Gold Coin and Freesia

Cordelia’s gaze settled on the luxurious box on the table, containing a hairpin adorned with blue diamonds that gleamed vividly in the sunlight, reminiscent of her own eyes.

“Lord Edwin has sent this gift for Princess Cordelia.”

It was a present from Edwin delivered a few days ago. Inside the case was a handwritten card from Edwin, serving as both a certificate of authenticity and a letter to Cordelia.

“I present the finest to the Princess.

Sincerely,

Your Edwin Tride.”

His elegant handwriting flowed beautifully on the card.

“Even an illiterate person would be captivated by this pin!”

“Oh my, ‘Your Edwin Tride,’ how endearing.”

The voices of the maids, who had gushed over the gift with one hand covering their mouths, still echoed in her mind. Edwin had truly sent the finest diamond to Cordelia, not even to the queen.

“Your Highness, Lord Edwin will be here soon. You should get ready.”

Mrs. Lament whispered to Cordelia as she stared endlessly at the hairpin.

“Alright.”

“Matching the dress to the hairpin will make you look stunning. I’ve already picked out a dress for you.”

Mrs. Lament, delighted like a young girl, showed Cordelia the dress. The blue dress spread across the bed like butterfly wings was Cordelia’s favorite.

“He must have an interest in you, Your Highness.”

“Do you think so?”

“Think about how respectfully he behaved around you. He didn’t seem to have any inferiority complex despite the difference in status.”

Mrs. Lament responded confidently.

“No matter how much he desires to marry you, if he had no interest, he wouldn’t have given such a grand gift before the wedding.”

Men are simple creatures. No one in their right mind would spend that much on someone they didn’t like. Mrs. Lament was certain.

“But he doesn’t look at me like other men do.”

Mrs. Lament tilted her head as the maid, Raya, seated Cordelia at the vanity and began brushing her hair.

“Other men would give me subtle looks and want to touch me.”

“Which scoundrels dared to do such things?”

Mrs. Lament’s voice was polite, but her eyes turned sharp. She looked ready to gouge out the eyes of those who had dared to ogle the precious princess.

“But I never felt that way when I met him.”

Edwin’s gaze was always respectful, never sexual. He was polite and firm.

Yet, everyone around Cordelia insisted that Edwin liked her. It was a confusing situation for Cordelia.

“Of course, right now, it might just be a simple attraction.”

“It’s too soon for either of you to be in love.”

Mrs. Lament’s soothing voice reassured Cordelia.

“That’s true.”

“But I swear, no man would spend such a fortune on a woman he’s not interested in. I’m certain.”

Mrs. Lament smiled down at Cordelia’s shimmering golden hair. Through the mirror, their eyes met.

“And those who were inappropriate with you simply expressed their interest poorly. They should approach you gracefully and with respect.”

Mrs. Lament stood Cordelia up while reminding her to inform her of any future inappropriate behavior. The maids brought suitable accessories, but Cordelia only chose a bracelet for her wrist, dismissing the rest.

“Don’t you like them? Shall we bring others?”

“No, wearing a flashy hairpin along with a necklace, bracelet, and earrings would be too much.”

Cordelia’s maids were from noble families, capable of selecting accessories to match any dress. But with Cordelia’s firm refusal, they could only withdraw with dejected faces.

“You look stunning today, Your Highness.”

Mrs. Lament beamed at her handiwork, making Cordelia’s nose tingle with pride.

“Your Highness, Lord Edwin has arrived at the palace.”

“Prepare the tea. I’ll go now.”

The maid bowed and left. Cordelia slipped into her shoes and headed for the door.

“Your Highness! You haven’t put on the hairpin!”

Stopping in the hallway, Cordelia realized she had forgotten the hairpin in her haste to meet Edwin. Mrs. Lament carefully fixed the hairpin in Cordelia’s right side hair.

“Am I really all set now?”

“Yes, you are.”

Mrs. Lament confirmed. Cordelia nodded and walked toward the meeting place. The early spring breeze rustled her dress as she moved, the fabric rippling like waves.

Even those who had seen Cordelia numerous times couldn’t help but stare at her. Her beauty seemed strangely new today.

“Where is Edwin?”

“He just went inside.”

Cordelia asked the guard at the entrance to the greenhouse. Edwin hadn’t waited long, but she still felt a bit anxious.

Cordelia hurried along the well-kept path. At the end of the path, she saw Edwin waiting for her, just as he had before. His eyes, slowly opening and closing, mirrored the lush plants in the greenhouse.

His rare brown hair and earthy green eyes were a truly unique and beautiful combination.

“Lord Edwin Tride greets Princess Cordelia.”

Cordelia watched him from a distance before Edwin noticed her and approached.

“…”

Cordelia quietly observed Edwin. He didn’t avert his gaze from hers.

“Oh.”

At that moment, Edwin softly exclaimed. His hand reached towards her right side but stopped just short of touching her hair.

Cordelia’s gaze followed his movement, from the moment his hand approached to when it withdrew. Her heart fluttered at the unfamiliar but strangely exhilarating sensation.

“It suits you perfectly.”

He must have noticed the hairpin he had gifted her. Edwin smiled with satisfaction.

“It took quite some time to find a diamond the same color as your eyes, but it was worth it.”

Cordelia widened her eyes in surprise.

“You searched for a diamond to match my eye color?”

Mrs. Lament had said men wouldn’t spend money on someone they weren’t interested in. But according to Edwin, he had invested a great deal of time and effort for her.

“Because it was a gift for you, Your Highness.”

Perhaps Edwin was genuinely interested in her. Maybe the seemingly unfair contract was his way of showing his sincerity and wanting to compensate her.

“I thought you just found it by chance. Blue diamonds are rare and precious by themselves. But to specifically search and buy one…”

As Cordelia trailed off, Edwin gently extended his hand. Cordelia, feeling a strange excitement, placed her trembling hand in his.

Through the gloves, she could feel Edwin’s warmth, and she shivered slightly. Edwin smiled gently, his beautiful smile and kind demeanor melting Cordelia’s heart.

“You are very kind.”

Cordelia shyly praised Edwin as she took his escort to her seat. She believed Mrs. Lament’s words completely now.

In fact, Cordelia wanted to believe her thoughts were true. She hoped it was the truth.

“It’s an honor to hear that from you, Your Highness.”

Unaware of Cordelia’s thoughts, Edwin responded courteously, his beautiful face smiling as always, as if confirming all her assumptions.