* * *

Even after Luna left, a moment of silence continued in the main banquet hall. It seemed like no one could easily break the silence due to the awkward acting, as if they were engrossed in reading a book.

After a while, the Crown Prince, who had been holding back his laughter, let out a big laugh.

“Ha, haha! Hahaha!”

Would there be another person as amusing in the world? Normally one would stop after failing at the first attempt, but it was his first time seeing someone continue with poor acting.

Although she looked like a high-born elegant cat, her actions resembled a clumsy puppy.

Anyway, having enjoyed a fun spectacle and met the person he wanted to meet, the Crown Prince thought it was time to leave satisfied and return to his main duties.

As he turned around, his eyes met Rosemary’s, who had been staring at him.

Although it was hard to describe it as impolite, it wasn’t a pleasant look.

‘I’ve seen her somewhere before.’

On reflection, he recalled the coming-of-age party held just a month ago. When he had fastened a brooch for her, showing clear boredom, she had rolled her eyes as if displeased.

‘Was she the daughter of Marquis Vincent, Rosemary?’

Sister of Antes Vincent, who had been prone to accidents, the young heir. Today was their third meeting, as he had seen her once when they were very young.

It was daring, to look at the Crown Prince like that.

After contemplating whether to comment or not, he soon turned away, realizing he wasn’t one of those narrow-minded royal family members.

Originally, he thought if he said a single word to her, it might unnecessarily anger someone.

Upon that, Rosemary, who had been speechless and stiff until now, began to tremble intensely.

‘What? What? Why is the Crown Prince showing interest in Luna…?’

It wasn’t strange for many men to be interested in a remarkable person like Luna, but it was a different story if that person was someone she couldn’t easily reject.

What if Luna and the Crown Prince get along well? If she becomes the princess, the time they could meet would reduce.

No matter if she was a noble and a friend, the princess wasn’t someone easily met.

Rather, if things went well with Antes, they could become a family, increasing the chances to meet, and perhaps live together.

Reaching this thought, Rosemary blinked rapidly. And realized how foolish she had been to feel jealous of Antes and Luna’s relationship.

‘If things go well with my brother, Luna would become my sister-in-law!?’

There could actually be a real family, why was she discouraging that? Fool, idiot, stupid!

From now on, she should never interfere. No, she should help them get along. And if they become family, she should find various excuses to spend time together every day.

Within a short time, Rosemary who had a lot of thoughts, regained a serious expression.

The Marquis couple who had been watching her changing expressions exchanged a silent look.

Both Antes and Rosemary. They weren’t sure what was happening, but it was clear that something good had happened in the gloomy Vincent household.

* * *

“Miss, young lord Antes is here.”

Upon hearing Laura’s voice from outside, Luna frowned and responded.

“Tell him to leave. I don’t even want to see his face.”

“Really? At least have a cup of tea together…”

Laura’s voice sounded regretful, but Luna had no intention of changing her mind.

If circumstances were different, she would have spoken up, teasing herself who was anxious until stepping out of the carriage.

“No! Say I’ll see him in a year.”

Perhaps in about a year, the shame, embarrassment, and anger would subside. Luna was very firm, so with a sigh, Laura left her room.

She too had witnessed and heard things at the New Year’s party following Luna, but it was regretful to convey the words of departure to dear lord Antes.

Thus, Luna who regained her quietude recalled yesterday. She didn’t want to remember as it only made her want to kick into the void, but she had no choice.

– Actually, I was late to say, but the Crown Prince wasn’t angry. He was astonished by your performance and covered his mouth with his hand to hold back laughter.

So, there’s no need to worry unnecessarily, Antes who straightened her disheveled hair, left the mansion.

After he left, Luna who finally understood the meaning screamed and locked herself in her room, and didn’t show her face to Rosemary who visited for a while after the New Year’s party ended.

Recalling it again made her want to kick and punch into the void. It was foolish to stir up trouble trying to help.

While cursing Antes and her impulsiveness, she heard Antes’ voice from outside the door.

“Young Lady, isn’t this too cruel? I came a long way, won’t you offer me a cup of tea?”

Upon hearing his feigned pitiful voice, Luna’s eyes showed a menacing look.

“Tea? Tea?! Did you just say tea?”

Talking about tea after mocking her like that?!

“Fine, choose. Shall I ‘kick’ you out, or shall I splash warm ‘tea’ on your face?”

It was a fierce response, but Antes, remembering yesterday, answered with a chuckling voice.

“In the first place, the Lady asked me to protect you from the imperial knights first.”

“That’s because I thought His Highness was angry!”

“Maybe. After going back and thinking about it calmly, maybe he was angry.”

“Is that what you call an explanation!?”

Anyway, Luna seemed to have decided not to respond anymore and swiftly turned her head away.

Of course, it wasn’t visible to Antes outside the room. However, the unwillingness to continue the conversation was felt in her tone, and so Antes opened up.

“I joked because it was funny. I thought about revealing it halfway, but it was cute that you matched my lie with pretending to be sick.”

“Really, do you think everything gets resolved if you call me cute? And why did you lie about me being sick in the first place? A few words would have sufficed.”

ItSince he spoke in front of everyone, it must have been a normal conversation. They might have shared stories about gold, given they both liked gold.

“I didn’t like another man talking to the lady with impure intentions.”

“…”

It seems like you’re making all sorts of excuses to avoid the situation. Luna frowned deeply.

If they were real lovers, it would’ve been accepted as cute jealousy, but it didn’t fly between Luna and Antes.

“-If I reply like that, the lady would frown, but since it’s true, there’s nothing else to say.”

It wouldn’t be strange to think it was sincere, quite a serious reaction. Could it be that he feared his still friendless self would be abandoned?

Anyway, the loneliness felt terrible for not having anyone! Thinking so, Luna sighed and replied.

“Don’t worry needlessly. I told you, until the young lord finds someone else, we won’t break up. Why do you keep doubting? It’s silly to make me look foolish.”

It wasn’t his intention at all, but if she’s convinced so, he could pretend it was. It was a good excuse not to ruin further, which might be useful in the future.

Seeing Luna, who had cooled down a bit on her own, Antes regained his composure and asked:

“I won’t do it again, so could you open the door now? Whether you’re going to kick me or pour tea on me until you cool down.”

“Oh, seriously.”

Although she didn’t say so, it was as good as an approval. Instead of opening the door, Luna came outside herself.

“Let’s have tea in the glass greenhouse.”

“Let’s do that.”

Whether she wanted to show that she hadn’t cooled down yet, Luna led the way with her arms crossed.

By the time they stepped outside, the situation had already ended, but Antes acted ignorant and stayed beside her.

“But is he really not angry?”

“Yes. If he were to send a knight over just that, I’d be crazy. The Crown Prince I know isn’t like that. Rather.”

As if knowing something, Antes who was continuing his words suddenly stopped.

“Rather what? Do you know something?”

As Luna urged him for the rest, he hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

“…Rather, it turned out to be an interesting conversation. Based on our exchange during the gold trade, he was like that.”

Luna thought she could judge his personality by meeting once due to a transaction, but she had no choice but to believe it.

‘Having only learned about the Crown Prince through novels, I thought if he ordered ‘Kill!’, all the nobles would die.’

If she knew it was such a trivial matter, such a quarrel wouldn’t have happened.

Anyway, all the causes were with Antes. Luna, with her eyes burning in anger towards Antes, sat at a table where tea was set.

Meanwhile, another guest visited the mansion.

“Miss! Lady Rosemary is here, what should we do?”

Laura asked Luna what she wanted because she had a record of kicking her out yesterday with an excuse.

There was no reason to refuse her friend Rosemary when Antes, who made her angry, was around.

“Tell her to come in.”

It seemed urgent, as Rosemary appeared at the entrance of the greenhouse not long after.

Luna thought she would immediately take Luna’s hand and complain ‘I was so sad when you told me to go back yesterday!’, but unexpectedly, she just stood at the entrance, looking at Luna and Antes alternately without any movement.

“Lady Rosemary?”

Luna, who called her name as it was a very strange sight, suddenly realized her mistake.