"Amon? What are you doing here?" the blonde man asked, surprise and curiosity lacing his voice.
"Father," Amon replied while his brows furrowed in confusion. "I thought you were in another region. Isn't that what you wrote in your letter?"
Stefan, Amon's father, paused and seemed to choose his next words meticulously. A moment of awkward silence hung between them.
Seeing his father's hesitation, Amon pressed further, "Why are you at this art fair, and how do you know this art dealer?"
Before Stefan could answer, the art dealer chimed in, "He wanted to buy the same two paintings that you're interested in."
Amon was taken aback by the art dealer's words, pausing before he turned to his father. Placing a hand on Stefan's shoulder, he said, "Father, let's talk in private."
With a nod, Stefan agreed, and the two of them excused themselves, walking away from the stall and disappearing into the crowd.
As Amon and his father vanished from sight, Juliane found herself pondering the situation. If Amon's father was also interested in these paintings, then they must be more valuable than she initially thought. Could they be linked to something from Amon's past?
"So, are the Midases going to buy the paintings or not?" the art dealer asked impatiently, breaking Juliane's train of thought.
Joerdan replied with a confident smile, "They're definitely buying them. I guess they just need to decide who gets to take them home."
As Joerdan and the art dealer continued discussing the paintings, Juliane's attention drifted to the other art pieces around her. She wandered through the displays, captivated by the variety of artworks on the second floor. Alongside the paintings, there were other masterpieces, such as intricately designed pottery and beautifully crafted jewelry, each piece telling its own story and adding to the allure of the fair.
On the stall beside them, she found a mannequin wearing intricate jewels. The jewelry set exuded a timeless allure with its regal appeal. Crafted from lustrous yellow gold, the pieces featured a rich blend of deep blue sapphires and dazzling diamonds. The ring boasted a sapphire at its center, encircled by a halo of diamonds, while the earrings dangled elegantly with matching sapphire drops, framed by intricate diamond patterns. The necklace, with its pendant echoing the ring's motif, showcased a harmonious interplay of the same gemstones. Their ornate, geometric patterns and symbolic motifs evoked a sense of ancient mystique.
Juliane couldn't take her eyes off the set of jewelry, but her wallet was begging for mercy. The price board displayed… never mind, she regretted reading that one. "Forget it, forget it…" she murmured to herself, thinking how lucky she was to have the many pieces of jewelry the young master had given her to wear so that she'd look 'acceptable as Amon Midas' assistant'.
Juliane was so absorbed in examining a display of delicate jewelry that she didn't realize how much time had passed since she wandered away from stall 115. When she finally looked up, she saw that Amon and his father had returned. Stefan immediately approached the art dealer to discuss the paintings, while Amon scanned the crowd and spotted Juliane at the neighboring stall.
Amon walked over and stood beside her, his gaze drifting to the display she was admiring. "Ms. Johara… you want this?" he asked, pointing to a dazzling jewelry set on a mannequin.
Juliane laughed, shaking her head. "No way, sire! That's more valuable than my life," she replied with a playful grin. Then, her expression sobering , she added, "So… how did your talk go?"
"We reached an understanding about the situation," Amon said, his voice steady. "But I'll handle it on my own."
"I see… But if you need my help—"
"Ms. Johara," Amon interrupted gently, slipping a few pre-filled banknotes into her hand. "Bring these to Joerdan. He already knows what to do."
Juliane nodded and took the banknotes, heading back to stall 115 to find Joerdan. Once she was at a distance, Amon turned his attention to the owner of stall 116.
So, Juliane liked the jewelry set, huh? Amon thought, watching her as she moved through the crowd. Why not? He'd buy anything for his cute, stubborn assistant.
With a determined look in his eyes, Amon stepped forward to negotiate with the stall owner, knowing exactly what he wanted.
—
Amon, Juliane, Joerdan, and Stefan arranged for the art dealer to deliver the delicate paintings directly to the Golden Mansion in Grythwill City. While still at the V-Star Hotel, Amon used the lobby telephone to give the head butler, Mr. Salisbury, clear instructions on where to place the paintings once they arrived.
Later, the four of them gathered in the hotel's dining hall for lunch. They ordered ratatouille and beef burgundy, dishes that matched the elegance of their surroundings.
Midway through the meal , Amon turned to Juliane, seated beside him, and asked, "What would you like for dessert?"
Juliane's eyes sparkled with hope. "Cheesecake?" she asked, her tone almost pleading, giving Amon a look reminiscent of a begging puppy.
Amon chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I asked because there's no cheesecake on the menu, Juliane. Why would I ask if there were?"
Juliane pouted playfully. "Then… please choose a dessert for me, mister."
Amon rolled his eyes with a mock sigh. "Fine… One lemon meringue pie, please," he instructed the waitress.
As they waited for their food, Amon and Juliane continued their playful banter. Amon teased Juliane about how she seemed to be getting plump from eating too much cheesecake, while Juliane vehemently denied her own gluttony, though her laughter made it clear she wasn't offended.
Stefan, watching them closely, noticed the lighthearted interaction between his son and Juliane. He leaned in closer to Joerdan and asked quietly, "So, is she my son's lover?"
Joerdan shook his head. "No, sire. She's his assistant and also has an educational scholarship deal with him."
"Scholarship?" Stefan asked, eyebrows raised in surprise. It was uncharacteristic of Amon, who usually focused solely on business and profits. The idea that he would sponsor someone's education, especially a stranger's, was unexpected.
Joerdan nodded, explaining, "The young master bought the lady's land, and part of that deal included her... future schooling."
Stefan seemed bewildered. "And Amon agreed to this?"
"Yes," Joerdan replied. "I think they've become friends. They've gotten closer."
Stefan pondered this new information. Had he been away for so long that he'd missed his son's transformation? Watching Amon engage so comfortably with Juliane, and hearing them talk about something other than money, were refreshing. It reminded Stefan of his younger days, when he used to joke and banter with a woman from his past.
"Aurora…" Stefan murmured just loud enough for Amon to hear.
Amon, catching his father's tone, turned his attention away from Juliane. "Father… is something the matter?"
Stefan snapped out of his nostalgic trance and smiled. "No… it's nothing. I just… remembered something." He then turned to Juliane with a warm expression. "You're Amon's assistant, right? I don't believe I've properly introduced myself. I am his father, Stefan Midas."
Juliane smiled back and extended her hand. "Nice to meet you, sire. I'm Juliane Johara."
Stefan shook her hand firmly. "Thank you for being here with my son. It means a lot to me to see him with a friend."
Juliane blushed slightly, caught off guard by his kindness. "Friend? I mean, yes, you're welcome, sire." She glanced at Amon, memories of their time together flashing in her mind—the night they spent together, their everyday interactions. It seemed they had indeed grown closer.
Well, she thought, it couldn't be helped. They were always together, after all.
…
As soon as the sun rose, Juliane and Amon boarded the steam train back to Grythwill City. The rhythmic clatter of the train wheels on the tracks provided a comforting backdrop to their silent journey home. Juliane gazed out the window, watching the scenery blur past, lost in her thoughts. Amon, seated beside her, occasionally glanced in her direction with a distant look in his eyes. He couldn't shake off the feeling that things had shifted between them, especially after the events of the previous day.
Meanwhile, Joerdan accompanied Stefan on a separate train heading to the Region of Zuchira. It was a long, 16-hour trip, but they had agreed that their mission was worth the journey. They planned to continue tracing the origins of the mysterious paintings and to uncover whatever secrets they held.
Back at the Golden Mansion, Juliane headed straight to her room, exhaustion weighing down her every step. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. The trip had been eventful, and her mind was a swirl of thoughts and emotions. She needed to rest.
Amon, on the other hand, went directly to his study. He sat at his desk, ready to catch up on any correspondence that had arrived during his absence. His eyes immediately caught a fancy, floral envelope with a green wax seal resting on top of the pile. Its elegant design stood out among the rest, instantly sparking Amon's curiosity.
He picked up the envelope, examining it closely. "From Dmitri Aurum...?" Amon muttered to himself, frowning slightly as he recognized the name. "Who's that—Ah, the one-eyed trader… So he agreed to meet her," he sighed, the resignation in his voice unmistakable.
Amon's grip on the envelope tightened slightly as he thought about Dmitri. This man would be Juliane's second candidate for a husband. The realization sent a strange, uneasy feeling through him. Questions and doubts flooded his thoughts. Could he stand by and watch as Juliane met with another man?
Setting the letter down, Amon ran a hand through his hair as frustration showed on his face. He had never been one to let emotions interfere with his decisions, but things were different now. His heart was tangled in a web of confusion and longing, and he wasn't sure how to move forward.
As he sat there with the weight of his emotions pressing down on him, Amon realized that Mr. Grumpy Cupid, as he jokingly thought of himself, had quite a challenge ahead. Now that he knew how he felt about Juliane, the question was, what was he going to do about it?