At the same time, silence flowed. Antes gazed intently at the space where Luna had slipped away. As he turned his gaze back to Luna, she gave an awkward smile.

“Well… I think it’s best to go to the restaurant quickly! The food Emma prepared will get cold.”

Even though no one asked, Luna answered on her own and briskly headed towards the restaurant.

Confused by her unexpected behavior, Antes turned his gaze back to Rosemary. His face seemed to ask what had happened before he arrived.

But Rosemary was also clueless.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I didn’t say anything!”

She vigorously shook her head, her expression one of indignation. Laura and Emma shrugged, equally baffled.

The only other person left was the Marchioness, but she had no reason to upset Luna and had left just before Antes arrived, so she couldn’t be questioned.

“Did brother make a mistake? She seemed fine just a moment ago.”

Though Luna had been a bit quiet while looking at a men’s fashion catalog. If there was any reason, it could only be Antes.

They had announced their engagement just yesterday. How could this be? Ignoring Rosemary’s reasonable query, Antes headed to the restaurant where Luna had disappeared.

However, soon after, confronted by an unexpected scene in the restaurant, Antes seriously wondered if he had indeed made some mistake with Luna.

“Luna, why on earth are you sitting there?”

“Well… um… I just wanted to sit here today…”

Abandoning her usual seat to suddenly sit at the far end of the table left Antes speechless.

Anyone else might not realize, but Luna was the owner of the estate. Even if they were close, it was unusual for her to give her seat to a guest or servant and sit at the end.

Moreover, for some reason, she kept avoiding his gaze. Why? She had seemed to be in good spirits just the previous evening.

No, not just seemed – she was in great spirits. Their relationship was better than it had ever been.

After finally clarifying their titles, it seemed they were about to move past a dubious start, but suddenly, there was a setback. No, not just a step, but a giant leap backward.

‘Did I really make a mistake unknowingly?’

As he pondered if he had been mistaken about her mutual feelings, Luna let out a silent scream.

Once she started overthinking, she couldn’t control her thoughts. Disturbing fantasies wouldn’t leave her mind.

In both this life and her past one, she had been a loner, and now, on the brink of entering a new world, she was overwhelmed.

‘How could I forget that marriage comes with tremendous responsibilities?’

It’s not that she had forgotten, but rather she hadn’t thought of it at all, and now she had impulsively decided to marry.

From the doorway, Luna glanced at Antes. He had been silently watching her, and their eyes met.

Suddenly, as if her eyesight had improved, Luna quickly scanned his eyes, nose, lips, chin, and neck.

‘Aaah! I can’t even look at his face!’

Feeling embarrassed, Luna quickly looked away. If she shared this with anyone, she’d be ridiculed forever. It was a story she would keep to herself.

Antes, who had been closely watching Luna, soon sat down next to her.

At the same time, Luna, surprised as if struck by lightning, hurriedly moved to the side. Antes remained still in his position.

“…!”

“Um… I just wanted more space to sit today…!”

Avoiding eye contact and smiling awkwardly, Luna turned her head to the opposite side of Antes. She wanted to avoid him at all costs.

She was on the brink of falling apart.

Afraid she might run away into the woods beyond the mansion if questioned, Antes said nothing. Silence returned to the restaurant. Just yesterday, they had publicly announced their engagement, and now this unexplained situation.

“What happened between you two?”

As Rosemary, puffing her cheeks in displeasure, was about to inquire, Viscount Peils entered the dining room.

“Haha! It seems I’m the last one! I was listening to advice about the meal, and time just flew by! Haha!”

Unaware of the earlier atmosphere, the Viscount cheerfully sat down between Antes and Luna.

“It’s odd seeing you sit there today. But changing seats for a change of pace isn’t a bad idea! This long table does give a new vibe!”

He was incredibly oblivious. Thankfully, thanks to the Viscount, the awkward atmosphere dissipated.

Soon, he started talking non-stop about his day.

There were questions about whether they had chosen a dress, so Rosemary got involved in the conversation, followed by Laura and Emma, who said they still had a long way to go in picking dresses.

Thanks to this, Luna was able to avoid Antes and heaved a sigh of relief. Let’s end it for today. Tomorrow… I’ll somehow manage my affairs.

Meanwhile, if she escapes to the forest, the most suspicious place in the world, Antes quietly resolved to chase after and get answers.

* * *

Before the meal was even over, Luna said she was tired and hurriedly went up to her room. Antes wasn’t the kind to casually enter someone else’s room, so she thought she’d be safe hiding there.

‘What if he thinks I’m crazy?’ 

Luna, who was worried and well aware that she had been behaving strangely all day to say she wasn’t crazy, kicked the air.

So, she was vigorously kicking the air and cursing her wicked soul when Laura knocked on her door.

“Miss, all the guests have left… Why were you like that today? You didn’t even greet them.”

Laura scolded Luna, saying that no matter how tired, one should always greet. Realizing she had indeed been rude, Luna stopped her flailing and got up from the bed.

Regretting her bad imaginations and ignorance that had inconvenienced many, she sighed and opened the door.

“I suppose I should at least send an apology letter-“

She was about to finish her sentence, but surprisingly, Antes, with his arms crossed, was standing at the door.

“Ahh!”

Startled, Luna instinctively tried to slam the door shut, but Antes prevented her from doing so.

“You said they had all left.”

“I’m not a guest. The guests really did leave.”

Antes smiled brightly and answered. He even interrupted the conversation even though he wasn’t that type of person.

Watching him, Luna gulped, wondering if he was upset. His expression was dripping with hurt.

“You’ve been so cold since earlier. I’ve waited all day for this moment, and you’ve been ignoring me.”

Antes made full use of his handsome face to ensure Luna couldn’t escape any longer.

In addition, he took advantage of Luna’s confusion to ask with a sad expression on his face.

“Having announced our engagement just yesterday, have you already grown tired of me?”

“Why would that be the case!”

While marveling at his face, Luna vehemently shook her head, although her gaze kept drifting downward.

Observing her, Antes tilted his head.

He felt something was bothering her, and he seemed relieved realizing it wasn’t something he had done.

However, he became determined to figure out why his cute lover and beautiful fiance, Luna, was acting so hesitant. He began to speak again.

“It’d be great if you could join me for a glass of wine. I had a rough day outside. I’d appreciate it if you could be my companion, even for a short while, Luna.”

Throughout his life, Antes had never shown weakness, except in front of Luna. He felt that if she just looked at him, he could pretend to cry if not cry for real.

Naturally, Luna bit her lip and began to worry. Should she dismiss someone claiming to be struggling just because of her own wicked thoughts?

Of course, her hesitation didn’t last long. Given Antes’ determination, the answer seemed predetermined.

“…Alright, but since it’s late, just one glass.”

With the awaited answer and the door opening wide, Antes gave a gentle smile, determined to find out why she had avoided him all evening.