Chapter 11: Gift

Jerome paled when he saw at least ten bags of golds on his table and boxes of gifts on the couch when he entered his office at the Rosen Gems Shop. He knew it was from Rowan, but he didn't know that the crown prince would find him sooner than later.

Maybe it was Liao's fault since they managed to connect the man to him but the black haired man could only sigh before taking the letter that was left to Henry.

"Dear Princess,

You wouldn't tell me your name and address and I didn't even had the chance to see your face but never mind, I have my ways. I hope you liked my gifts. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth if I am not able to show my gratitude so, just accept them. If they are returned back to the palace, I'll double it. See you soon and hope you stay out of trouble.

From,

The Handsomest Mysterious Man: The Crown Prince"

Jerome tried not to smile, he couldn't even understand if he was happy, flustered or annoyed. Happy and flustered because this is just the main character of his favorite novel talking to him and also, the crown prince out of all people.

In contrast, he also felt annoyed as the man really just do what he wants and doesn't even take no for an answer.

He kind of forgot why Rowan Lennox even became a well-liked character from his previous world.

The black haired man could only sigh before looking at the bag of coins. Exactly as he needed it, Liao arrived.

"Why the long face, my lord? When you have all the money you can spend? Do you want to return them? Feeling greedy?" The older asked and opened a box from the pile of gifts.

'Wow... a diamond brooch.' The Eastern man muttered.

"It's nothing, I'm just feeling annoyed."

"Really? You look flustered." Liao chuckled, seeing the red tint on the younger's ears.

"Ah... young love." He added.

"Don't call it that. This is just a reward for helping the crown prince expose Hardwicke."

"Speaking of... You had the chance to ask for the Royal Family's blessing to become a noble... So, why didn't you just exposed yourself to the crown prince? He already knew anyways." Liao asked, placing the box of the diamond brooch on the pile.

"And have everyone talking about me again? That I went to expose Hardwicke of his wrongdoings after I was accused of having fake magical accessories? I would rather get away from the gossips even if I don't care about them... Plus, I need everyone's favor. Now that Hardwicke's gone, they will scatter around looking for the best entrepreneurs they could leech off. Of course, we'll accept everyone, hear them out and give them hope. It's easy to get rid of them once we knew their weaknesses after all." Jerome explained to the older with arms crossed.

The Eastern man smiled, chuckling, "Cold, my lord... Colder than the Duke of North."

He then looked at the bag of coins on the table, "What are you going to do with that then?"

The younger looked at the bags as well, "Let's buy a mansion. It's time to act like a noble if I were to be one."

"The rest, donate them to Hardwicke's former captives."

Liao stood up and gestured his attendants, "Carry them to the carriage along with the gifts."

Jerome turned to Henry who was standing by the door, "Henry, spread news that I'm hiring for staff... You were once the head butler of a known noble family, I believe you already know how to pick the best."

The old man bowed with a hand on his chest, "As you wish." He said and left.

Now that everything's in motion, the young man looked at Liao, "How's Dynila, by the way?"

"She's good, ecstatic about the news that his previous master was arrested. I managed to have a conversation with her over a wine and she started telling me how she was actually quite strict with money, she could also handle how to fight and from what I can tell, she could handle a conversation based from the news of her trying to defame you with a fake jewelry."

"What you're saying...?" Jerome crossed his arms.

"I found your little merchant for your little store for the commoners."

The black haired man nodded, "The only reason she wasn't able to successfully defamed me is because she didn't have enough information. We'll provide her with everything, tell her to come meet me next time."

Liao placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly with a smile, "As you wish."

Jerome ignored the gesture, he has to get used to it after all, "Let's go."

He said and walked past the older to get to the carriage.

Once they got settled inside, the Eastern man told his coachman where to go before the carriage went off.

"So, where are we off to first?" The young man asked with his arms crossed and while looking out the window.

"I know a real state agent that could help you find a comfortable place."

Jerome don't really care about the mansion, as long as it's a mansion. 'Though maybe getting more knowledgeable about it might make me well known.' He thought to himself.

When they arrived at the mentioned agent's office, Liao guided the younger inside. "Good morning, Sires... How can I be of help?"

The Eastern man smiled, as usual. "We would like to purchase a manor for this young man, may I see the illustrations of the ones available?"

"Right this way, Sire." The front desk woman guided them in a private room.

Jerome just looked around, impressed how they were treated with outmost care as he saw some of the staff bringing teas and snacks for them.

"Let me guess, you're a regular here." The young man looked at the older with a raised eyebrow.

Liao just chuckled and turned his attention to the blueprints and illustrations of the available manors, "How about this one, my lord?"

The first one was too much, it felt like it was built to compete the Royal Palace but smaller than it. It has intricate designs with gargoyles on the roof and rose-colored windows.

"No, next."

The next one was too small and was too simple, as if it was just a house than a manor, "This one?"

"It's a house."

Liao just smiled for a moment but when Jerome didn't say anything anymore he proceeded, "Yes... next..."

The next ones are just the same as the first one, as if they were built to flaunt their wealth all over.

After a while, Liao was getting impatient that he just let Jerome look at the blueprints himself. Since the younger would not only comment on the designs but also the locations. Saying that they're too far, too close to others and near the Royal Palace as if avoiding it.

He even made comments about their sizes and their areas, saying that it's too big or too small. Nothing seems to satisfy him despite his initial thought of just buying a random mansion since it's just like any other mansion.

The young man himself was getting tired as well, he thought that looking for a manor was as simple as picking a slipper to wear; however, he stand corrected.

"This is the last one available, Sire." The staff said and gave him a blueprint.

Jerome sighed and looked at Liao who seemed to be sleeping before looking at the illustrations.

His eyes widened, it was perfect. It was close at the outskirts of town, far from the other nobles and near the fields, it even has a land which is included to the area. The manor itself is not too big nor too small.

It has designs perfect to be called a noble's home yet it isn't extravagant as well, it has pillars for design and painted in beige and white which has the aesthetic of classy. It also has a garden and a gazebo, with different faunas that are also used to add on to the beauty of the mansion.

"It's perfect!" Jerome stood up and exclaimed, making the Eastern man jolt from his sleep.

"Oh... we're still here."

"Liao, I found it."

"Great, pay and let's leave."

The black haired young man narrowed his eyes at him, "I mean, that's great, my lord." The older smiled as he corrected himself.

He then stood up and took the blueprint from Jerome before approaching the staff, "We'll purchase this at this very moment."

He smiled, "Please prepare everything as we'll check on it tomorrow."

The staff bowed in polite as Liao walked ahead with Jerome following behind. The older man gestured for his attendant to take the money to the agency before suddenly facing the younger.

"We'll be talking to the interior designer and for the sake of my sanity, I hope this won't take long. You know how I hate getting bored."

"You're exaggerating, Liao. I just want a comfortable place. I'm not taking long."

They took longer than when they were finding the right manor and the Eastern man almost lost his mind out of boredom.