* * *
“Do you believe in superstitions, Zeroth?”
“You mean the January Curse?”
Zeroth met his eyes, sensing Sylvian had heard something else interesting from Elgana.
“It’s an old tradition passed down through the continent. Not something you can just ignore.”
He gave a dry chuckle and firmly warned Sylvian—never do anything wicked in January.
“What kind of curse does it bring?”
“I don’t know.”
Zeroth shrugged.
He really didn’t.
Some said your nose could get broken, some said you’d lose a fortune, or even your life.
Whether it was truly the curse or just plain bad luck, no one could say for sure.
“It’s probably just a custom born from people wishing for a clean, trouble-free start to the year.”
“Elgana said it was a law set by the Creator.”
Sylvian recalled how Elgana had explained that many people took it seriously.
He hadn’t known about such a curse—perhaps because in the Viscount’s household, even January was met with beatings.
If they cared about that sort of thing, every January would’ve been warm and gentle, like a birthday.
Of course, they beat him on his birthdays too.
“Well… the holy scriptures do say January is the month of creation and peace should dwell in everyone’s hearts…”
If the curse were real, then he should’ve died hundreds—no, thousands—of times already.
As a dominant alpha, he had gone to war and taken tens of thousands of lives.
“You can just go about your days like usual, Sylvian.”
“I should try to be kinder to others.”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
How much kinder was he supposed to get?
Zeroth shook his head firmly.
He had no intention of attracting more attention from other men.
“They’re doing final fittings for the party outfits after lunch, so I’ll be back in time. Is there any accessory you particularly want to wear?”
“No, none.”
He hadn’t even used all the ones he already had.
Zeroth and the servants had brought in clothes and accessories that matched his taste perfectly.
“You’re allowed to be a little more greedy.”
“What I have now is enough.”
If he wanted more later, it was better to appear content for now.
Sylvian smiled faintly, thinking of how Zeroth would probably offer up anything he asked for.
At this rate, if their hearts aligned, Zeroth looked like the kind of man who might offer up an entire kingdom just to please him.
“I should write a letter to Karl and Lady Charlian. I feel bad for not staying till the end… Do you think it’d be okay to send them a gift?”
“Do as you wish.”
By now, it felt only natural that he had Zeroth’s permission.
Yesterday, he’d seen Karl’s flickering eyes several times.
Now he was certain.
Karl Rooster hated Zeroth.
No—his feelings were stronger than that, and Sylvian was probably caught in the crossfire too.
His eyes and mouth were smiling, but there was an odd gleam hidden deep within.
“What kind of gift should I send?”
It felt like it should be something with meaning behind it.
He wanted to confirm his love for Zeroth through a few trials and tribulations.
He didn’t want actual suffering, though.
He didn’t even know who the original villain of the story was—or how it ended.
As far as he was concerned, the original story was already doomed.
Yuri’s muscles were delightful to look at.
Thanks to that, he could maintain a decent relationship with the former main characters.
“A gift… How about giving the Marquis the ‘Tear of Nerman’?”
“The Tear of Nerman?”
Sylvian’s eyes widened at Zeroth’s suggestion.
“Just the name sounds expensive—”
“He’ll love it.”
Isn’t that way too extravagant?
Sylvian’s expression said.
Zeroth gently reassured him it wasn’t that pricey.
“Don’t worry. I can easily afford something like that.”
With a crooked smile, Zeroth waited until Sylvian finished eating before leaving.
“Hhhhk.”
Sylvian froze as he picked up the necklace called Tear of Nerman, which he was planning to gift to Karl.
“Is he insane? He really wants me to give this?!”
The amber-orange gem sparkled so brightly that it looked like it might glow even in the dark.
“El… Elgana?”
“Yes, Sylvian?”
“Is it really okay to give something this nice as a gift?!”
Did Zeroth care for Karl Rooster that much?
Or was he trying to give him something he’d hate just to mess with him?
Sylvian stared at the necklace in his hand, his eyes visibly shaken.
“I heard it used to be a treasure of the Nerman Kingdom. It’s not that expensive.”
Elgana’s face was composed as she casually added:
“Just… about the price of three or four city mansions in the capital?”
‘This thing is worth more than I am.’
With utmost care, Sylvian returned the necklace to its case.
“Isn’t this what the independence army is looking for too?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
You do know.
Sylvian glanced at Elgana, who laughed as if such complicated things were beyond her understanding.
He gave a vague nod, pretending to recall hearing something like that somewhere.
“I can’t go giving away a treasure from another kingdom.”
He decided it would be better to just call in a merchant and ordered a jeweler to be summoned tomorrow.
“Hello, I’m Lauren, owner of Lauren’s Jewelry.”
“What?!”
Sylvian’s eyes widened as he saw the merchant greeting me the next day.
“Helio’s General Store?!”
“Haha, that’s right. You’ve shopped with us before, haven’t you?”
At Sylvian’s surprised voice, the attendants watching him softened their sharp gazes.
“You said you needed something?”
“I wanted to send a gift to the Marquis Rooster.”
“Shall I show you some items similar to the ones you’ve purchased before?”
As if he’d been waiting for the moment, Lauren took out his products and arranged them on the table.
Sylvian’s eyes sparkled as he admired the shining accessories.
Many of them were neat and simple, more elegant than flashy.
So he’s not into flashy styles after all, huh.
Sylvian smiled inwardly and deliberately chose the most extravagant brooch among them.
“How about this? I think it would go well with his violet eyes.”
When the Duchess selected a piece adorned with purple amethyst, Lauren quietly swallowed.
Not only was it set with a large amethyst, but small diamonds were densely embedded throughout the brooch.
It was the most expensive—and also the type the Marquis would hate the most.
“You have excellent taste.”
Sylvian’s face brightened at the merchant’s compliment, and Luaia handed the item over so he could see it better.
“Don’t you think it’ll suit the Marquis?”
“With the gemstone matching his eyes and the diamonds adding sophistication, yes—it feels very refined.”
In her opinion, the Duchess had indeed chosen a gift well-suited to the Marquis.
It felt worthwhile to have spent time teaching her how to pick out jewelry and accessories after the marriage.
“Do you have anything else? I need to send something to Lady Nefer too.”
“No need to worry, I’ve brought a wide selection.”
Kneeling, Lauren cleared away all the items intended for the Marquis and laid out pieces for Lady Nefer.
“They really do feel different, now that I see them side by side.”
Pink diamonds, blue sapphires, fire opals, emeralds.
Rings, earrings, and necklaces of all colors were placed not only on the main table but also on additional ones brought in by the maids.
Lauren looked proudly at Sylvian.
‘There it is, mixed in.’
He had ordered a duplicate of the ring made of the Jewel of Truth, using the excuse that it was for a matching set with Zeroth.
He planned to keep the ring with the tracker and give the plain one to Zeroth.
“This… is too much.”
* * *
