Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Commissioning, and Engagement (2)
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Once she broke through the front lines, Elise launched a lightning-fast campaign of maneuvers.
"Hehe, then would you be willing to serve as the witness to our engagement?"
'Sign it right now!'
"Hey, something as important as an engagement requires your father's permission too..."
"I can handle family matters myself. All I need is your approval, Father-in-law?"
'Are you going to surrender or not? Yes or no!'
"...I approve."
'Marrying outside one's class... isn't... that important...'
In the end, Father surrendered, trembling all over.
Elise then dragged us straight to a renowned high-end jewelry store.
"Then, darling, would you pick out a ring that suits your fiancée?"
"I'd love to, but..."
I cautiously glanced at Father, but as they say, a general defeated in battle has nothing to say. He had completely capitulated.
For some reason... it felt like I was committing an act of profound filial impiety.
Just as that guilt began to creep up on me, a sharp sting hit the back of my head.
"Wh-what kind of ring would be good..."
"I'd love any ring you give me, hehe."
The way Elise wrapped her arms gently around me from behind felt like pressure to hurry up and pick one already.
No, I can't. Even so, this is an engagement ring.
An engagement ring is generally what people think of as a proposal ring. The wedding bands exchanged at the actual ceremony are different.
So, I had to choose carefully, very carefully...
"Darling...?"
"Ahem, oof! Wait!"
"Eek..."
I peeled Elise off my back, where she was clinging like glue.
"Okay, now..."
As I turned my head—sparkle—one diamond ring in particular caught my eye, shining brighter than the rest.
'This one...'
It was a ring made of white platinum, with the diamond partially veiled as if wrapped in a bird's feathers.
That subtle concealment only added a secretive allure to the diamond.
The way the light played differently depending on the angle was clearly intentional. That craftsmanship made this one stand out so brilliantly.
It was as captivating as a nude beauty peeking out just enough to beckon.
The attendant, who had been waiting quietly, sidled up and began explaining.
"This ring is part of a series crafted by the late Louis-François Cartier himself. It embodies the meaning of diamonds—purity and eternal love."
"..."
"It was brought here to the German branch with great care."
Come to think of it, this was the Cartier German branch.
Cartier... I'd heard of them in my past life. A high-end jewelry brand, right?
I hadn't realized they went back this far. I distinctly remember a fellow general bragging about saving up for years to finally gift his wife a proper luxury item from them.
Luxury goods... a field I'd never had even 1% interest in...
"..."
Even with my untrained eye, I could tell this ring was an exceptional piece of jewelry.
If it had me hooked, how much more would it captivate a woman with a keen interest in such things?
I stole a glance at Elise.
"Wow... Made by Cartier himself..."
She seemed genuinely awestruck by the ring's beauty.
Even to a Junkers lady like her, it must be something special.
The attendant continued her explanation but soon wore an awkward expression.
"...It was designed as an engagement ring, but there was a slight issue. Mr. Cartier's passion was so intense that the ring ended up with a dual nature."
Elise tilted her head cutely, looking up at the attendant with curiosity.
"It dramatically expresses the purity of the diamond, but at the same time... the unveiled parts seduce the viewer, highlighting an impure side."
I see... I get it. I'd zeroed in on that exact glimpse of sparkle peeking through the feather motifs myself.
"After completing it, Mr. Cartier reportedly sighed that he'd never find an owner for this ring."
"Hmm..."
"Despite being displayed at the Paris flagship, it drew more attention to the ring itself than the wearer... so it ended up here."
No matter how I looked at it...
"Isn't this just the Elise version of a ring?"
"Oh, darling..."
Beautiful and pure on the surface... but harboring a subtly impure, seductive side. Exactly the same.
Elise, sensing from my constant nodding that this was more than a simple compliment, wrapped her arms around me again from behind.
"...Darling? You're not thinking anything weird, are you?"
"N-no, of course not."
I awkwardly placed my hand over hers on my chest.
Clearing my throat, I asked the attendant softly,
"So... how much is it...?"
"The price is—"
Her smiling response nearly made my face crumble, but I barely held it together.
Insane. One ring costs as much as several apartments... And installment plans aren't even a thing yet...!
Out of Elise's sight, I bit my lip and pulled out my checkbook.
This would be the most I'd ever spent in my past life, present life, or even Rommel's real one combined...
I wrote the check with utmost composure and told the attendant,
"We'll take it. Please put it in a nice case."
"O-oh, darling?"
"May I try it on the lady's finger without her seeing?"
"That's fine. It will surely suit her perfectly."
"Oh my."
"S-suddenly saying that..."
Elise's cheeks flushed at my words.
The attendant accepted the check politely, took the ring briefly, and returned it in a case.
She had good taste. It was a bright-colored case that perfectly matched Elise's preferences.
I took the case, steadied my breathing for a moment. Elise was gazing at me with sparkling eyes.
"...I wanted to do this somewhere more romantic."
"Darling."
As I averted my gaze slightly, Elise gently lifted her hand to touch my face.
Then, beaming, she said,
"You know I have no patience."
"...I'm doomed."
"You need to mark me as yours soon."
"Oh my, oh my."
"Oh my."
'Hey, hey, hey!'
At Elise's words, the other customers eavesdropping and the attendants all blushed.
See? Pure yet seductive! A total vixen...
'Wait... vixen? Come to think of it... Rommel's nickname is the Desert Fox.'
What a match made in heaven...
As all sorts of thoughts swirled in my head, I slowly got down on one knee and said,
"Elise."
"...Yes."
"I think... I truly love you."
Elise's body trembled at my words.
It was a bit embarrassing, but I wanted to express my feelings perfectly, without reservation. At least in this moment.
"I want to make you happy. I want to spend my life with you."
"..."
"You're the only one who's ever made me fall in love, my first love."
In front of Elise, who was covering her mouth with her hand, I slowly pulled out the ring case again.
In my previous life, too busy with economic crises and wars to have peace of mind. In this life, filled with countless plans.
Elise had pried open the locked door without hesitation and thrown herself into my arms.
Her countless letters had filled the empty corner of my heart.
Now... I couldn't imagine a life without Elise.
"...The moon is beautiful."
Suddenly, I recalled that night when I'd confessed my feelings without realizing it.
"Thinking back, the moon was especially beautiful that night."
I unpacked those emotions with even more sincerity.
"Probably because I was looking up at it with you."
I carefully opened the case.
"So now, I can't imagine a night sky without you."
Under the light, the ring gleamed radiantly.
The beautiful ring reflected in Elise's pupils.
My lips were dry, but I tried not to falter.
"From now on, won't you hold my hand at night... and go look at the moon together?"
Tears welled up in Elise's eyes at my words.
As she lowered the hand covering her mouth toward the ring...
"Of course!"
"...Hahaha!"
Her face, smiling more brightly than ever, was fully revealed.
I couldn't hold back and burst into laughter myself.
Then, I gently took her right hand and slipped the shining ring onto her ring finger.
As if it had been made for her from the start, the ring fit Elise's finger perfectly.
The pure white ring was neither too much nor too little for her. It made her slender, sculpture-like hand shine even more.
"I'll... make you happy, no matter what."
Standing up slowly, I thought I'd spent my money well.
At that moment—whoosh!—a smarmy-looking man started clapping.
'...Oh no!'
"Oh my, oh my."
"What a handsome couple!"
"Wow~ Young people these days are something else."
Customers and staff in the jewelry store alike began clapping.
Realizing their presence too late, Elise's and my faces turned red.
"Awesome! So awesome!"
"What's going on? Some event?"
"Those two just got engaged right here! Let's all clap!"
"Oh! What a lovely pair!"
...Elise's and my cheeks burned.
Even so, despite the overwhelming embarrassment and awkwardness.
I was happy.
Elise and I didn't let go of our clasped hands.
"..."
And... in the corner of the jewelry store, Father watched us mournfully, shaking his head...