- He is not here?"

- Yes. He recently left for a meeting with his business partners. He hasn't been around here very often lately."

The staff at the top, who knew who Luna was, responded very politely. The other employees went about their business.

- Do you know when he'll be back? Today is his birthday."

Even though they worked together with Antares for several years, there was only one person who knew about his birthday - Luna.

The worker just shook his head and answered.

"When he returns, I will inform him that Ms. Pales visited him."

Thanks, tell me I'll be waiting for him. Oh, and by the way, I didn't come empty-handed."

As soon as Luna finished speaking, Royer handed over the sweets and cakes he held in his hand. They were bought along with the cake for Antares.

Luna did not know if everyone would like these sweets, but the staff who met them were very happy to see them.

- Not worth it...! But thank you!

"I will make this a family heirloom for the rest of my life!"

"I will cherish them!"

The staff spoke enthusiastically.

- No, eat them. If you use them as a relic, they will simply rot."

Leaving them a task to eat everything before the end of the day, Luna returned to the mansion.

***

When they arrived at the mansion, Rosemary, who decided to visit them on the last day of the outgoing year, greeted Luna with a wide smile.

- Lady Luna! I was surprised you weren't at home. I was told that you went to the top of my brother? Why?"

"Today is his birthday, but I couldn't reach him, so I went to the summit."

"Oh... Come to think of it, today is my brother's birthday."

Rosemary barely remembered Antares' birthday.

It's been too long since he left his home, she didn't remember his birthday, because it was Antares who ruined the relationship before she grew up.

"Then why are you alone?" Where is my brother?

When Rosemary wondered why she didn't come along with Antares, Luna answered with a shrug.

- He has a lot to do. He wasn't at the top."

- Yes? But still, the year is coming to an end so I decided to throw a little party about it."

Rosemary was more than happy without Antares as she took Luna's hands and announced the party.

Not only she, but also the residents of the mansion, Emma, ​​Laura and Royer were looking forward to the party.

"Alright, let's do it."

So suddenly preparations for the party began. The servants quickly set up a long table, filling it with a variety of food.

Once the preparations were completed, everyone sat down at the table.

"Let's start with a toast?"

As soon as Luna said this, everyone filled their glasses with drinks.

Luna thought for a while and then raised her glass, remembering all the work done for the whole year. She came up with a good toast.

- It may still not be my native mansion, but I hope everyone is doing well. You have all worked hard this year and I look forward to seeing you next year. I wish everyone here success and happiness!"

- Hooray! Hooray!"

The servants who listened to Luna's toast with soft smiles began to happily congratulate each other.

***

- I'm glad you sent me the details. But we will cancel the contract."

After the middle-aged nobleman's cold words, Antares' forehead slightly wrinkled. He had already heard it for the seventh time.

"Have you forgotten that you will have to pay a large fine?"

"I'll pay him."

"I don't know why the baron wants to end our relationship."

"I'm not talking about that."

Antares sent representatives and eventually even came personally, but the answer did not change. Rejection followed rejection.

Antares stood up as if he understood everything.

- Excellent. Since you said that you would pay a fine and terminate the contract, I cannot interfere with this."

Although they never met face to face, there were only a few clients who knew who the main owner of the peak was Antares, so he could not assume that everything would end in nothing.

"Then please take care of yourself. I hope to never see you again in the future."

The Baron said goodbye to Antares without even getting up. Antares said a short goodbye to him and disappeared.

"Still, I don't regret it."

He seemed to keep his pride to the very end, even when his contract was terminated. While the baron was making fun of Antares, the baron's wife, with a troubled face, carefully asked her husband.

- Are you really okay? The conditions were good, is it possible to terminate the contract so easily?"

- Everything is fine. Mister Rodrian will take care of the fine. Moreover, he offered a contract on even more favorable terms. So it's better to be quiet if you don't know."

- I just said it out of a little embarrassment. Are the conditions very good? Moreover, from Mr. Vincent's point of view, the contract was abruptly terminated, so it is not surprising that he will retaliate."

- Retaliation? I already firmly hold the market in my hands, how can he take revenge on me? If he could, he would have already done it. I miss the Marquis of Granada, but I also have a connection with the Duke of Rodrian, so everything will be all right!"

The Baron left the drawing room as if he didn't even want to talk anymore.

The baron's wife, still worried, followed him.

***

As midnight approached, Antares, having lost his business partners, rode looking out the carriage window.

That a significant number of business associates suddenly turned their backs meant that someone had interfered in his affairs.

"Is that Fersen?"

This was obvious when it came to fines.

In retaliation for "stealing" Luna, he decided to take his clients away from him.

"It won't benefit you... Even though you messed up my business."

Duke Rodrian did not like defeat. Because of this, there were quite a few people who did not want to deal with him.

So, it was clear that they decided to terminate the contract by paying a fine and therefore sign a contract that was beneficial to the duke.

- Stupid ... Fersen. Contact the companies listed on this list. I want to sign a contract with them, so make an appointment. And be polite."

- Good."

The officer sitting across from Antares took the documents he handed him and looked through them. He noticed that these clients had no titles, they were all commoners.

This was unexpected, given that so far, most of Antares' clients have been nobles.

Because it was a strange list, the employee's expression became thoughtful. Antares noticed this and explained.

- This is a replacement for companies that have requested to terminate the deal. The quality is worse, but we don't have the ability to do business with aristocrats."

Antares laughed and looked out the window again. It was already quite late, so it was dark outside. After a while he reached the top.

He was going to return to the mansion with only the documents he had, but for some reason Antares was met by an employee who did not return home and was dozing on the first floor.

- Mister!

- What are you doing here? At such a late hour."

On the last day of the year. It was not a good day to sleep upstairs.

"I was waiting to tell you that Baroness Pales was coming."

- Moon? To me? Why?"

Antares frowned when he heard that Luna, who was so absorbed in her work, had come to visit him.

He became worried that something might have happened since Luna was trying to find him.

- Isn't today your birthday? She came to congratulate you, but unfortunately, she left. But she asked me to tell you that she will be waiting for you at the mansion.

- What...?"

"How did she know about my birthday?"

Except when he was very young, Antares did not celebrate his birthday.

No, rather, he was never grateful for being born, so he thought it was all pointless.

Antares was so shocked by this news that he barely remembered what the worker had told him about.

"... That's right, today is my birthday." Antares muttered.

Seeing the thoughtful Antares, the worker decided to bring him to his senses.

- Mister! The sun will set soon! Why don't you go to Lady Pales? Your birthday is coming up soon! The young lady must be looking forward to seeing you at the mansion!"

"...!"

Antares took a step and thought that he would not have time if he went in a carriage.

"Let me borrow your horse."

- Please take it.

Before he could answer, Antares was out of sight, galloping to the sound of hooves.

"I hope you wait for me."

Antares felt a warmth in his soul, so unusual for him. Hurrying, he galloped to the mansion with a smile.

- By the way, how can I go home...? On the coach of Mr....?"