* * *

[Carlton had come to the mansion. He felt quite wronged as he unraveled matters entwined with young lady Luna. Of course, I think he felt that way because there was a reason on lady’s part.

Even my parents think the same, they want to visit, hear the whole story and resolve matters amicably. May I ask for your opinion?

If you dislike, a letter would do as well, please respond at your ease.]

Having read the letter three times, Luna rubbed her forehead. Although the letter was centered around Carlton’s story, her intuition insisted that it was an excuse, and they just wanted to see her face.

‘After showing it off at the party, not knowing would be stranger…’

But to say they will meet in person. Knowing and meeting in person was a world of difference.

Maybe if they were real lovers, but not even that, it was very awkward.

“It seems they knew about your relationship with young lord Antes from the last party!”

Without knowing Luna’s feelings, Laura screamed and was needlessly excited.

“How about showing them how good a person you are this time?”

“Do I need to do that?”

At Luna’s cold reaction, Laura answered seriously.

“Of course! If you think about marriage later, it’s good to leave a good impression! Start preparing from now. Though I’m sure no one would reject someone as nice as you even without that.”

Marriage, there’s no way she’s marrying Antes, right?

Even if it’s not Antes, Luna had no thoughts of marriage. Due to being tormented by Fersen, there’s no good in getting involved with men, it’s better to live alone was the conclusion.

Of course, living alone for a lifetime might be a bit lonely, but for now, there were plenty of servants.

The saying was, even without writing debts or subscribing to milk delivery, newspapers, etc. to create a regular visitor, there was someone to save you before death.

‘Anyway, that’s not what’s important now.’

Vincent’s couple’s visit request was hanging on Carlton’s matter.

What on earth to open one’s mouth. It was after Royer sent a document demanding the termination of the contract based on the events that had happened in the meantime.

‘Maybe it’s good to meet for now.’

It was very uncomfortable, but an explanation was necessary. If one kept their mouth shut like this, one might concoct troublesome tricks, carrying the Marquis couple on one’s back.

‘It’s better to clarify things by meeting. There has been all sorts of rumors as I’ve been quiet until now. If the talk about Antes comes up, appeal that it’s a very casual meeting with him.’

Having made the decision, Luna called for Laura.

“Laura, some pen and paper.”

“Oh, are you sending a reply? Are you meeting them?”

Laura, who didn’t know Luna’s inner thoughts, asked with twinkling eyes. At this, Luna nodded her head.

“Yes. I’ll make sure this time.”

I’ll meet briefly and part. Whether it’s Fersen or Antes, I’m not taking anything.

If you’re giving something, give money. Except for the crazy ones.

“Give me several sheets. I have to send one to the young lord too.”

“Yes! Miss!”

She should say not to come for a while. There’s a chance of filming Part 3 of a crazy drama if I run into the Marquis couple unnecessarily.

Luna had finally regained peace, and that was appreciated.

* * *

As the day to meet the Marquis couple approached, all the newly hired servants moved in, and the mansion gradually regained its old appearance.

Of course, the servants who hadn’t yet adapted to the mansion made mistakes occasionally, but Luna, the owner of the mansion, reassured everyone, and it was a peaceful everyday life.

“Miss… I really can’t do this.”

Among them, only Laura was upset. It was because she had been appointed as a temporary butler since the butler was also fired.

Of course, in name only a butler, all money-related matters were handled by Royer.

Laura was only handling practical work like receiving reports from servants or giving instructions, and it was her first time telling someone what to do so it was very burdensome.

“If Laura doesn’t do it, do I have to?”

As Luna pointed at the piles of documents in response, Laura pouted her lips.

She didn’t like it, but she couldn’t annoy Luna, so she had nothing to say.

“Emma is doing well too. I’ll ask you only until a butler is determined.”

“Emma has always been good.”

“Laura has always been good too.”

It was said in advance that when a newly hired servant showed the aptitude of a butler, then the temporary position would be dismissed.

Of course, it wasn’t said that Laura would continue to be the butler if no one appeared.

As time went on, it would gradually become familiar. It might also suit her temperament. The aptitude of a butler might sprout from her head.

Fortunately, all the newly hired servants were gentle, so even when Laura acted awkwardly, they didn’t mind much. Rather, they digested the poor instructions very well, reminding themselves that Luna cherished her the most.

Ena, who was hired as a coachman, also learned how to harness horses from Antes’s coachman. Whether it was because she was given an advance for her mother’s medicine, she was very passionate about everything.

‘Everything is going smoothly, so I should have some leisure and be happy…?’

The reason she couldn’t was probably due to the soon-to-arrive guests.

Luna, checking herself in the mirror, searched for any rough spots. In a not too extravagant dress, with neatly combed hair, jewelry was worn minimally to match the outfit.

“Miss! The guests seem to have arrived! It’s the sound of the carriage!”

Time is come, hasn’t it. The misfortune announcing voice of Laura made Luna’s heart heavier.

“Miss. The guests have arrived.”

No need to inform twice. The mansion’s servant once again notified Luna of the misfortune. At this, Luna sighed softly and left the room.

Upon descending to the first-floor entrance, she caught sight of three blondes entering the mansion. It now made sense why both Antes and Rosemary were blonde, as the Marquis and Marchioness both had blonde hair too.

The entrance suddenly brightened with the sparkling blond hair. Reflexively, Luna looked down at her own black hair before lifting her head to Rosemary’s voice calling her.

“Lady Luna, sorry to bother you during a busy time.”

“No, it’s alright. It’s busy, but I should be the one thanking you for making time.”

So saying, Luna greeted the Marquis and Marchioness politely.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Luna Peils. Thank you for sparing your precious time to come here.”

She was a bit nervous as the lover of their estranged son, but the Marquis and Marchioness’s attitude was entirely different from what she had expected, and they reacted a beat late.

“Thank you for allowing this visit.”

“We’ll be careful not to take up too much of your precious time.”

Of course, Luna also swallowed her bewilderment at the normal reception of the Marquis and Marchioness. She had thought them to be rude as they were parents of the final villain.

Why did Antes turn out like that when Rosemary and the Marquis and Marchioness seemed fine? It was a sad thought.

With Antes absent, the four people who shared similar thoughts soon moved to the glass greenhouse. Thanks to the pre-informed visit, refreshments were set as soon as the Marquis’s family sat down, and a moment of silence followed.

‘It’s awkward to the point of going mad…’

Even though she had bought snacks from the most famous bakery in the capital, she couldn’t taste anything.

Say something. As they chewed on the tasteless, odorless, and colorless snacks in silence for a while, the Marchioness, who had been pretending not to notice Luna, spoke first.

“Are you… alone?”

She meant if Antes was around, but Luna, who didn’t understand the implication, replied affirmatively.

“Yes? Oh, yes. My father is down at the estate.”

It was a misunderstood conversation, but the answer was clear. Antes wasn’t here.

It was odd to suddenly ask where Antes had gone in this situation. The Marchioness hesitated for a moment before bringing up the main, yet unrelated, point.

“Oh! I see. Um… The reason for this visit is, Carlton came to the mansion. He said he was unfairly fired by you and was assaulted by Antes, so he sought our help.”

She placed a document on the table. It was a document summarizing Carlton’s claims.

Luna reviewed it slowly. It took some time, but the Marquis and Marchioness patiently waited for Luna’s response.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not true.”

As if she had never been nervous, Luna opened her mouth with a chilly face.

“What do you mean?”

“He claimed he doesn’t need to treat me, a poor noble, well, and instigated the servants against me, secretly excluded the chef I brought from cooking. Moreover-“

She calmly explained all the facts, careful not to lash out at the wrong person.

Luna’s argument coincided with Rosemary’s. It was that Carlton deceived Luna with clever wordplay and incited the servants.

As unjustly accused as she was, it was sufficient grounds for firing.

“So the young lord also is not at fault. Carlton grabbed my hand. Of course, the young lord kicked him later, but if he hadn’t, I would have kicked him.”

With the story of Antes, Luna ended her explanation.

Upon that, the Marquis and Marchioness stared at each other for a moment without saying a word. Their expressions with tightly closed mouths were very mysterious.

Their son, whom even they had given up on, and who had even hired a professional lawyer for settlement, how could she defend him so calmly?

They mentioned it from a very objective standpoint, but initially, the people of the Marquis’s house had lost objective judgment regarding Antes a long time ago.

They thought this time again, Antes must have lost his temper, and got angry, so they were planning to roughly handle it through a lawyer.

“…Thank you for saying so.”

Therefore, the Marchioness sincerely thanked Luna. Regardless of the truth, just for believing in their naughty son.

Suddenly the atmosphere flowed into thankfulness, Luna, puzzled, glanced at Rosemary. On the other hand, quick-witted Rosemary tightened her lips.

‘Did I bring her here in vain? Should I have just left them to communicate in writing?’

She was glad her parents seemed to view Luna favorably, but it seemed too favorable.

The fear of having her precious friend taken away by her brother engulfed Rosemary. And probably, her parents who seemed likely to actively support that.