The jewelers started showing them one by one. There were very beautiful items on the display but Lila didn't like any of them. "Do you have raw gems that I can see? I would rather give my designs than take these," she said to the jewelers.
Only the jeweler, Paiter, who had the finest collection said that he had them. Rest all were sent packing. The gem dealer walked to where his bag was and pulled out a black velvet bag that was stringed tightly with a gold thread. The bag, as big as the size of his palm clacked with the gems inside it as he brought it to the audience. "I have the best collection, m'lady," he said and opened the string. He poured the gems over the table and about five big red rocks tumbled. They lay there on the table, glittering red like dew on rose petals in morning sunlight.
Lila let out a small squeal. "These are beautiful!" she said as she bent forward to pick up one of them and to her eye level to examine. Then she picked the rest and examined them. Once she had seen them, weighed them and admired them, she said, "I want you to use these for creating the necklaces. I will send the designs to you. How long will you take to craft necklaces from these?"
"Not even a week, m'lady," Paiter replied, bowing to her.
"Nice! We have that much time," said Lila. She gave a fleeting look to Anastasia and then back to the jeweler. "You can go now. I will send you the advance payment by afternoon."
"Thank you, m'lady," said the jeweler and he started gathering the stones. "However, if m'lady can give me some advance payment right now, it would be great."
"Why not?" Lila replied. She opened her purse and threw a red bag that jingled with gold coins toward him. "That's fifty gold coins," she said. "Rest I will send later."
The jeweler bowed and accepted the bag. Just as he was about to put the last jewel in his bag, Anastasia called him, "Is it okay if I see the gems?"
The jeweler frowned. "Are you saying that m'lady's examination was flawed?"
"No, I am only studying and am a novice," she said softly. "Although I have to say that I did call two jewelers today who aren't as big as you but they have excellent gems."
"No one has better gems than me in the Lore!" Paiter snapped. "These gems are priceless! If you like you can call an expert and get them examined."
"I am sure," replied Anastasia. "But now that I have called them, it is better to see what they are offering."
"Anastasia, I understand what you did yesterday when you called out my game, but this is the real deal and not mirage!" Lila said in a harsh voice. The fae bitch was always meddling. She looked at Cora for support. Cora simply placed her hand on hers and squeezed it. That display was more than enough. "You shouldn't meddle into the affairs of the ministry." Her headache returned and the skin felt as if it would crack. She needed her concoction.
"I am not meddling. I just want to see the gems. What's so bad about it?"
Paiter took the bag and thrust it in her hands. "You can see them. Don't stop yourself from examining closely and oh! I would love to hear your comments." His tone was too sarcastic.
Anastasia pursed her lips and took the gems out. She wasted no time in examining them. While she was studying them, the two jewelers who she had called, also came in. They were stunned to see so many people out there and went to stand in a corner. Anastasia gestured for them to come to her. "Have you got the gems I asked for?"
One of them spoke, "M'lady, I have only been able to get the jewelry, but he has raw gems and you can take a look at them. He pointed to his partner, Samson.
Anastasia returned the rubies to Paiter and took the uncut ones from the jeweler she had called. After examining them, she said, "These are better than the ones I just saw."
"What!" Lila jumped.
Paiter's face darkened. "I think your guest is slandering me. I have the best gems in the Lore and she is trying to malign me. He started collecting the gems. I am leaving." He started collecting the gems and picked up the bag of gold. "I don't have time for this," he said arrogantly. He turned to look at Lila, completely ignoring Anastasia and said, "Please send me the designs as soon as possible, m'lady."
Lila clenched her teeth. "Yes Paiter. I will do that."
"Wait!" Pierre's voice boomed in the hall. "I would like to see these gems."
Lila whipped her head toward him. "B— but they are of fine quality."
"What are you doing Pierre?" said Cora. "Don't you trust Lila?"
Pierre ignored his wife's comment. He got up from his place to see the gems. Everyone in the room became absolutely still. Dmitri's father had never shown interest in gems or jewels.
Lila almost shrank in her place as she watched him picking up the gems from two different jewelers and studying them carefully. Once he had studied them well, he shook his head and placed them back on the table. He turned to Anastasia and said, "You really dared to challenge Lila."
Anastasia blanched. On the other hand, Lila smiled.
"How could you challenge Lila with a jeweler of no repute, with your limited knowledge and on top of that you are just Ileus' guest? Aren't you afraid of the repercussions?" Pierre continued. Then he walked to sit back in his place. He leaned forward to look at Lila who was basking in glory.
Paiter smirked at Anastasia and at Samson. He shrugged as if telling them 'I told you.'
Pierre then faced Lila and said, "For how long have you known Paiter?"
"Very long, Pierre," she said with a smug smile. "He is the best!"
He kept his elbows on his thighs and intertwined his fingers. "And you've been buying it from him?"
"Yes Pierre. He is a very trusted man. I have bought a lot of jewelry from him. In fact, I discovered Paiter two years back and because he has been selling quality stuff, I recommended him to many of my friends in Draoidh." She seemed too proud of her discovery.
Pierre's brows drew together. "And you are being cheated by him all the time?"
This time Lila's face blanched. "Ch— cheated?" She looked pale like a ghost. As for the jeweler, his eyes became wide with terror.
"The gems that he is providing are artificial!" Pierre said in a cold, flinty voice. "Are the two of you in cahoots to loot the treasury and your friends?"
"N— no, m'lord!" Lila jumped on her feet.
"M'lord!" Paiter fell on his knees.
Pierre was extremely angry. He looked at Paiter and shouted, "You tried to cheat the royal treasury with your artificial gems? Do you know what the punishment is for that?"
Paiter was shaking like a dry leaf. "Mercy, m'lord!"
"If Anastasia hadn't pointed out and taken personal interest in the selection of the gems, we would have never known," Pierre lashed.