Fated Hearts: Reborn to be His Duchess

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: An Unpaid Tab

The silence inside the jewelry shop stretched for several long seconds.

Then the clerk cautiously cleared his throat.

"My lady..."

His eyes darted nervously between the two nobles.

"Will you be raising your offer further?"

Across the table, Vaelen’s lips curved slowly.

The expression carried unmistakable provocation.

"Yes." He spoke in a lazy, mocking tone with his gaze settled directly on her.

"Tell us, Elysia. Are you going to continue bidding?"

Elysia pressed her lips together.

She had only brought slightly over two hundred gold with her today.

If she truly wanted to continue, she could.

Barely.

But before she could answer—

Vaelen interrupted smoothly.

"It hardly matters what you offer now."

He leaned back in his chair, entirely too pleased with himself.

"I’ll simply outbid you again."

Then he glanced toward the clerk.

"Whatever amount she names, add another fifty."

The clerk inhaled sharply.

Elysia stared at him.

He was doing this deliberately.

Not because he cared about the bangles.

Not because he even wanted them that badly.

He simply wanted to win.

Or perhaps more accurately—

He wanted her to lose.

Vaelen met her gaze calmly.

After all...

He had already warned her.

Things he wanted always became his.

For several moments, Elysia said nothing.

Then suddenly—

Her expression changed.

The irritation vanished.

In its place appeared a soft, almost thoughtful smile.

"Your Highness."

Her voice turned unexpectedly sweet.

"Are you truly so determined to take something from me?"

Vaelen tilted his head slightly.

The answer was obvious.

Yes.

That single reaction was all Elysia needed.

She beckoned toward the clerk.

"Come here for a moment."

Confused, the clerk hurried closer.

Elysia leaned down and whispered quietly into his ear.

The man’s eyes widened.

He glanced nervously toward Vaelen.

Hesitated, then slowly nodded.

By the time Elysia straightened again, her smile had become radiant.

"Honestly, the bangles aren’t even that extraordinary."

She waved one hand dismissively.

"If His Highness wants them for two hundred gold, then by all means."

Her gaze drifted lazily around the shop.

Instead, she pointed toward another item displayed nearby.

"I’ll take that hairpin instead."

The clerk blinked.

"That one is ten gold."

Elysia nodded immediately.

"Perfect."

Before the clerk could even wrap it—

"Sixty."

Vaelen didn’t miss a beat.

He lifted his cup leisurely.

"As I said,"

His eyes glittered.

"Whatever she wants, add fifty."

Elysia merely hummed.

Not upset in the slightest.

Instead, she wandered farther down the display shelves.

"Oh?"

She picked up another ornament.

"This one’s lovely too."

The clerk swallowed.

"Fifteen gold."

"Sixty-five," Vaelen replied instantly.

Another item.

Another bid.

Another fifty added on top.

Gradually, the atmosphere inside the shop became strange.

Very strange.

The clerk no longer looked nervous.

In fact, he looked increasingly excited.

Meanwhile, Elysia appeared positively delighted.

Only Vaelen remained unaware that something had gone terribly wrong.

By the time she finally stopped browsing, nearly half the shop had been selected.

Elysia let out a satisfied sigh.

Then she turned toward Vaelen with a bright smile.

"Well then."

She clasped her hands behind her back.

"Shall we settle the accounts?"

The clerk nearly sprang forward.

Ledger already prepared.

"My lord!"

His smile was so wide it bordered on alarming.

"You selected thirty-eight items in total."

He flipped the page dramatically.

"The final amount comes to one thousand and eighty gold."

Silence.

Vaelen blinked once.

Then again.

"...How much?"

The clerk repeated it proudly.

"One thousand and eighty gold."

Even the servants nearby froze.

The number was absurd.

Absolutely absurd.

Vaelen finally straightened.

For the first time since Elysia entered the shop, his composure cracked slightly.

Because he absolutely did not have that amount of money with him.

Not even close.

Today, he had slipped out casually without attendants.

Who could’ve predicted this situation?

Still—

Under everyone’s watchful gaze, he could hardly admit it.

So instead, he forced his expression back into calm indifference.

"I’ll have someone deliver the payment this evening."

The clerk nearly bowed to the floor.

"Of course, my lord."

His hands trembled with excitement.

"We’ll prepare the items for immediate delivery."

Then he paused politely.

"May I ask where everything should be sent?"

Vaelen’s jaw tightened.

"...They’ll know where."

"Very good, my lord."

The clerk immediately produced a receipt.

"Then please leave your signature or seal here."

Vaelen stared at the number written across the page.

One thousand and eighty.

If Queen Ilara discovered this...

A horrifying image briefly flashed through his mind.

He signed anyway.

His expression remained perfectly calm.

Only the slight stiffness in his hand betrayed him.

Afterward, he reached for his cup.

Unfortunately, his fingers trembled slightly.

Several drops spilled across the table.

The clerk wisely pretended not to notice.

Then he turned toward Elysia with a dazzling smile.

"My lady, shall I prepare your portion as well?"

Vaelen froze.

Slowly he looked up.

"...Her portion?"

Elysia beamed at him.

Positively glowing.

"Cash, please."

The clerk immediately hurried away.

Vaelen stared at her.

A terrible realization began forming.

Elysia folded her hands neatly before her.

"I made a small arrangement."

Her tone was unbearably innocent.

"I told the clerk that if he allowed me to choose additional items and you willingly purchased them all..."

She smiled sweetly.

"...we would split the profits."

Vaelen nearly choked.

"You—"

"Twenty gold per item."

Elysia looked thoroughly pleased with herself.

"He earns more and I receive a commission."

The clerk returned carrying a neatly wrapped bundle of gold.

"My lady."

He presented it reverently.

"Please count it."

Elysia accepted the pouch calmly.

After a brief glance inside, she nodded.

"Perfect."

Then she turned to leave.

Light-footed.

Entirely unbothered.

Unfortunately for her—

"Stop."

Vaelen surged to his feet.

In two long strides, he caught her wrist.

Elysia spun around immediately.

Her eyes flashed dangerously.

"Your Highness."

Her voice sharpened.

"Have you completely forgotten decorum?"

But Vaelen didn’t release her.

His expression had darkened considerably.

"You tricked me."

The accusation came low and cold.

"And now you intend to walk away?"

Elysia looked genuinely incredulous.

"Tricked you?"

She laughed once.

Soft.

Disbelieving.

"I selected and paid for the bangles first. You insisted on stealing them. You declared money meant nothing to you. You announced that whatever I wanted, you would buy instead."

Her brows lifted slowly.

"And somehow..."

She glanced pointedly at the enormous pile of purchases surrounding him.

"...I’m the unreasonable one?"

For once in his life—

Vaelen found himself completely unable to answer.

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