* * *

“I’m Rosemary from the Vincent Marquisate. Good to satisfy you.”

As quickly as she arrived within the reception room, Rosemary took the lead and launched herself.

Greatly surprised by the sudden introduction, Laura’s mouth fell open, and Luna froze, a tea cup midway to her lips.

‘It felt like I noticed her someplace!’

She was Antes’ youthful sister.

Luna, who was blinking in confusion with out understanding the scenario, was nonchalantly requested by Rosemary:

“What’s your title, younger woman?”

Pretending to know nothing, performing as if there was no ulterior motive. Though she had an harmless face, Luna answered slowly with out eradicating her doubts:

“…I’m Luna from the Peils Barony.”

At this, Rosemary appeared to recall one thing, talking as if reciting a ready line:

“Ah! Aren’t you the one who stated you have been shut pals with younger lord Rodrian?”

“Completely not!”

Luna answered, her face flushing.

Even in such a uncertain scenario, one couldn’t assist however get agitated when the subject of Fersen was broached.

Seeing Luna’s intense response, a startled Rosemary shortly apologized,

“I’m sorry. I will need to have misunderstood primarily based on rumors.”

After all, she was solely pretending to be apologetic. Concealing her true emotions, when she apologized, Luna, feeling extra embarrassed, waved it off.

“It’s alright. I additionally apologize for elevating my voice. Earlier than assembly somebody in particular person, it’s pure to depend on rumors.”

It’s simple to right a misunderstanding when you notice it, however sadly, not many did.

The exceptions have been possibly individuals like Antes. Now, Rosemary was added to the listing.

It was fairly an ironic scenario that those that believed the reality have been the person with the worst popularity within the authentic work and his sister.

“It’s much more overwhelming that you just apologized.”

“…”

This… is real. She’s genuinely a great particular person. Rosemary misplaced her phrases for a second at Luna’s honest reply.

The picture of Rosemary, who had as soon as stationed twenty knights out of concern, was nowhere in sight. It was as if Luna radiated mild in her eyes.

‘However, why? Why would such a good particular person date that fool?’

No, she wasn’t simply first rate, she was form, lovely, thoughtful, pure, affected person, pretty, and even had a contact of magnificence.

Rosemary recalled the sight of Luna nearly tripping over and speeding to her support.

Regardless of what number of instances she replayed the scene in her head, it was extremely admirable. Extra so than the pretentious knights or the younger males who boasted with out ability.

‘Even when he’s an fool, she has eyes. Possibly he fell for her at first sight and pressured her into courting? Asking her to be in a relationship?’

It was a believable idea. A sane particular person wouldn’t date that man.

Whereas it wasn’t precisely blackmail, it was true that he had clung to her, asking up to now.

With a considerably sympathetic face, Rosemary requested Luna:

“Have you ever had any difficulties lately?”

“…Sure?”

Out of the blue difficulties? Luna halted as she was about to drink her tea, thrown off by the surprising sympathy.

Realizing that her query was out of the blue, Rosemary shortly tried to make clear.

“Ah, by difficulties, I imply… issues associated to the mansion that is likely to be onerous to know.”

“I see.”

Rosemary’s determined clarification labored. Luna answered:

“Really, residing in a small mansion all this time, there’s lots I’m unfamiliar with. Like what number of servants are wanted, who the succesful gardener is, which room is greatest for a bed room, and so forth. I’m fairly clueless about many issues.”

“Then I ought to actually show you how to with that.”

After all, she additionally had different issues in thoughts. She couldn’t let a nasty satan be with somebody as form, cool, lovely, and clever as her.

Rosemary baited her. To this, Luna, considering Rosemary genuinely needed to assist, cautiously replied:

“You would possibly discover it bothersome. I’m fairly ignorant about many issues and I don’t need to be a burden.”

“Don’t say that. In actual fact, I feel you’re a beautiful particular person and I’d wish to see you usually and construct an in depth relationship.”

“Me?”

For the primary time, Luna, who had been referred to as a ‘good particular person’, unknowingly blushed. When praised instantly, she was at a loss. Luna was surprisingly weak to compliments from outsiders.

“Sure. So please don’t hesitate and let me know if there’s something you don’t know or discover troublesome, regardless of how trivial.”

From that triviality, Rosemary vowed to dig out the story about Antes and catch Luna in a compromising scenario. She held out her small, pale hand:

“We now have a particular connection. We appear to be across the similar age, so let’s be pals.”

After all, she had half ulterior motives. No, that was nearly three-quarters of the explanation.

Luna, who was wanting down on the prolonged hand, cautiously took Rosemary’s hand.

Though crammed with ulterior motives, this was Luna’s first true pal.

“I’ll be in your care.”

* * *

“She was extremely form and funky.”

Luna muttered absentmindedly, leaning in opposition to the carriage wall as they headed again to the manor.

“You imply she was form, however cool?”

“It’s concerning the contract. She agreed with none unusual situations. She even allowed me to proceed using the servants and gardeners. We haven’t signed but, although.”

“Oh, in order that’s what you imply by ‘cool’?”

Laura, studying a brand new time period, nodded her head. Luna, noticing that Royer had been silent for a while, referred to as out to him.

“Royer, are you okay?”

“Sure?”

“You’ve been silent. Did you get harm whenever you fell earlier?”

Luna, who would often chit-chat with out restraint, held again her phrases and requested with deep concern. Royer felt a twinge of guilt her expression.

Nevertheless, what was executed was executed, and it was essential to maintain up the facade till the tip.

It was higher to maintain it a secret than to disclose it and make her really feel dangerous.

“…Sure, I’m advantageous. I used to be only a bit greatly surprised seeing the Marquis’ household after so lengthy. However extra importantly, Luna.”

“Sure?”

“I imagine you must make good pals.”

“Sure…?”

“Simply saying.”

Royer, who spoke phrases that made no sense, nodded as if he had made a degree. Past this, there was nothing he might do. He simply needed to let issues take their pure course. Luna and Lora exchanged glances, not understanding Royer’s sudden change in demeanor.

* * *

That night, a banquet was held on the manor. It was a feast for the Baron, Tein, and Henry, who have been to go away for Vincent’s territory early the subsequent morning.

Everybody sat down on the eating desk, having fun with the meal that Emma had ready with nice care.

The dialog naturally turned to the mansion Luna had visited earlier. Luna detailed to the Baron how great the mansion was.

“Oh, is it that great?”

“Sure. Regardless of the chilly climate, the roses have been in full bloom. It’s well-known because the ‘Mansion of Roses’. I feel you desire to it too, father.”

She ignored the truth that the mansion proprietor was Antes’ youthful sister, Rosemary.

It wasn’t that she disliked her, however she didn’t need to unnecessarily hyperlink this incident to Antes.

‘He’ll discover out finally. Possibly a lot later. Maybe by no means.’

She was already uninterested in such issues. The Baron chuckled at Luna’s description.

“I knew you’d make a sensible choice, Luna.”

Whereas he solely studied for a couple of days, sadly, the steak in entrance of the Baron seemed more healthy than he did.

Luna, who stopped consuming, addressed Tein.

“When you solely examine, your well being will deteriorate. It is advisable get some daylight too.”

Not getting daylight can result in a deficiency in vitamin D, inflicting fatigue, early growing old, and probably a shorter lifespan.

Although she jumped to an excessive conclusion, daylight is important for well being. Tein, understanding Luna’s level, nodded in settlement.

“I perceive. I’ll put aside time for train each morning.”

“Thanks.”

The Baron turned pale on the point out of including train to his examine routine. He missed the times working on the Duke’s mansion.

“…Luna, typically you scare me.”

“I really feel the identical. Generally, father scares me.”

Technically, the Baron sometimes triggered hassle, and Luna was serving to him keep wholesome. In the end, the Baron was the primary to concede.

“Have you ever completed making ready? You talked about leaving tomorrow morning, proper?”

“Sure, the whole lot’s packed. All we have to do is transfer. We plan to get assist from younger lord Antes as soon as we arrive, so there’s not a lot else to organize.”

“You haven’t forgotten concerning the private mercenary, have you ever?”

Although Luna deliberate to maneuver with the others, she urged the Baron to rent a private mercenary as she was fearful about him. But, he himself went down alone.

The Baron nodded with a face suggesting that she is likely to be overly involved.

“It appears extreme, however I can’t ignore your recommendation. We’re assembly tomorrow, so don’t fear.”

There was a short silence after the Baron’s informal response, as if he was simply leaving for a short journey. Luna felt unnecessarily lonely.

Luna broke the silence.

“Please watch out whenever you go down. Don’t neglect your meals, and ensure to train. I’m not saying this to hassle you. You’re getting older, so it is advisable to handle your well being.”

“Proper, Luna. When have you ever ever bothered me? You at all times give useful recommendation.”

“I’ll be visiting the mines quickly, so I’ll test should you’re staying wholesome. I gained’t be lenient should you get sick.”

“Don’t fear about it.”

“If Antes ever causes hassle, let me know. I’ll come down instantly and scold him.”

“Haha! I doubt it’ll come to that, however I’ll maintain that in thoughts.”

Luna was honest, however the Baron chuckled, considering she was jesting. Solely Royer nodded with a critical face.

In the meantime, Laura set down her dishes and shed tears. Luna wasn’t the one one who felt saddened by their parting.

“My Lord, please keep wholesome.”

“Laura, handle Luna and keep effectively. Emma, please take care of Luna.”

“Don’t fear and have a protected journey.”

Emma felt the identical. Having been referred to as by the Baron, she wiped her tears with a serviette.

Although they solely ever confronted hardships as a result of poverty, they lived by serving to one another and being grateful for the little issues.

Within the somber temper, Royer stepped in.

“Baron, shouldn’t we take pleasure in a glass of wine on a day like this?”

“After all, everybody ought to have a drink!”

Due to this, the temper lightened a bit as everybody shared wine.

Although it was the unpalatable wine the viscount had invested in, someway it didn’t really feel that dangerous in the present day.