The sound of clinking dishes was faintly heard in the restaurant.

It was a dinner gathering with those who hadn’t yet returned to the estate after Laura’s wedding, including Viscount Peils, Rosemary, the Marquis and Marchioness, and the newlyweds Laura and Royer.

Considering the odd pairing of those attending, nobody spoke during the meal.

After a while, Luna, who had braced herself, broke the silence.

“I have something to say. We… are getting married.”

“Finally!”

“Whew, I’ve been waiting for you to say it, congratulations!”

“Miss! Congratulations!”

“You always said you had to be the first one to go, but you’ve really announced your marriage now!”

She thought someone might drop a plate out of shock, but contrary to Luna’s expectations, everyone seemed to have seen it coming.

Permission or whatever was unnecessary. Viscount Palas and the Marquis and Marchioness Vincent applauded with joyous faces, congratulating the couple.

“…Aren’t you surprised?”

Why such an obvious reaction? After much deliberation and mustering courage for this occasion, everyone seemed unfazed as if they knew all along.

“Of course not. Ever since my brother caught the bouquet, I had an inkling. Also, you’ve been keenly looking at wedding dress catalogs lately.”

Embarrassed, Luna shuddered.

“I noticed the diamond ring you were carefully wearing recently. You even hid it as if afraid of being caught.”

That… She had dropped it once when she was proposed to…

Besides, even though diamonds were common, the ring from Antes was special.

“I’m not usually observant, but when you suddenly gathered everyone for dinner, I suspected something.”

It was the last straw. Even the oblivious Viscount Peils had suspected something, which meant everyone knew.

Why did she worry so much? Luna felt dizzy and supported herself by placing a hand on her forehead.

Seeing her state, Antes offered her a cold glass of water. As she naturally reached for it, everyone’s gaze followed.

“…W-What? Why are you all looking at me like that? What’s with that laugh?”

The eerie laughter was unexpected. Everyone seemed to be teasing Luna and Antes.

Among them, the Marchioness, with a gentle smile, inquired about Luna’s plans.

“Do you have any plans in mind? Like the wedding venue or honeymoon. You’ve looked at catalogs, so I’m curious if you’ve decided on a dress.”

Such warmth. There didn’t seem to be a hint of teasing.

What a good mother-in-law(?). Luna smiled and shook her head.

“No, not yet. I’ve only briefly skimmed the catalogs, so I haven’t decided on anything.”

However, the Marchioness’s expression changed at Luna’s response.

The formerly smiling lady now had sharp eyes as she took a sip of her wine.

“Then we must begin now.”

It was as if she was saying, ‘I’ve been waiting. Let me assist.’ Rosemary, seated next to her, felt the same.

“Yes, Mother. We should start with the dress, right? The longer we spend on it, the more beautiful the dress will be.”

“That’s right. Let’s do that.”

…Yes?

“I’m sorry to interrupt your discussion, but may I come along? Miss is like family to me…”

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I join as well?”

“Laura, Emma. Why are you asking for permission? Of course, you both are Luna’s family.”

With Rosemary’s permission, even Emma and Laura joined. And so, the expedition to get the perfect dress began.

“Oh, what about the engagement ceremony? Don’t we need a dress for that too?”

“Oh my, that’s right. We must get an engagement dress.”

“Oh, so we get to choose two dresses?”

“Yes.”

It was almost like playing a dress-up game. The excited women discussed fervently until Luna intervened.

“We’re not having an engagement ceremony, okay?”

“What?! Why?”

“Miss, you should have one!”

“It’s too much hassle. And I’ve already been proposed to. Why have an engagement when we can just have the wedding?”

Seeing Luna’s embarrassment, the four women looked quite disappointed. Although the Viscount didn’t join the conversation, he seemed to have anticipated the ceremony too.

“How about a simple dinner gathering? Just inviting a few close people.”

The topic should have ended there, but for some reason, Antes baited them.

“Sometimes my brother comes up with great suggestions. I guess a man really does need a good woman.”

“Okay, let’s do it that way.”

And of course, everyone took the bait.

Well, they could manage a dinner. Even though the engagement wasn’t necessary, everyone seemed disappointed, so they had no choice.

“So, we must start by choosing an engagement dress.”

“…Didn’t you say it’s just a dinner?”

“It’s a dinner, after all.”

Rosemary answered with a bright smile.

No, I just wanted to have a meal because I didn’t like that idea. Luna tried to cancel the engagement ceremony that was again disguised as a dinner party, but the Viscount intervened before she could.

“Ahem, ahem. Then, I’ll decorate the venue. Actually, Chloe wished to decorate your wedding venue with me, but since I’m not confident about the wedding, I at least want to decorate the relatively simple engagement ceremony.”

“…Father.”

Antes gently brushed Luna’s back, seemingly signaling her to make a concession just this once.

Luna couldn’t refuse, especially after even invoking the memory of her late mother. Eventually, Luna sighed and reluctantly nodded.

* * *

After the meal, Antes invited Luna to have wine with him on the terrace, seemingly trying to soothe her frustrated mood.

He placed a simple homemade dish on the table and asked Luna:

“Do you dislike it that much?”

“Yes, I do. It’s embarrassing to advertise in front of everyone that ‘we are this close.'”

It wasn’t only cumbersome, but also embarrassing. Luna wished they could get engaged and married without anyone knowing and just live quietly.

Antes, with a hint of sadness, responded:

“I want to proudly proclaim to the world that we’re close. To keep everyone away from you. Am I embarrassing to you?”

“…Excuse me? Who in the world would be embarrassed by the young lord?”

Even boasting to the neighborhood was not enough. Of course, Luna wouldn’t do that, but still.

As Luna retorted about not using cheat codes, Antes smiled satisfactorily and said:

“But this title ‘young lord.’ Isn’t it time to stop using it when we’re alone? After all, I’m no longer the young lord. I’ve become a Duke, as you wanted, though I don’t have the official title yet.”

Luna, agreeing with him, asked:

“Duke Antes?”

“That makes it sound like we’re distant.”

“Then, Mister Antes?”

“Adding ‘Mister’ now seems comical.”

If you want something, say it in words…

Ah! Luna answered by clapping her hands as if she had finally realized.

“Sir?”

“…Another title?”

Antes seemed cold, but Luna exhaled deeply, trying to figure out the right name to address him. Teasingly, she suggested:

“Then what do you want me to call you? Hey? Yo? Dude?”

Antes laughed lightly at Luna’s question, which was half joking and half serious, and eventually said the title he had hoped for.

“Just ‘Antes.'”

…Suddenly, being informal? Luna blushed at the idea of calling Antes by just his first name.

‘Why does my chest suddenly feel itchy?’

Luna began to tap the table with her fingers, attracting Antes’ attention.  Antes’ gaze followed her movements.

“I also want to stop calling you ‘young lady’. Because soon you will be the lady of the house.”

Finishing his statement, Antes gently held Luna’s busy hand and softly kissed the back of it. 

“I’ll call you Luna.”

“…!”

Luna was taken aback, her whole body shivering. His gaze now lacked the earlier playfulness. Her heart raced even more than their first kiss.

Trying to call him, she said:

“Hey, young lord…!”

“Antes.”

Pointing that she was wrong, he said his own name again.

“Young-“

“Antes.”

“…”

“Antes.”

It felt like he’d keep going until she called him Antes. Eventually, with her eyes tightly shut, she called out his name as he wished.

“Okay, okay…! I’ll call you Antes! Now let go of my hand, Antes!”

He chuckled and finally released her hand.

“Luna.”

“…Why, what!”

“It’s late, but thank you for accepting my marriage proposal.”

That was unfair again. Seemingly trying to make up for the slight teasing earlier, he thanked her.

He did that from the beginning, but he really was a man who couldn’t stop. Luna, speechless for a moment, soon sighed softly and replied:

“…Thank you for proposing to me, Antes.”