* * *

Luna, who had almost been pushed into the carriage, stared at Antes seated across from her.

It was only natural to go back after having traveled quite a distance to meet the craftsman and discuss various matters.

It was impossible not to question his sudden suggestion to return.

‘Surely we didn’t come all this way just to receive matching rings, like lovers would?’

Hey, on what grounds would we get matching rings? At best, our alliance is only to defeat the evil known as Fersen.

Ah, now that the enemy’s been defeated, they’re business partners who have two mines? Of course, they’re more than simple partners, they’re very compatible and close.

Regardless, the only thing accomplished by coming all this way was a brief look at some ornaments and receiving a ring as a gift.

Furthermore, if she had received the ring alone, she would have moved on as usual. However, Antes had a ring of a similar design on his finger.

He wasn’t someone who usually wore jewelry. She couldn’t recall him wearing even a simple brooch from the end of last year up to now.

Yet, here he was, wearing a ring that matched hers, his second piece of jewelry after a night market flower ring.

‘Even if we are close, is it common to get matching rings?’

Antes denied that he ordered it, but even if one were to look while bungee jumping, it was clear that he had.

‘What is this? A pricy prank? Is he trying to make fun of me by suddenly laughing and saying that I finally realized it?’

Luna, consumed by doubt, looked alternately at her hand and Antes’s, about to question him, when he preemptively spoke with a calm smile.

“It looks like he deliberately prepared like this after hearing that we’re dating.”

In reality, even if it were a pre-ordered ring, it wouldn’t have been satisfactory, especially since their relationship was very vague.

If only they had taken things seriously from the start.

Playfully teasing Luna about having interest, or not, or dating or not, led to this situation.

“Come to think of it, did you prefer meat? I distinctly remember you disliking vegetables, but I still don’t know what food you especially like.”

Antes smoothly changed the topic, suggesting the possibility that the restaurant he had in mind might not be suitable.

Of course, he was the only one who thought this. Normally, he would tease Luna and make fun of her.

Thanks to that, Luna, who recalled the golden wine glass Antes had previously brought, was thinking if there was anything else unusual when she blurted out:

“…Panne.”

“Panne?”

What is that? Antes, hearing the unfamiliar food name for the first time, demanded a detailed explanation.

It was a dish she loved a long time ago, but she hadn’t thought of it since her rebirth. Flustered, Luna slowly explained.

“Well, it’s… um, a dish where you hollow out a bread loaf and put pasta inside… I doubt it exists in the Empire.”

“You put pasta inside the bread? What kind of pasta?”

“Anything, really. But usually, it’s cream pasta.”

“Really? I’ve never heard of it. And I don’t know where to buy this ‘Panne’ either.”

Having somewhat understood what Panne is, Antes opened the window connected to the coachman.

“Go to my mansion.”

“Hold on. Weren’t we going to a restaurant?”

Luna widened her eyes at his sudden decision to return to his mansion.

“I can’t think of a restaurant that serves it.”

“So, you just want to go home? What about me?”

Why not eat something else? Why does he have to go home all of a sudden?

Without even dropping her off after she’d been in his carriage since leaving the hospital, his response was so baffling that when he said something even more shocking, she was taken aback.

“I’ll make it for you.”

“You…? Make Panne?”

“I have a rough idea of it. I should be able to make it.”

Who? You? Or maybe the chef at your mansion?

Although explaining it to Emma would have been sufficient, it was hard to refuse the offer to be treated with a dish he’d make especially for her.

“So, what exactly is the dish?”

Having sorted out the menu, she was about to ask about the ring again, but Antes inquired about the Panne. It seemed he was genuinely curious, having never heard of the dish before.

“Well, it’s a bread loaf you hollow out… Ah! It should also have a lid. The lid is vital.”

Having a vague idea about it, Luna started explaining. Even so, since she was more into eating and it was a distant memory, her explanation was rather vague.

“Then the bread shouldn’t be too soft.”

“That’s right, isn’t it? But the inside has to be very soft. That’s my preference.”

“How should the pasta be cooked? What kind of noodles should be used?”

Antes then asked in detail about the ingredients.

He was that curious. Although he would have to explain to the chef again once they reached the mansion, Antes asked with such seriousness that she couldn’t help but answer.

“Anything is fine. But if there’s too much sauce and it’s watery, the bread might get soggy. So moderate amounts are best.”

“Really? Then-“

Despite not making it himself, Antes’s questions didn’t stop.

“Oh, that-“

Thanks to that, Luna explained to the best of her knowledge.

Of course, even after that, Luna had to talk about the ingredients and recipe for the Panne until they reached their destination.

* * *

“Please be careful getting out.”

Luna, who had answered all of Antes’s questions exhaustively, looked a little tired as she took his hand and stepped down from the carriage.

She had expected a very luxurious mansion with hundreds of servants, but to her surprise, the mansion was quite small.

“It’s a cozy and lovely mansion.”

That’s not to say it lacked charm. Although small, it was a beautiful mansion that had been well-maintained.

“It’s just a place to sleep, so I chose a smaller place.”

After all, if you’re rarely home like him, there’s no need to live in a huge mansion.

As Antes personally opened the door, Luna could encounter a servant approaching the entrance, as if about to go out.

“You’re back early. I’ll be on my way now.”

“Good job.”

However, from the following conversation, Luna realized that the servant was not leaving but rather clocking out for the day.

“Please rest before you go.”

Without realizing, Luna greeted the bowing lady, then looked around with curiosity.

“Where are the other servants?”

“None.”

“You mean they’ve all clocked out? What about the food? There’s a chef, right?”

“No one’s here. I find it uncomfortable to be around people, so everyone clocks out before I come.”

“…?”

What? Then who’s going to make Panne? Reading Luna’s confusion, Antes laughed.

“Usually, I eat prepared meals, but since you placed a special order today, I’ll make it. It might take some time, so relax and take a look around the mansion, or just rest.”

With that, he went to the kitchen.

‘…That’s unbelievable. Really?’

Why’s he doing that? Is he someone else who just looks the same?

Luna, who was appalled by this, followed after him, and Antes, despite her previous denial, was preparing refreshments with his own hands.

“Hold on, did you dream of being a chef or something…?”

Suddenly, why is the heir of a Marquis and a guild master preparing snacks and making panne?

Being a noble or a guild master was your hobby(?), but you actually liked cooking?

It did somewhat suit him to see this bright man brewing tea and serving cookies, but given his usual demeanor, it was unimaginable.

“No way.”

“Then why are you cooking yourself…?”

It would have been more realistic to ask the stableman who went to tend to the horses to make it.

Antes stared at Luna for a moment, then smiled and answered as if he had no idea what to say.

“There are no restaurants selling it, and the young lady said she wanted to eat it.”

“Then all you had to do was ask the employee who was leaving work earlier.”

Antes then explained how he felt uncomfortable having people around while resting. Furthermore, having lived alone for quite a while, he had made various dishes and they would taste good.

But what about her? And why was he so eager to be around her at her home? She recalled Antes, who would visit her at every opportunity without explaining the reason.

“Just eat this for now.”

In the meantime, Antes had placed an elaborate tea set near Luna.

Simultaneously, she noticed the glittering ring illuminated by the kitchen light. And the similarly designed ring sparkling on her own hand.

Moreover, Antes, who seemed to want to try making panne or something, began searching for ingredients, and Luna stared at him, finding the situation hard to understand.