Seeing Luna’s dumbfounded expression and the sound of a dog barking, Antes looked at her and added a forgotten remark to support his claim.

“Oh, well, more precisely, I heard that you are more interested in Antes Vincent than Fersen.”

Interested in Antes Vincent rather than Fersen? What nonsense is that? Just as Luna was about to ask, a memory came to mind.

“I won’t take Fersen even if you beg me to take him. Instead of that guy, I’d rather date Antes Vincent, who is rumored to be insane.”

It happened a while ago, and the details were slightly different, but there was a memory of saying that Antes Vincent was better than Fersen. It meant that Fersen was not as good as Antes to make a comparison.

But what does that have to do with this? As Luna was about to ask if there was any connection, she came to a ridiculous conclusion and stood frozen.

“…No way, you’re not Antes Vincent, right?”

No way. Antes Vincent was said to have a frightening face. It was said that everyone turned to ice when he appeared. Moreover, there were rumors that he couldn’t control his anger and went mad.

In the original work, Antes Vincent actually casually broke Fersen’s arms and legs during their conversation. He even stabbed Fersen with a sword, leaving him in a miserable state. Sometimes, he would unleash his anger on Seira without hesitation…

Hmm. Come to think of it, the actions Antes took were things that Luna herself wanted to do if possible. But no matter how deeply Seira had fallen for Fersen, she couldn’t help but say that he was handsome when she saw that face.

So the man in front of her is definitely not-

“Yes, you’re right. I am Antes. Antes Vincent, the eldest son of Marquis Vincent.”

-Antes Vincent.

Thump. It felt like someone had struck her head with a hammer, a tremendous shock.

…No way. Are you saying that I’m currently dealing with Antes? The crazy psychopath who indiscriminately resorts to violence, and who has his sights set on Fersen’s position?

Antes, the protagonist of the rumors, stared at Luna with gentle emerald eyes. He elegantly blinked and asked, ‘Are you surprised?’

“…Why, why didn’t you tell me earlier? It would have been better if you had revealed it when we were traveling together! If you had done that…”

“You would have run away.”

He replied nonchalantly, piercing her heart. His face showed no sign of concern, as if he knew his own reputation very well.

“I didn’t want to let you escape. I liked you, you know. It’s not entirely wrong to call me a leader of the Merchant Guild.”

Liked you… How could he say something like that so casually? Isn’t it embarrassing?

In the strange atmosphere that unfolded, Laura, as if watching a morning drama, pursed her lips and waited for Luna’s response.

“…What do you mean by ‘liked you’?”

“The part where you dislike Fersen so much.”

“Oh.”

Suddenly, the atmosphere turned cold. Luna’s face, her heart, Laura, Emma, and even Henry, who was watching from a distance with an excited heart, all froze.

I didn’t expect it, but you made me expect it, and then you poured cold water on my excited heart.

Antes noticed Luna’s cooled expression and playfully chuckled before speaking.

“And I liked how you had the courage to go down to the Peils territory alone to mine gold, how you didn’t flinch in the face of dozens of soldiers, how you meticulously calculated to avoid losses. But I also liked how you openly show your emotions like this.”

After the disruptive advertisement ended, the drama resumed. Laura sealed her lips again.

He was truly a man who knew how to toy with people’s hearts. Luna, feeling embarrassed, reached out her hand as a sign for him to stop.

“I have a few more things to say, want to hear them?”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Well, then. I’ll take my time telling you.”

Antes confirmed that Luna’s guard had significantly softened, and he walked briskly to her side, standing next to her as he asked.

“Do you still want to cancel the contract?”

If she said she didn’t, it would be a lie. But she had already bought twelve dresses with the money she received from him. She had shown off to the Baron, Emma, Laura, and Henry. She had bragged to Seira’s friends as well. It was already too late to cancel.

Moreover…

‘…Why? He doesn’t seem that bad.’

It wasn’t just because of his angelic face. It was simply because her senses didn’t perceive any danger from him. He didn’t seem as crazy as the rumors described him, and he had even given her a generous amount of money and accommodated her.

As Luna’s thoughts reached that point, she raised her head and met Antes’ gaze.

“No, it’s not that easy to cancel. If you were really the person the rumors say you are, maybe I would. But based on what I’ve experienced in the few days we’ve been together, I don’t think you’re that kind of person. Moreover…”

“Moreover?”

“I, too, welcome someone who dislikes Fersen. The enemy of my enemy is my ally, after all.”

“That’s an easily understandable reason.”

Antes smiled satisfactorily. The golden hair, touched by the sunset, shimmered beautifully. All the natural phenomena in the world seemed to enhance his beauty.

Luna tried to resist the urge to keep looking at his face and quickly walked towards the mansion.

“Then let’s go inside and talk. The sun is about to set, so we should hurry.”

“We should take our time. It’s a contract, after all. We should go through each clause.”

Antes replied, getting closer to Luna’s side.

“Well, then, shall we meet again tomorrow?”

Since it was getting late, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to send him off and thoroughly examine everything tomorrow. He wanted to say that, but as if he didn’t like that idea, Antes quietly called Luna’s name.

“Baroness Luna Peils.”

Surprised by his gentle and affectionate voice, Luna opened her eyes wide and replied.

“Yes?”

“Wouldn’t it be nice if we have dinner here together? I came all the way here, and it’s only fair to treat me to dinner around this time. I haven’t had a proper rest.”

Well, if it were an ordinary noble family, she wouldn’t know, but this was a poor Baron’s house with nothing.

She did have money now, but she had no intention of preparing a feast just because Antes arrived. There was no need for that, and there was no time.

Antes seemed to have sensed Luna’s hesitation and lowered his head, meeting her gaze as he spoke. His face was so close that she involuntarily swallowed her breath.

“You know, I can eat a bland potato soup with less spice. I can eat anything, so I would appreciate it if you treat me to dinner. Even slightly dried jerky would be fine. Even if there’s blood on it, I’ll eat it well.”

“…!”

Only then did Luna realize. She understood that this man uses his beauty when he wants to achieve what he desires. And it had an excellent effect.

As Luna stiffened, facing Antes, Emma’s face turned bright red, almost screaming, as she shouted that she would prepare the feast.

“Oh, miss! I-I’ll go and check on the carriage!”

“I-I-I’ll, I’ll prepare the t-tea! I’ll prepare tea! Tea! Tea-aah!”

Laura, in a state not much different from the others, declared loudly that she would bring the tea.

“…”

“Well, can we go inside now?”

Antes smiled and lifted his head. If they were going to have dinner together until evening, they might run into her father.

Although she was worried, everyone except Luna was already welcoming Antes.

* * *

Baron Peils was able to go to work with a joyful mood after a long time. A gold mine for the Peils family, which had been struggling with poverty for several generations! Could there be anything more joyful than this?

Moreover, Luna, his dear daughter, was the one who discovered it.

He wondered how she found out that there was gold there, but he was convinced that Luna was smart and wise enough to do so.

The Baron had complete trust in Luna.

“Good morning.”

The Baron’s cheerful greeting was met with a nod from the servants of the Duke.

Expressionless faces. Cold attitudes that strictly adhered to the rules.

He had been working in the Duke’s estate for over twenty years, but there were people he didn’t feel attached to.

Everyone in this mansion, except for Fersen, behaved that way. Unfortunately, the Baron didn’t have any companions besides Fersen.

Even Fersen didn’t get close to the Baron until Luna and Fersen became friends. Until then, Fersen hadn’t been particularly close to the Baron either.

Feeling lonely with the thought that there was nothing to regret after dedicating twenty years to his job, the Baron asked the servant who brought a stack of documents and receipts.

“Is the Duke here?”

“Do you mean the Duke? He had some appointments, so he left early in the morning. It seems he will return late in the afternoon.”

“Hmm, I see.”

He had to wait until the afternoon. He wanted to quit today and go home already.

Although he was impatient, he couldn’t just quit right now. There was a situation where he couldn’t stop even if he wanted to. He had to at least briefly explain the current tasks to his successor.

While waiting for the Duke, the Baron completed all the tasks for the day and prepared a handover document for his successor. He thought that having this document would allow him to quit a day earlier. He had no lingering attachment to the Duke.

As he was working on the paperwork without even delaying lunch, he heard the sound of a carriage outside the open window. Then came the footsteps of the servants and their greeting, asking if he had returned.

‘Could it be that the Duke has already returned?’

When he checked the time, it was already five in the afternoon. Perhaps he finished his appointments early and returned.

The Marquis put down the pen in his hand and moved towards the entrance of the mansion.

“Hmm? Isn’t that the young duke Fersen?”

Unexpectedly, it was Fersen who had returned to the estate, not Duke Rordrian.

For some reason, Fersen, with a stern expression that the Baron had never seen before, was handing over a coat to one of the butlers.

“…Baron!”

Then, as if he had found a vent to release his emotions, Fersen rushed towards the Baron with an urgent expression.

“Baron, did you know that something big happened to Luna!?”