* * *

As Luna headed back to the capital, rushing towards the water source like she did when descending to the mines, Antes stopped her as she was about to board the carriage again after her rest.

“I’ve organized the details of the contract. I’d like to ask for a moment of your company,” he said, holding documents in his hand.

Royer, nodding in agreement behind him, prompted Luna to allow the two men to accompany her.

“The basic terms are similar to the contract for the gold mine. If you wish, I’ve included a clause that allows termination of the contract at any time.”

Luna nodded in response to his words and carefully examined the contract.

Although she didn’t expect him to hand her an unfavorable contract at this point, a contract was a contract.

So, while she was going through the documents carefully, Antes, who had been watching quietly, opened his mouth again.

“But where are you going to open a store?”

“I’m considering opening a boutique across from the largest one in the capital. I plan to purchase the entire building.”

If it was the largest boutique in the capital, it was also a place where Luna had an unpleasant experience.

“I’m thinking of starting with jewelry and, when I can afford it, taking orders for clothing suitable for jewelry.”

She thought of bringing in the most capable and famous designer from the continent.

Although she didn’t think she would bury the past, when she heard that the building across from the boutique had appeared in the market, her first thought was that.

Without asking why Luna made such a decision, Antes, who had heard vaguely that she had an unfortunate incident there, nodded silently.

“Have you found a craftsman?”

“No, not yet. It’s not urgent, so I’ll take my time finding one.”

“How about I introduce you? I know a quite capable one.”

“Really? I’d appreciate that.”

Luna’s eyes sparkled with gratitude for Antes’s favor.

“Let’s get in touch as soon as we get to the capital. And if you’re planning to purchase the entire building, how about conducting an auction at the store?”

“I was already planning a regular auction. I’ll prepare and conduct the auction on a designated date every month, regardless of the quantity of items.”

Luna, who seemed to have many thoughts on her own, explained with a smile on her face.

Although it seemed to be someone else’s business and potentially boring, Antes listened with great interest, leaning forward as if hanging on her every word.

Laura, unintentionally, let out a small laugh while watching them.

‘And she said she doesn’t know whether dating is fun or not.’

The atmosphere between the two was so gentle and warm that Laura wanted to capture their moments and show them to someone.

As Laura was about to shake her head, an unexpected item caught her eye.

‘A flower ring… a necklace?’

It was the necklace that Antes had purchased at the night market.

Usually, whether he wore a necklace or not, Laura wouldn’t care. However, when he shook the necklace outside his white shirt as if saying, ‘please look,’ everything changed.

Laura’s gaze, which had naturally followed Luna’s hand, focused on the item she had seen somewhere.

‘Oh my goodness.’

Oh my god. Were you talking about happiness after doing such a couple items? Even such a cute flower ring.

Luna hated every time Rosemary asked her to do something, so she wouldn’t have suggested it first.

‘Antes suggested it, right?’

Wearing a cute flower ring as a necklace, proudly showing it outside the shirt, even. Regardless of who suggested it, it made anyone watching blush. Laura, who blushed her cheeks, tapped Royer’s shoes with the tip of her foot.

He raised his eyebrows, looking at her as if to ask what was going on.

‘Look at that.’

With pursed lips, Laura gestured toward Antes’s necklace. Still maintaining his warm expression, Antes turned his gaze toward Laura as if asking what it was about.

‘Isn’t it cute?’

Laura smiled and joked, but Royer’s face remained unchanged.

Is he crazy? If he were outside right now, he had an expression that would have made him throw up, but he shook his head and looked away as if he saw something he couldn’t see.

Whether he agreed or not, Antes, with a warm smile, listened to Luna’s words while proudly displaying the flower ring necklace outside his shirt.

* * *

Unlike when going down to the mine, due to Antes continuously asking Luna about business during the carriage ride, the two ended up riding together to the capital. Laura and Royer discreetly gave them space, making it somewhat intimate.

Upon arriving in the capital, an unexpected person was waiting for Luna.

“Miss! Are you hurt anywhere? Oh, right, and a letter arrived! It’s the one you’ve been waiting for!”

“A letter I’ve been waiting for?”

Emma handed Luna a rather thick letter, and Luna, puzzled, received it. The sender of the letter, sent a week ago, was the Imperial Palace.

When she quickly opened it and checked it, it said that they would approve the charity project Luna had applied for.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Lady Peils for making a wise choice for the Empire.”

The letter ended with a concluding statement that the imperial family would attend the opening ceremony and celebrate together.

“Oh my god, from the hospital to the jewelry store. You must be very busy.”

It was just as Laura said. It wasn’t just a simple job, she had to carry out two rather large projects, so Luna was sure she would be so busy that she wouldn’t be able to sleep properly.

 

“You look happy,” Antes said, looking at Luna’s sparkling eyes.

And it was true.

Rather than feeling burdened by the busyness, Luna was filled with boundless joy, as if she were shedding the false rumors about her and building achievements one by one in the world. It felt like leveling up in a game.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Very much so.”

Luna playfully covered her face as Antes chuckled and said his farewells.

“I’ll be on my way now. To make sure the young lady doesn’t get too sad, I should hurry and hire a craftsman. Just in case she doesn’t like it, I’ll bring some samples soon.”

“That would be appreciated.”

With a parting smile, Luna thanked Antes. Despite having a lengthy conversation already, Antes left with a slightly regretful expression and climbed into the carriage.

Royer, who also joined him to complete the contract, took a seat beside him.

“I hope to see you again soon.”

After bidding their farewells, Luna shook hands with Antes as she saw him off.

Laura, who had been watching warmly, whispered to Emma with a gentle smile, explaining the flower ring and making her exclaim, ‘Oh my goodness.’

* * *

After finishing her bath, Deborah put on a slightly larger outfit for her outing. She wanted to gather her thoughts before buying clothes, but she didn’t have the freedom to do so.

Even so, when Deborah saw her own reflection in the carriage window, she checked herself as if her appearance was unfamiliar.

‘I look just like a noble lady.’

The butler, relieved that Deborah would move according to the Duke’s wishes, couldn’t help but smile at her.

In a short while, they arrived at the boutique. Deborah, who was already eyeing the beautiful exterior of the boutique like an ornament, hesitated for a moment before entering.

“You can choose freely. You can buy all the dresses here.”

Knowing that she wouldn’t be able to buy them all anyway, the butler made a fuss, causing Deborah to be at a loss.

“I’ll be leaving, so don’t worry about me and just choose.”

The butler, laughing at her protest, left the room with the intention of drinking tea and waiting.

As a result, Deborah was guided by the boutique staff, who approached her as if to show her to her room, after being left alone. They hesitated for a moment, staring at her face, which was somewhat different.

“Um, did I make a mistake or…?”

Startled by their stares, Deborah cautiously asked, but they quickly put on their business smiles and guided her inside, leaving Deborah perplexed.

“No, not at all. We’ll start by showing you the most recent dresses.”

“Oh, alright.”

The staff guided Deborah to a private room, leaving her alone for the moment. As she walked down the hallway, she could see some nobles who were dressed as if they were going to attend a party.

Having become familiar with Luna’s face through the New Year’s party, they murmured the name ‘Luna Peils’ as they glanced at Deborah.

What’s Luna Palace? It sounds like a person’s name.

Unable to ask directly and left with only questions, Deborah entered the private room. The staff soon returned with the dresses she had requested to see.

“I’ll prepare all the dresses you mentioned.”

Interpreting this as a sign of approval, the staff couldn’t hide their delight as they left the room.

“Huuh.”

Deborah had been gazing at dresses for quite some time, and she sighed. Rather than appreciating the beauty of the dresses, she felt exhausted and overwhelmed by all the various tasks she had to handle.

She decided to open the curtains to get some fresh air. However, as she did, she noticed a carriage stopping in front of the building across the boutique.

Then, a man she had never seen before descended from the carriage. Forgetting to even breathe, Deborah stared at him.

“…!?”

How could such a person exist in the world? If a god descended to the earth, would they have such an appearance?

After alighting from the carriage, the man briefly surveyed the building across from the boutique, then broke into a satisfied smile.

Compared to a moment ago when he had no expression, his cheerful smile now brightened his whole face. Deborah’s heart surged as if it were about to burst out of her chest just from seeing it.

“Antes. If you’ve seen enough, how about going up to the guild? I want to finish the contract quickly and return, but…”

Unfortunately, there was an annoyance. Although he was speaking politely, his voice held an unmistakable tone of annoyance that made Antes turn away.

But even so, there was a small gain. Because of the interference, Deborah learned that the man’s name was Antes, and she brought her palm to her blushing cheek.