Episode 5.
“If you don’t have anywhere to go, I’d be happy to invite you to my estate.”
For a moment, Estella almost blurted out “Excuse me?”
But she quickly remembered something from a book on upper-class etiquette she had read while trying to act the part of “Baroness Vansenne.”
‘That book said nobles often welcome guests into their homes without hesitation.’
Offering hospitality with no strings attached was a way for the nobility to show off their wealth and generosity.
So even if someone with no deep relationship suddenly showed up saying, “I happened to be in the area and dropped by Lord So-and-so’s estate,” they would still be welcomed with a bed and a meal.
However, there was one important condition — the guest also had to be of noble status.
So this meant that, in this man’s eyes, she and Ayla looked like they belonged to the upper class.
‘I’m not sure whether to be happy or worried about that…’
Estella gave a small, bitter smile.
If it was only about receiving a bit of kindness, it was good that she appeared to be a noblewoman.
But a little kindness like that wouldn’t fix her long-term problems.
‘I still need to find work.’
And being mistaken for a noblewoman could actually make that harder.
She was lost in thought for a moment, then realized the man was still waiting for an answer.
So she shook her head.
“Thank you for the offer, but I’m fine.”
To be honest, Estella — someone from a working-class background — had never seen offers like this from strangers as something to be thankful for.
Instead, she saw them as traps to be wary of.
‘Because nothing comes for free in this world.’
That’s what life had taught her.
Luckily, the man didn’t insist. Instead, he said something else:
“Still, I’d like to at least show a small courtesy.”
Estella wasn’t sure what he meant, but then she remembered something else from the etiquette book.
‘If you meet someone who’s in mourning, it’s considered basic manners to offer even a small kindness.’
Like apologizing if you bump into someone on the street — just part of being polite.
‘The customs of the upper class are such a hassle.’
Still, if this man truly was a noble, maybe it wasn’t smart to reject everything outright.
‘Maybe I should let him do something small for me.’
She thought for a moment, then slowly looked up and said:
“It’s getting close to dinner, and… I’m unfamiliar with this place and don’t really know where to go.”
What she was really asking was simple: Could you buy us a meal at a nearby restaurant?
For Estella, that was the most she was willing to ask for.
The man stared at her quietly.
His eyes — sometimes they looked blue, sometimes gray — met hers. She didn’t avoid his gaze.
After a brief pause, he replied calmly:
“Since you don’t seem to want to eat at my estate, I’ll take you to a nearby restaurant.”
“That sounds good.”
“Come to think of it, we haven’t introduced ourselves yet. I’m Ian Wyndham.”
Estella’s hand gave a slight twitch when she heard that name.
‘Wyndham?’
Could it be that Wyndham?
‘But if he really were part of that family…’
It didn’t make sense for someone like that to be here like this.
‘Probably not.’
She didn’t think too deeply about it.
And thankfully, that was the end of his introduction — short and simple, without all the fancy words nobles usually added.
So Estella answered just as simply.
“I’m Vans—”
But before she could finish the sentence, her lips stopped moving.
After all, she had just been kicked out of the Vansenne house with a small payout, thanks to her late husband’s mistress — Selene or maybe it was Gelena.
‘Can I really introduce myself as “Estella of the House of Vansenne”?’
‘I should’ve practiced this widow act better…’
While she hesitated, a gentle voice interrupted her thoughts:
“There’s no need to be formal.”
It was as if he had read her mind.
“Estella.”
She left out her last name, but perhaps because she was a widow, he simply nodded in understanding without saying anything.
“Shall we go, then?”
Not even a basic question like “How should I address you?” was exchanged.
Without another word, he led the way.
Estella, who had no intention of seeing him again after today, didn’t ask any further questions either.
She gently woke Ayla and followed after him.
****
“Restaurants” weren’t places upper-class people often visited.
That’s because eating out was generally something the middle class did — people who couldn’t afford personal chefs or housekeepers, or who wanted a treat now and then.
So for nobles, eating at a public restaurant was, in some subtle way, a little… shameful.
But Estella, who came from a working-class background, didn’t feel that way at all.
In fact, as someone who appreciated good food, restaurants were a great opportunity to try dishes she wouldn’t usually get to eat.
“The atmosphere here is nice.”
Because of that, she smiled warmly — genuinely — and showed no discomfort.
Her reaction made Ian pause for a second.
Then he put on the kind of polished smile only nobles could manage and said,
“I’m glad you think so.”
He glanced through the menu and added:
“There doesn’t seem to be much suitable for children.”
“It’s okay. She’s not picky. She eats just about everything.”
Restaurants were generally meant for adults, so most of the food wasn’t really suitable for a child like Ayla.
The man, noticing this, ordered the softest and easiest-to-eat dish on the menu for her.
Once they finished ordering, silence fell over their table.
To be exact, the restaurant was still noisy — filled with chatter, clinking glasses, and the scraping of knives against plates.
But Estella and Ian’s table remained completely quiet.
‘Smells good.’
Estella had high hopes.
It seemed like the kind of place that served quality food — but still, she kept her expectations low.
After all, even her own cooking sometimes smelled great… but tasted awful.
‘I hope it’s at least decent.’
Estella was focused only on the food. That was her main goal tonight — to eat.
So she didn’t try to start a conversation.
Ayla also sat unusually still and quiet for a child, almost as if she understood her stepmother’s intentions.
It was Ian who broke the silence first.
“Are you planning to leave this place?”
He was looking around the restaurant slowly, not even making proper eye contact with her as he asked.
At first, Estella wasn’t sure he was talking to her.
It wasn’t a deeply personal question, but it still felt a bit out of place coming from someone she’d just met.
She turned slightly, her expression questioning.
Then he added softly, as if thinking out loud:
“You turned down my invitation.”
Turned down his invitation?
That almost sounded like a private comment to himself.
Still confused by what he meant, she continued watching his face.
Then came another quiet comment:
“I wondered if you had somewhere else to go.”
She wasn’t sure why she needed to explain that, but since he was paying for the meal, she decided to respond — at least politely.
“I’m not sure.”
‘As long as I don’t give him any specific details, it should be fine.’
Trying to return the courtesy he had shown, she explained a little more:
“I’m planning to look for work. Whether I stay here or go somewhere else… I haven’t decided yet.”
“I see.”
That was all he said — short and distant, a strange contrast to how personal his question had been.
Before Estella could wonder about it, the food arrived.
“Here’s your order.”
The man gestured for Ayla’s food to be served first.
A warm, golden-brown pancake was placed in front of her.
Ayla gently set down the rabbit doll she’d been hugging and mumbled shyly:
“Thank you…”
At her soft little voice, the man gave a faint smile.
“Eat as much as you like.”
Then food for Estella and Ian arrived.
Estella’s meal was lamb chops with roasted vegetables — a classic dish.
It was a good choice to test a chef’s skills, and to her delight, the side vegetables included rare and expensive ones she’d never been able to afford before.
She was honestly looking forward to it.
“Thanks for the meal.”
She pushed Ian’s earlier comments out of her mind and picked up her fork and knife.
‘The doneness is perfect.’
She quickly cut into the meat and took a bite with some roasted veggies.
While she ate, Ian silently watched her for a moment before picking up his own utensils.
And so, the two of them began a strange, silent meal — no words, just food.
****
After leaving the restaurant, Ian didn’t say things like “Let me walk you back” or “Where are you staying?”
He simply told her to “Take care”, then got into his carriage and disappeared.
‘For someone who asked such personal questions, he left pretty quickly.’
“I wondered if you had somewhere else to go.”
‘Why would he ask something like that?’
She was briefly puzzled, but then Estella mentally erased Ian from her thoughts.
‘Either way, I got a good meal out of it.’
Thanks to him, she had the energy to visit the labor offices tomorrow.
‘I’ll head out as soon as the sun rises.’
With that, Estella hurried back to the inn with Ayla.
