Reciprocate

Even though Jerome didn't manage to buy the diamond mine, he was actually able to keep the Rosen Gem with high profits and he was becoming more famous to noble women as a kind man with a gentle smile.

"That hair accessory will accentuate the fairness of your skin even more, my lady... with your light brown hair, I believe that you'll look even better with green dresses and purple ones. However, these are just suggestions, you would still look quite the masterpiece with anything." Jerome sweet-talked the older noblewoman who giggled at his compliments.

"My... You really have a way with words, Sir... If you don't happen to be busy, I hope that you meet my daughter... She's quite of a beaut such as I."

The black haired man awkwardly chuckled, it was the tenth time this week after all.

"I have to politely refuse... once again, my lady. I am in love with my work at the moment."

"That's a shame... If I buy more of your jewelries, would you reconsider?"

Jerome awkwardly chuckled again, "Quite the jester, my lady."

The older woman chuckled as well.

"I will have my attendants tend to your needs at the moment, if you may excuse me." Jerome bowed in polite and courtesy which the woman nodded to.

It's been a year already since he first opened his shop with Liao's help. He is able to manage everything now without the older man's assistance and was able to pay his debt to him.

Not that the Eastern man considered them debt; however, he still accepted the gold to consider the young man's feelings.

Jerome was able to protect the commoners with his gems as well with the help of Dynila who carefully sold or even gave them to those in need.

So far, Rowan was still causing chaos around the kingdom, with the Royal Papers reporting his every move.

The black haired man tried not to get involved with him too much, there's still a chance that some of the events from the novel might happen and that includes his death.

Of course, he wouldn't try and order someone to assassinate Rowan which caused the former Jerome to be executed but the young man just couldn't be lax with the idea that some events might just be inevitable, like how Hardwicke was taken down or how the crown prince bought the diamond mine.

"You looked troubled Sire..." Henry, Jerome's old butler, stated as he poured him a cup of tea once he slumped down his office chair.

"Oh... I apologize, I didn't even notice you, Henry... I'm just... I don't know... fatigued?" He couldn't even tell what he's feeling.

Ever since he came to this world, he never felt relax or at ease. He was always thinking, making ways to survive.

Initially from the commoner life his parents had to experience and sometimes, whenever he think about them, he felt guilty of not being able to give them a luxurious life before they passed.

Though Jerome already anticipated their death, illness isn't something he can't control nor prevent, especially since he was younger and helpless then.

He didn't stop trying to survive from there, even with Liao's help, he was still struggling to keep his business successful with some of the competitions in the industry. Hardwicke's downfall made it easier but it wasn't always smooth sailing.

Now, he felt closer to buying a title, yet he felt like he'll lose his purpose there. Stressing himself out with what to do now, he just couldn't relax, he felt anxious and pressured.

He doesn't even understand why the Rosaria Stone chose him.

Jerome's thoughts were interrupted by a smell. Henry lit up an incense which helped him relax a little.

"If you don't mind, Sire... You took care of us along with your journey to nobility... Let us take care of you too from here on out." The old man stated with a smile as he slightly pushed the warm tea closer to the young man who took it and sipped on it.

"I sometimes regret that I didn't even had the chance to repay your kindness of taking me into your household... You trusted me much more than anyone could do, you were my savior, Sire... If you didn't take me in... I would've died long ago..."

"That's an overstatement."

"It's not... Sir Liao might not vocally say it but I think he hadn't had so much fun in ages... I have observed him from my previous household before, he always had a cold aura despite smiling and Miss Dynila would always sing praises about you when she gather some stocks from us... The servants here also love working since they're not overworked and underpaid... So from this day forward, I hope that you would trust us more and rely on us. Don't carry all the burden on your own."

Jerome looked at the old man before looking down at his tea, he never noticed it that he was too closed off to others that he was straining himself. He always has to have a plan, he always has to think, to survive.

He tried to think about the reason but maybe it was because he wasn't really from this world that he was putting a boundary between them, that if he survived for long enough, he'll be able to go back home.

'But it's already been 20 years...' He thought to himself.

The black haired man sighed, "Thank you Henry." He smiled softly. "I never notice..."

A knock on the door was heard, interrupting their talk before Jerome could speak, the butler held him by his shoulder with assurance.

"Let me handle it, Sire."

He walked towards the door and opened it, revealing an attendant, "A lady is calling for Sir Jerome once again."

Jerome could only sigh, his cheeks feeling a bit warm by all these attempts to marry him to their daughters, even to themselves.

"Please do tell to anyone who will look for the Sire that he is quite occupied at the moment." Henry just smiled and closed the door again.

"Thank you Henry..." The young man felt embarrassed at having to deal with that.

"It is quite a simple task, Sire... Plus, it is not questionable that everyone will look for you since you're quite the formidable bachelor."

"I doubt... I'm just using a persona catering to the customers, none of it are real or genuine."

"Though to think of a compliment when you can't see one is quite the task, don't sell yourself short, Sire."

Jerome chuckled at the old man's blunt words.

He stared at his tea again, he wanted to relish this peace at the moment. Since he knew that once he buy a title and entered nobility, it'll be difficult for him to have this kind of peace again.

He may have survived the mines and the business industry. He wouldn't know how he'll survive the noble society knowing that they're used to discriminating people based on their status, especially since he was a commoner.

It'll be a chapter that he'll face on later.