* * *

With the discovery of diamonds, the welcoming dinner for the Baron and his party was changed to a mining excavation party.

Thanks to this, Emma and the servants became busy, but nobody complained. They wondered what good deeds they had done in their previous lives to have found three mines one after the other.

It was a blessing from the gods to have acquired three mines within a year, when even finding one was difficult.

“Did you have a premonition? Is there something invisible to us that tells you the location of the mines?” Royer asked seriously.

Unless something of this sort happened, how could such an event occur?

People thought that Luna kept buying useless rocky mountains as a strange hobby, but it turned out, they were all treasure troves.

“I’m curious too. Even the gold mine in the Peils territory seemed like you knew there was treasure buried there from the start,” the Baron also asked quite seriously.

He had been very curious about how Luna unknowingly bought a rocky mountain and found gold till then.

Due to various incidents, he hadn’t been able to inquire further before he hastily went down to Peils territory. But now that the opportunity had come, it was only right to ask.

With everyone’s attention focused on Luna, she, after a moment’s contemplation, put down her fork and answered seriously:

“Actually, I read about it in a book. Unfortunately, it was a book I read a long time ago, and I don’t have it now. I couldn’t remember exactly where it was, so I bought several rocky mountains, but fortunately, it worked out right from the beginning.”

“…”

Luna finished her answer, picked up her fork again, and started eating. Nom nom.

While she was chewing and swallowing, everyone remained silent. And a moment later-

“Wow! Luna, you seem to have a talent for writing. Your imagination is amazing.”

“Oh dear, if you don’t want to answer, just say so.”

Of course, everyone laughed it off, telling her not to lie.

It was inevitable as they didn’t believe her. Actually, she had anticipated this reaction, and that’s why she gave such an answer.

“Did you notice? Then just pretend you don’t know. If someone talks, my luck will run away.”

“Oh! Like selling dreams?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it.”

So they decided to move on with a perfect lie, and everyone laughed and let it go.

Fortunately, the conversation about the source of information soon disappeared from the topic.

“Oh my god. So, how rich have you become?”

“Not only a gold mine but also a diamond mine… I think you’ve become one of the wealthiest in the Empire, for a lifetime.”

It was pointless to discuss ‘how much’ as there had never been a precedent. Having just one mine could make several generations wealthy, but here they were talking about three.

At this point, even the reputation of their previously unknown family was bound to rise. Although they may not be elevated to a title, but it wouldn’t be strange to make a name as a mine-rich family.

It felt like just yesterday when they were disregarded for being poor. It was just a few months ago when boutique staff wouldn’t even open the door for them.

“I was worried about not having any assets to leave for Luna… but who knew I’d be the one to receive help like this.”

“Now all that’s left for you is to worry about how to spend the money wisely.”

Everyone was genuinely happy about their good fortune without a hint of jealousy, but only Antes had a serious face, lost in thought. After a moment, he quietly spoke to Luna so that only she could hear.

“The story about that book, it’s real.”

Tuk! Luna turned her eyes to Antes without blinking.

“What kind of book has such content? Is it a prophecy?”

Then Antes asked with a quite serious face. Somehow, he seemed to believe her words completely.

Luna couldn’t help but be startled as she hadn’t expected anyone to believe her. Seeing her reaction, Antes narrowed his eyes, once again confirming that what Luna said was real.

“…It can be considered similar.”

Rather than prophesying where something is, the story was centered around Seira overcoming hardships with Fersehn and obtaining love.

Antes fell into silence for a moment at the affirmative Luna. She thought Antes might ask her to share a little bit of the content, but what came out of his mouth was completely different.

“Then why didn’t you find the mine sooner? You said it’s a book you read a long time ago. You didn’t have to struggle so much until now.”

“…I didn’t realize it was real until recently. Most of the content was a bit unrealistic. After realizing, I slowly saved up some money and barely found the gold.”

In fact, if it weren’t for Seira, she would still be diligently saving money.

Back then, she was so angry that she went to dig for gold alone without thinking, and looking back, it was a crazy act. If she hadn’t met Antes at the right time and gotten help and made a deal, she might have suffered horrific incidents.

‘I thought God hated me all along, but I was luckier than I thought.’

I’m sorry for cursing you so much.

However, on the other hand, she thought it might be okay to curse again as her luck had followed her since she broke free from the world set by God.

“Anyway, I can’t see that book anymore, and I don’t remember it well so my luck ends here. I will keep digging the mountains I have bought just in case, but I don’t have high hopes.”

Not digging was the biggest saving, but now that she had a lot of money, it was a new kind of waste.

Since Luna didn’t want to talk about it anymore, Antes didn’t ask any further.

In the past, he was a bit impure but Luna thought he was good in many ways, so she smiled briefly and spoke again.

“So, can I ask you for the diamond mine too?”

“Ask?”

“For distribution. I haven’t confirmed exactly yet, so I have to go and see, but I can’t just dig and pile up the diamonds.”

Now that she had an overflow of money, creating a distribution company wasn’t a problem, but Luna lacked the knowledge and experience to do so.

“If you’re busy, I understand.”

As if seeing hope, Luna added with a cute smile.

Of course, for Antes, it was a deal he wanted to get by sorting out all other businesses.

“Give it to me at the highest price.”

“If someone offers a higher price like last time, can I cancel the deal anytime?”

“Of course.”

“Good.”

Luna laughed softly, feeling relieved at the definite answer from Antes. And naturally, facing such Luna, Antes also smiled genuinely.

The conversation was calculative but the expressions were no different from other couples. At some point, the others who were watching the two also coughed awkwardly and blushed.

* * *

“…Yes? Is it true? A diamond mine…?!”

The next day, Rosemary, who visited Luna’s mansion again to plan the invitation of the Baron of Peils, asked without blinking.

If she knew this would happen, she would have proposed the meeting later. She spoke too soon and had to flee hastily, she couldn’t even attend the celebration party.

No, more than that, discovering a diamond mine. Now Luna has become too great to the extent that she no longer matched with the mere owner of the guild Antes.

If this continues, even the Crown Prince might have to bow down to Luna. Wealthy families were of great help to the imperial family.

What should I do? Rosemary has become lost in thought. She should feel blessed, but a rising anxiety gnawed at her, wondering if Antes would lose Luna.

Luna, unaware of this, began to explain.

“So, I’m thinking of entrusting the distribution to the Antares Merchant Guild again.”

“You’re entrusting the diamond mine to the Antares Merchant Guild?”

“Yes. It’s a bit much for me to manage. Besides, I trust Antares Merchant Guild. Ah! This is a secret, but since it’s a rare opportunity, I’m thinking of opening a specialized diamond market.”

Selling to others was profitable enough, but the most profitable was selling after crafting the diamonds themselves. She explained in detail what she plans to do in the future, but only one thought remained in Rosemary’s mind.

It wasn’t out of generosity, but a look in her eyes that seemed to beg for promotion, which made Luna blink.

“If you do that, I’ll be grateful.”

“Grateful? I should be the one thanking you!”

“…Huh? Why…?”

Even after becoming such an influential person, you continued to associate with someone like me. Rosemary, holding back her words, shook her head as if it was nothing.

* * *

After last seeing Fersen at Luna’s mansion, Seira had been locked in her room.

The Duke’s family sent letters and people numerous times requesting conversation, but Seira refused every time and only sent a message that she had no intention of meeting with Fersen any longer, severing ties with the Duke’s family.

From the moment Luna came to the mansion – no, from the moment Seira realized Fersen’s abnormal obsession with her, she had felt something was off.

‘I never thought he’d choose to take refuge in that woman’s mansion without a single message to me.’

How could he hide in that woman’s mansion without saying a word to his lover? Seira, angry, recalled friends who had always been there for her.

‘I want some comfort…’

Her family was no consolation. Without knowing how Fersen utilized the Duke’s connections, they blamed Seira, saying everyone makes mistakes.

So, Seira wrote to her friends for the first time in a long while.

Apologizing for not being in touch and refusing visits, she expressed a desire to meet and chat. But days passed with no response.

She expected them to rush to her side immediately upon receiving her letters, but no one even replied.

‘Why is there no response?’

Worried, she sent another letter, asking why there was no reply and expressing a desire to talk. She emphasized the need for someone to talk to.

“Miss, a letter has arrived.”

Fortunately, a reply soon came. It was from a young lady from an insignificant family who always sought to speak with her. Normally, she would’ve found it annoying, but not today. She just wanted to vent her feelings.

Hurriedly opening the letter, Seira dropped it after reading just a bit of its brief content.

[I’m sorry, but I liked you because I believed you were pure.

However, after reflecting on various situations and stories, I realized I misunderstood Lady Seira and learned that you’re not as good as I thought. So, I no longer want to exchange letters with you.

It’d be best if you stop using people around you as emotional dumpsters only when you need them.

Everyone’s upset since you avoided our contact without any explanation.]