"This deal is... quite shady," Juliane said in disbelief, crossing her arms over her chest. Staring into Amon's ocean-blue eyes, she asked, "Why did you even agree to that part of the contract?"
Amon leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as if he had a headache. "I thought it would be an easy task because I know a lot of single gentlemen. But now that I've met you... I think I overestimated myself."
Juliane's face flushed with anger. "How rude of you! Do you mean no one would be willing to marry someone like me?!"
Amon raised his eyebrows, his expression calm yet slightly amused. "I never said anything like that, miss. Those words came out of your own mouth."
Hearing what Amon said, Juliane narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists. With their seemingly never-ending conflicts, she realized she would never be able to be friends with someone like Amon. He was too arrogant, too dismissive, too... infuriating.
Sighing heavily, Amon decided to end the conversation. "Let's just call it a day. I am tired of all this babbling." he said, waving his hand dismissively. He called for the head maid and asked her to prepare a guest room for Juliane for the night.
Juliane, also tired from their argument, nodded and tried to muster some gratitude. "Thank you for the room and for asking them to help me with the bath—"
Amon cut her off, his voice flat. "Don't think too much about it. I just couldn't have a conversation with the unpleasant sight of you a while ago."
Juliane's jaw dropped in shock, and she felt a surge of anger rise within her. She wanted to flick the young master's forehead or throw a pillow at him, but her weariness was slowly consuming her. Realizing that she was too tired to argue, she forced a tight smile and sarcastically muttered, "Goodnight, Mister Midas," before turning and heading toward the stairs.
As Juliane left the room, Amon watched her go, a subtle smile creeping onto his face. "She's one interesting woman," he murmured to himself, leaning back in his chair with a thoughtful expression. "I wonder which of my business partners could put up with her personality?" Despite his frustration, he couldn't deny that she had a certain charm, one that made him oddly eager to fulfill the last clause of the contract with the Joharas.
Amon felt a flicker of excitement at the thought of playing Cupid—a task he had never done before. It was a challenge, and he couldn't help but be intrigued by the prospect of finding a suitable match for the fiery, stubborn potato lady.
…
As soon as the sun rose, the maids of the Golden Mansion hurriedly went to the dining hall to prepare the breakfast of their masters. Schulton Midas, who usually wakes up earlier than Amon, wondered why the mansion was livelier than before.
Confused by all the commotion, Schulton asked the head butler, "Hylton… Is it just me, or is something going on?"
"Well, sire… You wouldn't believe it, but the head maid said a lady visited the young master last night."
Schulton's face brightened, delighted that his stone-hearted grandson still had a chance to change his mind.
The head butler continued, "According to the maids, the lady was quite angry at the young master, saying that she won't accept his money… After that, the young master asked the maids to give her a shower, then bring her to his room… And what happened there was unknown."
"And where is this woman?"
"She's sleeping in the guest room. From what I heard, she and the young master still had to talk about something."
"I see. Invite the lady to our breakfast."
It was obvious that the old man was excited to meet the mysterious lady that caught his grandson's attention. If she was brazen enough to trespass the Golden Mansion, then that personality of hers might be the key to unlocking the sturdy door to Amon's heart.
Schulton wondered if the woman's family background would be acceptable for the other members of the Midas family, but in the end it would not matter. As someone who's of old age, his wisdom knows no bound. He knew what mattered the most.
Meanwhile, around 7:30 in the morning, Amon fetched Juliane in the guest room. Juliane was dressed properly in a fitted bodice, a high neckline with a small lace collar, and long slim-fitting sleeves. The full gathered skirt fell to mid-calf length, and the dress was adorned with subtle decorative details such as pin-tucks and delicate lace trims. Seeing that she was properly dressed, he invited her to eat in his room.
But the head butler told them that the master had been waiting for them in the dining hall.
"Mr. Hylton, tell my grandfather that my guest is not feeling well. She will eat in my room."
Hylton nodded, "How about you, sir?"
"Yes, I will eat with my grandfather. I'm coming in a few minutes… You may go."
As soon as they were left alone, Amon closed the door, leaving Juliane confused while seated on the sofa. "Mister, what happened?"
"I think rumors have circulated in the mansion and it reached my grandfather's ears," Amon sighed, "Anyway, don't come out of my room. I'll ask the head maid to bring you your breakfast… Let me handle this first, I'll get back to you."
Juliane nodded as she watched Amon leave. What kind of rumors could it be? Did her visit cause problems for the young master more than she had expected?
Whatever. It didn't matter, since she's there to cause trouble right from the start. While she waited for Amon Midas, she decided to think of how to convince him to return the farmland.
In the dining hall, a frowning Schulton Midas glared at his grandson who was eating his pancake peacefully. He was excited to meet the mysterious woman, but Amon was too careful. How the heck could he see if the woman had any intention to marry his grandson?
"Don't be too upset, grandfather. You do not have to meet my guest," Amon uttered while slicing his second pancake. "We only have some problems during our deal, that's why she was fuming with anger last night. It's nothing like the rumors."
"You mean, nothing happened between you and her? You were not drunk and you did not book a room at a hotel?"
Amon took a second look at his grandfather. After hearing such a foolish action, he should get mad, right? But he seemed disappointed, seeing him pouting like a monkey. He must be desperate for his grandson to have a love life and have some great grandkids!
An hour after they had eaten together, Amon returned to his room. To his surprise, it was not a babbling Juliane Johara he saw.
The lady slept on the sofa. Light snores could be heard, probably she's in deep sleep, and in between those snores she'd mutter some inaudible words.
Curious, Amon approached, and knelt closer to hear her.
"Father… come back."
Hearing Juliane's soft whisper, Amon sighed, relating to her words. He and the potato merchant were far from similar in terms of their statuses, but in this statement, they're the same. The young master's father Stefan also left the city for his so-called expedition. He had been gone for more than a year, and only his seldom letters and phone calls became the proof of his safety and existence.
As he contemplated these things, Amon grabbed his trench coat from the rack and covered Juliane with it. How could this lady let her guard down around a man she barely even knew?
Amon Midas had never gotten close to a lady, and showing Juliane too much kindness might make her misunderstand him. It seems like he had to look after the innocent lady in a different way, and immediately help her meet someone who could make her warm during wintertime.