—
That very night, Juliane walked back to Grythwill City, this time without her heavy cart. Golden Mansion, wasn't it? She wondered if the city was wider than she had imagined, because she couldn't find out where it was. Was it colored gold like its name? Or was it just a fancy name to flaunt out the Midas Family's extravagance?
Sadly, every person whom she crossed paths with wasn't kind enough to give her directions and did not even bother to look her in the eye. Maybe, it was because she reeked of sweat, that the aristocrats cannot endure even for just a brief moment.
Juliane realized that she was walking on the wrong street. Instead of pushing herself to mingle with such judgmental nobles, why didn't she think of going to the less privileged part of the city where the marketplace was located?
Juliane was relieved once she entered the marketplace. Her hunch was right; people were more humble in that area. Soon enough, the merchants there told the potato lady where the Golden Mansion was located. Without wasting any minute, Juliane ran towards the avenue nearest the City Hall.
Lo, and behold, she found herself panting in front of the golden gates of the Golden Mansion.
"AMON MIDAS!" Juliane yelled at the top of her lungs, demanding his attention. "COME OUT NOW!"
Guards immediately ran towards Juliane and upon seeing her, they looked at her with disgust as she seemed like a beggar and shooed her away.
But out of desperation, Juliane pushed the men with all her might, then darted towards the open gate. Looks like all her strength to push the heavy carts proved useful in times of danger!
At last, Juliane had successfully entered the Golden Mansion. But with the sudden turning on of the chandelier, Juliane was blinded and closed her eyes, giving the guards an opportunity to surround her.
"Who are you?" one of them asked, looking at Juliane from head to toe. "Perhaps you're a thief!"
"No, I'm not! I just want to speak with Amon Midas."
"And what do you need from me?"
The sudden statement made everyone glance at the staircase. The golden-haired gentleman, in his silk robe, walked down and approached Juliane.
"Aren't you the lady this morning?" Amon narrowed his eyes on her, "Didn't I give you enough money for the inconvenience?"
"I asked Tom to keep the money. I don't want to receive anything from the likes of you!"
The controversial comment made everyone murmur about the exchange of conversation. Just what the heck happened between them?
Seeing how the scene unfolded, Amon sighed in annoyance. He did not want his subordinates to see him get involved in a petty fight.
"Ms. Iona, bathe her and give her something clean to wear… then bring her to my room."
With that statement, Amon walked back upstairs, leaving Juliane all the unwanted attention.
As Amon went back to his quarters, some maids surrounded Juliane. "What's your relationship with the young master?!"
"Did the two of you go on a date?" With all the teasing and squealing from the maids, Juliane was not able to defend herself, as the crowd turned rowdy. Good thing Ms. Iona, the head maid, was able to grab Juliane's arm and led her towards the bathing room.
"I can take a bath alone," Juliane told Iona and the other maids.
But the head maid shook her head. "What if the young master saw some dirt on your thighs? He will fire us."
"Huh? But why will he see my thighs- Wait! Why are you undressing me?!"
Juliane then figured out she had no say on the matter. Not wanting anyone to get fired because of her anymore, she obediently let the maids help her clean. They scrubbed her skin thoroughly, making sure that no more dirt and dead skin cells were stuck on her. Maybe Amon Midas was a clean freak, that's why the maids acted like this?
Moments later after her refreshing bath, Iona led Juliane towards the young master's room. She left her inside, closing the door between them.
Juliane, dressed in a thick, long-sleeved, silk nightgown looked around the spacious room. As she stepped forward to look around, her long, wet bluish hair waved side-to-side. The right part of the room was a study. A tall bookshelf was placed by the left side of the stylish wooden desk, which was engraved with numerous lions in golden paint. On the left side was an archway leading to his bedroom.
"You, take a seat," Amon Midas, now wearing a fairly appropriate attire of a long sleeved white shirt and green, silk gartered pants, told the lady in a serious tone. He sat on his desk chair while he stared daggers at her.
Juliane found herself the nearest seat, which was a one-seater cushioned sofa in front of the desk. The far distance between her seat and Amon's defined their relationship - one of that of a king and a peasant.
"Now… tell me why you're here," he uttered, raising his brow.
"I am… Juliane Johara," she sighed, trying to lessen her nervousness, "And I'm here, because you bought my family's farm in the Eastern Farmlands. I would like to… take it back."
Hearing those words, it seemed to have struck a nerve with Amon. After all that hard negotiation he went through because of Holly Johara, the eldest daughter would then barge into his residence and ask the land to be returned?!
"Oh please, miss, the deal has been done. I have several plans to develop it as I wish."
"But my father pleaded with me to never hand the farm to anyone! It was his only wish before he left the region!" Juliane's gray irises glistened with her tears. She got down from the sofa, then knelt on the cold floor, "I beg you, please! The farm has a sentimental value to us, so-"
"If that farm has a sentimental value to your family as you have said, then why did your very own mother sell it?"
Juliane paused, not knowing what to say. For so many years since her father left the region, her mother Holly would never miss a day complaining about managing the farm. But why only now did she sell the land? With what happened a while ago, maybe it was because of Adelfa's worsening condition?
"You must be contemplating on what to say, miss. Let me tell you what our deal is," Amon then took the bulk of papers to the side of the desk. He stood up from his seat and approached her.
Juliane stood up, and wiped her tears dry with the back of her hand. Wiping her hands at the side of her gown, she took the documents with trembling hands. Good thing that her father taught her how to read, write, and count numbers.
As her sight marched on every word and on every clause, Amon noticed this, commenting, "I see you know how to read."
"Yes… It was my father who taught me."
Juliane continued reading. The contents of the first few clauses were all about Adelfa's health and Holly's new house.
And when Juliane read the last clause, she gasped in utter shock.
"What?! I am to be married off to a rich gentleman in a month?!" The unexpected, ridiculous sentence made her drop her sad emotions in an instant. She felt enraged, with the thought that her own mother intended to sell her own daughter to a stranger.
"Ask your wise mother about it," Amon shrugged, rolling his eyes. "Now, Ms. Johara… Shall I introduce you to my business partners tomorrow? I know a lot of eligible bachelors."