Blencon blinked his wrinkled eyes and responded without saying anything.

“Hmph, wandering around doing foolish things, but now you’ve come to your senses. I already have three children. A stable life with a shop too.”

Maiana said, “See that? Those troublemakers when they were young end up living better as adults. There’s a natural law for causing trouble in life, Mr. Blencon. It’s more problematic if quiet kids when young go astray when they grow up.”

“Hmm…”

Blencon pretended to chew on his empty pipe and squinted his eyes, looking into the distant mountains. Being old, he had seen and heard a lot in his surroundings.

Just as Maiana said, he had not witnessed a few young troublemakers causing significant problems when they became adults.

Blencon, who made a mumbling sound with closed lips, suddenly burst into laughter.

“If what you say is true, then Lady Ariante, like our little foal, could become the finest lady in El Blyuen. Isn’t that right?”

Maiana responded with a cheerful smile.

“Of course. Just wait and see. Once Lady Ariante makes her debut in society, both men and women will line up to meet her.”

Maiana parted ways with Blencon at the outskirts of the village. He headed toward where the farmers gathered to buy straw, while Maiana went in the opposite direction towards the square.

The market was still lively, and perhaps due to the good weather, people passing by had bright expressions. For the first time since coming to the Duke’s estate, Maiana strolled leisurely without a specific destination, feeling relaxed.

She looked at stalls, peered through the glass windows displaying items in the shops, and although there was nothing she wanted to buy, it was entertaining enough just to look at things.

“Excuse me.”

At that moment, a man approached Maiana and spoke. Maiana, who was browsing hats displayed inside a store, looked at the man with a slightly guarded smile.

“Why do you say that?”

The man’s lips slightly parted. For a moment, Maiana felt that his face looked somewhat familiar. Beneath a hat worn with a sense of style, she saw a lot of thick, wavy brown hair. He gingerly touched his reddened neck while carefully observing Maiana’s face.

“I, you might not remember, but… we met when you came to send mail before. My name is Luke.”

Maiana’s eyes widened.

“Oh! The kind gentleman!”

Luke grinned sheepishly and ran his hand over his face as if feeling embarrassed.

“Sorry. I didn’t recognize you because you’re not in your uniform.”

“It’s okay. I’m the one who unexpectedly approached and surprised the lady…,” Luke said with a smile as Maiana finally relaxed and lifted her head.
“I was surprised. I don’t know anyone around here. Since there was no one to talk to suddenly… I wondered if I should try selling necklaces or something. Just a thought.”

Luke’s face became even redder. Despite his somewhat awkward appearance, he seemed quite shy.

Maiana asked again, “Didn’t you go to work today?”

“Oh, no. It’s my day off. I have two holidays a month. Maiana, you…”

“Oh my, you remembered my name.”

With slightly parted lips, Luke nodded vigorously in response to Maiana’s smile.

“Of course, I remembered.”

As Maiana smiled, Luke also grinned back at her. A single fang peeked out between his even teeth.

“You have a good memory, Mr. Luke.”

“It’s just how I am. Maiana, did you come for an errand?”

“No? No, I also got a half-day off. Luke, you seem to have plans, don’t you?”

At her words, Luke looked at his own attire again. Though he was neatly dressed in a hat, a thin summer jacket, and a shirt, he didn’t have any particular place to go. However, he wasn’t confident that Maiana would believe his words…

After hesitating for a moment, Luke said, “Actually, I just came out for a stroll. My younger siblings wanted some snacks, so I came to buy some.”

“Do you have siblings? How many are there?”

A gentle smile appeared on Luke’s lips.

“Yes, four. The oldest is sixteen now. Below that, thirteen, eight, and six.”

“Really? They must be adorable. I also had many siblings. There were times when they were annoying, but… seeing them follow me around, I couldn’t hate it.”

For the first time since leaving her hometown, Maiana recalled the faces of her siblings. The children she had almost raised on her own, substituting for busy and poor parents…

By now, they were probably all working to contribute their share. Maiana’s younger sister, just below her, would need to find a job in a year or two, maybe in the capital or another region. Just like she did.

Luke seemed genuinely pleased that there was something in common between him and Maiana. Looking at her, he hesitated for a moment before saying carefully, “If it’s not too much trouble… Could I guide you around the area? Of course, if you want to stroll alone, I won’t bother you.”

Maiana smiled in response.
“No, it’s fine if you insist. You mentioned coming out to buy snacks, right? The lady I serve is still a young child and really loves snacks like cookies and candies. If there’s a good place, please guide me.”