Chapter 14

If she ever found out about his sister, then naturally his own identity would be exposed.

His status was classified, an official secret. That was why he even wore a scarf enchanted with perception-blocking magic to hide who he really was.

He could not let this woman discover the truth.

“…My sister lives very far away. It would be difficult for you to meet her,” Ber replied firmly, steadying himself.

“That’s a shame… Still, I’d like to send her a gift someday, if that’s okay?” Heidi asked brightly.

“A… gift?”

Ber was taken aback. A gift, for someone she had never even met? Why?

“Think of it as a kind of employee benefit. You know how some successful trading companies send gifts to their employees’ families? Then the family thinks, ‘Wow, my child really got into a good company,’ and they feel proud. You get what I mean, right?”

“…”

At that reasoning, Ber was beyond confused.

All his life, he had only been in the position of giving things to subordinates. Never once had he been on the receiving end.

And if his sister—who knew full well about his true status—were to receive a gift from his employer, she would no doubt double over laughing.

‘Kehaha! To think I’d live to see this! Your boss sends me gifts when even my own brother never did? Seems like you’ve got a good master. You’d better listen to her, boy!’

The very image of it made Ber frown deeply.

…No. I should refuse this.

But just then, Heidi murmured in a small, disappointed voice, glancing at his expression:

“I guess it might feel burdensome after all. It’s just… one of those little things I always wanted to do if I ever became a proper boss.”

Her shoulders drooped, and something about that sight tugged at him.

“…Please do it.”

“Really?” Her eyes lit up.

“Yes. But please give it to me first. I’ll deliver it through the nearest post office.”

So what if his sister teased him? What mattered more was the mood of the employer he saw every day, not a sister who lived far away.

“Really? Yay! Then wait, let me think carefully—I have to pick something good. First, tell me what your sister likes…”

And with that, Heidi happily launched into an endless string of questions about his sister’s tastes.

Ber answered them one by one, reassuring himself:

She’s never met my sister anyway. Just knowing her preferences won’t reveal anything about her true identity.

And so, the carriage filled with Heidi’s cheerful chatter. The lively atmosphere wasn’t unpleasant.

Arrival at the Capital

Screeech—!

The ostrich carriage came to a stop in front of Rayben’s wholesale fruit market.

“We’ve arrived~!” the coachman sang, opening the door.

Heidi and Ber stepped down one after the other.

“I’ll lower the ramp on the cargo bed so it’s easier to unload your goods!”

“Yes. I’ll go move the crates, Boss,” Ber said.

“All right. I’ll head into the market and register our stall.” Heidi smiled.

Earlier, she’d felt a little hurt when Ber worked alone and refused to let her help. But after the lighthearted chatter they’d shared in the carriage, the distance between them had shrunk—at least a little.

Her “make the farm feel like family” plan seemed to be going smoothly. Feeling reassured, she let him go ahead with the unloading.

Just then, as she turned toward the market entrance, the murmurs of onlookers reached her.

“Whoa, look at that! Is that an ostrich carriage? And what’s with the bed in the back?”

“Come on, if it’s pulled by an ostrich, is it even a carriage anymore?”

“I’ve seen it on the main road a few times, but I didn’t think anyone actually rode that thing.”

Heidi instinctively shuffled away, putting as much distance between herself and the carriage as possible. She wanted to look like she had nothing to do with it. Being the center of attention was not her style.

But then she overheard another comment that made her freeze.

“Did you know? That carriage is really hard to catch.”

“…Hard to catch?” Heidi blinked.

She had never once failed to book the ostrich carriage. What did they mean?

“Yeah. It only appears at random times, whenever it feels like it. Its operating hours are totally unpredictable.”

“That’s not all! Once, I tried to flag it down just to ride it for fun. I waved right in front of it, but it just ignored me and kept going!”

“Same here! It even stopped once, so I tried to make a reservation—but the coachman told me, ‘Sorry, we don’t take new passengers, bye-bye!’ Honestly, is he even trying to run a business?”

Listening to them, Heidi tilted her head in puzzlement.

Wait… so there really were plenty of people who wanted to ride it? I thought it was unpopular…

Judging by their sour expressions, they weren’t lying.

But then one big question remained.

Why does he always refuse other customers, but never once refused me?

Since two years ago, the ostrich coachman had never denied her a ride.

Heidi recalled the very first time she met him.

Back then, she had been trying to move from Rayben to Lioum.

“Lioum? Absolutely not! No matter how much you pay, I won’t go there! The Demon Forest is right behind it—money’s worthless if you’re dead! Find another carriage!”

Every coachman she asked had refused her flat out.

Finally, desperate, she had spotted the strange ostrich carriage.

She hadn’t wanted to ride something so ridiculous, but she had no other choice.

“Um, excuse me, would you be willing to take me to Lioum?” she had asked timidly.

“Ohhh, aren’t you the civil servant lady?”

To her surprise, the ostrich coachman had recognized her.

Apparently, he was one of the troublesome petitioners who had caused a scene at her government office. He didn’t even remember the fuss he’d made—just greeted her like an old friend.

It had annoyed her a little… but she needed the ride more than she needed to hold a grudge.

“I’m not anymore. I quit. I’m an ex-civil servant now,” she had replied.

“Really? Congrats on leaving your job~! Lioum, huh? Sounds fun. Hop on~.”

And he had accepted without hesitation.

When they arrived, he had even handed her a business card.

“If you ever need another ride, just send me a magic telegram here!”

From then on, he had never once refused her requests.

But why only me? she wondered now.

A sudden thought struck her, and her whole body shivered.

“Wait… does he… like me?”

She shook her head furiously, trying to erase the thought.

After all, the coachman’s fashion sense was at least three centuries ahead of its time—and completely not her type.

She hurriedly pushed the idea aside and walked toward the market building.

Inside the Market

“Welcome! This must be your first time here, right?” A friendly market staff member greeted her at the entrance.

“Yes, I came to sell,” Heidi replied.

“As a seller, you’ll need to pay a stall fee. Then you’ll be assigned a space where you can display your goods. Buyers—both wholesalers and retailers—will come to inspect and make offers. You just sell to whoever gives the best price.”

Since it was her first time, the employee kindly explained the process. Heidi paid the stall fee without complaint.

“Your stall is number 72. Since it’s your first visit, I’ll show you the way.”

“Thank you.”

Following the staff, Heidi looked around. The wholesale market was massive and bustling with life.

Vendors calling out to customers, farmers setting up displays, wholesalers preparing for auctions, and even private buyers hunting for fruit—all packed so tightly there was barely room to walk.

“Here’s your spot,” the staff said at last, pointing to a vacant stall.

The space included a simple counter and chair—basic equipment provided by the market. It was more than enough to display and sell her strawberries.

“Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. Best of luck with sales, and have a great day,” the employee said with a polite bow before leaving.

Heidi sat down, glancing around.

Now, when will Ber be back?

She craned her neck, peering toward the entrance. Just then, a short, round man waved and walked toward her.

“Hey, Heidi!”

“…Uncle Henry?”

Heidi’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Well, well. I was planning to drop by after your auction later, but fancy meeting you here first! So, what brings you to the market?”

“What do you mean ‘what for’? You sent me a telegram yesterday saying it was your first auction today! I came to make sure no one scams you!”