Two hours later, Amon and Juliane returned to the Golden Mansion. After changing into lighter clothes, they met in the dining hall for lunch. The scent of freshly prepared meals filled the room as they took their seats at the long table.
As the servants began placing platters of food before them, Amon turned to the head butler, Mr. Hylton Salisbury. "I haven't seen my grandfather these past few days. What is he up to?" he asked, his tone casual but curious.
"He's on vacation, sire… enjoying some club activities," Mr. Salisbury replied in his usual composed tone.
"Ah, that retirement thing," Amon muttered, a hint of a smile touching his lips. He then shifted his attention to Juliane. "Ms. Johara, if you're finished with your lessons, I would like you to sort the books on the shelf in my study."
Juliane nodded with a polite smile. "Certainly, sire."
Lunch continued peacefully between the two of them, a comfortable silence settling in as they ate. The servants, however, exchanged amused glances whenever they passed by. They couldn't help but notice how often Amon and Juliane were seen together—eating, sharing a carriage, and working side by side. To them, the pair looked like characters in a romance novel, and they silently rooted for the blossoming relationship.
After lunch, Juliane went straight to Amon's study to fulfill his request. She spent the rest of the afternoon organizing his vast collection of books, carefully sorting them by genre and author. The quiet rustle of pages drifted through the room as she worked with focus and care .
Amon, seated at his desk, pretended to be engrossed in a pile of paperwork. He signed documents and reviewed letters, but his eyes kept drifting to Juliane. Her bluish hair was pulled up in an elegant updo, exposing the delicate curve of her neck. The sight reminded him of their drunken night in Oseanna Town—the morning he'd woken to find her arm wrapped around his chest. His cheeks warmed at the memory, though nothing inappropriate had happened. Still, he couldn't get the image out of his head.
He found himself growing more restless. He couldn't deny it any longer—he was drawn to Juliane. Whenever she was away, he felt anxious, and when she spoke to the male servants, a pang of jealousy twisted in his chest.
Was this infatuation? A fleeting attraction? Or something deeper?
He had never felt so captivated by a woman before. Perhaps it was because he hadn't allowed himself to get this close to anyone else. What if he tried meeting other women—would his feelings for Juliane change? The thought seemed impossible.
To Amon, Juliane was a spark in his otherwise predictable life. Her presence filled his days with an excitement he hadn't realized he was missing. He couldn't imagine anyone else making him feel the same way.
Suddenly, the telephone rang, jolting Amon from his thoughts. He cleared his throat and picked up the receiver. "Amon Midas speaking. Who's this?"
"Sire, it's me, Joerdan Merritt," came the voice on the other end.
"Mr. Merritt, yes. How's your investigation in Vaulinhorn?" Amon asked, leaning back in his chair.
"I found an art shop selling two more paintings by the same artist, but they will be sold at tomorrow's art fair. The fair is open to the public, and the art dealer is a bit… difficult. Anyway, sir, I think you should come personally to give us an advantage in negotiations."
"Alright… Ms. Johara and I will head there tomorrow morning," Amon replied, glancing at Juliane, who was now placing a stack of books on the top shelf.
There was a pause on the other end of the line. Joerdan seemed hesitant.
"Mr. Merritt?" Amon prompted.
"Ah, yes, sir. I'll take note of that. And I'll make sure to reserve two hotel rooms under your name… so there won't be any problem," Joerdan finally said.
Even if Joerdan made another mistake, Amon wouldn't mind sharing a room with Juliane. But, of course, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. As he hung up the phone, he found himself wondering what she was thinking about their last trip together. He hoped she felt the same spark he did.
The phone call ended, and Amon informed Juliane about their trip to Vaulinhorn City. The next day, they boarded a steam-powered train, watching the countryside whiz by as they traveled toward the bustling city.
By 10:00 a.m., they arrived at the Vaulinhorn City Train Station. Joerdan Merritt, already waiting for them, guided Amon and Juliane to the V-Star Hotel, a luxurious five-star establishment in the heart of the city. After checking in and dropping off their bags, the three of them hired an automobile and headed for the esteemed Eudaemora Art Fair.
The art fair was a lively, two-story haven of creativity. On the first floor, towering sculptures and substantial art pieces crafted by artists from the Eudaemora Region stood proudly, each a testament to the artists' skills and imagination. The second floor, with an open design that allowed visitors to see the exhibits below, showcased detailed paintings and delicate art pieces. As visitors ascended the stairs, they moved from bold, monumental works to more refined, intricate creations, each piece telling its own unique story.
The atmosphere was vibrant, a blend of affluent patrons and curious onlookers, all drawn by the beauty of local art. The sound of classical music filled the air, courtesy of an orchestra playing in the center of the first floor, adding a harmonious touch to the entire fair.
Juliane gaped in awe as they walked through the hall. It was her first time at an art fair, and she couldn't believe the prices displayed on the boards. A pure white angel sculpture, just two feet high, was priced at a staggering 100 gold coins! Her eyes widened in shock.
Amon noticed her amazement and couldn't help but smile subtly. "If you want to buy something, I can always add it to your debt list," he teased, his tone light.
"No, thank you!" Juliane replied quickly, barely hiding her panic. There was no way she could afford such luxury. For someone with her background, buying a super expensive sculpture was an unimaginable indulgence.
Joerdan, leading the way to the second floor where the paintings were displayed, scanned the area for stall number 115. "Oh, there it is!" he exclaimed, moving swiftly toward the stall. Amon and Juliane followed, curious about the art merchant they were about to meet.
As they approached, the art dealer's face twisted with annoyance. "Huh, it's you again... I told you, I'm not selling those two paintings to you... at least, not to someone like you," the dealer said in a dismissive tone. "I will only sell those paintings to... chosen people."
"That's why I brought my boss today," Joerdan explained, gesturing towards Amon. "He's Amon Midas. I know you've heard of him."
"MIDAS?! Him? But…" the art dealer's eyes went wide as he approached Amon, looking him up and down. "You do look like that guy... but a bit younger."
Confused, Amon asked, "Excuse me? Who are you referring to?"
The dealer opened his mouth to respond but suddenly paused, his gaze shifting past Amon and Juliane. "There he is!" he exclaimed, pointing excitedly.
Amon turned around, and his breath caught in his throat. Standing there was a person he never expected to see right at that moment.