The Unlikely Imprint of the Villainess and the Male Lead - Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Translator: Yonnee
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“Yes. He’s been garnering tremendous interest among noblewomen in high society recently. I’ve heard that wearing jewelry crafted by him gives one the feeling of being reborn.”
“……”
Normally, Richt would have scoffed, mocking such absurd remarks.
Yet, instead of sneering, he appeared oddly unsettled, as though Logan’s words had struck a chord.
‘A pink diamond.’
Richt couldn’t take his eyes off the gem, which sparkled brilliantly depending on the angle.
Placed prominently at the center of the display, the jewel captivated viewers with its exquisite craftsmanship as much as its beauty.
‘It resembles her hair.’
This was Richt’s first thought as he gazed at the jewel in a trance.
In that instant, an image of Luciana wearing the jewelry began to flicker in his mind.
Her hair, elegantly pinned up, complemented the lavish necklace adorned with diamonds, blending seamlessly without any trace of discord.
Thump.
As he envisioned Luciana wearing the precious gem, smiling radiantly, his chest stirred uncontrollably once again.
―It’s her birthday! How can you ignore the historic day Luciana was born into this world? I absolutely won’t allow it. Go tell the shopkeeper you’re buying it right now!
‘Nonsense.’
As the agitated inner voice tried to overpower his thoughts, Richt clenched his teeth in frustration and averted his gaze.
“…The coachman must be waiting.”
“W-What? Are you just going to leave?”
Logan asked in surprise as Richt fully turned his back on the store.
“There’s no point in owning such a trinket.”
“Huh?”
Wasn’t he just staring at it so intently…?
Although baffled by Richt’s sudden shift in attitude, Logan chalked it up to the duke’s odd behavior throughout the day and quietly followed him.
* * *
Huuoooo—
In the dark bedroom, the sound of winter winds occasionally broke the silence.
“……”
Richt, frowning with his eyes shut, tossed and turned restlessly, as if something was deeply unsettling him.
Despite his efforts to force himself to sleep, the more he tried, the clearer his mind became.
Time had long passed midnight and was now creeping into the early hours of dawn. After hours of sleepless frustration, he felt like he was going mad.
His heightened nerves sharpened all his senses. He could hear the wind rattling against the windows, the crackling of the fire in the hearth—and, as if emerging from a fog, the vivid and mesmerizing image of…
―The pink diamond!
Flash.
The memory of the jewelry set from the display came rushing back as Richt opened his eyes in the darkness.
“Damn it. Again.”
Unbidden, the image of Luciana overlayed itself onto the glittering gem.
Ever since the previous day, his thoughts had been spiraling out of control. Realizing how pathetic he was being, Richt cursed under his breath.
“Haah…”
To think he’d lose sleep over a mere rock.
“If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve just bought the damn thing and shoved it in a storeroom.”
What a ridiculous instinct.
Richt realized that his sleepless night was entirely due to the pink diamond left behind in the display.
―Luciana’s birthday…! That beautiful pink gem…!
The persistent voice echoing in his head for hours left no room for denial.
―Anyone can see it’s meant for Luciana!
“That’s enough nonsense. I won’t listen to this anymore.”
Richt retorted sharply to the voice, though he couldn’t entirely refute its claim.
Pink diamonds—rare, precious, and exorbitantly priced—were gems only the wealthiest nobles could dare to own.
A gem, no matter how rare or exquisite, truly realized its value when placed in the hands of someone worthy.
Richt found himself recalling Luciana’s soft, lustrous hair.
‘Her complexion isn’t bad, so it wouldn’t look ridiculous.’
No, perhaps it would suit her exceptionally well, and…
Damn it!
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