Chapter 10

Wow… this much attention feels a little overwhelming. Guess I’m not cut out for the spotlight after all.

“Ber… your dish was closer to my taste.”

Heidi finally announced, avoiding both of their stares.

“Thank you.”

Ber bowed his head calmly.

“Mm! The human—no, Ber won.”

Surprisingly, Theo accepted the result without protest.

“Congrats. And… thanks for he… he…”

“Hm?”

Heidi blinked. Was Theo really about to say what she thought? Her green eyes shone with anticipation.

“The meat looks yummy!”

Theo suddenly shouted something random, then ducked his head.

“…Weren’t you trying to say thanks to Ber just now?”

Heidi nudged his side with her elbow. Theo only turned away with a huff.

“I—I dunno! Theo’s eating now!”

Hah… so shy! Heidi thought. But since he didn’t want to say it, she let it slide.

And so, breakfast officially began.

“Ber, do you want to eat in your room?” Heidi asked gently, thinking of his scarf situation.

“I’ll go in a bit. First, I have something to say to Theo.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Your dough-making skill today was impressive, Theo. I think I’ll need your help in the future. May I count on you?”

So Ber had noticed Theo’s passion for cooking and wanted to encourage him despite losing the duel.

I’ve lived with Theo for five years and never thought of that… Heidi felt a little embarrassed. Ber’s ability to read and appreciate people so quickly amazed her.

“Right? I’m really good at kneading!” Theo beamed.

“Yes. That’s something I could never do.”

“Heh! Then I’ll allow you to rely on me!”

Theo’s tail shot up proudly at Ber’s praise.

“Thank you. That puts me at ease. I’ll take my meal to my room now.”

“See you later, Ber!” Theo chirped.

Heidi smiled. Somehow, the two had grown closer already.

With that warmth in the air, Heidi finally relaxed and enjoyed her breakfast.

“Ku-ruu…”

Soon enough, the three squirrel-mice scurried over, drawn by the food. The table grew noisy and lively.

It felt so cozy, almost like stepping back seven years to when her parents were still alive and they all ate together. Her heart swelled at the memory.

And at the center of this warmth was the kind new worker she couldn’t help but notice.

Later That Morning

After finishing their meal, Heidi headed out to the fields with Theo and Ber.

The squirrel-mice were already hard at work—one feeding the rooster, Cochin, while the others watered the pea and lettuce patches.

“Like I said, today we’ll be harvesting strawberries. See these boxes? Each one has two layers. Just pick and pack them neatly inside.”

She pointed to the stack of sturdy white wooden crates.

“These boxes look quite strong,” Ber remarked, faint admiration in his tone.

Each crate had double-thick boards glued together. They could withstand a good amount of weight.

“I made them myself,” Heidi said proudly.

“First the house, now these crates. You really are skilled.”

“Hehe, thanks.”

She smiled sheepishly, though a touch of sadness lingered. Those woodworking skills were leftovers from her civil servant days, when she’d been ordered to help build a flowerbed fence for the mayor’s wife.

Don’t ask how a government desk worker ended up a carpenter. Power makes strange things happen.

“Anyway, just grab one crate for now.”

“Yes.”

Ber picked up a box with ease.

“Now, let me show you how to pick strawberries. Gently wrap the berry in your hand, then twist your wrist quickly so the stem and cap separate cleanly.”

She crouched down, demonstrating.

“Don’t squeeze too hard or you’ll damage the cap. That lowers the value of the crop.”

She held up a perfectly intact strawberry to show him.

“I understand.”

“Great! Want to try? Don’t worry if you make mistakes—it’s your first time. You’ve got this!”

“Yes, I’ll try.”

Ber bowed slightly and crouched down. His sharp blue eyes narrowed with focus—not like a farmer, but like a swordsman facing an opponent.

Hah… he really does give off ‘mercenary’ energy in everything he does.

Finally, he picked his first strawberry.

“Is this all right?” he asked, holding it out.

It was flawless. Not a single torn leaf.

“Wow! To get it right on your first try? That’s talent! I ruined at least ten before I managed one. Honestly, the farming world lost a star to the mercenary trade. Why not just switch careers to farming?”

Her admiration slipped out before she realized.

Ber gave a rare smile. “Hearing that, I feel like I’ve found a hidden talent. Perhaps I should consider changing careers.”

“…!”

She knew he was just playing along, but his sincere blue eyes made her heart race anyway.

Not in a romantic way—more like the pride a boss feels when a new employee says, “I’ll dedicate my life to this company!”

He’s not afraid of Lioum, he cooks well, he accepts my monsters, and now he’s great at farm work too. He’s exactly what this land needs.

Temptation rose in her heart—she wanted to keep him long-term, not just for one month.

But she forced herself to stay calm.

No, I can’t rush. One good strawberry doesn’t prove everything. Could just be beginner’s luck.

“Okay, now that you’ve got the hang of it, let’s get to real work.”

“Yes.”

Heidi sharpened her gaze and watched him carefully.

Two Hours Later

“Whoa…”

Heidi stood frozen, staring at the towering stack of crates beside Ber.

Their daily goal had been fifty crates, each filled with two layers of strawberries.

Ber had filled thirty on his own. Heidi and Theo together had only managed twenty.

“I thought this would take at least half a day… How did you finish in just two hours?”

“Ber, you’re amazing! A monster!” Theo clung to his shoulder, kneading happily while chanting, “Burnt smell! Burnt smell!”

At this point, his abilities are basically proven, aren’t they?

Her earlier resolve to “evaluate him carefully” seemed laughable now.

“Thank you,” Ber said quietly, but it came across more as modesty than anything else.

“There’s still time left, though. Do you have more work for me?”

A worker who asked for more tasks after finishing early? Heidi felt tears prick her eyes with pride.

Still, a boss had to maintain composure. She forced her lips back down into a straight line.

“Well… there are some other jobs. Fixing the barn roof, repairing the fence, planting pea seedlings…”

She rattled off about ten tasks. None of them urgent, but she wanted to test him more.

A memory popped into her mind from her government days: a senior telling her, “Never show how competent you are, or they’ll bury you in work.” That senior had collapsed from overwork the next day.

But Heidi was the employer now.

Is this unfair? Maybe. But as the boss, it’s my responsibility to use his skills well.

“…Take your time. No rush. I’ll even help teach you since it’s your first day. And since you finished early today, you can clock out at five.”

She still had enough conscience to give him an early finish.

Evening

At exactly five, Heidi, Ber, Theo, and the squirrel-mice trudged back to the house.

“My jaw hurts…”

Her jaw ached from hanging open all day in shock.

Ber had completed nine out of the ten jobs she’d listed. And he’d looked almost regretful he hadn’t managed the last one.

“If I’d had five more minutes, I could’ve finished the fence too…” he muttered, his blue eyes heavy with disappointment.

His sense of responsibility, treating her tasks as if they were his own, was overwhelming.

That’s it. There’s only one conclusion.

Her green eyes gleamed in the twilight.

Ber must become a farmer!

A deep, possessive feeling stirred in her chest like never before.