Who Stole The Empress

Chapter 102: The conditions of the gift

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Sponsored by Vina. Thank you (2/4)

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Tamon stepped back from her with a self-mocking laugh.

Im disappointed. But its okay. Now, if you promise to buy a gift for me as well, Ill wait outside meekly.

Roselyn tried to protest, but quickly fell silent.

Then, without affirming or denying, she gave him a quick glare and then moved away.

That was enough of a reply.

If it was rejection, she would have expressed it clearly, because he knew her.

Tamon slowly watched Roselyns back as she walked upstairs, then he walked out of the store.

Roselyn didnt notice, but from the moment they entered, this store was under control. The store was closed for a while and Shadow was keeping an eye on her.

No one could interfere with her shopping.

I have to be the only one who could disturb her and get in her way. Tamon thought.

He was sitting on a huge bench in front of a shopping mall, leisurely watching the sunset, when he suddenly looked up and looked around the area.

The stores here and there in the alleys, like a shopping district, dealt in a variety of goods.

The high-class aristocrats didnt enjoy shopping in these shopping streets, which mainly sold ready-made goods.

They would go out once in a while for a change of pace, but for dresses and accessories, they would usually call a designer to come to their house and make custom-made items. 

Tamon and Satin also regularly called upon designers to order clothes for them.

In fact, shopping today was the first time for him due to lack of desire for clothes and accessories.

So he followed Roselyn around a bit. He wanted to know what she was looking at and what she was interested in.

Even though she kicked him out.

As he clicked his tongue, heartbreakingly, the store opposite him suddenly came into his eyes.

A different color turned in his eyes.

There was a store like that.

His eyes sparkled with pure interest and mischievousness, and he quickly got up from his seat.

Come to think of it, he had to give a thank you gift if Roselyn was going to give him a gift.

Without hesitation, he entered the store across the street.

***

Roselyn bought a soft handkerchief for Satin, an ivory headband for Asrell, and a nourishing tonic to give to Jorge.

The reason for buying all their gifts at once was that the day of leaving was not far away.

It wasnt a very long time staying in Amor, but it was funny how quickly she felt at home.

Perhaps it was because the vacancy of her dead loved ones was too big. She was grateful for their (the people in Tamons mansion) small and insignificant kindness that caressed her dark and cold heart, because when a small light shone in the deep darkness, it made it seem so much brighter. That small warmth for her, as much as it was suspicious, not knowing where it came from.

Of course, there must have been their masters orders, and because they were professional servants, they must have been very good at hiding any disagreeable behavior.

But anyway, Roselyn felt affectionate towards them.

That was enough for her.

The affection and gratitude that she couldnt give to her loved ones, which they left hurriedly, remained regrettable.

She did not want to regret any more.

She would not postpone or delay expressing her feelings any longer.

Hesitantly, she turned her face away for the last gift. It was the most difficult gift.

Tamon.What on earth should I buy for that person?

Perhaps because it was a fairly large miscellaneous store, there were many various items, but all of them were not satisfactory.

It was hard to bring out Tamons feel in the ready-made products.

That said, there wasnt enough time to order and manufacture anything now.

Distressed, Roselyn asked the shopkeeper for the best antique store in the area.

I think theres a store right in front of us that might have a lot of stuff you can use. That store has been around for over three generations now.

Roselyn didnt hesitate to walk out when the owner of the general store said the antique store was over 100 years old.

Maybe it was because the time of day was ambiguous, but the stores and the town were all busy.

Speaking of which, where did Tamon go?

He might have gone to the carriage because he promised to wait quietly.

Quiet

It was a word that didnt suit the man very well.

But that didnt mean he was going to be frivolous or boisterous again.

Im not sure what hes doing in the background, but hes smiling broadly, and theres a shadiness to it. But that doesnt mean hes vicious againIts complicated. Its not good, its not evil.

But when you think about it, do we always need to divide people into good and evil?

I might be a compassionate and kind person to someone, but I cant also be somewhat cold and brutal for a purpose.

Ding.

As Roselyn opened the small door and entered the quiet antique store, she could smell the fresh yet nostalgic scent peculiar to old things.

Inside the store, bathed in the appropriate amount of sunlight, sat an old man dozing off, unaware that a customer had just entered.

Instead of waking the owner, Roselyn quietly looked around the store.

The store was full of old and worn out things, just like the word over a hundred years ago.

Bronze porcelain with teeth missing, velvet chairs that were worn and faded into strange colors, and exotic decorations that looked like they came from far away across the sea.

As Roselyn was looking around the nondescript place, a single, very red, jewel-encrusted pocket watch came into her view.

The grain was thick and hard, and the engraved inscriptions were very dense.

The circular pattern was also quite delicate.

As if possessed, she lifted the watch and looked inside to find that the clasp and minute hand had stopped.

When she wound the mainspring, the clasp and minute hand moved smoothly.

Fortunately, it didnt seem to be broken or too old to use.

The gem inlaid on it is a ruby. It is a fine piece.

Startled by the sudden voice she heard, Roselyn turned around to see an old man who had been dozing off, rubbing his eyes as he approached her.

The stuff is nice, but its so rugged and burly that women dont really pick it out. Is it for a gift?

The old man was right, the watch was a bit heavy and rugged to carry around.

But it was antique.

It had an elegance that was completely different from other pocket watches on the market.

Just like Tamons.

Roselyn stared at the watch and nodded.

This will do, please.

****

Whats that?

The shopping trip, which she had tried to make short, turned out to be quite long.

They got out of the carriage just as the sun was setting a bit, but it was already dark outside.

After buying all the things, Roselyn came back to the carriage and found a small, cute box by Tamons side.

When she looked at him curiously, Tamon answered honestly, 

Its a thank you gift.

A thank-you gift?

When you receive a gift, you give thanks. Ive prepared it in advance.

Tamon smiled at her like a boy hoping to be complimented.

Roselyn felt strangely chilled by his mischievous eyes, but she tried to ignore it.

Instead, she strove to pay attention to the delicacy with which he had so brazenly requested a gift from her and prepared one in return.

As Asrell had said, the more she looked at him, the more he seemed to be a man with more details than she expected.

How could he think of giving her something in return for that short time?

Now, should I get my present first?

Tamon hurriedly held out his hand. 

He had an impatient look on his face, as if he wanted to get it as soon as possible.

He was pretending to be deliberate, but he couldnt hide the expectant look in his eyes.

Roselyn shook her head as she pushed his hand away. 

Please wait. Ill give it to you in the morning.

Tomorrow morning? Why tomorrow morning? 

Its a gift with conditions.

Tamon raised one eyebrow in interest at Roselyns words.

Wasnt it a condition of your gift that I stay out quietly?

Roselyn added casually.

I added one more condition.

What? I didnt even know about it?

The look of dismay on his face was very painful.

It was a little frustrating that this man would embarrass her every chance he got, so she wanted to give it back once.

Roselyn nodded with a very brazen smile on her face.

Im sorry, but thats what happened.

Tamons expression stirred once more at her brazen demeanor.

As soon as he looked at her with strange eyes, Roselyn added in a voice that she was not disappointed at all.

Just tell me if you dont want it..

Whats the condition?

Tamon asked right back.

It was ridiculous, but he looked like he was willing to lose.

He had a face that surrendered peacefully, without a hint of regret.

Roselyn whispered in an elegant voice, Youll find breakfast tomorrow very agreeable.

It was a simpler condition than he thought.

If the condition was to have breakfast with her. It was easy.

Is that all?

Yes, thats all.

That cant be right..

Tamon stared at Roselyn with suspicious eyes.

There was no way she could have made a condition so simple with such a mysterious smile.

It was an expression with plans.

But even if she had set a trap, the bait she had set looked very tasty.

He wondered what she had really chosen for him, and what it was.

He wasnt the type of person who wanted things, but he wanted to make sure that he won the gift that Asha had bought for him.

So he had to fall into the trap knowingly and willingly.

Well, thats fine. Then Ill have to give you my thank you gift tomorrow morning.

Roselyn glanced at the gift box he had prepared and nodded lightly.

And the next day, as soon as they reached the place where the breakfast table was set, he knew immediately why she had said agreeable.