* * *

Urging hurriedly, Antes arrived at Luna’s mansion and checked the time. It was going to be midnight quickly.

Though the chilly wind hit squarely and appeared to make his cheeks tingle, it was alright since he arrived on time.

Shortly crossing by means of the backyard, Antes was about to go inside after rapidly tying his horse to the submit by the doorway, when somebody known as him from the primary flooring terrace.

“Huh? Younger lord Antes…?”

It was Luna. She was barely tipsy, her higher physique draped over the terrace railing, guffawing as she greeted Antes who hurried over to her.

“Why are you so late?”

“I acquired held up with some work.”

Antes, responding as standard, took off his coat and draped it over Luna, who was frivolously dressed, inflicting concern to overshadow the enjoyment of reunion.

“It’s chilly, why are you right here? Why didn’t you go inside?”

“I waited as a result of the younger lord’s birthday was ending, and also you hadn’t arrived. Possibly I acquired a bit tipsy and felt the warmth too.”

Upon listening to that she waited out within the chilly, Antes momentarily felt like being hit within the photo voltaic plexus. He ought to inform her to go inside and heat up, however the phrases didn’t come out simply.

“Pleased birthday. You’ve gotten a yr older.”

When Antes mentioned nothing, Luna frivolously clinked her wine glass in opposition to his cheek.

“Might you age loads with out dying, wish to 100 years. Solely then are you able to brag about getting older. Oh, in fact, you shouldn’t get sick. It prices some huge cash, and it’s not even stylish to stay to 100 whereas being sickly as of late.”

Luna, babbling on her personal, wished for Antes’s longevity.

It was a removed from amusing dialog, however Antes took it fairly significantly and mentioned he’d accomplish that.

“Now that I consider it, I had a present, however… all of us ended up consuming it. Woman Rosemary needed it and threw a match for it. Because the younger lord was late, we had no alternative. It’s best to’ve come earlier. Why had been you so late? It’s virtually the subsequent day.”

Luna, shaking her wine glass as if she would possibly drop it any second, chided him. Antes rapidly snatched the glass from her hand fearing she’d drop it.

“…It’s harmful. What in regards to the glass I gave you?”

“That’s for when the younger lord and I drink wine. We haven’t drank wine but.”

As she reached out to get the glass again, her hand touched Antes’s cheek frivolously.

“My goodness… Why is it so chilly? At this price, your cheek will freeze. Are you alright?”

Even amidst her drunken state, she appeared to note the chilly. Luna warmed Antes’s cheek together with her comparatively heat palm.

Nevertheless, sadly, as an alternative of his cheek warming up, Luna’s hand step by step acquired colder. Antes took off his gloves and overlaid his hand on Luna’s hand that was warming his cheek.

“…It’s chilly, you need to go inside.”

Antes eliminated Luna’s hand and created a ways.

Whether or not it was due to the uncommon congratulation or the ambiance, an unfamiliar emotion enveloped him.

“What about you?”

“I’ve acquired the girl’s congratulation, that’s sufficient. I’ve to get again. There’s work to do.”

He considered sorting by means of paperwork even when it meant staying up all evening. That appeared like the one approach to calm his thoughts and coronary heart a bit.

“You’re leaving similar to this in your birthday?”

“Positive. It’s not lengthy till my birthday ends anyway.”

“Shall I sing a music for you then? A birthday music.”

Even earlier than receiving a response, Luna started to sing spontaneously. The melody and lyrics had been unfamiliar, however one factor was clear.

‘The younger woman has no expertise in singing.’

The purpose that Luna was very unhealthy at singing was made. However, it appeared cute in some way. It was clear that one thing was sincerely amiss.

“Pleased birthday to you, expensive younger lord Antes! Wooo~!”

Earlier than one may significantly take heed to the music, Luna ended it arbitrarily, clapping joyously.

Antes, wide-eyed on the unfamiliar lyrics, checked out Luna surprisingly.

“Why? Are you damage someplace?”

Sadly, seeing Luna’s composed demeanor, it appeared like the unique lyrics. A sense of vacancy was felt for some purpose.

“No. I feel I ought to go. It’s best to go in too.”

“I’ll watch you go. Take care.”

Luna waved at Antes, who was getting on his horse. Standing nonetheless for a second in entrance of her, Antes additionally frivolously waved his hand.

Each time assembly Luna, unfamiliar feelings and unusual ideas arose, however it didn’t appear too unhealthy, so he determined to comply with what the guts desires in the meanwhile.

In the meantime, time handed and the day modified. Antes, waving his hand for a second, quickly hurriedly disappeared, unaware of the passing time.

Watching his determine step by step shrink, Luna, who had been leaning on the terrace, slowly stood up.

As a result of that, the coat that had been draped over her shoulder fell off. Solely then did Luna understand that Antes had gone again dealing with the chilly wind with out his coat.

* * *

“Is that… actual?!”

Rosemary, who wakened early within the morning after the day modified, requested Laura in astonishment. Laura, with cheeks reddening, confirmed.

“Sure! How romantic it was…! Younger lord Antes draped his coat over the girl, and she or he sang a music for him. He solely acquired congratulations and left as quickly because the day modified, it was like a scene out of a novel. So everybody was engrossed in watching and didn’t even understand the New Yr had arrived.”

The half in regards to the music being unhealthy was omitted. There was no want to connect Luna’s shortcomings to such a pleasant scene.

Rosemary was enraged to listen to that Antes did a cowardly act whereas she was asleep.

“How did he get away my in a single day keep time…! Why didn’t you wake me up!”

The hard-earned in a single day keep was obtained by begging and pleading. In fact, it was a chance gained on the situation of delivering a letter from the Marquis and Marchioness to Luna.

So, for this time, she had meant to spend the top of the yr with Luna and welcome the New Yr with out sleeping.

It was infuriating that Antes had snatched that probability away whereas she fell asleep.

“Miss Luna tried to wake you up, however you couldn’t stand up.”

“Oh my…”

Even the truth that she tried to wake her up, despaired Rosemary. It was inevitable as she had maintained a daily life-style for over ten years.

It was all due to Antes. If he hadn’t run away, she may have loved a comparatively free life like different younger women.

With hatred in the direction of Antes burning from the primary day of the New Yr, Rosemary began a stroll of anger.

A morning stroll was important as she needed to sit for a very long time finding out or going by means of paperwork.

* * *

In the meantime, Luna wakened from sleep. She may have slept extra since she wakened fairly early, however all of a sudden recalled unusual scenes…

As a result of circumstances, Luna may now not sleep.

‘What was it, that factor yesterday.’

Luna blankly stroked her cheek.

To cowl his cheek together with her hand. Even singing a music to have fun his birthday. It was bewildering, the form of factor a pair would possibly do.

‘Even when I used to be drunk, why would Antes try this sober? Is he loopy?’

Or was it too chilly? No, if it was chilly, he would have taken his coat.

Then what the hell was it? Why did he do such a humiliating factor?

It was Luna who first coated his cheek, however she blamed Antes for final evening’s actions as a result of she was drunk.

No matter it was, it turned a disgrace she didn’t need others to see. It was simply the appropriate scene for a misunderstanding if somebody noticed it.

Pondering this, Luna acquired up from her seat and recalled the scene after Antes left.

‘…It’s loopy!’

Close to the terrace window, a dozen or so eyes that had been loitering turned and confirmed Luna, then scattered in a rush.

She has been caught… It wasn’t even shocking to scream. She had been caught numerous instances since spending time on the manor. There have been no secrets and techniques for Luna.

However again then, there have been fewer individuals, now, together with new servants, they had been blatantly spying on her and Antes.

In fact, it was unhealthy to do such a factor in a really seen place, so it was a problem she couldn’t blame somebody for.

‘Simply exit shamelessly pretending to not bear in mind due to the alcohol. That’s the very best.’

Giving up pondering, Luna sighed deeply and known as the servants.

“Good morning.”

“Are you feeling alright?”

“I’ll inform Emma to organize the meal.”

Happily, none of them hinted ultimately evening’s occasions.

“I’m superb. I’ll have breakfast with younger woman Rosemary, simply carry washing water.”

Relieved Luna completed her preparations and went downstairs. Then, she noticed Laura receiving experiences from the servants within the heart of the corridor.

It appeared just like the celebration went on fairly late final evening, but regardless of the early morning, everybody was completely superb.

What do they often do to be so sturdy? Watching them, Luna’s gaze was caught by Laura who greeted her with a brilliant face.

“Good morning, miss! It might have been good if younger lord Antes had breakfast collectively too, it’s a bit disappointing.”

Sure, Laura was one of many few servants who may dare to say Antes to her mistress.

Not eager to blush from the primary day of the brand new yr, Luna pressured a smile and adjusted the topic.

“Woman Rosemary, is she up?”

“Sure, she acquired up earlier. She’s strolling within the backyard. It’s been about an hour.”

Efficiently altering the topic, Laura who knowledgeable her about Rosemary’s whereabouts returned to the servants.

Then, Luna who went out to the terrace the place she met Antes final evening, appeared for Rosemary who was strolling within the backyard.

She wasn’t removed from the terrace, wandering within the backyard. Luna waved at Rosemary.

“Rosemary, you wakened early. I hope for yr forward.”

As if she by no means acquired indignant or felt unhealthy, Rosemary, with a brilliant smile, ran in the direction of Luna.

“Me too. I look ahead to it too.”

Replying so, Rosemary left a message to attend for a second and disappeared, solely to look after some time with two letters.

“It’s a New Yr’s card. One is written by me, and the opposite is shipped by my dad and mom. It’s important to learn mine first. Received it?”

Clearly, Luna was anticipated to graciously smile and say she would, however for some purpose, she couldn’t cover her stunned expression with the letters in hand.