* * *

‘I have to tell Lady Luna the truth.’

It has always been uncomfortable for her to hide the truth. Now that she had realized the truth, it’s time to confess and apologize.

Luna will surely forgive her. Even if she doesn’t, there were no eternal secrets, so she thought about coming clean and apologizing. She would plead until she’s exhausted, if needed.

Determined, Rosemary quickly headed towards the banquet hall. She was a woman of action. She wanted to quickly seek forgiveness and feel at ease.

But then-

“Wait!”

Unfortunately, as Rosemary just entered the banquet hall, someone was chasing after her.

It was none other than Callion.

“Wait! Lady Vincent!”

Thanks to his resounding voice, all eyes were on them even before Rosemary could stop.

Startled, Rosemary was about to express her anger, asking what he was up to.

“Why don’t you like me? I can’t understand it.”

“Huh?”

“How am I not your type? My looks and body are decent enough, and I have enough wealth, right?”

“…Excuse me?”

She wanted to retort, ‘Are you out of your mind?’. This was beyond arrogance and pride.

It wasn’t like someone who was smitten with their reflection in the water.

While confidence in oneself is good, pestering someone else with delusions is different.

“I’ve told you, right? I dislike your arrogance and your obsession with gold. Moreover, I have plenty too. I’m not particularly interested in what others have.”

It wasn’t an excuse; it was her true feelings. Rosemary preferred a man who would care for her and help lead the Marquis family, rather than a man with a lot of possessions.

“Also, to be honest, in terms of looks and physique, I believe I’m better than you. Sorry, but my family has been blessed with good looks for generations.”

It wasn’t a joke. Indeed, the Marquis Vincent family was famous for their stunning beauty for generations.

So, why wouldn’t that prideful man marry a once-in-a-lifetime beautiful and kind-hearted woman?

When met with narcissism, Callion was momentarily speechless. He couldn’t argue, because, in a way, he believed Rosemary was right.

But he wasn’t giving up. Seeing Rosemary pushing him away so assertively only fueled his determination.

And realizing that the misunderstanding was cleared, he felt uncomfortable and suffocated by her sudden cold demeanor. There was only one option left.

“Fine. You said you hate gold, so I’ll take off all of my gold ornaments.”

Callion quickly removed all his jewelry. Without them, his true appearance looked somewhat revived.

“What was next? My arrogant attitude? I’m not sure how to fix that. You’ll have to tell me. Now, do I fit your taste?”

Expecting her to get angry, instead, he looked straight into Rosemary’s eyes as if challenging her to ask for more.

She was caught off guard. While she blinked in surprise, a noble among the spectators spoke up.

“Is… is the Crown Prince, by any chance, clinging to Lady Rosemary right now?”

While even shedding the gold, which is as integral to him as his body? Everyone thought they were already dating.

But that wasn’t the issue. The bigger surprise was, what is the high-nosed Crown Prince doing? This question arose in everyone’s minds.

When all eyes turned to her, Rosemary finally realized she was at the engagement party.

Moreover, Luna and her parents, along with many guests, were watching.

Regaining her composure, Rosemary quickly exited the hall, saying:

“I, I’m a bit tired. I’ll take a short rest alone! Don’t worry or follow me! I just need a short break alone!”

She moved swiftly, with a grace honed over a lifetime of etiquette training.

No one expected her to flee like this, leaving Callion awkwardly alone in the hall.

After being coldly rejected twice and even appearing clingy, the hall fell silent, unsure of what to say.

Following Rosemary would be awkward, and after witnessing the rejection, no one wanted to ask what had happened.

“…Antes, come see me later.”

In this uncomfortable silence, Callion finally left a message for Antes and returned to his seat.

He then took a sip of the newly poured wine and shrugged.

“This wine tastes pretty good. Where is it from?”

Trying to act casual, his attempt seemed pitiful. Luna, checking the wine bottle to entertain him, asked in surprise:

“Huh? Why is this wine still labeled… Do you really find this wine to your taste?”

“Yes. Its unique aftertaste is refreshing. It’s a flavor I’ve never experienced before.”

It was belatedly confirmed that Antes had seen the wine that Callion drank. It was the tasteless wine that the Baron had heavily invested in and subsequently lost a lot on.

Antes immediately scowled and mocked Callion’s taste.

“That wine suits you well.”

“…What? Somehow, I feel offended.”

“Take it as a compliment. Like attracts like. I’ll gather the remaining wine and load it onto your carriage.”

Upon hearing that, Callion set the wine glass he was holding onto the table. He then folded his arms, making his displeasure obvious.

Judging by the fact that he refrained from cursing, it seemed he knew when and where to hold his tongue.

“…Don’t forget to set the time.”

“It looks like you have a favor to ask.”

No, Callion was always a man who did things his own way. He was probably silent now because he had a favor to ask.

Antes didn’t know the details, but it probably had something to do with Rosemary. Since it concerned two people Antes didn’t want to be involved with, he avoided Callion’s gaze and replied:

“I’ll see.”

When Callion’s eyes became fierce, Antes grinned with pleasure.

* * *

“Aren’t you going?”

Although the party lasted until late, Luna asked Antes, who showed no intention of leaving her side.

Hearing that, Antes clung even closer to Luna.

“Where to?”

“To His Highness the Crown Prince. He seemed to have left the banquet hall earlier.”

That was already an hour ago. If Antes were to leave, she too intended to go see Rosemary.

“It’s none of my business.”

“But he’s your friend.”

“He’s not my friend.”

Antes’ answer was very cold. Of course, only his tone was cold; his expression remained affectionate.

However, this attitude was influenced by Rosemary’s involvement in the recent event.

Luna was deeply concerned about Rosemary, who had been absent-minded and had left in a rush.

“Can’t you go for a while? I’ve told you many times to go. Are you going to keep ignoring it?”

So when she directly told him to go, Antes finally understood her intention.

Luna wasn’t asking, ‘Why aren’t you going?’ She was saying, ‘Go now!’

He had intended to tease Callion a bit more by playing dumb, but if Luna was telling him to go, he had no choice. He had to go.

As Antes rose from his seat, Luna added:

“I’ll try to find out myself, but please ask what happened between Lady Rosemary and the Crown Prince. Whether he’s simply following her around, or if there’s some reason, or what he’s thinking. Understood?”

“I’ll do that.”

Though he didn’t feel like doing it, Antes complied and left the banquet hall since Luna was insisting.

Luna then smiled gently towards the Marquis couple, who looked extremely concerned about Rosemary.

“I’ll go and ask. She might be in my room. You checked the glasshouse, and she wasn’t there, right?”

The only place she could be alone was there. And Rosemary often visited Luna’s room.

“It’s such a good day, and I feel bad about this.”

“It’s okay. It’s not a big deal.”

Although they’d have to hear the details, in reality, the matter between Rosemary and Callion was just a small event that added excitement to the party. For those who weren’t closely acquainted, it was an amusing distraction.

And since everyone there knew Luna and Rosemary, there was no negative talk.

Most were just speculating based on what they saw and heard.

“Please continue to enjoy the party. I’ll go and see Lady Rosemary.”

After bidding a light farewell to the concerned-looking couple, Luna exited the banquet hall.

Fortunately, everyone was in high spirits and were entertaining themselves, so they didn’t notice Luna’s departure.