I understood the meanings of the necklaces and rings
“Furthermore, there are people who believe that the stone symbolizes a couple who are of one mind. By putting it around the neck, it is a promise of eternal love… There is no rule over who has to give the other a necklace, but if one does…”
“Yes…?”
Well, I was not so dense that I couldn’t guess what Sebastian was going to say next.
“A proposal of marriage. Or a promise. It is a method of conveying that to the other person.”
“Gah! I knew it!”
Just as expected!
“Wou!?”
Leo was surprised that I was surprised.
It made sense that every place had its own customs. I had avoided rings because it made me think of marriage. But it turned out that necklaces were a bigger sign of it in this world!
“Um…in that case…uh…what kind of meaning does a ring have?”
“Rings are not very important. It is placed on just one finger. And people have ten of those. Well, unless you lose them in battle.”
“Unlike a neck, which you only have one of!”
Apparently, there was no special meaning in rings here.
“Though, some say that they can symbolize short-lived affection. Love to pass the time.”
“…Like an affair?”
“Indeed. Well, most do not really care about it either way.”
What a relief! What a relief that I did not give her a ring!
Had I done that, she would have thought the worst about my intentions!
“While rings do not appear very often in historic records…there is one story about it being gifted by the first king.”
“Huh?”
“There was another woman…unknown to the queen. And she was naturally furious when she found out. And they were separated. However, he gave the woman a ring as a parting gift.”
While Sebastian spoke calmly, there was something eerie in his eyes.
As if he was warning me at the same time.
Of course, I would never act like that. In fact, knowing Mr. Euto, I already felt very bad for the queen.
“I’m sure it was a momentary confusion, but he could not send her away with nothing. And money would have looked like a reward. But something small like a ring would symbolize an apology…or so it is said.”
Alfred continued after Sebastian.
Apparently, it was a well-known story.
“Because of that, some people give rings during a separation. Most people do not think about it too much…but I suppose it can be viewed as a sign that you are not serious about that person.”
Sebastian said.
I was really happy that I didn’t choose a ring now.
In fact, I might never buy one again in this world…
“In fact, didn’t His Grace make a gift of them several times?”
“Hoho, Alfred. It is true that the master got into a lot of trouble in his younger years.”
Sebastian was laughing, but there was something tired in his expression as well. Clearly, a lot had happened.
“Mr. Takumi. I heard you raise your voice in alarm… What were you all talking about?”
Claired had been with the teary-eyed Johanna, and talking with some of the servants. But she now returned and looked at me curiously.
Of course, I could not tell her truthfully, and so I just made up some story.
After that, we talked for another hour or so, and then everyone scattered.
…From what I heard later, Claire knew about the meaning behind necklaces as well. However, knowing my situation, she assumed that I just didn’t know about it.
Even so, she was happy to receive the gift.
And thought I had not been thinking about a proposal, I swore in my heart that I would never do anything to betray Claire…
Thanks for the chapter.