How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 234

— Let us begin the bidding for the blue diamond. The starting bid is 10 million gold. If you wish to participate— 15 million! Customer #6 has called 15 million gold!”

 

“Goodness… They jumped five million right off the bat?”

 

Leonhard calmly explained to me, who was shocked.

 

“Because blue diamonds are rare. And that’s the only blue diamond that came from Peritz.”

 

— Twenty million! Customer #10 has called 20 million gold! After two jumps of five million, the next bid must be… 25 million! Customer #21 has called 30 million!

 

‘30 million gold, my goodness.’

 

I was just about to lift the paddle, offering to pay an unimaginable amount of money.

 

But before my heart could even start pounding—

 

— 40 million gold! Customer #13 has called 40 million! After two jumps of ten million, the next bid must be… Fifty million! Customer $21 has called 50 million gold!”

 

50 million gold. That was my entire fortune.

 

Not counting my Marquise dowry—just what was in the account my sister Lily had given me.

 

It was a huge amount of money that could buy a house in the capital and fill it with all kinds of furniture.

 

Surely that would be enough to win the diamond. Or so I thought—until

 

— One hundred million! Customer #1 has called 100 million!

 

“W-what? 100 million?”

 

The auction, which had started at 10 million, had suddenly skyrocketed to 100 million gold.

 

I wasn’t the only one surprised—it felt like the already quiet atmosphere around us had grown even heavier.

 

— Now, 100 million! This beautiful blue diamond glitters like sunlight scattering through a clear sky or the sparkle of white sea foam depending on the angle of the light!

 

The host encouraged the people by raising his voice.

 

— This is your last chance to become the owner of the only Peritz Mountain blue diamond on the entire continent! 100 million—any other bids?

 

Perhaps because the amount of money involved was too large, the host wasted time.

 

In the meantime, I also thought about how much money I could bring in from here and there.

 

‘Even if I offer 110 million, they’ll probably beat me… The fact that they bid 100 million right away shows that they are quite rich.’

 

I had to be prepared to go up to at least 300 million—no, maybe even 500 million.

 

— No other bids? Then the blue diamond goes to customer #1… Oh! 200 million! 200 million bid! Customer #21 has offered 200 million!

 

‘Wow, 200 million… Wait a minute—did he say number 21?’

 

“I didn’t hear anything,” I said in surprise, looking around. That’s when Noah, who was nestled in my arms, informed me.

 

“Father raised the paddle.”

 

Leonhard really had a paddle in his hand. He smiled faintly at me as I opened my eyes wide in surprise.

 

“Isn’t that the first gem you wanted? I can’t let it fall into someone else’s hands.”

 

— 400 million! Customer #1 has offered 400 million! With two jumps in the hundreds of millions, the next bid should be… Oh—1 billion! 1 billion gold! Customer #21 has bid 1 billion gold!

 

I stared, mouth agape, at Leonhard, who had switched out the paddle without me noticing.

 

“W-what? Suddenly… a billion?”

 

“I figured if I kept it reasonable, someone would stubbornly keep bidding. Isn’t it about time Noah got to sleep?”

 

“That’s true, but….”

 

He spent a billion just so Noah could go to bed?

 

– The next bid must be 1.2 billion. Is there anyone willing? If not, the blue diamond will go to customer #21. Three… two… one… Sold! The one and only Peritz Mountain blue diamond has been sold to customer #21! Thank you!”

 

‘Customer #1 must’ve found it hard to bid beyond a billion. Of course—who would pour that much money into a single gem… Wait.’

 

“I’m just curious, but how much did you pay for this pearl?”

 

“Well, I don’t quite remember.”

 

— This breaks our auction house’s record! I’m very curious to see how the Peritz blue diamond will be reborn.

 

Leonhard tilted his head slightly and gestured toward the glass window.

 

‘That pearl they’re talking about breaking the record—that was yours. Assuming it hasn’t already been surpassed.”

 

“Ah, really….?”

 

No wonder there were so many rumors in the capital back then.

 

I laughed awkwardly and then fell into serious thought.

 

‘1 billion… one billion gold…’

 

My head was spinning.

 

‘How much of my sister Lily’s shared profits would I need to save up to repay that?’

 

‘It still feels impossible to estimate… I will only use my personal funds. It’s my money after all. If I leave a buffer amount, I can put aside about 100 million per year… 10 years should be able to cover it.’

 

After all, there was no chance of divorce, so I could only rely on funds for the next 10 years. I confidently said to Leonhard,

 

“Lend me some money.”

 

“Lend you money?”

 

Leonhard looked puzzled and pulled a checkbook from his coat.

 

“My money is your money, isn’t it? Use as much as you like.”

 

“I wanted to buy that with my own money. I’ll repay you 100 million a year, so just lend me exactly 1 billion. Interest-free, because we’re married.”

 

‘Is it too shameless to ask for a billion without interest?’

 

Unlike me, who felt slightly guilty, Leonhard nodded with a smile.

 

“Then I’ll officially pay for the blue diamond in your name.”

 

“Thank you. I will definitely pay you back. I won’t run away.”

 

Leonhard laughed again at my promise.

 

“I’ll lend it to you interest-free, but you’ll repay it over 100 years.”

 

“100 years? One hundred… that’s 10 million gold a year…”

 

Having to repay that massive amount to my husband over a hundred years… The sheer scale of 1 billion gold suddenly struck me.

 

Yet I was also impressed that a Marquise from the Ajas had the financial resources to afford it.

 

As I was shivering because it didn’t feel real, someone knocked on the door. It was the staff who had brought the blue diamond.

 

“This is the blue diamond you won. Should I send this one to the craftsman right away?”

 

The staff asked, looking at Leonhard, who shook his head.

 

“I didn’t buy it. My wife did. Please ask her.”

 

“Truly? The Marquise buys it herself…”

 

“That’s right. I won the bid.”

 

‘Even if it means having a debt of 1 billion….’

 

“I see. My apologies. Then, Marquise, shall I send it straight to the craftsman?”

 

“Yes. I plan to have it made into a ring.”

 

The staff nodded immediately.

 

“Please write down the design and size you want and we will send it to the craftsman along with the gems right away.”

 

“There is no specific design that I want…….”

 

I asked the staff for a measuring tape and measured Leonhard’s left ring finger.

 

“Nell? Why are you measuring my finger?”

 

“Why? I’m going to give it to you.”

 

Leonhard looked bewildered, as if he had never imagined it.

 

“But I already have a ring you gave me….”

 

“This one? Just wear it occasionally when you want a change.”

 

I told the staff the size of Leonhard’s ring finger and asked them to order a ring that fit him.

 

“As for the design… I don’t really know. Just tell them to make it something fitting for the Marquis of the North. If more gemstones are needed, send the extra materials and labor costs to Paul Herbina.”

 

“Y-yes, understood.”

 

The staff, who clearly thought the ring would be for me, left a bit dazed after confirming the instructions multiple times.

 

“Now that I think about it, you’re right. There’s no reason a married couple should only have one set of rings.”

 

“Well, yeah, but… wait, why are you looking at catalogs?”

 

“You gave me a new ring, so I should buy one for you in return.”

 

“No, really, I’m fine.”

 

The reason I chose a ring as a gift was because the aquamarine I had bought him before was too small and looked faded.

 

At the time, it was the best I could afford with my allowance, but it always bothered me that a Marquis wore such a cheap stone as a wedding ring.

 

On the contrary, the ring now on my left ring finger has broken a record at this auction house— a symbol of great value. I don’t need anything else.

 

“Let’s just go home. See? Even Noah’s starting to fall asleep.”

 

“Mother, I’m fine. I’m not sleepy at all.”

 

Leonhard nodded his head as if it was natural to hear the child’s remark, which was quite spirited.

 

“Didn’t I tell you before? Noah’s physical strength is better than you, Nell.”

 

“I keep telling you, you can’t compare me to Noah!”

 

While we were bickering, Noah opened the catalog and picked out a gem that he thought would look good.

 

However, since the auction for that gem—as well as all the others—had already ended, the two men stood up from their seats with regretful expressions.

 

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