Chapter 11
The next morning.
Cock-a-doodle-doo!
The rooster, Cochin, crowed brightly as always, but Heidi’s face looked tired and worn out. She hadn’t slept much the night before, tossing and turning with one big worry:
What should I do? I want to hire Ber as a permanent worker, but I can’t think of a good way to keep him here forever!
To secure someone talented, you needed incentives—higher pay, better working conditions, something to keep them around.
But Ber had already told her:
“I don’t do mercenary work for money.”
So raising his wages wouldn’t work. And truthfully, Lioum wasn’t exactly a dream workplace either.
The farmland was huge, still half-wild and newly cultivated, with endless chores. The only reason Ber had agreed to come here at all was because of his connection to her parents. It wasn’t like Lioum had great conditions.
Still, Heidi refused to give up.
I promised my parents I’d turn Lioum into the best territory. But there’s no way I can do it alone. I need Ber here.
Her determination calmed her mind, and with that clarity came a new idea.
Wait… people don’t leave jobs once they get attached to the workplace, right?
She had seen plenty of examples around her:
“The job sucks, but my coworkers are great, so I stayed.”
“The boss looked out for me when things were hard. I can’t abandon the shop now—it’d feel wrong.”
That kind of workplace was called “like family.” Warm, caring… though sometimes a bit suffocating.
Heidi clenched her fists. That’s it. I’ll make this farm feel like family.
Whether Ber was the type to be swayed by emotions or not, she had to try.
So she set her goal: she would close the distance between herself and Ber, and by the end of the month, they would feel close enough that extending his contract would be natural.
Morning in the Kitchen
Heidi walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.
“Good morning, everyone!”
Her voice was extra cheerful. She greeted all of them, but really, her target was Ber.
If she could create a friendly atmosphere, then maybe she could slip into some casual small talk. Something like: ‘Did you sleep well last night?’
But before she could continue, her thoughts were cut off.
Clatter—!
Tiny white grains flew up before her eyes, scattering in the air.
What in the world—? Did the monsters cause trouble?
She blinked in shock—only to realize every single grain landed perfectly inside the frying pan Ber was holding.
His wrist flicked smoothly, spinning the pan like it was weightless. Heidi remembered—it was heavy enough that even she had trouble holding it in one hand. Yet he handled it with total ease.
So yesterday’s speed with strawberries wasn’t just a fluke.
And not just strawberries. With that kind of dexterity, he’d be useful in all kinds of farming—cutting wheat, harvesting pumpkins… heck, at his speed, he could probably stack a house out of pumpkins in one day.
Her daydreams were already racing three years ahead into their farming future when—
“Good morning,” Ber said, his calm blue eyes meeting hers as the rice settled back into the pan.
The sound of his voice snapped her out of it.
She reminded herself of her mission: Don’t just stare, Heidi. Get closer to him!
“Ahem, Ber… you’re cooking?” she asked casually.
“Yes. I saw some rice in the pantry, so I thought I’d make risotto.”
Now that she paid attention, the creamy, buttery smell rising from the stove made her mouth water.
“Risotto! That’s one of my favorites!”
“I’m glad,” he said simply.
And just like that, silence fell again.
Ugh… this man hardly talks at all.
He sliced vegetables with quiet focus, steady and methodical. Reliable, yes—but also a bit like talking to a wall.
Still, Heidi decided not to push too fast. Let him finish cooking first, then she’d try again.
Meanwhile, Theo bounced nearby, trying to catch the rice as it leapt in the pan. He looked just like a kitten chasing a feather toy.
“Theo, you’re not a cat, you know,” Heidi teased.
Thump. Theo froze, his fur bristling.
“I’m not! I’m a great fox monster!”
His cheeks puffed up indignantly.
Ah, right. He hates being compared to other animals.
“Sorry, sorry. To me, you’re the coolest in the world,” Heidi quickly corrected.
“Fine! I’ll forgive you.”
His tail relaxed, swishing happily again.
“By the way, Theo—don’t you smell any burning from Ber today?” Heidi asked, remembering yesterday’s strawberry harvest.
“Nope, not today.”
“Why not?”
“Because… if I say ‘burnt smell’ when there’s fire and knives around, that’s dangerous. Could get hurt.”
Theo covered half his face with his fluffy tail, as if embarrassed.
So he held back for Ber’s sake? Heidi’s chest warmed. It seemed her plan for them to get closer was working.
At that moment, Ber set plates of risotto on the table.
“It’s ready. Please enjoy.”
Not just risotto—there was warm bread and even strawberry juice. When had he prepared all this?
“Thanks, I’ll dig in,” Heidi said.
Just then, Theo pointed proudly at the bread.
“Look, Heidi! I made the dough for this!”
His grin stretched wide.
Ber had kept his word from before, letting Theo help with kneading. Even though he was quiet, Ber clearly cared. That kindness made Heidi like him even more.
And his ability to get along with her little companions proved he was the perfect fit for Lioum.
Determined to keep him here, Heidi turned her attention back to the bread.
“Oh, focaccia? One of my favorites. Let’s try.”
She dipped a piece in olive oil and vinegar, then took a bite.
“Well? How is it?” Theo asked eagerly.
“It’s soft and fluffy, with just the right potato aroma. Textbook focaccia.”
“Kyaaah!” Theo’s tail wagged like crazy, like a happy puppy.
Heidi bit back the urge to coo over his cuteness for the hundredth time.
Then she noticed it—an intense gaze.
Across the table, Ber was staring at her.
“….”
Why is he looking at me like that?
She looked back, trying to read him. And suddenly she realized his eyes weren’t just calm—they were sharp, like finely honed steel.
For the first time, she saw how intimidating they could be. It made her heart race with nerves, and the silence between them grew heavy.
But Heidi steadied her breathing.
No. I promised myself I’d get closer to him. I can’t freeze up now.
