TFCF 07

TFCF

Posted by Zoe, Released on September 17, 2025

Chapter 07…

Two weeks passed quickly.

At first, Eila had been worrying every day about what she should do when Luca and Sada came over, but soon she realized:

‘If I do this, it’ll just end up being only the things I want to do, won’t it? I should ask them what they want too.’

When she asked their opinions, the two boys looked rather surprised, and Eila felt proud of herself.

After that, sometimes they went to the library as Luca wanted, and sometimes they went fishing as Sada wanted.

From visiting the library, she discovered that Luca loved books very much and was starved for knowledge.

From fishing with Sada, she learned that although his mouth could be rather rough, he was patient—and that he even owned his own boat.

Things she had never known before.

‘In these two weeks, I’ve learned more about them than I did in the ten years I thought I knew them.’

Finally, Eila also learned that for the past three years, the boys had never once gone to see the famous sites of the Solalune territory. So she organized a five-day, four-night tour by carriage.

Lady Poppy and Sir Lupen, the knight commander, reviewed the itinerary with her.

In the process, both boys were astonished to see Eila spread out the map of Solalune and rattle off details about its geography and landmarks.

“Wow, Lady Eila, how do you know all this so well?”

Eila scratched her cheek.

“I studied hard.”

She was afraid that if someone asked her about Solalune and she couldn’t answer properly, they might think it was because she was a “fake Solalune.”

So when it came to Solalune, she had obsessively memorized everything.

‘But this is actually my first time touring Solalune in person.’

Excited to see in real life what she had only ever read about in books, she animatedly explained things to the boys with gestures and expressions.

“This stream here—three generations ago, two vassal families began fighting over it. So the governor of Solalune at the time, Lord Julius—”

Her stories were so detailed that even bystanders who overheard them were astonished.

“This waterfall was formed about six hundred years ago, when the river spirit—”

Luca and Sada listened in fascination, while the retainers around them could only gape.

“This region’s specialty is honey. They grow lavender for beekeeping, and the tax levied on that lavender—”

But Eila noticed no one but Luca and Sada, so she was oblivious to the others’ reactions.

Spending every day together on the trip, they gradually learned more about one another.

Their way of speaking grew more relaxed.

On the return journey, they lit a campfire and set a copper kettle over the coals.

There was a smaller fire pit set aside for children, so the three of them sat together in a circle.

Eila stared into the flames for a moment, then asked:

“So, did you both… enjoy yourselves?”

“Of course we did,” Sada said heartily.

The firelight flickered across Eila’s face in the darkness.

When she finally looked up and smiled, he was taken aback.

“Really? I’m glad.”

Sada’s mouth fell slightly open.

It was a smile unlike any he had seen from her before—gentle, mixed with relief.

He suddenly felt embarrassed and poked at the firewood for no reason.

‘What’s with this… really.’

Sparks flew up into the night sky.

“You’re the one who worked hard. A trip like this, camping out for so long in the carriage—it couldn’t have been easy for you.”

Sada blurted it out quickly and gruffly, to cover his awkwardness.

But Eila shook her head.

“No, it was a good experience. I also realized that you and Luca are much more mature than I am.”

Even though, in truth, the real core of her must have been much older. Why was that?

Sada chuckled.

“At this age, a year or two makes a big difference. You’re still a little kid, you know. A little kid.”

“You’re not much older than me.”

“That little difference is big.”

Eila pouted, but Sada puffed his chest out proudly, undeterred.

Then Luca spoke gently.

“I think it’s amazing that you’re trying to live a new life, Eila. Your hair too—it shows that.”

“Ah, speaking of hair, that’s one thing I regret,” Sada said, pointing at her shortened locks.

“I always wondered how you managed to keep it so shiny. Didn’t it take a lot of effort to grow it out?”

“Well, yes. But I hope you’ll understand that cutting it was part of making an important resolution.”

She brushed her short hair back behind her ear as she spoke.

“Of course, we’ll have to see how long it lasts.”

“Sada,” Luca scolded at his add-on, but Sada just shrugged casually.

When else would he get to speak so comfortably, if not now?

Eila spoke firmly.

“No. I won’t be changing back, so you can rest assured.”

So I hope you two will hurry and trust me soon.

So that you’ll escape the Crown Princess’s fishing net.

‘But the Crown Princess is a demon, isn’t she? Since when was she one? I want to find out, but I’m only ten years old right now….’

She couldn’t possibly mobilize the family’s counterintelligence bureau. There was no way.

“My lady, it’s time for your meal.”

A servant called from a distance, and Eila dusted herself off and stood up.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

The three of them began walking together, chatting softly.

‘Good. I think I fastened the first button properly. At least now we’ve begun to talk about each other.’

Eila clenched her fist in determination.

After that trip, Luca and Sada promised to keep in touch by letter, then returned to their own territories.

The Fish Ornament

After her regression, Eila began waking up early.

In the past, she had thought that rising early was unladylike, so even if her eyes opened she would stubbornly remain in bed. But now, she felt that even that time was too precious to waste.

“My goodness, do you intend to become a shepherd?”

Lady Poppy said that upon seeing Eila up so early, though she didn’t object.

These days, Lady Poppy was busy making new clothes for her.

Even this morning, a fitting was underway.

As Lady Poppy moved with her pins, Eila spoke.

“Lady Poppy.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“How do you think trust is built?”

Lady Poppy answered seriously.

“Actions, more than words. I think it’s built through consistent, steady behavior.”

“I see.”

“And ability also matters.”

“Ability?”

“Think of it this way: who would you trust more to teach you how to make money—a beggar, or a wealthy person?”

“Well, that makes sense.”

Then how could she build trust when it came to matters involving women?

‘Would I need to have lots of female friends?’

While she was pondering, the door burst open.

Helen walked in, holding a letter in one hand.

“Eila! Good morning.”

“Sister, you’re up early?”

“Yes, I rested yesterday.”

With a knowing smile, Helen announced proudly:

“Lady Poppy, we’ll need new clothes right away. Eila will be attending the Sage’s lessons.”

At that, Lady Poppy was so shocked she accidentally jabbed Eila with a pin.

“Ouch!”

“Oh dear, forgive me, my lady. The Sage’s lessons? Then will you be studying alongside His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Exactly,” Helen said, waving the letter.

“Right before the classes began, I squeezed Eila in. Didn’t you say you wanted to make new friends? Well, the best place for that is among your peers.”

“The Crown Prince…?”

She couldn’t exactly say, Do you mean the man who killed me?, so instead she just asked, and Helen nodded.

“Yes. The Sage of the Forest only teaches royalty, so the lessons are rare. I’m curious too—what exactly does the Sage teach?”

“My word, lessons with the Crown Prince. I must make new clothes at once. Please don’t move, my lady.”

Lady Poppy began pinning with quick hands, while Eila stiffened.

“There will be other children your age as well. Lady Lenka, the Count’s daughter, is close to us in territory and the same age—you may become good friends.”

Lady Poppy muttered anxiously.

“And what about your hair? Should I summon the wigmaker at once?”

“Oh, they’ll just think it’s another one of Solalune’s eccentricities,” Helen said with a laugh.

As Eila watched her sister, she noticed the shadows under her eyes.

“Sister.”

“Yes?”

“Is there anything I can do to help you?”

Helen sank into the nearby sofa and replied lightly, almost teasingly:

“You just keep playing like a child should, Eila.”

“But…”

“Lady Helen.”

Lady Poppy suddenly set down her work and turned to Helen.