A tale of enduring brilliance, love, and wealth unfolds

 A tale of enduring brilliance, love, and wealth unfolds

 Author: Hitoshi

Alternative Name : 永遠の輝きと愛とお金の話

Plot : The story transcends geographical boundaries and takes place during a time when intellectual and spiritual horizons were on the verge of expanding. Joseph, a jeweler, is in search of a suitable spouse for his beloved daughter, Sophie. Despite turning away 23 individuals driven by greed, hope shines with the arrival of the 24th suitor, Alan, who happens to be the heir to the Duke of Rohan. Although one might assume that being the eldest son of a noble family, Alan would not be interested in money, he surprises everyone by expressing a simple desire, "Please feed me!" His true passion lies in mathematics, and he plans to relinquish his family estate to his younger brother to dedicate himself fully to his studies. Joseph is skeptical but intrigued by this unique approach, wondering if there might be alternative ways for Alan to find a patron to support his research without staying at his parents' house.

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A tale of enduring brilliance, love, and wealth unfolds

The accounts of renowned mathematicians often reveal that they tend to be individuals who struggle to grasp social cues or conform to societal norms (prejudice).

"Please provide me with the property of this household!"

Joseph Jourdain, the jeweler, sighed and gazed at the 24th suitor, who began with a statement that completely inverted Honne (true feelings and desires) and Tatemae (public behavior and opinions).

"If we were discussing business matters, I'd appreciate open and candid communication. However, when seeking marriage, shouldn't one carefully choose their words?"

"I've had the chance to meet Miss Sophie from your household once before, at a salon hosted by Count Duzari, but unfortunately, we haven't had a chance to talk directly."

"Well, to be honest, you may leave now."

"Therefore, upon hearing that Sir Jourdain was seeking a spouse for his daughter, I decided to speak directly to you. I find it disingenuous to merely list my affection and compliments for Miss Rino Sophie, so I opted for a straightforward approach like this."

"Hmm... remarkably candid and easily comprehensible. Lord Rohan, it appears you possess a gift for communication. In that case, welcome back—"

As Joseph gestured toward the front door, the door on the opposite side swung open.

"Isn't it intriguing? The marriage of a merchant's daughter is, in essence, a new investment. It is acceptable to decline, but father, you should carefully consider Mr. Rowan's reasons for requiring funds."

At the entrance of the person in question,

"...Sophie," Joseph exclaimed, furrowing his brow.

"Greetings, Miss Sophie," said Rowan with a graceful bow from his seat.

Sophie, the daughter of the Jordine family, had straight black hair cascading down to the middle of her back and dark blue eyes. While she might not have been as striking as her fair-haired, blue-eyed, aristocratic suitor Roan, her large, wide eyes sparkled with intelligence. Dressed in a tailor-made outfit made from the trendy Nankai cotton fabric, she appeared to be a child from a wealthy upper-class family, though not adorned in silk.

Sophie spoke as she made her way from the doorway to the reception table.

"I was very intrigued by the story of Rohan-sama's unsolvable formula presented at Count Duzari's Salon. I received a copy of the manuscript and have been reading it, but I still can't grasp it fully."

"If you don't mind, I can explain it in detail."

"Perhaps someday you could do that. For now, Mr. Rowan, if you decide to marry me, please share your plans for utilizing our firm's assets."

Sophie took a seat beside her father, Joseph. To Joseph, Sophie was an adorable but challenging daughter. When Sophie was only 4 years old, Joseph was engrossed in paperwork in his study, paying little attention to his young daughter who entered the room.

"Papa, you made a mistake here," she pointed out.

Startled, Joseph reviewed his notes, unable to discern the error at first glance. Only on the third attempt did he realize that while the calculation was indeed imprecise, providing an exact answer would be quite troublesome. After all, it is common for jewelers to encounter variations in yield when cutting gemstones from rough stones they've acquired.

While Joseph remained silent, Sophie quickly corrected the ledger with her clumsy handwriting and later sought the help of an acquaintance with a mathematical background to verify her calculation.

"Everything fits perfectly. Jourdin, your daughter possesses remarkable genius," he marveled. 

Since that moment, Joseph refrained from intervening in his daughter's interests, allowing Sophie to pursue her passions freely. Sophie's meticulous ledger became a crucial asset for Jourdin Shokai, enabling them to offer higher interest rates than their competitors, gain a competitive edge in pricing, and attract further investments by providing fair and transparent dividends to investors.

However, as Sophie grew older, she showed little interest in attending evening parties and balls, choosing instead to frequent the salons of wealthy merchants and aristocrats with shared intellectual interests. At 18 years old, she still struggled with embroidery and dancing.

After giving birth to Sophie, Joseph's wife Anna was pregnant with a long-awaited baby boy, but both mother and child tragically passed away in an accident. Joseph firmly believes that Sophie possesses the qualities necessary to succeed his business. Although he decided against remarrying, he now seeks a son-in-law whom he can trust and rely upon to support her.

...Joseph once again directed his attention to the suitor who knew little about Sophie but expressed a desire for the firm's property.

"I understand that as the heir to the Duke of Rohan, you would have no other reason but to seek a commoner daughter as your bride. My Jourdin firm is undoubtedly one of the finest jewelers in the Kingdom of Baldium. Joseph passed the document screening because Alain Evaristo de Rohan held a prominent position among the suitors who had submitted their proposals.

If Sophie's marriage was not arranged through this recruitment process, and if the heir to the Duke's family were to be rejected based solely on the contents of the fishing book, it seemed unlikely that any other suitors would come forward in the future.

The Duke of Rohan's lineage was not directly connected to the Bardium royal family; rather, they were originally a branch of the royal family of Merovig, a neighboring country. Approximately two centuries ago, during a time of heightened sectarian conflicts, the Rohan noble family, following different doctrines than the main line, had their claim to the throne completely stripped away. After a minor rebellion, they sought refuge in the Kingdom of Bardium.

It is said that Bardium did not incorporate their territory, refrained from interfering with Merovig under the pretext of supporting the Rohan family's claim to the throne, and did not hold the rebellion against them. Nevertheless, at that time, the Royal House of Rohan was considered superior to the newly established Bardium royal family, and that perception has remained unchanged over the years."

The successor to the duke, who had been exiled from his homeland, spoke with the same fervor as the first time he astonished Joseph.

"We are entering an age of enlightenment. The pursuit of knowledge may lead us to either discover the absence of God or affirm the sacredness of God's creation, but we cannot afford to lag behind in exploring the nature of the universe itself. I also aspire to contribute to the progress of our nation and, above all, the entire world."

"Indeed, splendid! Sir Rohan has already presented the findings of his research at a salon dedicated to promoting science and the arts, hasn't he? In recent years, not only Bardium and Merovig, but many countries have been establishing royal academies one after another. I'm certain they would be delighted to welcome someone of your stature. As the future head of the Duke's family, you could even preside over such a salon yourself."

"I require diamonds."

With the mention of Alain Rohan's story, encompassing the world's trends and contemporary developments, Joseph's eyes widened in astonishment.

"Lord Rowan's expertise lies in mathematics, correct? How does that relate to diamonds?"

"Mathematics, when applied beyond simple everyday accounting, has the power to explain various real-world phenomena, despite being sometimes perceived as a frivolous and abstract pursuit."

With these words, Alan presented a memo containing geometric patterns and several lines of numbers at the reception house. For jeweler Joseph and his daughter Sophie, the geometric patterns represented the cutting designs of gemstones.

"Based on my calculations, cutting these 58 facets should enable the diamond to exude a brilliance as if it were emitting its own light... However, to prove this, we require an exceptionally transparent and flawless diamond and a skilled craftsman."

"Isn't this... the equation of <no solution> that Mr. Rowan announced?" Sophie, who was not well-versed in generalized formulas, immediately grasped the significance of Alan's work as soon as she saw a concrete example. Alan nodded happily upon being acknowledged by Sophie.

"That's correct. An equation without a solution doesn't mean it doesn't exist; it's simply a number that cannot be expressed. When utilized effectively, it can yield symmetrical or rotated equations from a single calculation."

"It's astonishing... Calculating all the light paths entering a diamond from every angle would take decades. Yet, once you see it, you understand that this shape is the most efficient way to make a diamond radiate brilliance."

Joseph couldn't fathom why the two math enthusiasts, Alan Rohan and Sophie, were so closely bonded. Nonetheless, relying on his extensive experience and intuition as a jeweler, he instinctively recognized that Alan Rohan's presented cut was the ideal design.

"This is... an art. Lord Rohan, irrespective of whether you marry Sophie, my company would like to purchase this drawing as a patent."

"No, what I seek is not temporary money. I am in search of financial and social support to continue my research in mathematics. If I inherit the family estate, I won't be able to confine myself to my hobbies. I have discussed it with my brother at length, but my father remains unyielding."

Due to the aforementioned circumstances, the Rohan family possesses land that does not belong to their hereditary territory as a duke. The carefree days often associated with being a great aristocrat are likely a cherished dream for Duke Rohan. However, is it challenging for the current Duke of Rohan to accept Alan's decision to forego the title and become a member of an academy or a university professor?

"I may not become a scholar, but I don't mind becoming a jeweler's son-in-law..."

Sophie was the one tilting her head in confusion. Merchants did not hold a very high social status, and this reality remained unchanged across the various realms ruled by royalty and nobility. If a doctoral professor would object, wouldn't that make it even more difficult?

Alan slowly shook his head from side to side, indicating that there was no need to worry about that.

"My father doesn't harbor much prejudice against business. After arriving in Baldium, my family has been engaged in making money with their own efforts for generations. As long as I can demonstrate that this list of numbers is more than just a game but leads to practical applications in the real world, my father will undoubtedly accept it."

For Alan, is this diamond cut drawing more than just a sales pitch to the Jourdin family? Could it also serve as a letter of challenge to his father, who has staked his son's future on other pursuits? He appeared to be a determined young man, much more resolute than his initial impression, and it seemed he had a good rapport with Joseph's daughter.

"...By the way, have you shown this calculation drawing to anyone else?"

"No."

"Very well. I accept your proposal to marry my daughter. Once I obtain the perfect diamond, I will formally request the Duke of Rohan for the marriage. And please, keep these calculations concerning light refraction and reflection confidential."

"Thank you, Sir Jourdain. ...Miss Sophie, do you have any objections to getting engaged to someone you've only met once at the salon?" Alan asked, displaying a different demeanor from his previous easy-going and confident attitude, with a hint of hesitancy.

"No, not at all! I have always believed that those who can weave beautiful theories are beautiful at heart. Mr. Rowan's mathematical formula seeks to create something beautiful not only in theory but also in its physical form. Please finish the diamond as soon as possible, as I eagerly await it." Sophie replied with a broad smile, expressing her enthusiastic acceptance of the engagement.

--------------------

Joseph introduced Marsen Gordon, the workshop's finest craftsman, to Alan with the purpose of creating the ideal diamond. The chairman emphasized the confidentiality of the task and promised to pay Alan 50% more than his previous earnings until the job was completed.

"This guy... he's incredible, are you a genius?" Even though Gordon couldn't fully grasp the meaning of the sequence, his seasoned craftsmanship intuition allowed him to instantly recognize that Alan's cut plan was supremely ideal.

In a scholarly and discreet manner, Alan sought advice from Gordon, who was a living encyclopedia of jewelry due to his extensive experience in the field. "The calculations appear to be correct. However, there can often be discrepancies between theory and the final product. I've heard you are the most experienced craftsman here. If you have any questions, please let me know."

"Yes, that's correct. In the drawing, the side with the largest diameter when viewed from above is referred to as the girdle, but due to it being depicted as lines, it practically has zero width. The thickness is non-existent. In reality, achieving a girdle thickness of zero is impossible."

Upon examining the drawing, Gordon promptly pointed out an unrealistic aspect and corrected Alan's oversight while they both sat at the desk.

"I see... I thought diamonds couldn't be perfectly sharpened due to their hardness."

"Diamonds are indeed hard, but they can still break. It's similar to calcite. Without breaking them, you cannot even extract the shiny part from the rough stone... As for the girdle, the thickness will depend on the specific diamond being cut. The crown and pavilion are essentially extensions of the girdle... The crown refers to the upper trapezoidal section, while the pavilion is the lower triangular part of the diamond."

"Ah, I understand now. The recalculations needed are minimal. Thank you for your guidance."

Gordon's eyes sparkled with excitement like that of a child as Alan expressed his gratitude and made additional notes on the drawings.

"Well, you've got yourself a fascinating task. With this cut, even a small stone will have a splendid finish. But if you were to handle a large stone, that would be quite something. I'd love to try cutting a high-quality 50... no, a 100-carat diamond."

"To showcase Alan-kun's talent, I am considering presenting the first ideal diamond to the royal family as an advertisement for our company."

When Joseph mentioned the plan, Gordon couldn't contain his excitement, his hands rubbing together in anticipation.

"Oh, that sounds fantastic, Chairman. I'm thrilled!"

"In order to verify the ideal cut, please try it once. However, to prevent any leaks, I will crush it as soon as it's confirmed." With a nod, Joseph placed a rough stone, about the size of his little finger, on the workbench, seemingly prepared for this purpose. If cut properly, it would become a diamond of about 2 carats.

"... Eh, as soon as it's confirmed, it will be wasted? That seems like a shame."

"No one should know about it until it's unveiled at the royal palace. Besides, polishing requires a significant amount of diamond powder, so it won't be a total waste." Joseph's management philosophy dictated that they would spare no initial investment if it led to a promising business opportunity.

... Gordon's test cut proved successful, demonstrating that Alan's presentation was accurate and that the diamond could indeed possess unprecedented brilliance. As soon as they verified it, Joseph swiftly smashed the diamond with a hammer, turning the first-ever ideal cut diamond into a mere phantom.

In Joseph's vision, this diamond would become one of the largest and most exquisite royal tributes in history.

While Gordon prepared a specialized workshop to focus on his work and maintain confidentiality, a Jordine Company ship arrived at the port, carrying rough diamonds and gold bullion for goldsmithing.

For a long time, the Prana subcontinent had been the sole source of diamonds in recorded history. However, in recent times, new deposits had been discovered in the new continent. A massive, almost perfectly regular octahedral rough stone brought across the Western Ocean was chosen to be processed into Riso Diamond No. 1.

The rough stone weighed 199 carats. Even after undergoing the bold cut according to Rowan's theory, it was estimated that a large diamond of approximately 100 carats would be carved out.

-----------------

To a craftsman with 30 years of experience cutting and polishing gemstones, the feeling of creating the greatest masterpiece in history with his own hands is an unparalleled joy. For Gordon, it wasn't about the substantial amount of money involved, nor was it about attaining the number one position in the country, or even the fame of being the world's best craftsman. It was simply the stone before him, drawing closer to the pinnacle of beauty, that brought him utmost delight.

However, no matter how diligently Gordon worked as a craftsman, the presence of 58 oversize facets made the task seem insurmountable. Using conventional methods, it would likely take more than five years to process the ideal diamond No. 1.

Fortunately, Sophie and Alan provided strong support for Gordon's work. They researched the latest industrial patents and practices and focused on the waterwheel-powered milling machine used for hollowing out cannon barrels, which was originally introduced by the Merovig State Arsenal and recently adopted by Bardium. Alan created a blueprint, sought Gordon's input, and with Joseph's assistance, negotiated with the Minister of War to obtain permission for the transfer of this technology. Privately, the royal family was informed that they would be presented with the most magnificent diamond ever, ensuring a smooth process.

"It's quite an investment, and it has turned out to be a rather expensive venture," remarked Joseph with a shrug.

"Well, it was originally a military technology, so obtaining permission for its use elsewhere was challenging," Alan responded optimistically.

"Above all, I don't want to wait five or ten years. I want to see the greatest diamond ever and have my wedding before I turn 20," Sophie added with a hint of impatience.

As of now, the two were not yet officially married. And finally, 1 year and 8 months after the rough stone arrived...

On that particular day, Sophie received word from a servant that the first ideal diamond had finally been completed. Excitedly, she hurried to Gordon's exclusive workshop. The company's employees and the Joldin family's servants were not privy to all the details, but they had a vague understanding that Chairman Joseph had commissioned the craftsman Gordon for some new jewelry, and its completion appeared to be linked to his daughter's marriage.

It was known that Joseph was in high spirits and had gone to Gordon's workshop with a bottle of his favorite cheap yet strong rum, leading Sophie to deduce that the diamond must have been finished. Gordon had a particular fondness for this rum, and for nearly two years, he had diligently worked on polishing diamonds without touching a single drop or returning home.

Joseph and Sophie had visited the Gordon family numerous times to apologize for their dedication and hard work, but Gordon's wife and children shrugged it off, stating that it couldn't be helped because of his obsession with the craft.

Sophie entered the special workshop, where only four individuals knew the secret, but she didn't possess the key. Upon entering, she discovered that both her father and Gordon were absent.

There is an empty rum bottle on the break table, suggesting that the celebratory mood was in full swing. As Sophie entered the workshop, her eyes were immediately drawn to a gleaming jewel placed on the suede workbench. Its brilliance seemed to emanate an inspiring aura, captivating Sophie's attention.

The workshop was designed to make the most of natural light since powerful artificial lights were not yet invented. As long as the sun was shining, the workbench was bathed in bright illumination. The diamond before her was perfectly colorless and transparent, flawlessly cut with 58 facets, a combination of Alan's theoretical design and Gordon's masterful craftsmanship. The diamond expertly took in, reflected, refracted, and emitted light in a precise manner, radiating a brilliance never witnessed by humankind.

As Sophie marveled at the diamond, she realized that Alain's drawings had indeed foretold the creation of a diamond of unparalleled beauty, yet the reality far surpassed her imagination. Lost in time, she was brought back to the present by the sound of the door being unlocked, indicating the arrival of one of the other three individuals who possessed a key to the workshop. It was Alain who entered.

"Miss Sophie, are you already here? The ideal cut diamond has been completed, and I went to call you at your home, but you weren't there."

Evidently, their assumptions were incorrect. It seemed that Alain had not expected Sophie to deduce the diamond's completion based on Joseph's actions. In front of the shining jewel, Sophie extended her congratulations to Alain.

"Congratulations, Alan-sama."

"Thank you."

Modestly, Alain attributed the success to Gordon's exceptional craftsmanship and the high-quality rough stone provided by Joseph. However, Sophie didn't agree with his self-deprecation.

"If you hadn't attended Count Dusari's mathematics salon back then, I wouldn't have realized that mathematics could be applied to diamonds. It's uncommon for a young lady to attend such a salon."

"Is that so?"

Sophie found it a bit surprising to learn that Alain had been observing her even before her father Joseph started searching for potential suitors. But upon reflection, it made sense. The drawings and formulas for the ideal cut weren't creations born overnight. Had Joseph been considering him as a son-in-law while preparing for this project?

As they stood near Gordon's workbench, where the ideal cut diamond glistened, Alain moved to another workbench that wasn't originally there and picked up a small box. Sophie hadn't noticed the presence of two workbenches without any assistants, as she had been captivated by the ideal diamond. Now, however, her curiosity was piqued, and she finally realized the situation. Alain met her gaze with a tense expression, hinting at the significance of this hidden workshop.

"... Miss Sophie."

"Yes, Mr. Alan?"

"Could you please accept this..."

With those words, Alan opened the small box, revealing a radiant diamond the size of a thumb nail. It had the same ideal cut, exuding a delicate iridescence and a pure white brilliance. The jeweler's daughter understood that the diamond in Alan's hand was the younger sibling of the ideal diamond.

"Mr. Alan..."

"I crafted it under Lord Gordon's guidance."

"No, it's beautiful... it sparkles wonderfully."

"I can't compare to you, Sophie. Even our grand diamond, which will become the nation's greatest treasure, can't rival this one."

Sophie offered a gentle smile to Alan as he glanced at Gordon's ideal cut diamond. However, deep down, she knew that this statement wasn't entirely true. She felt a strong affection for him and was delighted to hear his words.

"Your brilliance of mind will be the nation's greatest treasure, Alan-sama."

"Sophie, will you marry me?"

"Of course!!"

"You can only be yourself. You were the only one who found a man obsessed with numbers amusing."

Alan presented Riso Cut Diamond No. 2 from the small box and handed it to Sophie. Unlike No. 1, which remained unmounted, No. 2 had already been crafted into a necklace. Gordon, the skilled craftsman, had meticulously worked on the gold chain adorned with diamonds. Although smaller than No. 1, it was too large to be worn as a ring, prompting Joseph to suggest that a necklace would be more suitable.

With tears glistening in her eyes, Sophie looks at Alan, adorned with a diamond necklace.

"Alan-sama... I'm so happy."

"Sophie, I love you, and I will love you for eternity."

Joseph, concealed in the shadow of the workbench alongside Gordon, the skilled diamond cutter, felt a sense of annoyance at the couple's affection, considering it too logical.

Afterward--

Alain's direct involvement in the management of Jourdin & Co. remained limited as he focused on numerous mathematical achievements. He also delved into mechanical drawings, some of which were patented, becoming a new source of income for the company.

Throughout Alain's lifetime, several of his design drawings, initially seen as theoretical and fantastical, proved to be practical with the advancement of steam engines and internal combustion engines.

Joseph, having secured a worthy successor, spent the rest of his life in tranquility. He continued his work as a jeweler at the forefront until his ally Gordon retired. Eventually, he settled into a leisurely life on the island of Medira, a health resort in the Western Ocean, where he occasionally enjoyed the company of his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

 The End

Note : The round brilliant cut, a significant advancement in diamond cutting history, was actually invented in the 20th century. However, its predecessor, multifaceted cutting, had already been achieved in the 17th century, with processing techniques dating back to ancient times.

Mr. Tolkowski, the innovator behind the round brilliant cut, was not only a diamond cutting expert but also a skilled mathematician.

The old European cut, a precursor to the brilliant cut, emerged in the 18th century. To be candid, it appears quite similar to the brilliant cut in my opinion (albeit in a rough form).