No Longer The Marquess' Wife
Episode 7 : Bonus
Noah took a deep breath before speaking.
Noah
I won't be asking you to go into detail about why you so badly wish for a new eye.
Noah
In return, I won't tell you much detail about why I wish for you to keep your eyes either.
Talia
...Well that's quite...fine
Talia
( To be honest it was intriguing but... if I wish to make a deal then this has to be fair. )
Noah
The only thing you need to know is that these eyes of yours are important.
Noah
Could I ask how long have you been going around places having these eyes?
Talia
Since I was a child as far as I remember.
Noah
What about your mother?
Talia frowned at the question.
Talia
My mother had the standard normal eyes.
Talia
I take it that you are asking for my experience with these "important" stuff.
Talia pointed to her eyes upon saying that and Noah nodded.
Talia
But I have never been treated strangely because of my eyes, my mother and I were... how do I put this...
With those words, a small child kneeling on the ground turned around with her cheeks covered in mud.
Mother
Oh dear! What happened to you? Why are you-
The woman ran up to the child and gently had her stand.
Mother
Your dress has gotten dirty, what have you been doing for you to look like such a mess!
Talia
Um... I was just playing with the other children...
The mother said as she tucked the child's hair behind her ears.
Mother
I know that we are poor... I just hope that you won't think of it in a way that it's a given for those who have better standing in life to just step all over us.
Mother
You know that right sweetheart?
Talia
But we really are just playing...
Mother
...I guess so, should we go back home to get you washed?
Talia reminisced for a bit.
Talia
( To not worry her I lied about what happened. )
Talia
We were poor so naturally we were treated badly.
Noah listened attentively as Talia answered his questions.
Talia
You see, I don't know of my father but I do know my mother had the same black hair as me.
Noah
( Then it could be that... )
Talia
It must be my father who had the turquoise eyes.
Noah
( That woman is not her true mother. )
Noah
( But I don't see a need to tell her that. )
Talia
Now that I have answered your questions could we talk about the thing now?
Noah
So this ring is one of the things I made, imbued with mana.
Noah
This is my offer to you.
Noah
The function it has is to change the color of the wearer's eye to a color they desire but it could only be changed once.
Talia
That's useless then-
Noah
I'm not done yet, what I mean is that once the color is set it couldn't be changed over and over.
Talia
I see, it's not like it's a need for me to change my eye color many times.
Noah
Good, then what do you think changed your mind yet?
Talia
Alright let's get this done and over with.
Noah
Okay I will now be telling you the instructions on how to use it.
Noah said as he brought the box holding the ring close up to Talia.
Noah
Here take it and put it on your finger.
Talia
What if it doesn't fit?
Noah
You don't have to worry about that it will adjust to your size so you may pick any finger, however the moment the size has been established it will also be unchangeable.
Out of reflex, Talia was about to put it on her left ring finger –that used to hold the wedding ring she had also left behind in the Marquess' estate– and ended up putting it in the right middle finger.
Noah
Oh... you sure about that?
Noah
Alright, now close your eyes, calm your mind and think of a color.
Talia did as she was told and a few seconds after the ring glowed.
Noah
You may open your eyes now.
Noah
It's a sign that the ring is working and...
Noah was silent for a while as he stared at Talia's new eye color.
Talia
Is there something wrong?
Noah
It's working look at your eyes.
Noah took one glance at the ring and saw the gemstone turn into a turquoise color, he then waved his right hand to fetch a mirror and placed the floating mirror in front of his client.
Talia
Oh... It looks great!
Noah
Now remove the ring for a bit.
As she remove the ring, she saw her eyes gradually turn back into it's original color.
Noah sighed and waved his hand to put the mirror away fetching a paper and a pen in return.
Noah
Since you seem satisfied here is the contract.
Talia
I didn't think there would be one...
Noah
Don't tell me you also thought there wouldn't be a payment for this?
Talia
Of course I know! I even brought enough money.
Talia
I just thought that it would probably be for the best if I could just pay and leave.
Noah
Oh sorry but that's not how I work.
Noah
I was just kidding anyway, you may read up to that contract and sign it once you're done.
Noah passed the paper to Talia and waited for her as she read the one paged document and sign it.
Talia
Now about the payment...
Noah
Alright here's an additional thing for you, may I have your hand?
Talia placed her right hand to the table silently. The next things that had happened surprised her afterwards.
Noah placed her hand onto his left hand, and bit his right index finger making it bleed.
Talia
Wait! What are you...
Talia jerked her hand off but Noah's left hand quickly grabbed it.
He placed his index finger on top of the gemstone and had the blood drop onto the ring meanwhile Talia was just perplexed.
Comments