37: the yellow diamond

Elsewhere, Lucas awoke exhausted, his head pounding and his eyes heavy. The headache throbbed in his forehead like war drums, and his memories of the previous night were a blur. He slowly opened his eyes and found himself asleep on the couch. He sat up, placing a hand on his head, trying to recall what had happened.

Bit by bit, the words returned. The images grew clearer, and his voice echoed in his mind… what he had said to Irene—what he had done.

He scratched his head hard and stood up with a groan. He looked around for her in the room, but she wasn't there.

He stepped into the shower, hoping the hot water might ease his headache—or the weight of guilt pressing on him.

When he emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist, he found Sally entering the room, bowing politely:

— "Has Lady Irene left?"

He gave her a confused look and said:

— "Aren't you her personal maid?"

She replied shyly:

— "Yes, my lord."

— "Then how do you not know where she is?"

Her voice dropped:

— "Forgive me… perhaps she's in the garden."

He nodded without comment, and Sally quickly exited.

He dressed swiftly, aware he was running late, and wishing he had time to speak with Irene… but time wasn't on his side.

---

Irene hadn't left the garden yet. She still sat beside the sieve, staring at the sheet she had finally perfected, holding it as though it were her last thread of salvation.

Suddenly, she heard soft footsteps rustling the grass. She looked up slightly and saw Sally approaching, holding a small basket of fruit, her eyes filled with worry and amazement.

As Sally neared her, she said:

— "You weren't in your room—I was surprised to find you gone… but somehow, I just knew you'd be here."

Irene gave a faint smile, then lowered her eyes back to the paper.

Sally sat down beside her, placing the basket between them, and said gently, with a touch of pleading:

— "You haven't eaten anything since yesterday. Your body can't handle that much strain... Please, eat a little."

Irene looked up and quietly asked:

— "Did you bring the pills?"

— "Yes, thankfully. I asked the staff to deliver them as soon as he arrived at the palace at seven this morning—and he brought them just now."

— "Thank you, Sally..."

She reached out, took the bottle, and read the label carefully. She knew she wouldn't sleep without them tonight either.

Sally extended her hand again, holding a fresh red apple, and said softly:

— "Please... it's fresh. Take it. And we'll try again tomorrow—it's okay to keep trying. What matters is your health."

Irene gave her a small but warm smile and replied:

— "There's no need to try again… I succeeded, Sally."

Sally's eyes widened in astonishment and joy. She exclaimed sincerely:

— "Really?!

I'm truly happy for you, my lady...

I was heartbroken seeing your expression yesterday. I kept thinking—if only a miracle would happen… Looks like my prayer was answered."

Irene chuckled lightly at her sincere words and said:

— "Thank you, Sally...

You're always by my side… in every way."

Sally laughed, then picked another apple from the basket and handed it to Irene, saying:

— "Take this one too… let's call it a small celebration of your success."

Irene looked at her for a long moment, then took the apple and nodded in thanks.

She felt... grateful.

Sally smiled gently—but behind her usual cheer and warmth, something remained hidden...

A quiet sorrow dwelling in her heart,

because she watched her lady grow thinner day after day,

all just to prove her innocence in a crime she never committed.

And there was nothing Sally could do for her…

except... to keep watching.

---

Elsewhere, Lucas arrived at the training grounds, fury still burning in his chest. His features were harsh, his dark aura drawing every gaze. He gripped his sword and stepped into the sparring area, ordering the soldiers to attack him all at once.

The soldiers hesitated, clearly intimidated, but obeyed.

He trained the entire day.

He was sparring with one soldier, hitting with full force. When the soldier blocked one of his strikes, Lucas growled:

— "How dare you block my strike?!"

The soldier, trembling, stammered:

— "I'm sorry, my lord!… But you were going to kill me!"

From a distance, Lucas's friends watched him.

One said:

— "What's with him today?"

Another replied:

— "He's always in a bad mood."

A third added:

— "Maybe he drank too much last night."

Loui remained silent, observing him, then finally said:

— "I'll talk to him."

He approached Lucas and tossed him a water bottle:

— "Take a break, man. The soldiers are about to drop dead."

Lucas shot him a burning glare and said:

— "My soldiers aren't that weak."

Loui glanced at the soldiers sprawled across the grounds—

one of them was vomiting from exhaustion—

and said sarcastically:

— "Heh… clearly."

Lucas sat by the wall, drank from the bottle, and Loui joined him, asking:

— "What's wrong? You're not yourself today."

Lucas tried to brush it off:

— "I'm fine."

Loui gave him a long look:

— "I've known you since childhood. I know when something's wrong."

— "It's nothing important."

— "Another fight with your father?"

— "No."

— "Your mother?"

— "No."

— "Your wife?!" Loui said in surprise.

— "..."

Loui widened his eyes, covering his mouth playfully.

Lucas said:

— "What's with that look? Want me to kill you?"

Loui laughed:

— "Nothing, nothing… you just sounded cute."

Lucas shot him a deadly look, reaching for his sword and starting to rise. Loui quickly raised his hands in surrender:

— "Sorry! Sorry!"

Then added seriously:

— "So… what happened?"

Lucas sighed:

— "I was too drunk last night… said things I shouldn't have."

— "Is she mad?"

— "I don't remember clearly… but she will be."

Loui shrugged:

— "Then apologize."

The word echoed in Lucas's mind like a curse.

— "Ap… apologize? Me? That's impossible."

Loui laughed:

— "Wow, you're so arrogant it's kind of impressive."

He paused, then said:

— "If you can't say sorry, give her a gift: a necklace, luxury perfume… Women love that kind of thing. Trust me—she'll forgive you instantly."

Lucas fell silent, then looked at him suspiciously:

— "And you? Since when do you know all this? Are you secretly dating someone?"

Loui laughed:

— "Not sure how I feel yet… but there's someone on my mind."

Lucas gave him a cold stare.

Loui laughed harder:

— "Don't worry—you'll be the first to know who it is. In fact… you know her well."

— "What do you mean? I know her well?"

Loui stood up, smiling:

— "The sun's setting. Go now before all the fancy stores close."

Then he walked away.

Lucas remained seated, pondering...

Her words echoed again:

"Stop acting like you're the only one forced into this marriage..."

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration, muttering:

— "I really shouldn't have drunk that much. This is such a mess."

He headed toward the carriage, then to the city center.

He entered a luxurious jewelry shop just as they were preparing to close. A clerk stepped forward and said:

— "I'm sorry, sir, but we're closing now."

He turned to her slowly. When she saw his face, she froze, then quickly bowed:

— "What an honor! A… Aren't you General Lucas?!"

— "Yes. I just need five minutes… and I'll pay for the extra time."

— "Of course. Stay as long as you need. Do you need help?"

— "Yes. I'm looking for a necklace suitable for a young woman in her twenties."

— "Is it for your wife?"

— "Yes."

— "We have a special collection for young noble ladies in this section."

She began suggesting options and added:

— "Since Your Grace is newly married, I believe this one would suit her taste."

Lucas replied:

— "No. I want to choose it myself."

She said:

— "Of course. Take your time, Your Grace."

She stepped aside, leaving him to browse.

His eyes scanned the glittering displays until they landed on a necklace with three delicate yellow diamonds… the color of soft sunlight. The way the gems caught the light—it felt as if they glowed from within.

He thought of Irene's hair… that golden hue.

He imagined the necklace around her neck, then held his head.

— "What am I thinking?"

He told the clerk:

— "I'll take this one."

She responded in awe:

— "You have exquisite taste, Your Grace. That piece features extremely rare yellow diamonds known as

'Canary Diamonds.'

We acquired it at an auction for twenty-one million notes. It's now priced at twenty-five million—our most expensive item, and one of the rarest in the kingdom."

Lucas didn't care about the details.

He simply said:

— "I'll take it now."

The woman bowed with respect and finalized the purchase.

Lucas left the shop, the precious necklace in hand.

Now came the hard part...

How would he give it to her?

He didn't give gifts.

He didn't know how to apologize.

But he knew one thing…

He... was wrong.

---

Lucas entered the palace. The sun had already set. The servants bowed as he passed the entrance, though their eyes were curious—he wasn't usually home this early in the evening.

He walked quietly through the corridors. On his way to the room, he ran into his mother.

She said:

— "Lucas!"

He turned toward her.

She approached and asked calmly:

— "You're home early tonight… did something happen?"

He replied without looking at her for long:

— "No, nothing."

But her eyes caught the small black bag in his hand—with the seal of a well-known jewelry brand in the kingdom.

She glanced at the bag, then back at him, and quickly understood. She smiled faintly but said nothing.

Then she spoke gently:

— "Dinner is over. Your wife usually takes a bath after eating… You can eat first, then go to the room. I'll ask the staff to prepare something for you."

She smiled softly and walked away—without waiting for his reply.

Lucas looked after her, slightly puzzled.

He ate slowly on purpos

then finally made his way to the room.

---