Startled, she turned around only to find Antes. Intrigued, he lightly touched Luna’s hair.

“I went to the mansion and heard you’d already left. I was wondering what to do since I was late, but fortunately, there wasn’t anyone as shiny as young lady, so I could find you easily.”

She was literally shining, so it was easy to find, but the young ladies, interpreting it differently, hid their blushing faces behind fans.

“It’s been a while, young lord Vincent.”

Karen, who had met Antes at the coming-of-age ceremony, greeted him first. Antes also recognized her and greeted her politely.

“It’s been a while.”

It was a not particularly strange scene, but it wasn’t so for some young ladies.

For those who saw Antes for the first time, they hid their surprised expressions behind fans.

Since the coming-of-age party, rumors had circulated that Luna and Antes were dating, but facing it directly, they didn’t know how to react.

“Who are these people?”

Therefore, without stepping forward, Antes spoke to the young ladies first.

He could guess who they were, but he was asking to formally exchange greetings. Luna introduced them accordingly.

“Oh, the young ladies of the gathering. My friends and also friends of Lady Rosemary.”

“Nice to meet you, my name is Antes Vincent.”

“Nice to… meet you.”

“Hel…lo.”

Fortunately, as before, Antes’ attitude was very polite and friendly.

As Karen, who had met him before, was very gentle, the young ladies hesitantly but normally exchanged greetings.

“Brother. If the greetings are over, please leave.”

Rosemary, who had been watching this with displeasure, gave a withdrawal order. They had something to discuss amongst the women, so the men should leave.

Obviously, she expected retorts accompanied by mocking laughter, but unexpectedly, Antes offered his hand to Luna.

“What’s this?”

“We should go together, young lady. You surely wouldn’t say you’re leaving me behind, would you?”

The embarrassing incident at the birthday seemed to be of no concern. Initially, it was Luna who had done something embarrassing, so it was Luna who should worry.

But she had no intention of suddenly grabbing the hand of someone who hadn’t replied to her letter.

Whether he had anticipated this or not, Antes quietly whispered a bait to Luna.

“I have something to tell you about the mine. It’s important.”

“How could I leave the young lord behind. Rosemary, and everyone, may I leave for a while?”

Luna brightly smiled and took the bait instantly. It was a bright smile that no one could doubt.

The other young ladies didn’t discourage Luna, who was saying she’d leave with her lover. No, rather, some of them blushed with envy.

“Lady Luna…!”

“Rosemary, see you in a bit. We’ll have a short conversation and come back. Understand?”

Of course, Rosemary was quite upset, so Luna, who was used to it, comforted her. There was nothing more to say as she was just going to be away for a while.

“Rosemary, how about we take a walk in the garden? There were flowers that bloomed in winter in the royal garden too.”

“Let’s do that. I like flowers.”

Furthermore, since the other young ladies suggested to Rosemary to stroll in the garden to console her, she couldn’t insist any further.

Eventually, Rosemary hid her disappointment and headed toward the garden, and Luna got time to talk with Antes.

Luna took Antes’ extended hand and slowly moved away from the group. Then, she asked straightforwardly:

“Why the mine? Has something happened?”

“No, I meant that the mining operation is going very smoothly.”

“…Pardon?”

Luna’s eyes sharpened at Antes’ response that it was no big deal. Antes, who seemed to expect such a reaction, smiled faintly.

“If I don’t do something like this, you wouldn’t even look at me. It seems like you prefer friends over me.”

“The one who didn’t reply to the letters is you.”

Who was the one that ignored first and then talks like this.

Only after the rumors had widely spread and she attended the party alone, she reached out to Antes, but there was no response from him.

“I apologize for that. I was busy and had to go to the province. There were some troublesome matters.”

“Troublesome? What happened?”

“It’s resolved now.”

“Ah… I see.”

She was somewhat worried but it ended abruptly. There was nothing more to say to someone who had resolved the issue so casually.

When she closed her mouth, this time Antes asked Luna:

“What’s this about another gold mine?”

He heard it in such a short time. Indeed, Rosemary almost screamed, if she hadn’t heard it, she’d have to doubt her ears.

Luna briefly finished explaining about the gold mine. Everyone’was overexcited but she was worried.

“Is there a need to worry? It’s not like you lied. Thanks to this, your position has elevated significantly.”

Just with one gold mine, people would fawn over her, with two, they might even lick her feet.

“And if a situation arises where I have to give up mining, then what?”

“Even so, you owning a gold-spewing mine hasn’t changed. There’s no one in this Empire who would underestimate you, progressing the mining without even taking investments.”

Antes added advice that wasn’t advice, telling her to act more confidently with what she had. Having a gold mine and bragging about it wouldn’t be enough, why worry.

“Really… you’re optimistic.”

“Weren’t you more optimistic before? Hmm?”

At Antes’ question, Luna realized that she had been very positive and calm. Even when she visited the Duke’s residence before, she interpreted the rudeness of the servants positively.

“Besides, it’s not being optimistic but realistic. If you have a good hand, you should know how to use it. Besides, your hand is golden, everyone wants it.”

Antes, who replied so, stared at Luna for a moment. It was an incomprehensible look, but one thing was for sure. Instead of worrying, brag to elevate your self-worth.

Upon this, Luna felt a bit disappointed. Not in a bad way, but she felt that she had worried unnecessarily.

Having so much had momentarily turned her negative. But thanks to him, she felt relieved, and as Luna lifted her drooping lips, someone recognized Luna and Antes.

“This can’t be…! Why are they together today too…?!”

It was Flory.

She, who had been waiting for Seira to arrive, discovered Luna and Antes. Where did she throw that crazy psychopath she’s dating, and keeps meeting this guy?

“What’s wrong, Lady Flory?”

Seeing Flory not in good condition, another lady accompanying her asked. To this, Flory pointed at Luna and Antes and answered.

“That woman! She’s with the person I told you about a few days ago…!”

“Yes?!”

The lady was suddenly surprised and followed Flory’s finger. Then, as Flory said, Luna was having a casual conversation with a very handsome young man.

“My goodness… What is young lord Vincent doing? Not only stealing the man Lady Flory has her eyes on, but to flaunt it by attending the New Year’s party together…!”

She wished she could go over and reveal all of Luna’s misdeeds to the handsome young man who seemed to know nothing yet, but the lady, a friend of Flory’s, also had lost bet in the Boutique.

It meant that she still had two wishes to be granted.

Standing a bit apart and not knowing what to do, shortly after, Seira, appearing with Fersen, greeted Flory.

“Lady Flory, Lady Wendy. You arrived early.”

“Ah! LadySeira!”

“Lady Seira…!”

At this, the two young ladies happily held one of Seira’s hands each. Their eyes sparkled; it seemed they had a lot to share.

“It’s been a while. I have some people to greet so I will leave my seat for a while.”

At this, sensing that the conversation would lengthen, Fersen briefly greeted them and left the seat. It would have been better if Fersen was there, but it was fine since Seira was there.

Flory hurriedly explained the situation to Seira, pointing to Luna and Antes.

“There, there. Over there! I don’t know what what happened to young lord Vincent, but she brought the person I was interested in!”

True to her words, Luna was with some guy. Seira frowned at this. There was a little distance, but the face seemed familiar.

Who is that? Where have I seen him?

It was likely for her to remember such a distinct person, but it didn’t come to mind. Recently, due to many complicated and sad incidents, Seira’s memory seemed to be in disarray.

“What should I do? I’m so sad I could faint right away…!”

Seira didn’t respond as she was lost in thought, so Flory tried to reinvigorate the conversation. She quickly pleaded for some kind of action, her eyes reddening.

It looked just like herself, who was boiling with anger not so long ago. Seira quit speculating. She must have seen him at a party somewhere, as he was a noble.

Unknowingly, Luna and Antes were still chatting. They occasionally laughed, and Luna lightly hit Antes on the arm. The atmosphere was very friendly.

How can they be so boldly friendly? Seira suppressed the urge to vent her anger, and greeted them first.

“It’s been a while.”

“…Huh? Ah, yes… It’s been a while.”

Luna’s response was a beat late to the unexpected character. The last time they saw each other’s faces was at the Marquis of Granada’s residence, and even then, it was a festival of shocked expressions and tears.

Perhaps Seira misunderstood something. Luna had a bit of hope. It was a pretty plausible shock, so it was likely they might have come to terms.

But the real situation began to flow in the exact opposite direction of Luna’s expectations.

“Whenever you give me advice, and yet you are doing this again.”

Seira looked at Antes and Luna’s faces alternately as she spoke.

“Is stealing other people’s companions and meddling a hobby of yours? Do you enjoy watching others suffer from it?”

Suddenly appearing and speaking nonsense, Luna frowned and asked Seira:

“What are you talking about right now?”

“Are you going to pretend you don’t know? Like last time, if you deny it, do you think I’ll be fooled again?”

It wasn’t physical, but it was almost like a fight, so the surrounding eyes were drawn to them.

Antes also, baffled by Luna being abruptly confronted, demanded an explanation of the situation.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know either. I’d appreciate it if you could explain what kind of mishap this is all of a sudden.”

As Luna continued to play ignorant, Seira’s eyes became fierce. It wasn’t just because Luna had stolen Flory’s man.

Her painful past memories resurfaced, and she couldn’t suppress her anger.

“Will you keep doing this until the end? Like you did to me, you stole the person my acquaintance was seeing!”

“…What?”

At this unbelievable assertion, Luna was lost for words and stiffened. Not just her, but the surroundings were the same.

In the meantime, Antes, who mulled over Seira’s words, chuckled and asked:

“Are you saying Miss Luna stole me from someone else?”