* * *

As soon as the carriage stopped in front of the jewelry shop, someone called Luna’s name.

“Lady Luna!”

It was none other than Rosemary. While ordinary nobles would just be starting their meal, her bright face showed up, greeting Luna.

“Rosemary? Why are you here so early?”

A surprised Luna asked, hastily getting down from the carriage without being escorted by Antes.

Combining her worry about how long Rosemary had been waiting there with her desire to escape the awkward atmosphere caused by the fruit Antes had prepared.

“I just arrived too. Did you come with my brother?”

Rosemary sneakily glanced at Antes, who was getting down from the carriage after Luna. She looked delighted, having misunderstood the situation.

Seeing Luna’s affirmative nod, Rosemary quickly winked at Antes in approval.

“What’s this about?”

The previously pleasant mood was quickly ruined, and Antes couldn’t hide his displeasure.

Recognizing his expression, Rosemary also expressed regret for her thoughtless action.

“Other ladies will be coming soon. Everyone is eager to congratulate you. But before that, will you give me a tour first?”

Then, clinging to Luna’s arm, she began to sparkle her beautiful eyes, wanting to move past the previous incident.

Moved by Rosemary’s lovable demeanor, Luna agreed with a smile.

“Of course. I was thinking of showing you first anyway.”

With that, Luna and Rosemary, leaving Antes alone, entered the jewelry store, chatting about the pleasant weather.

When Luna showed interest in others, Rosemary always looked like a meddlesome person who would come between lovers.

Antes, sighing softly, wondering who was concerned about his relationship with Luna, followed the two.

“Oh my, the exterior is beautiful, but the inside is truly like a gem!”

Rosemary aptly praised the interior, which was indeed designed to look like jewels, making Luna laugh even harder.

Luna gave Rosemary a tour, forgetting about her intention to inspect the place. Meanwhile, more noble ladies began to gather at the jewelry store. They all congratulated Luna on the store opening.

Consequently, Antes felt increasingly distant from Luna.

He couldn’t find an opportunity to join Luna since everyone was trying to talk to her, despite the malicious rumors that once surrounded her.

‘…Is this unavoidable?’

Luna seemed happy with the attention, so Antes decided to give her space. He briefly looked at Luna, now almost the center of attention, then turned and disappeared upstairs to inspect the jewelry store.

* * *

“…The owner of this jewelry store is none other than young lady Luna Peils?”

“I never dreamt of it.”

“I heard about the discovery of two gold mines, but a diamond mine as well…”

Visitors were abuzz with astonishment.

Owning a jewelry store in the most expensive part of the capital, and the realization that it’s the same Luna Peils who faced various controversies a year ago, left them in awe. Everyone tried to ingratiate themselves with Luna, trying to strike a conversation with her.

Beside Luna stood Rosemary, acting like Luna’s aide, introducing the nobles to her.

Unfortunately, the arrival of an unwelcome guest began to shake things up.

“Oh, it’s better than I thought. You’ve put in effort.”

It was Callion. He looked around Luna’s building and gave a generous assessment.

Amidst everyone’s surprised glances, a shocked Rosemary urgently asked Luna.

“Lady Luna, did you invite His Highness as well?”

“Huh? Of course. He said he was interested, remember?”

Although Rosemary understood this was about the diamond, she felt Callion’s interest was more about Luna than the diamond

 Luna too seemed conflicted and unaware of her own feelings, as Callion had openly declared his interest in her.

What should I do?

“Thank you for visiting despite your busy schedule.”

Whether Rosemary was worried or not, Luna expressed gratitude to Callion for taking the time to visit.

It wasn’t genuine appreciation. Since he was the Crown Prince, showing a friendly relationship would be beneficial.

Seeing right through Luna’s intentions, Callion, amusingly, didn’t even flinch. He glanced at the stiff Rosemary next to him, and with a gentle smile, he began to speak.

“I’m busy, yes. But how could I miss it when the Lady personally sent an invitation? Our relationship isn’t that shallow, after all.”

“It’s an honor to hear you say that.”

“I hope your jewelry business flourishes. No, I’ll make sure to help it do so.”

“Whenever I get precious gemstones, I’ll make sure to show them to you first.”

What on earth are they doing right now?

Compared to the usual pleasantries, their conversation was unusually deep and intimate, causing Rosemary to become rigidly cold.

These weren’t words exchanged between people with no interest in one another.

Although Luna was known to spout nonsense in front of those she genuinely liked – leading to significant misunderstandings – their conversation was still one that could be easily misinterpreted by outsiders.

Growing impatient, Rosemary, who was searching for Antes, blocked Luna’s path, accusing the Crown Prince with biting sarcasm.

“Your Highness, surely you know there’s a line you shouldn’t cross?”

“Rosemary…?”

What is happening all of a sudden? Taken aback, Luna widened her eyes in confusion.

On the other hand, Callion took the bait that had been thrown, and showed an expression of displeasure despite his true feelings.

“I merely showed some affection to someone I liked. What’s wrong with that?”

“Your Highness is just playing with people’s hearts for fun…!”

Rosemary, with clenched fists trembling, retorted. What in the world happened to cause this? Luna was utterly bewildered.

Regardless, Callion continued to provoke Rosemary.

“I told you. It’s fun so I can’t help it.”

“…!”

Is there a scoundrel like him anywhere? Does he think this is a joke?

Rosemary mentally cursed Callion with every swear word she knew.

It simply meant that there were two people who reacted in a funny way when it was about Luna , but Rosemary, who completely misunderstood, had no choice but to misinterpret the meaning.

“If you wouldn’t interfere, it would be great. I wouldn’t want to ruin the grand opening with your antics.”

The former was a lie, but the latter was almost sincere. The surrounding nobles and guests had begun murmuring, sensing some issues.

“Rosemary, are you okay?”

Even Luna, unaware of the situation, couldn’t comprehend her actions.

As she grew more desperate, Rosemary suddenly grabbed the Crown Prince’s arm and declared:

“If it’s fun you want, I’ll give it to you!”

“…!”

Silence followed. What fun? Everyone, including Luna, blinked in confusion not understanding what was happening.

Meanwhile, Carlion opened his eyes wide for a moment and answered calmly, lowering the corners of his mouth, thinking that he had finally found something fun that he had never imagined.

“Since the heir of a prestigious family has made such a declaration, let’s discuss it. Let’s move to a quiet place and ponder the kind of fun you can offer.”

He then politely extended his hand. Realizing her blunder, Rosemary led the way to an empty room with determination as if she was going to a battlefield.

“What on earth…?” The guests tilted their heads in confusion at the departing Rosemary.

Luna felt the same. Rosemary was always a bit impulsive, but today was extreme.

‘I’m curious, but… she’s pretty resilient. She’ll handle it on her own.’

Luna believed that Rosemary would explain when the time was right.

Trying to divert attention from Rosemary, Luna unveiled a hidden ace up her sleeve.

“Ah, speaking of which, I have a diamond specially prepared for today. I’ve been pondering how to craft it since it’s quite large.”

She was about to suggest examining the diamond together when one of the ladies in the group opened her eyes wide, as if she had seen something strange, and pointed to the entrance.

“Huh? Isn’t that young lord Vincent? Who’s the person next to him?”