“Bohaya, I don’t need anything else. I just wish for our family’s happiness.”

“It’s truly for the sake of our family.”

“Just this once, for the family…”

“We are family, after all.”

Upon opening my eyes, I was greeted by the familiar green ceiling that unfailingly appeared.

I had a dog-like dream.

* * *

“Lize, go run an errand!”

Even after a month had passed, Isabel still entrusted me with errands. For example, picking up a clock from the repair shop, fetching a dress that was mended two days ago, and so on.

They were basic errands suitable for a ten-year-old, but bothersome and trivial for a noble lady to do.

As such, when nobles sent their children on errands, it was more common for them to visit a neighboring manor rather than the market.

However, due to an incident last year, my errands shifted from neighboring manors to the marketplace.

At that time, Isabel had tasked me with delivering an invitation to the lady of the Fronde manor at the foot of the hill.

“Hello, Madam Fronde. I am Lize Marsen from the Marsen family. I have come on an errand from my mother.”

“Oh my, how thoughtful of you. Please come inside first.”

Upon arriving there, I unintentionally received desserts. The kind Madam Fronde, as if to relieve her mundane daily life, asked me typical questions about my studies, friendships, and so on.

At the time, I had complaints about not being able to attend school, so I poured out various stories.

Madam Fronde found my stories more interesting than expected and even served tea. By the time our conversation ended, she handed me a few candies, inviting me to visit again.

The problem arose later when Isabel and Madam Fronde met at the party venue. As soon as Madam Fronde saw me next to Isabel, she greeted me with a smile.

“Last time when Madam sent Lize on an errand, we had a chat together. I had heard that Madam had a youngest daughter, but I didn’t expect her to be so bright. Being pretty and honest, she will surely become a great person among her siblings.”

“…Thank you.”

Madam Fronde’s words, devoid of any ill intent, created an aftermath. Until the party ended, she showered Isabel with compliments about me without restraint.

Fortunately, Isabel’s face remained calm, but occasionally when Madam Fronde compared me to the other siblings, Isabel’s shoulders would slightly stiffen.

At the same time, I also wanted to escape.

As soon as we returned to the manor, Isabel persecuted me. First, she confiscated all the books and my belongings in the room, and no longer sent me on errands to other manors.

She even warned me not to think about attending school anymore.

A year had already passed since that incident. Isabel once again assigned me errands that maids would typically do.

“Take this. If you present this business card to the master at ‘Mermaid’s Tears,’ he will give you the item. It’s a very expensive item, so be careful not to lose it. If there is even the slightest blemish or damage to the item, I will confiscate all the books I gave you last time. Understood?”

She handed me a business card decorated with an emerald background and silver border. It had a reservation number and signature written on it.

“Lize. You should respond?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“And don’t wander around any strange places again.”

“Yes. Of course.”

Before Isabel could lay out any stern warnings, I left the room. After putting on the prepared outdoor boots, I stepped out to the entrance where Bitty was waiting for me, standing still.

“Let’s go, Bitty.”

“What, Lize. Are you running errands again?”

Swel, who had come to the entrance to play ball, discovered me and chuckled.

“Oh no, I should have left quickly.”

“What did you say?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Hmph. You’re doing the work that maids should do. Well, I think it suits you.”

“Mm, I think managing the stable would be a good fit for you.”

“Did you just address me informally? Your older brother!”

As if a few months older than me was anything significant.

“Then, I’ll get going. Older brother.”

“What? Who, who’s your older brother!”

Getting entangled with Swel was tiresome.

After hastily leaving the manor, I descended the hill with Bitty without a carriage.

Being a familiar path, my steps moved swiftly despite the steep downhill. In contrast, Bitty struggled behind, unable to keep up with my pace.

“Young lady! Please, please slow down a bit!”

Eventually, I caught Bitty who was about to fall, unable to maintain her balance. She trembled, even her legs shaking, and only let out a sigh of relief after reaching the bottom of the hill.

“She said ‘Mermaid’s Tears,’ right? Then it should be somewhere around here.”

“If you turn left, you’ll reach it, Young Lady.”

Unlike when we were on the hill, Bitty, who was well-versed in the market’s geography, quickly guided me to the signboard that read “Mermaid’s Tears.”

I looked up at the design of the wooden signboard, similar to the business card’s design. It was a famous place that sold the most expensive jewelry among the village’s jewelry shops.

“Welcome. What brings you here?”

“I’m here to pick up a reserved piece of jewelry. I have the business card here.”

“Ah, you’re here for that?”

One of the clerks approached and asked me. Bitty, startled by her friendly tone, shook her head.

“Excuse me. This person is Lady Lize Marsen, the youngest daughter of the Marsen family.”

“What? Th-this person?”

The clerk stammered. It was understandable. Although my appearance resembled a noble lady, the clothes I wore were plain, unlike a Marsen child.

Moreover, it was rare for a child from a family as prestigious as the Marsens to personally visit this place to retrieve jewelry. Many would come to admire the jewelry, but not to pick it up.

“M-my apologies! Young Lady!”

“More importantly, here’s the business card with the reservation number.”

Embarrassed by the clerk’s swift apology, I handed over the business card.

“One moment, please. Verifying the reservation number and handing over the jewelry is something the master does personally. I’ll call the master.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

As I sat in a suitable spot, I could feel Bitty observing me beside me. She was worried that I might have been offended.

‘If I had known this would happen, I should have worn a prettier dress instead of the old clothes I wear at the manor.’

I recalled the clothes Father had gifted each of his children the other night. It was a bright dress with lace…

“You’re here to receive an item?”

At that moment, the master’s voice was heard. I unconsciously raised my head and my mouth slightly opened at the sight of the large-built woman. Her heavy makeup and fixed expression made her appear formidable.

“Yes. You should have received the business card…”

Slightly intimidated, I trailed off. The master glanced at the business card in her hand and then shifted her gaze back to me.

“This is indeed my signature. The reservation number is also correct. This necklace is the most expensive one among our ‘Mermaid’s Tears.'”

What was she trying to say? When I couldn’t understand, the master sighed.

“I am familiar with the faces of all the noble madams, young masters, and young ladies living in this village. As for the Marsen family… I know they have six children.”

“That’s right. I am the sixth child, Lize Marsen.”

“For someone claiming to be a child of Madam Marsen, your attire is quite ordinary.”

The master doubted me.

“What are you saying! The young lady is a member of the Marsen family, Lady Lize Marsen!”

Bitty shouted, feeling wronged.

“More importantly… the reservation number here is blurry.”

The master presented the business card to me. The number ‘6’ written at the end seemed slightly blurry as if the ink had smudged. However, it was just a slight smudge, not something to nitpick about.

“Madam Marsen should have one more business card with the reservation number and signature. We usually provide two.”

“…Are you telling me to bring it?”

“I apologize, but I cannot hand over the item with a smudged business card.”

Even for someone like me, this situation was unpleasant.

However, insisting on it out of the blue was not an option, as there were many gazes watching inside the store. If I became a spectacle to them, Isabel would immediately confiscate all the books in my room.

“I’ll wait here, so Bitty, please go and get the business card from my mother.”

“But leaving the young lady alone…”

“I’ll stay put here. I’ll also let the master know my face to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.”

It was my last shred of dignity.

The master, being rather wise, said she would bring refreshments while I waited. Having dealt with nobles for a long time, she was someone whose mind worked well in such matters.

‘From the master’s perspective, it’s suspicious but there’s no definite proof, so this is the best approach.’

“I-I’ll be back quickly.”

Bitty headed back to the manor. Now alone here, I followed the master’s guidance and sat on the sofa by the wall. All that was left was to wait for Bitty to bring the business card.

“What would you like for refreshments?”

“Well, let’s see. Grapes or oranges? My mother would have the maid pick apples and make the juice herself. It’s really delicious.”

“Take your time choosing.”

“Sure.”

I looked at the master with a nonchalant smile.

I intended to firmly imprint my face in the master’s mind during the remaining time.

“Huh?”

“…”

“It’s Sister Lize!”

All those plans were erased by a single voice that came from the front.

Turning my head, I saw Yune holding the hand of Madam Penton. She released her mother’s hand and immediately ran to me.

“Sister! Did you also come here to buy jewelry? Me too!”

“No, I…”

I was concerned about Madam Penton behind her. The Penton family and the Marsen family had been on very bad terms for a long time. Even if young Yune was unaware of the situation, Madam Penton was not.

“Oh my, so you are Lize?”

Contrary to my expectations, Madam Penton approached me with a bright smile.