Not long after Jeha had finished preparing and boarded the carriage, its movement ceased. Peering out the window, he observed they were barely a block away from the count’s mansion. In Encarosha, where wealthy noble families congregated, the distance between their residences was often negligible, making this stop entirely unsurprising.
As he was helped down from the carriage, a building emerged into view, grander and more opulent than the count’s mansion. Its antique wrought-iron gates stood wide open, as if to welcome Jeha.
Stepping inside the mansion, Jeha immediately felt a multitude of gazes fix upon him. The expansive lobby, adorned with lavish chandeliers, was bustling with tailors, merchants, and their assistants and servants laden with goods.
“This is His Excellency, Marquis Belgarga.”
Paimon, standing behind him, made the introduction. At his words, everyone gathered in the lobby bowed in unison. Jeha, unsure how to respond appropriately, simply offered a light nod in return.
“Let us proceed to the bedroom for now.”
Zephyr spoke, then began to lead the way.
Ascending a magnificent staircase, Zephyr offered a brief introduction to Jeha’s private quarters.
The drawing-room, study, and bedroom had all been meticulously cleaned and prepared, ready for immediate use. It seemed the previous occupants had only taken their most essential belongings, leaving everything else behind.
From the densely packed bookshelves in the study to the ornaments and furniture in the drawing-room, everything remained intact. The interior décor and furnishings themselves exuded an antique charm and a clear sense of luxury.
“Should you find anything displeasing, please inform me. I shall have it replaced as swiftly as possible.”
Zephyr stated, a subtle hint of pride still lingering about him, having evidently noticed Jeha’s satisfaction with the mansion.
Kkamangi, previously cradled in his arms, leaped onto the bed. The creature circled the neatly made bed once, then quivered, its tail held high. It clearly approved.
“Overall, I’m quite pleased. Zephyr, you’ve gone to a great deal of trouble.”
Jeha did not fail to praise Zephyr, causing the latter’s nose to tilt up a fraction of an inch.
“Then I shall summon the tailor immediately.”
“Now?”
“Indeed. Crafting the finest garments naturally requires a considerable amount of time. And while we have them here, should we not commission several outfits for you, Master, for the future? Ah, it would also be prudent to summon the jeweler. It would be most efficient to select accessories while taking measurements and choosing fabrics.”
Instead of awaiting a reply, Zephyr swiftly departed, appearing somewhat agitated.
Jeha leisurely walked through the bedroom, taking in every detail of its interior. There was much to admire: the intricate wood grain of the bed and furniture, the carefully manicured landscape outside the window, and the various decorative objects placed throughout the room.
His perusal was not prolonged, for Zephyr soon returned, accompanied by the tailor and several merchants.
Jeha stood tall, surrendering himself to the tailor’s ministrations. The tailor meticulously took measurements with a ruler, calling out figures that an assistant standing nearby rapidly transcribed. Meanwhile, another assistant presented various fabrics currently in vogue in Encarosha, soliciting Jeha’s preferences.
In truth, Jeha’s fashion sense was practically nonexistent. In his modern life, he had been a student with little occasion to dress up, and since arriving in this world, he had simply worn whatever Paimon or Zephyr chose for him.
As Jeha hesitated, unable to readily choose a fabric, Zephyr shrewdly interjected.
“When it comes to selecting fabrics, those who craft clothes surely possess a far more discerning eye than anyone else. You are to choose colors that will best complement His Excellency the Marquis’s beautiful black hair. Any fabrics already chosen by others for their own garments are to be excluded entirely. His Excellency must never encounter anyone wearing clothes of the same fabric or pattern when he steps out.
“Price is of no consequence. First, create and deliver an outfit for him to wear in a few days, then continue to craft more garments for His Excellency. He should have at least ten outfits.”
As Zephyr spoke with such generosity, the tailor glanced at Jeha, seeking his approval. Jeha silently nodded, and a flush of delight spread across the tailor’s face.
“Yes, Your Excellency. I shall create the masterpiece of my lifetime for you.”
The tailor spoke with fervent passion, then resumed taking measurements, the careful deliberation etched on his face deepening considerably.
After all the clothing measurements were taken, it was the turn of the shoemaker and the jeweler. While the shoemaker measured Jeha’s feet and discussed designs with Zephyr, the jeweler’s assistants lined up, opening wide, flat boxes.
Inside the boxes lay every conceivable piece of jewelry suitable for a man.
From elaborate, large pendants meant to hang on the chest, to gems for adorning hats and shoes, and brooches and rings for the lapel, all gleamed brilliantly. A plethora of smaller, uncut precious stones were also displayed, and the tailor, who had remained nearby, cautiously approached to suggest suitable gems for the garments.
“Select all the jewels you deem necessary for my clothes. You may choose as many as you wish, but I absolutely must not appear like a gaudy, nouveau riche fool draped in excessive gems.”
Jeha spoke like a magnate with an unlimited credit line. At his words, granting free rein to adorn the clothes with jewels, the tailor’s face brightened even further.
“Of course, Your Excellency. I shall exercise utmost discretion to enhance your dignity and nobility.”
The tailor smiled continuously as he spoke, then began scrutinizing the ornamental raw gemstones with a hawk-like gaze.
Jeha’s gaze returned to the array of accessories laid out before him. He tried his best to match the jewelry with the local attire.
However, with so many glittering objects dazzling his eyes, he found it impossible to concentrate. They all looked much the same to him.
His expression naturally turned indifferent. While the tailor had been delighted, the jeweler’s expression grew anxious due to Jeha’s distinct lack of interest in his wares.
“Your Excellency, what do you think of this item? It is an amethyst pendant, perfectly suited to your beautiful, lustrous black hair. An amethyst of this size, color, and flawless clarity is a rarity even here in Encarosha. It would undoubtedly enhance your noble bearing.”
Seeing Jeha’s lukewarm response, the jeweler swiftly added.
“High Priests wear sashes of this very noble purple hue. If you were to wear this and stand beside the High Priest, you would undoubtedly appear to be a perfectly matched pair.”
Hearing the jeweler’s words, Jeha thought, ‘Well, well, what have we here?’ ‘High Priest’ clearly referred to Hereis, and the suggestion that they would appear a ‘matched pair’ implied knowledge of their relationship.
For the jeweler to so openly state that he and Hereis would be a good match was telling. It seemed that in Encarosha, the relationship between a High Priest and a consort was not considered a secret at all.
‘Given that the Pope’s consort is openly proclaimed to be Mrs. Fanucci…’
Recalling Mrs. Fanucci, Jeha quickly understood. He then nodded to the jeweler, signaling his intent to purchase. The jeweler’s face instantly brightened.
Emboldened, the jeweler began to introduce each piece of jewelry. Every item he had brought was extraordinary; in short, he had swept up only the most expensive articles.
Jeha, half-listening to the jeweler’s explanations, casually picked out a few items that caught his eye. Suddenly, the jeweler gestured behind him. An assistant who had been waiting stepped forward and opened a box. Jeha, his curiosity piqued, glanced over and widened his eyes slightly.
“What do you think, Your Excellency? Is this not an item perfectly suited for a gift to a noble personage?”
The jeweler asked, a triumphant smile on his face.
Jeha beckoned the assistant closer. He then lifted the item from the box and examined it intently. It was a large pendant, designed to hang to the center of the chest, accompanied by a matching pair of rings. At its heart, a brilliant blue gem was set, matching the color of Hereis’s eyes with uncanny precision. The jeweler had unmistakably chosen a gem of the exact hue as Hereis’s eyes.
“Do you also deliver?”
Jeha asked without hesitation.
“Of course, Your Excellency.”
The jeweler promptly replied.
Jeha continued to examine the gem for a moment longer before placing it back in the box. He then nodded, a satisfied smile gracing his lips.
“Send this to His Eminence, Archbishop Hereis.”
“Yes, Your Excellency. An excellent choice indeed. His Eminence will surely be delighted to receive it.”
The assistant, receiving a nod from the jeweler, prepared to close the box.
“Wait.”
At that moment, Jeha stopped the assistant and reached into the box, picking up one of the rings.
“I shall deliver this one myself.”
“That will undoubtedly please His Eminence even more.”
Jeha toyed with the ring in his hand.
To a modern eye, the ring was excessively large and ornate. Wearing such a piece on the streets in his original world would surely draw strange looks from everyone. However, this was a different world. Considering the lavish priestly robes Hereis constantly wore, a piece of this grandeur would be entirely appropriate.
“Have you chosen something to your liking?”
Zephyr, having seemingly concluded his discussion, approached and inquired. Jeha nodded, holding up the ring in his hand. Zephyr seemed to instantly grasp the reason for Jeha’s choice.
“It will suit him wonderfully.”
Zephyr said in a subtle tone. Jeha detected a glimmer of anticipation in Zephyr’s eyes. He was clearly looking forward to the resurgence of the matchmaking festival, which had been quiet for some time.
Jeha carefully examined the ring, then tucked it safely into his pocket.