"What? What precious gemstone?"

Hearing the discussion, Shanie suddenly became excited, pouncing to the store window, looking around eagerly, her eyes sparkling.

Since Shanie was holding Celitia's arm, Celitia was involuntarily pulled to the window's edge.

"Shanie," Celitia said with some resignation, "we don't need to look at this, do we?"

Besides being decorative, magic-imbued gemstones were excellent materials for making magic crystals and were always valuable.

Without a doubt, neither she nor Shanie could afford them.

But Shanie refused to leave: "I just want to take a look."

She still stared curiously at the gemstone in the window, her eyes radiating longing.

Charlotte and Sophia inside the store inevitably noticed the two.

"It's you two."

Charlotte clearly remembered them, her eyes naturally revealing contempt.

"Hmph, a fallen noble and a commoner. None of the gemstones here are affordable for you. You'd better leave quickly."

Faced with Charlotte, Shanie lacked confidence and only muttered: "Looking isn't against the law."

"Looking indeed isn't against the law," Charlotte sneered, "but who knows if you're just scouting ahead to prepare for nighttime theft?"

"I would never do such a thing!" Shanie almost jumped up. "Don't say such things!!"

Celitia didn't pay much attention to their conversation, her gaze falling on the gemstone displayed in the window.

Seeing clearly the so-called "extremely precious red Helms magic diamond," a look of "as expected" flashed across Celitia's face.

Many thoughts crossed her mind, but Celitia didn't say anything, just tugged on Shanie's sleeve.

"Let's go."

"Alright..."

Shanie was reluctant but still followed Celitia.

Seeing the two obediently leave, Charlotte stopped her mockery and continued persuading Sophia:

"Sophia, what do you think? In a few months, it will be your coming-of-age ceremony. I think it would be perfect on your crown..."

In fact, from the moment Celitia appeared, Sophia's gaze had been firmly locked on her.

However, no matter how intensely Sophia glared at her, Celitia maintained a carefree demeanor, as if completely unaware of Sophia's murderous gaze.

Then, as if she hadn't seen Sophia at all, she turned and walked away gracefully.

Sophia felt a lump of air stuck in her chest, unable to come down.

Right, she can't afford this gemstone, can she?

Glaring at Celitia's retreating figure, Sophia deliberately raised her voice:

"I also think it matches me perfectly. Shopkeeper, I'll take this gemstone. Please package it in your most luxurious box and send it to my palace."

Hearing the voice from behind, Celitia's footsteps unconsciously paused.

After an internal struggle, Celitia finally turned around and returned.

"Princess Sophia." Celitia called out to her.

This time it was Sophia's turn to deliberately ignore Celitia. She raised her chin, averted her gaze, and said to Charlotte beside her: "Let's go."

"Your Highness," Celitia said very calmly, "I just wanted to remind you not to buy that so-called 'red Helms magic diamond.'"

Before Sophia could speak, Charlotte was already displeased: "Is it your place to interfere with the princess's decision?"

Celitia ignored Charlotte, her gaze still fixed on Sophia:

"Your Highness previously said that Helms magic diamonds are only white, which is indeed true—red Helms magic diamonds simply don't exist."

Suddenly receiving Celitia's affirmation, Sophia actually felt happy for a moment.

Wait, why should she be happy about being affirmed by her? Perhaps she was just trying to flatter her, deliberately agreeing with her!

Sophia quickly realized something was off and immediately put on a stern face again.

"Are you questioning my judgment?"

Charlotte, who had been strongly advocating for Sophia to buy the gemstone, became angry upon hearing Celitia's words.

"I just don't want Your Highness to be deceived."

Celitia sighed.

She knew things would get complicated... and she hated complications.

Coincidentally, this type of gemstone was actually created by one of Celitia's former friends.

Originally made as a magic-infused ruby to swindle some money, somehow through multiple exchanges, it had become a "rare and expensive red Helms magic diamond."

When she heard the term, Celitia felt something was off. After stepping forward for a closer look, she confirmed it was indeed the product that had been used to cheat drinking money in those years.

Who knows where Florence is now, scamming people...

If she discovered her counterfeit trinket appearing on a princess's crown, she'd have even more to boast about over drinks.

Although reluctant to attract Sophia's attention, Sophia had helped her before.

She didn't want Sophia to be deceived.

So, despite the hassle, Celitia had to hold her nose and accept it.

Charlotte interpreted Celitia's words as accusing her of deceiving Sophia, and her face instantly turned bright red.

She said furiously: "Are you saying I'm lying?! On what grounds do you claim this is fake?"

"Exactly! Without evidence, you absolutely cannot make such claims!!"

The shop owner finally found an opportunity to interject. "All items in our shop have been verified by authentication magic! Our small shop would never sell fakes. Please, Your Highness, don't believe her one-sided words!!"

Caught between the three, Sophia instead calmed down and looked questioningly at Celitia: "Can you prove it?"

If Sophia hadn't believed her at all, had gotten angry and driven her away, perhaps Celitia could have left with a clear conscience.

But in Sophia's gaze, Celitia clearly felt a trace of trust.

Why... would she instinctively choose to trust her?

Celitia sighed again.

"Authentication magic isn't infallible. Just as people can be deceived, so can magic."

Turning her head, Celitia looked at the jewelry store owner. "Since your shop has authentication magic... would you mind if I adjust its formula a bit?"

"What?" The owner's face changed drastically. "What if you break it? Can you afford to compensate??"

For most people, authentication magic was actually a rather specialized and profound magic, not mastered by many.

Wealthy individuals might specifically hire authentication experts to ensure accuracy.

But most people with such needs would choose to purchase magical tools with fixed authentication formulas, requiring only periodic maintenance.

Hearing the owner's questioning, Celitia thought he had a point.

She was no longer a continent-renowned adventurer or knight commander. It was normal for others not to believe her; she wouldn't believe herself either in their position.

Her head began to ache slightly. Celitia frowned slightly, enduring the discomfort as she raised her hand to press her forehead.

"Then..."

Celitia was about to suggest finding a well-known, experienced authenticator when Sophia suddenly interrupted her.

"If it really breaks, I'll compensate for her."