Chapter 34: Chapter 34

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though the ties with fersen were severed and peace had returned, it didn’t mean they lived leisurely.

surprisingly, luna was busier than before they defeated fersen.

“the document review you requested is complete. everything is in order.”

a major reason for her busy schedule was these documents.

“i’m sorry for giving you so much work.”

“not at all. the more work you give me, the more i feel my profession as a lawyer is justified. it makes me happy.”

in the past, he constantly apologized, so much that he often questioned if he was a lawyer or an offender. he had even considered changing careers when his knees were nearly worn out from kneeling so much.

still, he didn’t switch jobs because antes moved to vincent’s territory.

anyway, compared to the past when he repeatedly apologized, saying, ‘i’m sorry, please show mercy,’ now he was leading a satisfying life.

“but if i may ask, i’m curious as to why you bought these quarries?”

royer’s question was cautious.

while he did help as instructed, even if the quarries were cheap, buying about thirty abandoned ones piqued his curiosity.

luna, having reviewed and organized the documents she received from royer, stood up and replied:

“i’m looking for something.”

“what are you looking for? can i help you?”

a diamond. i want to become the richest in the empire.

there must be one among the thirty. if not, well, it’s a bit troublesome and cumbersome, but she’ll buy other mountains.

‘i should have read the novel more carefully. then i wouldn’t have had to buy thirty mountains to find a diamond.’

it’s absurd that there came a day luna regretted not reading a novel, which isn’t even academic. she chuckled at the absurdity.

“lady luna?”

“no, it’s fine. isn’t it about time we left?”

luna, who couldn’t quite admit she was after a diamond, changed the subject. it was indeed time to leave the mansion.

“yes. if we depart in 30 minutes, we’ll arrive right on time.”

“okay. i’ll change and head out.”

“yes, please take your time.”

after royer left, luna, with laura’s help, prepared to leave and came down to the first floor.

royer, who had been waiting while having tea, escorted her to the carriage.

“luna, take care and return safely.”

the baron’s voice lacked energy, and his expression seemed sad. so, luna suggested he come along.

“would you like to come with me?”

“…no, i have to head to the peils territory tomorrow. i can’t.”

there was a deep longing in the baron’s eyes, but sadly, he couldn’t join her.

all due to the stern teaching of tein, the secretary and tutor luna hired a few days ago. as per luna’s request, since the day he was employed, tein rigorously trained the baron.

consequently, the baron had been engrossed in his studies, looking increasingly tired each day. his only breaks were meals and sleep.

luna recalled what royer once told her.

“he’s proud and stubborn about his work. he can’t stand things or people being uncertain around him. he’ll surely mold the baron into a competent administrator and lord. i guarantee it.”

it was a secret between the two of them that the baron didn’t know. there was no way she would’ve hired him based on a few questions, even if recommended by royer.

tein was chosen mainly because he was emphasized to be capable of overhauling the baron.

because he indeed was doing so, luna smiled brightly. the baron, unaware of this, waved her goodbye with his exhausted face.

“i’ll be back.”

“safe travels.”

“miss! make sure you choose a good house!”

the carriage departed amidst the farewells of the servants, cutting through the wind. after about an hour, they arrived at the mansion of viscount clea.

“nice to meet you, i’m kayle clea.”

viscount clea greeted luna, who had alighted from the carriage.

“it’s an honor to host such a distinguished guest.”

he made sure to maintain his manners, so as not to offend luna, true to their previous correspondence.

it wasn’t like this with everyone. the fact that she was recommended by antes made all the difference.

his lover… given the ongoing rumors, she’s no ordinary person.

the viscount greeted luna with more tension than usual, having the given task and absolutely no room for mistakes.

luna, unaware of all this, greeted the viscount with utmost sincerity.

“it’s you who’s gracious. thank you for your kind reception. i’m in your hands.”

she was nothing like one would expect from antes’ lover, so formal and elegant. the viscount, feeling a bit more at ease, smiled at luna.

“thank you for your kind words. you must be tired from the journey. would you like to rest a bit before we start?”

“no, i’m quite alright. i’d like to start touring the mansions immediately.”

having only traveled for an hour, luna felt quite refreshed.

her eyes sparkled with excitement at the idea of seeing new mansions, making the viscount relax a bit more.

“understood. i’ll take you directly to the mansions that fit the criteria you mentioned.”

to minimize traveling, they started with the one closest to the viscount’s mansion.

“it’s surrounded by a variety of flowers and trees, often referred to as the forest garden.”

“my goodness, miss, it’s so beautiful!”

“it hasn’t been long since it was built, and recent renovations have been completed, so it’s ready for immediate use.”

though laura was impressed and the viscount introduced the property, luna seemed lost in her own thoughts.

the mansion was so beautiful she wanted to sign a contract right away.

‘i thought the duke’s mansion was the grandest…?’

it was almost as beautiful as the duke’s mansion right from the start.

of course, it was much smaller than the duke’s mansion, but it was newly built and thus more modern and refined.

“may i take a moment to look around alone?”

“please do. if you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

as luna pretended to leisurely explore the mansion, she quickly distanced herself from viscount clea and suddenly pulled at the arm of royer who was following her.

“…how much do you think it is?”

“pardon? what are you talking about?”

“the mansion. it’s nicer than i thought. is it expensive?”

she had heard of luxury mansions being bought, but she didn’t know their exact prices. seeing it in person, it looked very expensive.

royer, seeming a bit puzzled by luna’s concerned face, replied:

“it might be quite expensive, but i don’t think you should be the one worried about that. it’s people like me who should be concerned. of course, i can’t even afford it to begin with.”

“…so how much is it approximately?”

“perhaps a million gold or so?”

a million gold wasn’t a small amount. laura’s jaw dropped in shock, and luna also widened her eyes and asked royer:

“just a million gold?”

for such a magnificent mansion? with this expansive land? almost like a small castle?

while others might have worried, luna seemed to treat a million gold as a trivial sum, making royer secretly swallow his tears.

“yes, if they ask for a high price. given its size, it probably won’t reach a million gold. five to six hundred thousand should be sufficient.”

hearing the firm answer, luna’s cheeks flushed.

without even hearing the exact amount, she looked as if she had already bought the mansion.

“miss, are you going to buy this mansion!?”

laura, too, couldn’t hide her excitement about the idea of living in such a beautiful mansion.

luna, giving a brief nod, approached viscount clea with quick steps.

“i’d like to buy this mansion.”

normally, real estate agents start by showing the most expensive and best house first. then, they gradually show lesser-quality houses, hoping to make the buyer decide on the first, more expensive option.

believing it would be best to just purchase the mansion she liked now, luna made up her mind.

however, the viscount, who should be welcoming such a direct transaction, responded…

“wouldn’t it be better to see the next mansion before deciding?”

for some reason, the viscount stopped luna’s hasty decision, suggesting she see another mansion.

“why?”

“i have many good mansions to show, and i hope you make a choice without regrets.”

viscount clea gave a friendly realtor’s smile.

but she felt that she had already made a choice without regrets.

“so, are there any defects in this mansion?”

“no, absolutely not. it’s just…”

the viscount hesitated. it’s rare for someone to decide on such a pricy mansion immediately, so he was taken aback.

‘i should show lady rosemary’s mansion.’

he had intended to invite her for tea after touring several mansions.

he had planned to say, ‘oh, the owner happens to be here,’ and naturally offer tea and a conversation. but buying right at the start…

“actually, there’s a mansion i’d love to show you, especially since you seem to like flowers.”

“no, i don’t particularly like flowers.”

she preferred money over flowers.

suddenly facing luna’s firm stance, the viscount wiped the sweat from his brow and replied:

“the mansion is slightly bigger…”

“if it’s too big, it’ll be inconvenient. i’ll have to hire more staff.”

“it’s not that big. it’s just slightly larger. it’s located near the imperial castle, has a great view, and is convenient for outings.”

“this place also seems to have a good location.”

“that place is much better. the garden is very beautiful.”

“isn’t this place, with all its blooming flowers, beautiful too?”

“that place is covered with carefully selected high-end roses. it’s incomparable. it’s fantastic, enchanting, and amazing.”

“…”

really, to that extent? faced with his persistent rebuttal, luna was speechless.

now she was curious about what made him so keen on showing that particular mansion.

‘viewing one more won’t hurt.’

comparing more options is always better. finally, luna smiled slightly and replied:

“fine. you seem so eager to show it, i have no choice.”

“thank you. you won’t regret it.”

“i’m looking forward to it.”

following luna, who decided to visit the next mansion, royer pondered the viscount’s words.

‘a mansion near the imperial castle covered in high-end roses? it sounds familiar…’

but he couldn’t quite recall, so he soon put it out of his mind.