“Is the carriage ready?”

Isabelle was busy from the morning to go to the park full of tension. As her companions, the twins Swel and Silke were preparing, excluding the eldest daughter Felicia and the second son Bernard who had gone to school.

The reason nobles walked in the park was not to enjoy the sunlight. It was to show off their economic power and to hear various gossip.

As such, wealthy nobles living in Hosha village often appeared in the park with their children on weekday afternoons.

There, the nobles checked the appearance of other ladies, the looks and personalities of their children, and how well they had grown. Sometimes they even gauged how expensive each other’s dresses were.

“Yes. Oh, by the way, madam. A letter arrived at the front of the mansion this morning.”

The servant handed Isabelle a purple envelope. Isabelle, seemingly judging it not to be an important mail, turned her gaze and glared fiercely at Swel who was playing around.

“I’ll read it after returning to the mansion. Leave it in the dining room.”

“…Rather than being important mail, it’s from an unexpected person.”

“Unexpected? Who?”

“It’s from Baron Kito.”

At the mention of Baron Kito, I couldn’t help but focus on the purple envelope. If it was that person, he was a famous figure in Hosha village.

“Baron Kito?”

Isabelle asked again, surprised.

“Yes, madam.”

“Do you mean the Baron Kito I know?”

“Yes. The chess master Baron Kito!”

“Him? Why so suddenly?”

Isabelle, seemingly curious, immediately opened the envelope to look inside.

Isabelle’s expression gradually hardened as she stood there reading the letter. It wasn’t a good sign. Because of that, I immediately turned my gaze to my book, pretending not to notice.

“…Lize.”

After quickly reading the letter, Isabelle immediately called for me.

“Lize!”

I thought about secretly escaping to my room, but realizing it wasn’t a good idea, I stood up. Going to her before Isabelle’s mood worsened further was the best choice.

I felt my fingertips tingle as I saw Isabelle’s contorted face.

“Yes.”

“When you went on an errand recently. Did you meet Baron Kito?”

At that time, I certainly… met Yurik and Yune of the Penton family, but no other nobles.

“No.”

“Don’t lie.”

“It’s true.”

“Then how does Baron Kito know you?”

I was just as perplexed.

For a moment, I recalled the memory of going down to the village right after meeting Yurik and Yune.

As soon as I went down to the marketplace, I took care of the errand Isabelle had given me.

Then, with some time left, I wandered around the marketplace and… distracted by the bustling marketplace, I soon discovered a place where people were gathering. There, people were playing chess.

I read the words written in large letters on a wooden board. 8 gold coins. I thought of the fountain pen I had been secretly coveting while looking around here. I should have given up on the not insignificant amount, but an opportunity had arisen.

‘I, I will challenge!’

Eyeing the chessboard eagerly, I didn’t hesitate long before paying 1 gold coin.

‘Are you really going to challenge?’

When the opponent asked, I nodded firmly.

Emerging from the crowd of people and sitting down, I immediately noticed the attention focused on me.

Because I was a noble, the onlookers didn’t say anything unnecessary, but there was a mocking atmosphere at the appearance of a mere 10-year-old girl.

Fearing that I might not be able to play the game, I moved a pawn right away.

‘Young lady. Moving a pawn here from the start, how bold?’

‘…’

I silently moved the pieces. The opening progressed stably. The gazes of the spectators who had been looking at me with suspicious eyes at first changed. As we moved into the middle game, the match continued even more excitingly.

Before I knew it, the number of onlookers had greatly increased. Even those who had been sightseeing in the marketplace from afar came, hearing the rumors.

‘And I won and bought the fountain pen.’

Could it be that Baron Kito was among those spectators?

“Tell me the truth quickly.”

When Isabelle shouted, I shook my head.

“I just played a chess match in the village because there was one going on.”

“…”

Isabelle was quiet as if at a loss for words. Her pale face remained that way for a while.

“…Chess is forbidden from now on.”

“What?”

“Chess is forbidden even when we’re out! Don’t read books either! No, it’s better if you just come with us.”

“…”

What a situation.

“What are you doing? Hurry and get ready.”

“What? Re, really…!”

“Bitty. Quickly dress Lize, hurry!”

Before I could finish speaking, Isabelle had the maid wash me up. It all happened in just ten minutes. I didn’t even have time to collect my thoughts. Before I knew it, I had finished dressing up and stood before Isabelle in a neat appearance.

‘What. What just happened?’

Isabelle glanced at me and then walked out the door. Are we really going? Really?

“Mother, are you really taking Lize?”

Silke burst out in complaint.

“Yes, we are.”

“Just let her stay at the mansion! It’s not like anything changes if she plays chess a few times!”

“Silke, close that mouth.”

“Mother!”

“Be quiet. Lize, what are you doing not getting in the carriage?”

Isabelle pointed at me standing there blankly.

“…Yes.”

Coming to my senses belatedly, I got into the carriage.

Feeling awkward in my seat, I fidgeted with my hands and then looked out the window. In front of our carriage going down the hill was another carriage.

It was a bit far away and not clearly visible, but judging by the color and pattern, it was the Penton family’s carriage.

Soon, Yune’s face appeared out the window of the Penton carriage. Yune is smiling and jumping up and down as if something is so exciting.

Next to her, I could see Yurik grabbing Yune’s clothes, afraid she might fall.

Surely they’re not going to the park too?

* * *

In the park, there were many women walking around with parasols. They all wore pretty dresses and expensive things, showing themselves off.

Isabelle was no exception.

“Lize.”

Isabelle called me as I followed her closely.

“Go somewhere else. Just don’t leave this park.”

“Somewhere else?”

“How about looking at the lake? It’s fine to sleep there too. But if someone approaches you and asks which family you’re from, never mention the Marsen family.”

I knew this would happen. Ignoring Swel and Silke snickering behind me, I left my spot.

As soon as I moved away, Isabelle immediately approached the noble ladies gathered ahead and smiled. She only left one maid to watch over me.

“Young miss. Are you alright?”

Bitty asked.

“Don’t leave the park, she says. Is this imprisonment or what?”

“But we can’t go against madam’s wishes.”

“I know. If I disobey, I’ll end up paying for it later.”

I should take a nap near the lakeside as Isabelle said. I turned and walked without hesitation through the spacious park.

Although I had to stop a few times because the tight dress was uncomfortable, I soon arrived at the lake. Fortunately, it was quiet here, perfect for taking a nap.

“I’ll take a nap here, so wake me up when it’s time.”

“Don’t worry. Should I wake you up in an hour?”

“Yes. But there’s no mat… Could you possibly buy one? I think I saw a merchant selling mats outside the park earlier.”

“But I can’t leave you alone, miss.”

“I’ll stay right here without moving. Please. I can’t sleep on the bare ground, can I?”

When I pleaded, Bitty thought for a moment and then nodded. Soon, Bitty left the lakeside to go buy a mat.

After her figure completely disappeared, I looked around and leaned against a nearby tree to sit down.

Then I rummaged through my pocket and took out a crumpled paper. It was Baron Kito’s letter that Isabelle had read and thrown on the floor earlier. Just as I was about to unfold the paper I had secretly picked up before leaving the mansion,

“Oh?!”

A girl’s voice was heard from afar. I quickly hid the letter I was holding behind my back.

“It’s the elder sister from next door!”

The owner of the voice was none other than Yune Penton. And beside her stood the male protagonist, looking at me with an unpleasant expression.

Surely they’re not coming towards me?

“Hello! Elder sister!”

Sure enough, Yune approached me with a bright smile.

“What are you doing? Come quickly!”

Yune gestured to Yurik and the maids who were standing still. Seeing that I would inevitably have to join Yune, I slowly stood up.

“…”

“Where are you going, elder sister?”

Yune asked with curious, innocent eyes.

“Well, I think the spot is uncomfortable…”

“The spot? It’s comfortable! And the scenery is nice!”

“I was going to go somewhere else…”

To avoid that Yurik’s gaze silently glaring at me, that is.

“Really? Then I’ll come with you!”

“Huh?”

“I want to be with elder sister too!”

Yune’s stubbornness didn’t easily break.

“Yune. She might be uncomfortable being with you.”

Yurik, unable to stand it anymore, opened his mouth. At his honest words, Yune’s smile gradually faded. Just as I was about to get up from my seat again in this gap, Yune stared at me intently.

It was a gaze as if asking if I really found her uncomfortable.

“Elder sister, am I uncomfortable? Is that why you don’t want to be with Yune?”

“…”

“Really?”

Damn it.