Chapter 13
“No, I have to get home before sunset. I still need to do the laundry and pull the weeds in the front yard. More importantly, I promised to help Mr. Martin with his farm work early tomorrow. That means I have to go to bed early.”
“I see. Then I’ll have a guard escort you home,” Estin offered.
Miela frantically waved her hands.
“You mean the knight? No way—thanks, but it’s okay. I can go back by myself!”
“Still…”
“I’m serious. I know this village better than anyone. I’ve lived here all my life. Even if there’s a thick fog and I can’t see ahead, I could still find my way home.”
“…Alright. If you insist that much. Then I’ll walk you back. Let’s go together, Miela.”
For some reason, he felt like being stubborn. Maybe he just wanted to comfort her. But he didn’t even get the chance.
“You’re kidding, right, Titi?”
“I’m not,” he snapped back—then immediately regretted it. Saying something like that in such a small form wasn’t very convincing. What if she thought he was just a stubborn little kid…?
“You might collapse on your way back to the mansion after escorting me. Sick kids need to stay and rest, got it?”
Just as expected, Miela scolded him in a stern tone.
But even so, with that small, birdlike voice and that round, delicate face, it didn’t feel like scolding at all.
“…Alright.”
Hey, Miela. I may look like this, but I’m actually twelve years old, he wanted to say. There were a lot of things he wanted to tell her, but they all sounded too pathetic, so he just held back and agreed.
And then—
“Good boy, our little Titi.”
“…!”
Miela reached up and gently patted the top of his head. Estin’s eyes widened in surprise.
She smiled sweetly, perhaps amused by how his usually sharp eyes had softened into round ones.
“Looking at you like this, you’re just like an unripe acorn. I mean your eyes.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re cute.”
It was strange—he didn’t feel bad at all hearing that. It didn’t feel like his pride was being trampled, more like… he was being gently soothed.
It was a feeling he could only get from Miela.
The next day, Estin woke up before sunrise.
This was so shocking that the head maid had to be convinced not to report it to the lady of the house. If the duchess—who had returned early to the ducal estate—found out, she would’ve fainted from shock.
“Oh my, young master! What on earth is going on?”
She had definitely heard the sound of rustling. But the young master who usually slept in wouldn’t possibly be up this early, so she dismissed it and lay back down.
But a moment later, someone gently knocked on her door.
When she opened it, she nearly collapsed.
“Heavens! Oh my goodness!”
It wasn’t a pale-faced ghost—it was young master Estin standing there.
Embarrassed by her reaction, he gave a sheepish apology.
“Sorry to wake you, but could you help me get ready to go out?”
And that brings us to now.
But instead of his usual silk shirt and trousers, Estin asked for plain clothes like the servants wore. He even requested a basket full of snacks.
“Young master, what exactly are you planning to do…?”
To her puzzled question, Estin replied resolutely.
“I have a very important appointment.”
“With the young lady you invited to the villa before… Miss Miela, right?”
“How did you know?”
His surprised face looked as though she had just read his mind. He was no longer the cold boy he used to be. His expressive face and unexpected behavior said it all.
Yes—there was no doubt. That girl Miela had been a good influence on him.
“It’s written all over you, hehe.”
The head maid smiled knowingly, and Estin raised an eyebrow.
That was all. Before, he would’ve snapped and told her not to say weird things.
“Young master, the sandwiches you requested are ready!”
At that moment, the chef from the main estate came running, out of breath, carrying the snack basket.
Estin was a picky eater who rarely finished his meals. But for his first-ever food request, the chef had poured his heart into the preparation.
“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”
“Yes, young master! Please take care!”
A thank-you from the young master’s mouth? That was rare! Miracles were happening left and right.
Maybe, just maybe… one day, even the young master’s curse would be lifted.
Everyone at the villa had dared to hope that.
“Hey, Miela! If you dig with the hoe like that, you’ll ruin all the fine roots! Be more gentle!”
“Sorry, I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“Hmph. I’ll be watching.”
Mrs. Martin walked off with a disapproving frown, and a shadow passed over Miela’s face.
But if I dig more gently than this, it’ll take forever to pull out even one…
If it were anyone else, they might’ve grumbled, You pay so little and expect so much.
Or they might’ve just thrown down the hoe and walked away, saying, Forget this, I’m done.
But Miela—so earnest it hurt to watch—never abandoned a task she was given, no matter how hard it was.
“It’s okay. If I work hard, I can finish everything by today! Then Mr. Martin said he’d pay me extra.”
Mr. Martin was the owner of the largest farm in the village. But to see a little girl working there alone? Anyone passing by might’ve found it odd.
But sadly, no one in this village questioned it.
“Hello, ma’am. Is there any work you could give me? I’ll do anything!”
That was about a year ago. Miela had spent the last of her meager inheritance on her mother’s funeral. With no way to make a living, she had gone around begging neighbors for work. At first, their responses were lukewarm.
“Tsk. Stephanie’s gone too, huh? I get that it’s sad, but what can we do with a kid like you?”
“No, really! I’m good at washing dishes, pulling weeds, fertilizing. Oh—and I can sew pretty well, too!”
“Well… guess it won’t hurt to try you out.”
—
To everyone’s surprise, she turned out to be incredibly competent. She didn’t slack off, she was meticulous, and she never complained, even when she was paid poorly.
A sensible adult wouldn’t normally hire a child just because she asked. Maybe take care of her out of pity, but not put her to work.
But unfortunately, there were very few such kind-hearted adults in this village.
“Okay, let’s keep going! Fighting!”
Though she felt wronged by the scolding, Miela cheered herself up again.
There were still heaps of carrots waiting to be pulled, but somehow, she’d manage.
“…What’s she doing out there by herself?”
Behind a distant rock, someone was secretly watching her.
Miela hadn’t noticed at all—but the one watching was Estin. And he wasn’t alone.
“She doesn’t seem to know I’m here.”
“Yes, it appears that way…”
The butler hiding beside him cautiously peeked out and glanced at Estin.
“Even if she did notice someone was watching, she’d never guess it was you, young master.”
“You think so too, huh?”
“Yes.”
He nodded without hesitation.
And for good reason—Estin’s appearance was ridiculous. A huge straw hat pulled so low it hid even his mouth. His shirt and pants, borrowed in the smallest size available, were still way too big, with the sleeves rolled up in thick cuffs. He looked like a little boy playing dress-up in his older brother’s clothes.
Of course, the butler carefully avoided using words like “little boy.” Based on past experience, he knew those were a surefire way to get Estin extremely upset.
