Chapter 9
Hestia lifted her gaze from Theo’s forehead to meet his eyes.
“Good, it won’t leave a scar. You’re not hurt anywhere else, right?”
A relieved smile spread across Hestia’s lips.
“Ah…”
A foreign warmth radiated from the tips of her small fingers. Theo was utterly unaccustomed to even such simple gestures of kindness.
He involuntarily held his breath.
“Hmm. You look alright.”
Though he gave no answer, Hestia withdrew her hand after confirming the warmth returning to Theo’s previously frozen gaze.
“Is something light for breakfast okay?”
Rising from her seat, Hestia turned and headed to the kitchen.
Theo’s eyes naturally followed her. Then, he quietly raised his hand and touched his own forehead.
A strange feeling.
The ticklish sensation softened the corners of Theo’s tightly sealed lips.
“I’ll help too.”
Moved by Hestia’s busyness, Theo followed after her and rolled up his sleeves.
“It’s not really necessary…”
But Hestia paused, realizing there wasn’t much for him to do.
“Oh! I picked some nice tea leaves yesterday. Could you make some tea?”
It was perhaps the easiest task, yet in another way, it was the hardest.
Theo nodded and set about preparing the tea. He gauged the amount of leaves and the water temperature with practiced skill. Meanwhile, Hestia prepared the vegetables.
Soon, a vibrant, colorful salad was arranged, and the gentle scent of tea filled the house.
“Oh. You’ve made tea before, haven’t you?”
Hestia’s eyes widened. She had taken a sip with no expectations, just to wet her dry mouth.
If Theo were a poor child, he likely wouldn’t know how to brew tea. And if he were a noble, he wouldn’t be expected to make it himself. So she hadn’t expected much at all.
“I always brewed it myself, if nothing else.”
As if he’d anticipated her reaction, Theo gave a calm, slight smile.
“Because tea made by others wasn’t good enough for you?”
It was a lighthearted question, considering how well the tea was brewed.
“…I was afraid it might be poisoned.”
The response came flatly—but with a heavy weight.
“….”
You’ve really lived a hard life, haven’t you?
Hestia didn’t say it aloud. She simply smiled gently at Theo.
She didn’t want to offer clumsy comfort or feeble sympathy. Those things were useless—she’d learned that long ago.
“…I was thinking of heading to the village. Do you need anything?”
Hestia asked as she poked a tomato on her plate with a fork.
“Or would you like to come along?”
Perhaps Theo’s mind had changed overnight. She wanted to give him the option again—whether to stay or go.
At that final question, Theo’s hand froze.
“Next time… Next time. If it’s alright with you, Hestia.”
Behind Theo’s golden eyes, a storm of pain and anger flickered.
Just what kind of life had this child led?
What kind of life could leave such a young boy with such sadness and torment?
Sensing Theo’s hesitation, Hestia put down her utensils and patiently waited.
“…Instead, may I ask you to deliver a letter? I don’t want to be shameless, but I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”
“No need for that.”
Cutting off his words, Hestia answered firmly.
With an expression full of discontent, she stirred her stew roughly with a spoon.
“Time and money are things I have in abundance.”
The chaotic stew clearly reflected Hestia’s mood.
“Sorry…”
Theo’s apology came out almost instinctively.
“Enough with the ‘sorry,’ too.”
Again, Hestia cut him off.
Theo, unsure of what to say next, glanced around nervously, his face a picture of confusion.
“Okay…”
Under Hestia’s firm gaze, Theo quietly swallowed all the words he had wanted—maybe needed—to say.
“Good. You’re a sweet one.”
Finally satisfied with his answer, Hestia smiled brightly, like sunshine after rain.
After breakfast, Hestia began getting ready to go out.
She packed a variety of herbs into her basket and ran through her shopping list, counting on her fingers.
Lastly, she donned her old brown robe and turned to Theo.
“Finished the letter?”
She looked at the boy holding a worn envelope.
“Please deliver it to the Artis Trading Company.”
Theo handed her the small, folded envelope.
On its surface were geometric shapes like a small sun and star. The contents were likely written in code, known only to the sender and recipient.
Hestia tucked the envelope securely into her robe. As she reached for the door, she paused, remembering something.
“Is there anything you want to eat? This might be your only chance to indulge in worldly food.”
She flashed a playful, hopeful smile.
“No. I’ve already made an unreasonable request.”
“Kids don’t need to worry about being modest. And you’re so small and thin—if you don’t eat properly now, you’ll stay tiny even as an adult. Should I bring back some milk?”
It was as if Hestia had taken on a personal mission. She passionately launched into her pitch, but it didn’t seem to affect Theo.
“…I’m not small. I’m about average.”
Theo shook his head firmly. He was average height for his age, but his thin frame made him look smaller.
Still, Hestia didn’t budge.
“Haa… Fine. Milk, then.”
Theo let out a soft sigh, conceding.
“Great! I know just the right ranch. Look forward to it, child.”
Beaming, Hestia opened the door wide and stepped outside.
“…I’m not a child.”
Creak—thud.
The door shut before Theo could finish, and Hestia’s footsteps quickly faded away.
Hestia only stopped walking once she had entered the deeper part of the forest.
“Baek-ah.”
Soon, a sturdy, well-balanced white horse with a flowing golden mane stepped out from between the trees.
“I’m heading into the village today.”
The horse neighed and pawed the ground.
“I’ll need your help. You’re the only one I can rely on.”
Hestia smiled as she gently extended a hand.
Hmph. Of course. I’m far better than some clumsy wolf pup or a pea-sized rabbit.
Baek-ah snorted arrogantly and nudged her hand.
Fwoosh—!
A warm, radiant light began to spread where they touched, soon enveloping Baek-ah’s body.
The light faded, and—
“Thanks for today as well.”
As if her words were a spell, the white horse transformed into a plain brown one.
Hestia stroked Baek-ah gently and fastened the reins.
Do we really have to do this? It’s so annoying and uncomfortable!
Baek-ah shook his head in protest, but Hestia expertly calmed him.
“If you’re not wearing reins, the villagers will think you’re a stray and cause a scene. Just bear with it, okay?”
Well, if you insist, I’ll endure it.
Seeing her kind expression, Baek-ah quieted down, and Hestia easily climbed onto his back.
“Thank you, Baek-ah.”
At her signal, Baek-ah walked gracefully through the thick forest.
By the time they reached the village, the sun was already at its peak.
“Hello, Mr. Bill.”
At the village stables, Hestia greeted the stable master and handed over the reins.
“Oh! Baek-ah is still magnificent! Such even muscles, sharp eyes. Truly the perfect horse!”
Bill’s gaze sparkled, fixed solely on Baek-ah.
But as always, Baek-ah turned his head with disdain.
This human is so loud! Tell him to be quiet—I want to rest in peace!
Baek-ah trotted into the cleanest stall he could find.
Since only Hestia could understand him, she scratched her head awkwardly and offered Bill a polite request before leaving.
“Well, time to visit the Artis shop.”
Stepping onto the street, Hestia moved with confident steps.
The Artis Trading Company was the oldest in the Empire.
Though smaller and less diverse than newer competitors, they had branches even in the most remote places.
Thanks to that, Artis had carved out a niche in delivery services and operated with consistent success.
As the bell above the door jingled, a familiar face with curly purple hair greeted her.
“Welcome, Lady Hestia. I figured you’d show up around this time.”
“Reynol? You’re still here?”
Hestia blinked in surprise.
But the surprise faded quickly as she narrowed her eyes and scowled.
“Are things that slow lately? I’m starting to wonder if the Artis Company might go bankrupt under your care.”
Her skeptical gaze pierced him.
But Reynol, clearly used to her sarcasm, brushed it off with a smile.
“You know how much profits have soared since I took over.”
Though, seriously, how is she this pretty even when scowling?
Reynol chuckled as he sweetly dodged her criticism.
“I still can’t figure out how someone like you came from Ilina. It’s a real mystery.”
Tsk, tsk. Hestia clicked her tongue and gave him a once-over.
Reynol’s deep blue eyes twinkled as if finding an answer to an unspoken question.
“I’ve thought about that too, and I think it’s because my mother must’ve done her prenatal care with you in mind—gah!”
Before he could finish the joke, a pen flew straight at him, and he had to dodge sideways.
