The Ring

News of the mine got out and even reached the capital. Soon, the Count's desk was piled high with letters from nobles inviting him to their homes. Some even tried to match their children with the Count's.

The Count found the nobles' offers to buy the mine tempting, but then he remembered that he had an even more powerful person behind him that definitely wouldn't let him off if he disobeyed her orders.

The day Kalina and Count Willick made their deal, after Kalina had returned to her estate, the Count informed his family of the news over dinner. His wife was moved to tears, regarding Kalina as a saint that had blessed their family. Holly and her older brother were also equally shocked.

The Count hired a considerable workforce with a small loan from Kalina and profits began rolling in. They dug up huge crystals of precious gemstones and found countless ores containing gold, silver, and iron.

Every few days or so, Kalina would receive a list of the most valuable minerals and gems that she could take for her own. She would mark the ones she wanted, and they would be shipped to the Ephraims' family treasury the next day.

This continued on for two months, and even the Emperor had heard about the Count's business. The Count was called to the capital for an audience, and when he stated that he already had an anonymous "benefactor" backing him, all the nobles gossiped about who it could be.

Names of nobles that had been known for their businesses came up, but the Count denied having any relationship with them.

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"Everyone has been searching for Count Willick's benefactor lately. It's all anyone ever talks about nowadays," the Duchess said over dinner. As usual, the Duke wasn't present as he lived separately from Kalina and her mother for most of the time.

Not that Kalina wanted to see his obnoxious face.

Kalina almost choked on her food and quickly gulped down a bit of tea before turning to her mother and saying, "Is that so? Have they found any clues?"

"Ah, the Count said that they were a very powerful person that works from the shadows. Isn't that interesting? Drink some more." The Duchess replied while reaching over and stroking Kalina's back after she choked.

'Someone who works from the shadows. It's a nice label. I'll have to thank him for that when I get the chance.' Kalina thought as she gave her mother a grateful smile.

"The Count's patron seems to not want to reveal himself anytime soon, so we'll just have to wait and see." The Duchess returned the smile and ended the conversation.

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"Lady Kalina, thank you so much!" Holly exclaimed. She bowed deeply over and over, her eyes shut tightly in a cute expression.

"What for, what for? Oh, you don't need to bow to me!" Kalina rushed to Holly's side and helped her stand straight.

"You helped with Father's business, and we can finally afford better things for the people living here." Holly said, wiping her teary eyes.

"Of course, we're friends after all. I want you to be happy." Kalina grinned softly, holding Holly's hands in her own. With the afternoon sun shining from behind, Kalina seemed like an angel.

"Ah, that's right! I have a gift for you, Lady Kalina."

"A gift?"

"Yes! Come with me." Holly led Kalina up the stairs and into her room. It was less than half the size of Kalina's, but she still found it cozy and nice.

Holly rummaged through her wardrobe, pulling out a small box made out of green velvet. She handed it to Kalina shyly.

"Is this it?" Kalina grinned, expecting a handmade gift or some small trinkets.

She opened the box and was surprised to see a white gold ring with a large emerald-cut diamond in the center. Except, this diamond was special.

It had a strikingly vivid golden color and anyone could tell it was of exceptionally high quality at a glance. Sunlight streamed through the window and reflected off the polished surface, bathing Kalina's cheek in a gold light. Kalina's eyes seemed to sparkle with delight as she looked it over. Even the gems excavated at the mine couldn't compare to this one.

"This is...?" Kalina didn't dare take it out of the box in fear of damaging it.

"Ah, this is a family heirloom," Holly rushed to explain. "My mother brought it from her maiden family. It's a one of a kind diamond. They said, if it met the right owner, it could awaken magical abilities."

Countess Willick married the Count for love. She was originally a jewelry maker from Jassian who had accidentally wandered into the Count's territory. They fell in love at first sight and eventually married eighteen years ago. The pair spent their married life managing the land and raising their two children together. The Willicks were the epitome of a loving family.

"From Jassian? It's beautiful. I've never seen a yellow diamond before. But why are you giving it to me?"

"Mother wanted me to give it to you. Her family has a tradition of giving their jewels to those that help them. She really appreciates what you have done for us, and thought this ring was a perfect match for Lady Kalina."

"But...a family heirloom is a little too much for a thank-you gift, no?" Although Kalina thought the gem was stunning, she felt guilty to be gifted a heirloom for something that she had done for her own gain.

Holly smiled and clasped Kalina's hands. "Everyone agrees that Lady Kalina deserves it. It may have been a small act to you, but to people like us, it's something very special."

Holly's clear brown eyes stared unwaveringly into Kalina's. Usually, the former would try to avoid too much direct eye contact with Kalina as it could be disrespectful, but it seemed that she was trying to convey her sincerity this time.

"Okay." Kalina closed the box and tucked it away. "I'll be sure to treasure it."

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"Miss, what's this?" Olivia asked, taking the ring box out from Kalina's coat pocket. Kalina had just taken a bath and was having her hair dried by a maid. It was around nine in the evening, and everyone was getting ready to go to bed.

"Oh, give that to me." Kalina stretched out her arm and Olivia placed it in her hand.

Kalina opened the box and the maids in the room gasped in unison. Never in their lives had they seen something so beautiful.

Kalina felt as though the ring had put her in some sort of trance. All she could think about was what it would look like on her hand.

Unable to resist anymore, she tenderly picked the ring out of the box and slid it onto her right ring finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had been meant to be hers.

She felt a pleasant tingling sensation around the area where the ring touched her skin. It remained for a few seconds as she raised her hand and tilted it, watching it glimmer in the dim light.

"How beautiful..." Olivia murmured, mesmerized by the sight of her miss staring fanatically at her hand. She couldn't tell whether she was talking about the ring or Kalina.

"Oh, pardon me," Kalina snapped out of her trance and reluctantly removed the ring, placing it back into its box. She turned to the maids with an apologetic smile. "You are all excused."

The maids nodded and whispered to each other while exiting the room. Olivia helped Kalina into her bed and drew the curtains surrounding it.

"Good night, miss."

"Mm, you too, Olivia."

As Kalina drifted off to sleep, the velvet box on her vanity seemed to emit a soft golden glow. In the dark room that was bathed with moonlight, the radiance resembled a star in the night sky.