* * *

The conversation returned to misconceptions about Luna . Now that most misunderstandings were cleared, Rosemary’s friends were more open-minded towards her.

“So, you went all the way to the Peils territory alone to find a gold mine?”

“Yes. I originally hadn’t planned to, but my pride was hurt, and I couldn’t just sit still.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to bear it either. How could that happen?”

“It’s so unfair. You were clearly the victim, right?”

Of course, the stories of Seira and Fersen were part of the conversation. Luna’s past was intricately connected with them; they couldn’t be left out.

It’s natural for people to unite against a common enemy. Everyone was angered by Luna’s past, and they all stood together.

“But why did these rumors spread so much? Even a cursory knowledge of the situation would reveal discrepancies.”

Everyone agreed. It was strange. Unless someone maliciously spread it, this wouldn’t have happened.

“I think I know why.”

With that, Rosemary, fluttering her long eyelashes, spoke:

“You saw her earlier. The one who acted maliciously without thinking.”

She was referring to Flory. The ladies agreed, while Karen bit her lip, her expression darkening.

“Leaving out her mistakes and blaming everything on Lady Luna without even verifying the truth.”

“That’s so cruel.”

“Considering that criticizing Lord Rodrian would make him pitiable, it’s possible that they might have chosen to target Lady Luna instead.”

That being said, the trend of criticizing Luna became established and continued up until now. If they didn’t, Lady Seira would become too pitiable, and Fersen would be seen as the worst person in the world.

“But if you think about it for a bit, it’s strange, isn’t it?”

“But haven’t you all never doubted it until now? Everyone naturally blamed Lady Luna. They said even if she didn’t have a horse, she would have gone to Lord Rodrian on foot, running if needed.”

The room went silent at Rosemary’s plausible reasoning. Luna, being defended by another, felt the same way.

Suddenly, as the atmosphere became tense, Rosemary opened her mouth with a bright smile.

“Anyway, now that Lady Luna’s innocence has been proven, why don’t we all join forces and try to clear her name?”

It sounded like she was suggesting they help clear the misunderstanding, but in reality, she was suggesting to recognize Luna as a part of their group. Otherwise, there was no need to help her.

At Rosemary’s suggestion, the ladies exchanged glances and eventually nodded in agreement.

“Let’s do it.”

“We should definitely do that since Lady Luna was recommended by you.”

Soon after, all the ladies expressed their agreement. Considering how selectively they chose members over a long period, this was unprecedented.

Of course, their immediate agreement wasn’t out of sheer sympathy.

A major factor was that she owned a gold mine.

It was clear that the calculation behind it was based on the fact that a family owning a gold mine didn’t exist here.

“Thank you. I will make sure that no such incidents happen again.”

Luna could read the gaze of the ladies who didn’t merely look at her with pity.

Being evaluated only on pity was not something Luna appreciated, so the outcome was satisfactory.

“Shall we now enjoy the meal prepared diligently by our chef? Let’s eat before it cools down and loses its original taste.”

The meal had been neglected because of their conversation. It was a meal that Emma had prepared since dawn, so it couldn’t be ignored any longer.

At Luna’s suggestion, the ladies began to eat, savoring the still-warm food.

“The soup is very smooth and savory.”

“Now I see why you suggested we eat it before it cools.”

Luckily, they seemed to enjoy it, expressing their satisfaction with the meal.

It was Luna’s first party, and she was worried, but Emma proved reliable. Relieved, Luna began to eat and was lost in thought after tasting the soup.

‘I thought so, but it’s impossible for it to become perfect in just a day.’

Emma’s cooking hadn’t regained its former taste.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

Seeing Luna lost in thought, Rosemary, who sat next to her, asked with concern.

Luna smiled and shook her head.

“It’s nothing.”

At Luna’s smile, Rosemary too smiled back.

The party went on until late in the afternoon, and Luna, having cleared all misunderstandings, was able to end the day in good spirits.

* * *

After Luna’s visit, Seira had locked herself in her room, doing nothing and spending her days in a daze.

She had hoped that Fersen would contact her, but there was no communication from him, as if he had forgotten her.

One day, a letter arrived for Seira.

“Miss, a letter has arrived. Shall I leave it in front of your door?”

A maid cautiously asked from outside the door, but Seira didn’t respond. After a moment of hesitation, the maid placed the letter outside the door, adding:

“It’s a letter from the Rodrian Duchy. You can read it whenever you feel like it.”

From the Duchy? Did Fersen send it? Seira blinked her dry eyes at the unexpected letter.

She moved towards the door, driven by the hope that Fersen might have written. Opening the door, she quickly read the letter.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t from Fersen but from his butler, as always.

With that realization, Seira read the letter slowly.

[Greetings after a long time. This is Jullien, the butler. I apologize for not being able to contact you earlier due to some unfortunate events involving young master Fersen.]

Unfortunate events? Seira, who was reading the letter emotionlessly, hurriedly scanned for details upon reading this line.

[Lady Peils falsely accused young master Fersen. She fabricated a plausible situation and lied, which is almost a frame-up. 

Perhaps Lady Peils did so due to her relationship with young lord Vincent. Thus, young master Fersen tried to stop her.]

It’s not that he deliberately didn’t contact her. In a letter asserting Fersen’s innocence, explaining he acted to prevent his childhood friend from going astray, Seira bit her lip.

With his strong sense of justice and passion, he seemed to have gotten into trouble. Even though she had vowed never to see Fersen again, her heart already ached.

[Out of genuine concern for a friend, he is deeply saddened by the betrayal.

Furthermore, he regrets neglecting young lady Seira for so long. It seemed too burdensome for him to contact her directly, so I wrote the letter on his behalf.

Seeing Fersen, searching for Lady Seira in his dreams, pains me daily.]

So, please come to meetyoung master Fersen. He is waiting.

Could this be true? She briefly pondered, but her heart already ached tremendously.

Seira read the letter from the butler several times before tucking it away in her drawer.

She wished to rush to the mansion immediately, but her disheveled emotions held her back, fearing more pain. Days passed with Seira cooped up in her room when someone came to visit.

“Miss, Lady Flora is here. Shall I send her away?”

Seira’s friends had visited dozens of times, and she had always turned them away. Since Seira didn’t respond, the maid decided to send Flory away. Soon after, sobbing sounds came through the open window.

“What’s happening?”

Looking out, Flory was crying as if the world had ended. The maid, unsure of how to console the distraught Flory, was taken aback.

“Please… I have a message for young lady Seira. I must convey it. Please, let me see her.”

Wondering why she was crying so much, the confused maid’s eyes met Seira’s through the window.

After a moment of hesitation, Seira nodded, indicating she should let her in. Even if she didn’t want to meet, she couldn’t be cruel to someone crying.

“Miss Seira has allowed you in.”

“Really?”

Upon permission, Flory hurriedly moved to Seira’s room, her tears not yet stopped. As she entered, Seira, looking quite pale, greeted her.

“It’s been a while. I’ve been unwell, so I couldn’t meet.”

Seira seemed genuinely unwell, but Flory had also experienced something traumatic. As Flory sipped the warm tea brought by the maid, she recounted her grievances.

“Lady Seira! That terrible woman framed and branded me a criminal!”