In the eastern region of the Eldarion Empire’s capital, there was an area where the nobles had mansions other than their main residences, and Ivana’s family also had their second mansion here.

Nia, passing through this broad alley, couldn’t close her mouth at the sight of uniformly beautiful and large mansions.

After several small exclamations, the carriage stopped, and it seemed they had finally arrived at Ivana’s house, but all they saw was a gigantic iron gate.

The gate opened, and the carriage went a long way between the fir trees.

‘……Ivana lives in such a house…….’

The girl saw Ivana, who was so nonchalant beside her, in a new light.

It was difficult to see her as the little lady of such a large mansion since she was a friend who always claimed to be penniless.

Overwhelmed by the grandeur of this mansion, Nia was worried about one thing since last night.

That was Ivana’s mother, Juliana.

They had met before, but that was when they were preoccupied with Getherin’s matter, so they didn’t even greet properly.

But now, in Nia’s imagination, she was a fearsome person who could attack her ears if she said a single wrong word.

Moreover, today was the day to spend the night at that house.

As the carriage carrying the anxious Nia and Ivana finally arrived at the mansion’s main entrance, Juliana and the servants were lined up to greet them.

Swallowing dryly, as Nia and Ivana got down,

“Welcome to the Berna family’s second mansion, Lady Nia.”

Except for Juliana, all the servants bowed their heads in greeting.

Nia, surprised by the different atmosphere and unfamiliar people compared to the orphanage and lodgings she had been staying in, hid behind Ivana.

“Huh? Nia? Why are you like that?”

“…….”

Looking at Ivana, who seemed unperturbed compared to herself, Nia felt a disparity she hadn’t thought of.

Was Ivana also a person from another world like her mother?

Juliana took a step closer to the intimidated Nia, bent down, and leaned into her face.

“You seem surprised. Come on in, Nia.”

“……!”

Oh, no.

Ivana’s mother spoke kindly, but Nia should have greeted her first and messed up right from the start.

With trembling eyes, Nia closed her eyes against Juliana’s approaching hand.

“We haven’t had a proper conversation, so I’m glad this opportunity has arisen. I hope you have a pleasant time.”

Suddenly, a familiar sensation brushed Nia’s forehead, and she opened her eyes.

A hand, rough and firm like her mother’s.

Ivana’s family, having successfully merged the dessert business of the Olivia family and the Berna family’s trade, belonged to the nouveau riche, though their status was low.

But despite being nobility, it was a family of artisans who had strived hard, and Juliana, the eldest daughter there, was not a woman who had taken only gentle bride training before getting married.

Her rough hand felt somehow comforting to Nia, similar to her mother.

“Yes……! I’m Nia. Pleased to meet you!”

Only when this timid child smiled brightly and greeted them did the servants and Juliana exchange smiles together.

“If there’s an inquiry, I won’t bear it……. I! Hahaha!!! I! Hahaha!! Oh, really, to think that those words would come out of your mouth in my lifetime!”

“……Stop, stop…….”

Lion, as if he had taken a hot bath alone, hurriedly hid his face, which seemed about to explode.
The one who kept making fun of him was the Imperial General, Helbert Bingham.

A contemporary of the Emperor, once a vibrant handsome man in his youth, he seemed far too lighthearted for his age and position.

“Ha ha, now I can drink five bottles with Federin as a side dish! Thank you, Commander Lion.”

With Helbert’s final blow, Lion was eventually exasperated.

“Enough. Why is the General here, rather than that?”

Lucia interrupted the joke to ask a curious question,

“Tsk tsk. How wooden. Even when I tease you like this, you always react like this. I don’t feel like teasing because of you.”

“…General. I’m starting to not feel like doing the mission either.”

“Hm. Hmhm…….”

As Lion grumbled without answering, a coughing Helbert finally became serious.

“This place is like a secret base that Federin and I have been using since we were young.”

The two who heard his words had suspicious faces, questioning why he chose such a place.

“Heh hey! Put that expression away! This place is so much fun! In the first floor bar, that is. Every day there’s someone grabbing a fist or hair, a place where you can watch fights more vivid than an arena! It’s this Windblow Inn! Ha ha ha!”

Helbert’s eyes sparkled as he talked about how much he had made here betting with Federin.

It was such a cheap hobby that it was unbelievable to hear from the General of an empire.

“…General. You haven’t been absent for the last few years because of that, have you?”

“Ha ha ha ha…….”

It was his strange laugh.

“…….”

“…….”

Under their contemptuous gazes, Helbert coughed,