He wiped away the sweat flowing down his face and averted his eyes. Suddenly, he mumbled an answer, seemingly startled by something.

“The, the overlord likes children… Haha.”

“……I see.”

Although it felt uncomfortable, Lea had no intention to decline. Everything here was essential for the orphanage.

‘How did he manage to send only the necessary things? It’s as if he’s inspected the orphanage.’

As Lea pondered about what kind of person the overlord might be, Akia who had been talking to the children came closer.

“James.”

“……?”

“How do you know the overlord of Magnolia?”

Judging by what he had told the children earlier, he seemed to know the overlord well.

It was surprising that Count Heidern knew the enigmatic overlord of Magnolia. Curiosity glinted in Lea’s eyes as she asked Akia.

“Well, he’s doing business in my territory, so I know him.”

So, he is a landowner.

“What’s that?”

Lea gestured to the letter envelope in Akia’s hand. If he had been emptyhanded while talking to the children, did he get it from Berun?

“A letter from my territory. It was attached through the overlord.”

Akia responded nonchalantly, continuing to read the letter. Observing him, Lea turned her head at the children’s loud laughter.

A gentle orphanage scenery filled her view.

‘I wish it would stay peaceful like today.’

If the children could always find reasons to smile, that would be Lea’s happiness.

If she ever met the overlord, she would have to convey her thanks.

‘And to the count as well.’

She turned to look at Akia, whose face had stiffened.

At least in this place called Tren, it was rare for Count Heidern to frown. Lea approached him and asked,

“What’s the matter?”

Concern laced Lea’s query. Akia lifted his head.

“The butler who went on vacation seems to be returning to the mansion sooner than expected.”

“Bayern? How soon?”

“In three days.”

In three days…

She would have to leave now to reach Count Heidern’s territory before Bayern.

“I think I need to go back first.”

“Wait. Then, I should quickly pack my bags as well…”

Lea felt something serious in the count’s cold eyes. She hurriedly began to untie her apron, but Akia stopped her.

“It’s fine. You stay here and wrap things up. I’ll leave as soon as I’m ready.”

“But…”

“It’s tough to ride fast with you, so listen.”
“Anyway, I don’t know how to ride a horse.”

Lea felt it was futile to argue any further as she saw Akiya firmly decline her suggestion.

With a subtle smile, Lea acknowledged his decision.

“Then, I’ll catch up as quickly as I can. Please go ahead.”

Perhaps pleased by her words, a faint smile finally appeared at the corners of Akiya’s mouth.

“Alright. Wait for me at the mansion.”

(This is a time separator.)

Akiya immediately set off, riding a horse Berun had acquired for him. It had been two days since he returned to the Heidern estate.

Lea had gathered her packed belongings on the bed. Even though it was a short vacation, the principal and Teo had provided her with so much that her luggage was brimming.

Moreover, though only two days had passed since he left, the absence of Akiya seemed to affect everyone at the orphanage noticeably.

The children expressed their sorrow at James’s departure. He might have been an arrogant man in front of Lea, but he was different at the orphanage.

No, he was so different that it was almost strange.

The man who knew only about himself was helping with the orphanage’s repair work and getting along quite well with the kids.

‘It’s really strange.’

A count who had lived all his life secluded in a mansion, yet skillfully rode a horse.

Though he seemed indifferent to the mansion’s affairs, he understood the situation better than anyone else. He was frail but not weak.

‘What else do I not know about Count Heidern?’

Once again, Lea shook her head vigorously, dismissing the thought of the Count that was encroaching upon her mind. She had promised to return to the mansion quickly, so there was no time for such thoughts.

“I’ll take good care of things once I return.”

Maybe work harder on developing the cure.

Just as a faint smile began to spread across Lea’s lips, there was a knock on the door. The person who peeked in was Teo.

“Lea, the carriage has arrived. Did you pack everything?”

“Yes, I’m all set.”

Teo smiled and came in, picking up the luggage that Lea had prepared. They were about to leave the orphanage together.

“I’m relieved James is by your side. I was worried about sending you to Tazia alone.”

Seeing Teo’s genuine concern, Lea managed a smile.

“Uh….that’s true.”

James couldn’t really leave because he was her employer. If Teo knew about Lea’s double agent activities, he would have certainly stopped her.

Teo, a friend and like a brother.

In a few months, she would be able to repay the contract money and leave the Heidern estate, so there was no need to tell him unnecessarily.

‘It would only worry him for no reason.’

Lea left with Teo and loaded her luggage onto the carriage. She was about to climb aboard when…

“Lea….so, um.”

“Hm?”

“You’d rather live in Heidern territory than in Tren, right?”

Wondering what took him so long to ask, Lea realized that Teo must have been feeling considerably down about her leaving.

“Probably. Besides, it’s hard for me to leave the estate right now, Teo.”

Not just because of the nutrition business, but also due to her dealings with the Count.

“I have some people deeply involved with me.”

Watching Lea lost in thought, Teo’s shoulders slumped.

It was the moment Teo realized what James had said was true.

‘So she has met someone.’

“I see….”

Seeing Teo’s deflated shoulders, Lea tried to reassure him, not knowing the real reason behind his slump.

“I’ll visit often. And I’ll write to you frequently, Teo.”

Teo stared vacantly at the air long after the carriage carrying Lea had gone out of sight.