If my dad comes back after drinking and inevitably abuses my mom.

There were times, not occasionally but rather frequently, when my mom couldn’t get up and prepare food.

Each time, my dad shouted at me to make food.

To an eight-year-old like me.

The variety of dishes I could make at such a young age was limited, and the only ingredient at home was potatoes. So, I inevitably made potato rosti.

Oh, of course, it didn’t have as many ingredients as the rosti sold there. It was a miserable dish with literally only potatoes, and if I was lucky, it might have some carrots or onions.

I must have made it dozens, if not hundreds, of times.

I made it so many times that I can’t even remember the exact number.

Since I ate it every time, I never want to eat rosti again.

“…….”

The content was serious, but the person involved spoke calmly.

As if telling someone else’s story.

Kallos realized that Irene’s ability to be so calm wasn’t because she wasn’t angry but because she was too angry to contain it all.

How harsh must her life have been to reach this state?

“…….”

Kallos clenched his fist with anger towards Irene’s father, whose face he didn’t even know. At the same time, he wanted to comfort Irene, but he didn’t know what to say.

If she had just complained about how she had suffered, he could have consoled her. However, she was too indifferent, making it tricky to find the right words.

“…….”

Unlike the complex thoughts of Kallos, Irene felt remarkably relieved.

This is probably why people say that joy doubles when shared and sorrow diminishes when shared.

The problem is Kallos.

“…….”

Irene glanced sideways at Kallos.

She expected his expression to be not so good, considering the sad story, but it was more serious than she thought.

Irene felt relieved because Kallos seemed to take this matter seriously.

She also realized how much Kallos cared about her.

“…….”

But, how can I change this atmosphere?

Irene found the atmosphere heavier than when she came here on horseback, so she tried to lighten it up with a cheerful tone.

“Still, it’s been a while, so I’m a little glad to see you. I’m curious about the taste of my rosti.”

“…….”

Kallos raised an eyebrow and lightly held her hand.

“No need to force yourself.”

…He’s really a good person.

Why is the rumor about such a good person so harsh?

Thinking that rumors are not to be trusted, Irene placed her hand on top of Kallos’s hand, feeling grateful for his concern.
“I didn’t say it to make an effort; I was genuinely curious.”

Since there was a little curiosity, it wasn’t a blatant lie.

“Sir… no, Ron, have you tried rosti?”

Irene, who almost unintentionally was about to address him as “Your Excellency,” corrected herself reluctantly.

Kallos answered with a faint smile, “No.”

“Then try it once. It’s tastier than you might think.”

Although Kallos wasn’t particularly interested, Irene continued to persuade him, so he nodded reluctantly.

Saying that she would go buy it confidently, Irene walked towards the street vendor with determination, only to return with slumped shoulders.

“Why is that?”

“…I forgot that I don’t have any money.”

Until now, whenever she mentioned what she needed to Jessie, he took care of it, but Irene didn’t expect her to have any money.

With embarrassment, Irene cautiously brought up the topic.

“Are you, by any chance…”

“I don’t have any.”

Before Irene could finish her sentence, Kallos answered.

The Duke Esper had no money.

When Irene looked at him with eyes that found it hard to believe, Kallos shrugged.

“Do I need to carry money around?”

Ah, I see.

Usually, nobles don’t carry money themselves…

In other words, it meant she couldn’t buy rosti from the street vendor.

If Kallos revealed that he was Duke Esper, it might be possible, but it was unthinkable to disclose his status just to eat rosti.

“I guess it can’t be helped.”

Irene sighed deeply, filled with regret.

“I’ll make it for you next time.”

I don’t understand why I’m trying to dig up painful memories.

Kallos was about to say that it wasn’t necessary, but seeing her determined gaze, full of the will to make it no matter what, he changed his mind.

“Do as you wish.”

People who came to receive relief goods were gathered in front of the West Plaza Gwimulso.

They came out to check if Gwimulso was operating correctly, and Irene thought she could go inside to check various things.

Kallos, however, stood outside, observing without going in.

“Aren’t you going in?”

When Irene asked, Kallos turned back after a moment of thought.

“There doesn’t seem to be a need to go in here.”

Initially, he thought it would be properly operated since many people were watching.

Still, he came just in case, but, as expected, there was no need.

“Stand in line over there!”

“Please fill out the registration book here!”

There were enough Gwimulso staff, and the residents who came to receive relief goods followed the staff’s instructions without causing any trouble.

The problem was Gwimulso in Solas.