—
Finally, at seven in the evening, Juliane finished reading about basic economics in the Golden Mansion's library. As she was about to leave, an old man wearing a knitted sweater stepped into her path.
"Hi! Do you have a minute?" Schulton Midas asked with a warm smile.
Juliane looked at him, puzzled. "Uh, how can I help, sir?" She wondered who this old man was and why he wanted to speak with her.
"I'd like to discuss your marriage with my grandson."
Juliane's eyes widened in shock. Was this another one of Amon's schemes? She was confused, thinking she needed more lessons before being introduced to another gentleman.
"Sorry, I'm not accepting any marriage proposals at this time."
Schulton chuckled at her response. "Is that so?" He couldn't quite read Juliane's expression. She seemed genuinely confused, but why would she say she wasn't accepting proposals?
There was only one possible reason... Maybe Amon had already proposed and kept their engagement a secret?!
"That sly grandson," Schulton murmured with a grin. But seeing Juliane's curious stare, he quickly changed the subject. "How about a game of chess?"
"Chess?" Juliane looked down, feeling a bit nervous. "Apologies, but I don't know how to play that game."
"Then let me teach you!" When Schulton saw Mr. Hylton making his rounds around the mansion, he promptly called his attention. "Err, excuse me sir, please serve us a glass of iced tea and some cheesecakes. I heard from the maids that this young lady loves them," the old man faking his very polite tone to his very own butler.
The head butler nodded and went to the kitchen, leaving Juliane and Schulton alone in the library. Although Juliane was curious about who this old man was, she quickly became focused on learning chess from him. After all, it was a game associated with the nobility.
In between moves, Schulton Midas asked a random question. "So, Ms. Johara, are you and Amon Midas well-acquainted?"
Juliane gauged her closeness to the young master. As someone who agreed to support her, perhaps they're quite close?
"Hmm… I guess we're a little close."
The old man pouted, "Just a little? But why? You're even staying here for free, and being taken care of."
"I'm not sure… we only have some sort of deal," Juliane answered, then moved her pawn, "Maybe it's more likely a business relationship. My mother did sell the family farm to him after all…"
Schulton then moved the queen diagonally towards the right edge of the chessboard. "What do you think of him, then? Does he pass as a husband?"
As soon as Juliane heard it, her cheeks turned red as a tomato. Husband? Amon Midas?
Laughing hard, Juliane uttered, "That's the funniest joke I've ever heard!" then seeing the old man with a curious expression, she continued, "If Mister Amon isn't grumpy, maybe he'll pass as my husband."
"Amon is grumpy?" Schulton also laughed aloud, "I think your words are true."
"Have you met him too?"
"Yes. A lot of times, since he was a child… Hmm, it's your turn already. You should move the pawn to block the king…"
Minutes later, Hylton was about to deliver the food when Amon arrived, glancing at the contents of the wheeled food cart. Cheesecake, and iced tea? It's not the usual combination for dessert that his grandfather would request.
"Mr. Salisbury, where are you taking that?" Amon inquired.
The nervous head butler gulped, wondering if he should spill the beans, or stall for time in order for Schulton and Juliane to have more time for a conversation. He's assigned as a servant for the Midas family, most especially to the master of the mansion, but lying might ruin his reputation. Besides, Amon Midas would be able to see through his words.
"Young master… In the library, your grandfather and Ms. Johara are playing chess-"
The sentence did not even finish, and Amon dashed off to the mentioned room. What if the old man misunderstood that he's into her? And knowing the innocent-minded Juliane, she might even say unnecessary things to add fuel to the fire of rumors!
As soon as Amon opened the library, he saw an unusual scene. In between Schulton and Juliane was a chessboard.
"Ah, there you are, Mr. Midas! Look, Juliane already knows how to play chess," Schulton said, obviously happy with the way things unfold.
Amon furrowed his brows. Did his grandfather address him formally and call Juliane informally? What was happening?!
"Checkmate, grandpa!" Juliane excitedly said, then noticed Amon by the door. "Oh, mister, I've finished my reading assignment, so-"
"Why did you call him grandpa?" he inquired.
"I was the one who asked her to call me that from now on," Schulton interrupted, "Now that you're here… I should go now."
"You should win next time, grandpa," Juliane said in a playful tone.
While Juliane cleared the chessboard, Schulton approached Amon, who seemed to be worried and out of breath. He asked with a wide grin, "Hmm? Did you run?"
Amon only shook his head. He knew his grandfather wasn't simple-minded. He had already memorized the meaning behind his facial expressions, and when he asked him if he ran towards the library, he seemed pleased, as if he had confirmed something. He's sure Schulton would misunderstand more if he figured out he was worried about Juliane!
The old man did not even wait for him to speak. Satisfied with his grandson's reaction, he left the library, laughing.
Amon sighed, "What did you two talk about?"
"He mistook me for a wife candidate for his grandson. I told him I'm not accepting any proposals right now."
"Do you even know who he is?"
"He's grandpa… Well, he didn't give me any name aside from Grandpa."
"I see… So that's how it was," Amon felt relieved. It was better for Juliane to not know about his grandfather's identity to avoid any pressure on her. "Anyway, you're done for the day, so I'll ask the driver to take you back to the hospital. Come, now."
"But… what about my cheesecake…" Juliane pointed to Hylton's cart of food.
"You glutton… Just come back tomorrow."
…
Three days later, the young master received an invitation to a charity event organized by the mayor of Grythwill City. Knowing that the event would be a good starter for the potato lady's entrance to the rich people's world, he asked Juliane to accompany him as his assistant.
During the occasion, Amon wore a sleek black suit and black leather boots sourced from Vaulinhorn City. Completing his look, he added a top hat and carried a baston, a fashionable statement for nobility. After spraying on a cologne, he made his way to Juliane's assigned bedroom in the Golden Mansion, conveniently located in front of his own. He knocked, and as he opened the door, he almost didn't recognize his assistant.
Standing by the door, Juliane was just about to leave when Amon opened it. She was dressed in an elegant peach silk off-shoulder evening dress with long sleeves and a petticoat adorned with layers of silk and lace at each layer's end. Her feet were adorned with two-inch-high brown closed shoes, and she wore simple dot earrings with shimmering jasper gems. Her hair was styled in an updo, clipped at the side with a jasper hair clip.
"You look... better," Amon commented, his gaze lingering on her transformed appearance. He then thanked the stylist who was packing up behind Juliane.
"Mr. Midas, isn't this too much?" Juliane asked, scratching her neck in embarrassment, feeling that her attire exposed too much of her skin.
"That's how ladies dress for a formal event. You'll eventually get used to it… I mean, I don't want my assistant to look shabby."