces. Her grin vanished as soon as she realized that her workmanship could not match a master that make the nobles' brooches.

She hugged the box closer to her, her hands trembled, and her steps light. She should just lie and tell Odessa that she has yet to complete it, but as her thoughts drowned her, she found herself in front of the parlor's door.

The door opened and her heart pounded as she approached the smiling Odessa. Her enthusiastic expression calmed Lily's worries.

She opened the box and let the nobles say what they think of her work.

"Are these low quality stones?" Ouida asked.

Lily nodded, her lips formed in a thin line. She unclenched and clenched her fists; she went through much to get the stones because merchants don't trust her with the high-quality ones. The merchants she dealt with always wanted to see her payment first before doing trade.

Being a commoner without a backing surely hindered her opportunities.

"They're delicately made," Cailina picked up one of the brooches that have her original eye color.

Lily let out a sigh and smiled, "It matches your hazel eyes, my Lady."

Odessa's brows knitted. She was sure that Cailina's eyes weren't in that color, but it would be impossible to change one's eye color. She stared at Cailina as she figured out if she was mistaken or hallucinating.

The four of them chatted more about Lily's work. She was elated to tell all about it to them. The first time she met Odessa, the latter was immediately interested in her work and sent her a few high-quality stones to work with.

She made accessories for ladies in the common circle as she wanted to let them feel that they can be beautiful without purchasing pieces of jewelry that could put a hole in their purses.

Cailina listened, she was interested in working with Lily, but it was Odessa that found her first. She should look for another being to partner with.

Her mind wandered to how could she expand her family's business. Should she also visit the market in disguise as a peasant? Cailina nodded in her heart, she resorted to discussing this with her father.

He would help her if he deemed it possible, as he was more experienced with these types of things.

"Lady Cailina," Lily called out.

Cailina snapped out of her train of thoughts and gave small smile. She would think of the rest when she returned to the mansion.

"Would you also like to have one made for you?"

She shook her head, "No, I'm not into accessories that much."

It would be eye-catching if she wore such things, and her family was all about keeping out of the public eye.

Glory and wealth were what they had, it would be troublesome if the Monarch would point their fingers at her family again.

Cailina flipped the page of the book she was reading. Today's events were tiring. She exhaled her exhaustion and leaned back in her seat.

The moon was high up in the black canvas as it shone brightly beside the stars that twinkled. It was a serene scene if one would land their eyes on.

Cailina spent the day roaming around until her soles were sore from the endless stroll that Odessa dragged both her and Ouida.

It was peaceful to return to the mansion after all that.

A soft knock snapped her out of her weary state. Lai entered the room with a tray of tea, "You did well today, my Lady."

She closed her eyes and hummed in reply. She wasn't used to exerting her energy by this much, but she had to. It was not that she was complaining, she would just rather spend her time doing official work.

Lai poured the tea and the aroma filled the room as it comforted Cailina. He placed it in front of her and waited at her side.

"Lai," Cailina whispered.

"Yes, my Lady?"

She half-opened her eyes, "Do you think I'm beautiful."

Lai's mouth gaped at his master's question. It surprised him that Cailina concerned herself with that. He took a long time to respond that Cailina asked another question.

"Do I look like an orc?"

He held his urge to chuckle and took a deep breath, "You don't have to worry about your features, my Lady."

Cailina sat up and glared at him, "Are you insulting me?"

Lai smiled as he bowed, "I shall leave you alone for the night."

Before Cailina could react, Lai was already out of the room. She felt her lips twitched in annoyance as her attendant was the only servant that could dismiss himself without his master's permission.

Was this his way of rebelling against her for marking him without warning?

Cailina inhaled as she took a sip of the tea Lai made. It was, as usual, good tea.

She leaned back and thought to herself that she was ridiculous for asking her attendant those questions. She couldn't help, but feel inadequate when she saw the twins grew into fine ladies.

Would it make a difference if she lived in the capital instead of being isolated from the rest of the nobles?