Chapter 16

“…You little—”

The orange-haired merchant’s face turned red with fury in an instant, his chest heaving like he was about to swing at her.

But Heidi didn’t flinch. She stared back coldly.

“Ah, the old ‘Anger Disorder Toward the Weak.’ I dealt with plenty of these when I was a civil servant.”

She diagnosed him as if she were a doctor. And she knew the cure.

That condition—where someone pretends to be a beast, bullying the weak to assert dominance—disappeared instantly when confronted with someone stronger.

And conveniently, she had someone like that nearby.

“Ber?”

“Yes, Boss.”

At her call, Ber stepped forward.

He was built for this role.

A head taller than most men, his presence was predatory.

His rolled-up sleeves revealed solid forearms that looked like they could crush a human skull with ease.

Even the small knife in his hand gleamed with a threatening edge.

The air turned sharp, as if a sheet of ice had settled over them.

“If you’re not buying, then leave. Don’t waste our time.”

Ber lowered his gaze, staring directly at the merchant as he rumbled in his low, flat voice.

The weight of his aura pressed down like invisible ropes tightening around the man’s throat.

…Right. I almost forgot—he really is a first-class mercenary.

A shiver ran down Heidi’s arms.

And as expected, the merchant’s bravado crumbled.

“Uh, w-wait, I just remembered—I’ve got an urgent meeting, ha ha…”

Pale-faced, he and his men scattered like startled rats.

“Thank you. You scared them off perfectly,” Heidi said, letting out a sigh of relief.

Her hired hand, it seemed, was reliable in more ways than one. She smiled brightly.

“…It was nothing.”

But Ber’s reply came a bit late. He hesitated, then added slowly,

“If you need me again… call for me.”

The words made Heidi’s heart skip.

Doesn’t that mean… he’s opening up to me, even just a little?

She was still savoring that thought when Ber glanced toward Henry, who had been sitting on a bench nearby.

The older man caught the signal and hurried over.

“Oi, Young Lady!” Henry called.

Heidi turned, startled by the familiar voice.

“Oh, Uncle! Did you rest well?”

“Rest? Bah. I was watching you the whole time. Looked like some trouble with those merchants just now.”

His eyes brimmed with worry, like a parent fussing over a child at a riverbank.

“Well… yeah.”

Heidi scratched her cheek awkwardly and explained what had just happened.

“What? Those shameless bastards!”

“Right? Can you believe they tried to get me down to 20,000?”

“You did well. True, it’s common to give a small discount on a first deal… but if they’re that dishonest, refusing to sell was the right move.”

Hearing the experienced greengrocer back her up eased Heidi’s heart.

“But… Henry.”

Ber spoke up suddenly, his voice a little stiff.

“Y-yeah?”

“Wouldn’t it be good if you… bought Heidi’s remaining strawberries?”

Heidi blinked in surprise.

Ber, asking someone for a favor? That’s rare.

Maybe working together all day had sparked a sense of camaraderie in him.

It was touching—but she didn’t want Henry to feel pressured. She quickly waved her hands.

“Ha ha, Ber, that’s not—”

“No, it’s a good idea! I’ll take the rest of your crates,” Henry cut her off firmly.

“Huh? You don’t have to… I still have time left before the market closes, I could sell more—”

“Nonsense. I was running low on strawberries anyway. Yours are top quality—I was planning to buy some regardless.”

“…Really? I mean, it’s a lot. I don’t want to burden you, Uncle.”

“Burden? Don’t forget, I run the biggest greengrocer on Central Street! I can sell them all, no problem.”

He wasn’t lying. Henry’s shop was large, and many smaller grocers bought stock from him. And Henry wasn’t the type to say things he didn’t mean.

Heidi thought it over, then nodded.

“Then thank you, Uncle! You’re the best!”

“Heh. Here, take this.”

Henry pulled a pen and blank check from his pocket, scribbled quickly, and handed it over.

“…Whoa. This is too much!”

The sum was higher than usual wholesale, though still lower than retail.

“Eh, maybe I wrote it wrong. But I’m too lazy to change it. Just take it.”

His folded arms and stubborn tone made it clear he wouldn’t budge.

“…Uncle, thank you so much. Then in a month, when the second strawberry harvest comes in, I’ll give you a big discount.”

She wanted to repay his kindness later.

But Henry just snorted.

“I don’t want discounts. I want good produce. I bought yours because it’s good.”

Heidi gazed at him with admiration.

From his half-bald head, she could almost see a halo shining.

Then Ber spoke quietly.

“Boss.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“There are… a few things I’d like to discuss with Henry. Would you mind if we stepped out for a moment?”

“Oh, sure. I’ll tidy up here. Go on.”

It wasn’t unusual—they knew each other, however awkwardly. Heidi agreed easily.

A Private Conversation

Not long after, Ber and Henry walked down a quiet path behind the market.

“Your Grace, what did you need to speak about?” Henry’s voice shifted instantly, formal and respectful.

“Not here. Don’t call me that outside. Speak casually. If I treat you like a servant while posing as a commoner, people will notice.”

“…Got it. Then I’ll just call you Ber from now on. Deal?”

“…Yes.”

It was strange. Having his old retainer call him by name felt unnatural. But his disguise came first, so he accepted it.

“As for the payment—send the bill to my family. I suggested it, so I don’t want you shouldering the cost.”

“That helps, thanks! But if you’re the one buying the strawberries… what’ll you do with them?”

“Send them to the Blue Dragon Mercenary Guild, Rayben branch. In my name.”

Ber thought for a moment, then nodded.

“That’s smart! The publicity will be huge.”

Mercenaries traveled constantly, meeting countless people. If word spread among them, Heidi’s strawberries would become famous in no time.

“And also, tell the guild to serve the strawberries when clients come in. That’ll double the effect.”

Henry’s eyes lit up. “Brilliant! I’ll pass it along.”

He studied Ber, impressed. The sharpness of his old master hadn’t dulled at all.

“…You know, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you care this much about someone outside the family.”

Henry shook his head in wonder.

Not only had Ber taken work as Heidi’s farmhand, he was going out of his way to promote her strawberries and even entrusting Henry with the task.

“Why? Why her?”

Ber couldn’t answer immediately.

At first, he had worked for her out of a sense of debt to the Primavera couple.

But if that was all, why had he gone this far?

Every step he had taken—protecting her, helping her, promoting her—had been for Heidi herself.

Because he wanted her to be a little happier.

The realization startled him. He hadn’t wished for anyone’s happiness in a very long time.

“…Let’s head back. She’s waiting.”

The thought was strange, almost unsettling. His reason was giving way to something softer, something he hadn’t felt in years.

And for now, he set it aside.