* * *

After the celebration, the younger women returned to the mansion and commenced to share what that they had seen and heard.

And Luna grew to become busy once more. She needed to finalize a contract with the mining firm that Royer had beforehand checked.

They weren’t simply contracting for one mine, however nearly ten mines scattered throughout the continent, making the contracts quite a few and sophisticated.

Fortuitously, they found that some mines produce gems with out digging too deep. In any other case, it might need taken over a decade to mine only one, they usually in all probability wouldn’t even have thought of such a enterprise.

“Girl Luna. We’ve obtained a response from Tein.”

“Ah, thanks.”

Luna rapidly checked the content material of the letter handed by Royer. It talked about that Tein gladly accepted the request she had made earlier.

Seeing Luna’s mild smile, Royer, tilting his head, requested in regards to the content material of the letter.

“Oh, I requested Tein to introduce his buddies.”

“Mates?”

“Sure. Mates who retired with him from the mine. I used to be considering, what if we rent those that are nonetheless resting for the stone mining work? I requested for an inventory.”

“…!”

Royer’s eyes widened in shock.

“Did you actually ask to personally choose the employees within the contract?”

He thought they may simply go away it as much as them. Why add such a clause?

Luna nodded in settlement.

“Sure. If they’re launched by Tein, their abilities can be wonderful.”

Moreover, they might certainly maintain a watchful eye to make sure nobody steals.

The primary purpose for selecting them was their trustworthiness, however Royer misunderstood and thought Luna wished to offer jobs for the unemployed, which touched him deeply.

“Anyway, because it’s settled, we should always ship letters to the folks on this record. There are numerous names, so it is likely to be a bit cumbersome. Will you assist?”

“In fact. No, I’ll write all of them.”

“No, let’s cut up the duty. How will you write all of them by your self?”

“No, I feel I ought to do it alone.”

What does he imply by that? As she was pondering, there was a knock on the door.

“My woman, you might have a customer. It’s Miss Rosemary.”

Luna checked out Royer with stunned eyes, however he simply shrugged.

“Truly, I noticed Rosemary’s carriage approaching the mansion earlier than my go to.”

If it had been anybody else, it wouldn’t matter, but when the visitor is Rosemary, the dialog is certain to be prolonged. She all the time loved her days off to the fullest as a consequence of her busy inheritor coaching.

In fact, Luna additionally loved spending her free days along with her, so she didn’t thoughts.

Anyway, it meant that Royer can be liable for all of the responses.

“…Then, I’ll go away it to you.”

“Sure, don’t fear. I may also draft an employment contract to incorporate.”

After Royer, who left a reliable impression, exited, Rosemary quickly visited Luna’s room. Her eyes had been shining with pleasure.

“Girl Luna! I’ve introduced excellent news.”

In Rosemary’s hand was a blinding letter.

“What’s it?”

“It’s an invite to the coming-of-age celebration!”

The approaching-of-age celebration was an occasion held on the finish of the yr, just for nobles who turned eighteen that yr.

In essence, it was a pre-draft for the social circle, an opportunity to expertise the imperial celebration that may happen within the new yr.

Rosemary was two years youthful than Luna, who turned twenty this yr. She simply turned eighteen, turning into an grownup.

‘So she got here to brag. Cute.’

Luna brightly congratulated Rosemary on her debut within the social circle.

“Congratulations. You’ve lastly made your debut within the social world.”

“Sure, and I wish to attend with you.”

“…Me?”

Instantly? Why me? Luna blinked in shock.

“I heard you didn’t attend your coming-of-age celebration. So, I believed perhaps we might go collectively.”

However, if an oldie(?) like me out of the blue attends a celebration meant just for nobles who had simply change into adults, received’t it destroy the environment?

In addition to-

“I don’t have an invite.”

Luna didn’t have an invite. There was just one probability to attend the coming-of-age celebration. Luna missed that chance two years in the past.

“That’s why I’m asking you to be my escort. In case you are my escort, we are able to enter collectively, proper?”

“Escort? That’s…”

Normally, it’s one thing achieved by lovers or these in some relationship or with a possible for one.

Luna was about to answer when she out of the blue closed her mouth. She realized the that means behind Rosemary’s phrases.

Maybe she felt sorry for Luna for not with the ability to attend her coming-of-age celebration, all as a result of she didn’t come up with the money for.

It wasn’t like Luna felt dangerous about it. The approaching-of-age celebration was an indispensable vital occasion for the nobles. A ceremony the place every particular person is acknowledged as an grownup and as a noble.

Although it was only a superficial tradition of the nobles, it was a once-in-a-lifetime alternative. To the purpose the place he typically regretted refusing Fersen’s supply to purchase her a costume.

“Please? I don’t have anybody else appropriate to be my escort.”

As Luna didn’t reply, Rosemary held her hand and pouted, fluttering her thick, lovely eyelashes.

It was unattainable to not fall for Rosemary’s solo act, as if she was doing all of it for herself, nearly to the purpose of appearing cute.

No, she ought to have knelt down and thanked her. Luna took Rosemary’s hand.

“Okay. Then, I’ll do as you say. Thanks.”

“You shouldn’t be thanking me. Now, I can inform extra people who I’m near the younger woman. Ah! And this.”

Rosemary, with a gleaming smile, beckoned to her maid. The maid promptly handed over a pile of paperwork as if she had been ready for the cue.

“What’s this?”

Spreading it out on the desk, Rosemary moved subsequent to Luna and defined:

“It’s a costume catalog. They’re new designs from the designer I typically fee. We are able to’t simply put on any costume for the coming-of-age celebration, proper? So, I introduced this.”

As Luna shifted her gaze to the catalog, she was overwhelmed by the huge data on the fundamental buildings, designs, laces, decorations, colours, supplies, and so forth.

“How about we match our clothes for the large celebration? I like this design and this one, what do you suppose, younger woman?”

So, that was the aim. Rosemary’s eyes sparkled with the thought of matching not solely ribbons and gloves but additionally clothes.

“No.”

With out being swayed by that sparkle, Luna declined with out hesitation. She supplied no clarification, fearing that giving even a touch of concession would result in extra requests.

Nonetheless, Rosemary didn’t surrender and made one other try:

“How about we’ve the fundamental design the identical however make all of the decorations and laces totally different?”

“…”

“…We are able to change the colour too, in order for you!”

If we alter all that, it’s not even the identical costume anymore. Seeing no response from Luna, Rosemary saved including situations,

“…Um, and the fabric too.”

It appeared she would possibly even recommend a totally totally different design subsequent. Luna, making an attempt to compromise, laughed.

“So long as all the things isn’t the identical, it’s wonderful. I used to be simply teasing by not responding.”

“Actually!?”

Though altering all the things mainly made them totally different clothes, simply this concession appeared sufficient for Rosemary, who grew to become full of life once more.

She then rapidly caught near Luna, urging her to decide on a design:

“When you select the design, I’ll convey the designer immediately. Truly, I gave him a heads-up.”

“…?”

Actually? How ready was she?

It was evident how a lot she had been trying ahead to this, not eager to waste even a single day.

“Let’s do it.”

Although it was an sudden plan, Luna thought it will be over quickly. She casually accepted Rosemary’s suggestion. Nevertheless, till night, she was held captive by Rosemary and the designer, discussing each element of the costume.

* * *

Not lengthy after, the precise mining to search out the diamond mine started. Being an organization with a protracted historical past, they instantly began the work after preparations.

These laborers who had been unable to get jobs for a similar causes as Tein despatched thank-you letters to Luna.

It wasn’t essential to take action as a result of she had employed them after weighing the professionals and cons, so the gratitude made her completely happy. It felt like she had achieved a great deed.

Time flew, and the day of the coming-of-age celebration arrived.

“You’ve chosen properly,” Laura mentioned, smiling warmly as she checked out Luna in her costume.

The blue costume, tailor-made to match Luna’s eyes, was adorned with finely reduce diamonds alongside the shoulder and complicated rose embroidery on the chest.

“It feels a bit uncomfortable due to the lace.”

The costume had an elaborately chosen lace connected to the skirt, which felt a bit voluminous and uncomfortable when strolling.

“However each time you stroll, it sparkles so superbly.”

“That’s as a result of they sprinkled finely reduce diamonds.”

“My goodness, these had been diamonds? No surprise the shine was out of this world.”

The price of the costume, which boasted otherworldly shimmer, was heartbreakingly excessive. This, coupled with gloves, sneakers, and hair ornaments, exceeded creativeness.

But, it was disposable. Nobles by no means wore a costume greater than as soon as. They have to all be insane.

‘I’ll put on it typically sooner or later. No, I’ll put on it each day.’

In any other case, she felt like she would cry each evening. Simply as she was swallowing again tears, Rosemary’s carriage arrived.

Carrying a costume of the identical design however in mild pink, Rosemary couldn’t conceal her delight upon seeing Luna.

“How will you look a lot like a fairy?”

“You noticed it final week, why are you so stunned?”

They’d tried on the completed clothes collectively, and even then, Rosemary had been ecstatic. It was unclear why she behaved this manner, given her transcendent magnificence.

“It’s since you look lovely each time I see you. I actually imply it.”

Rosemary shrugged, as if stating the plain that one might breathe as a result of there’s air.

At this level, the one who ought to have given up wasn’t Rosemary however Luna. All she might do was take heed to her overflowing compliments in a single ear and allow them to circulate out the opposite.

“You’re my escort for right this moment, so even when somebody flatters you, you need to keep by my aspect. Understood?”

“…There received’t be such an event, however I’ll accomplish that. However you shouldn’t go away me both. As a result of I solely have you ever.”

“In fact! I solely have you ever too.”

To anybody listening, it might simply be misconstrued. Laura and Rosemary’s maid coughed awkwardly and appeared out the window.

Quickly after the 2 left for the imperial palace, an odd carriage arrived on the Rose mansion.

A servant, who appeared to have come from a protracted distance, parked the marginally dusty carriage and requested the customer’s title.

“Who’re you?”

“The lover of the proprietor of this mansion.”