“W-Why?! Where are you going?!”
Panic surged through Licia at Ren’s response, her voice rising in a frantic cry.
Still clutching the wooden box, Ren found himself cornered as she lunged forward. She grabbed his arm with a desperate grip, looking up at him with tear-rimmed eyes as if she feared he might vanish if she let go for even a second.
“It’s just… I’ve been imposing on your family’s hospitality for far too long...”
“I told you that you don’t have to worry about that! So stop this talk about moving and just keep living in your room like always!”
“I cannot. I am a member of the Ashton family, and my place is to serve you and the Baron.”
“That… that doesn’t matter! So please… just go back…!”
Tears finally spilled from Licia’s eyes.
This is bad, Ren thought, his own anxiety mounting.
Before he knew it, several attendants and knights had gathered nearby, watching the scene unfold. The fact that they were merely observing with knowing looks rather than intervening was particularly frustrating.
Realizing he had to do something, Ren called out to an attendant standing close by.
“Excuse me. Could you please show me the way to the Old Wing?”
The attendant clapped her hands together, a look of delight brightening her face.
“Ah, I had a feeling that might be the case.”
“Wait, how did you know?”
“It was just a guess based on your age and how you’ve carried yourself, Master Ren. I also knew the Baron was looking for someone to manage the Old Wing, so I suspected that might be your plan.”
When she put it like that, Ren realized his intentions might have been more obvious than he thought.
As he gave a wry smile, Licia wiped her eyes and looked up at him, her expression shifting to one of total bewilderment.
“…Wh-What do you mean? You weren’t planning on going back to your village?”
“No. Actually…”
Ren began to explain the situation in detail.
He started with the concerns he had been harboring, explaining that he had decided to stay in Clausel at least until his village’s reconstruction was complete.
Then, he told her about the job Lezard had entrusted to him.
Finally, he explained that due to his age and various other complications, he hadn't been able to rent a place of his own in town.
“…This is the first I’ve heard of any of this.”
Ren hadn’t meant to hide it, but he had been so caught off guard by her initial reaction that he’d missed his chance to explain.
While he stood there feeling apologetic, Licia fixed him with a flat, reproachful stare.
“I’m sorry. Things were still a bit uncertain, so I was planning to wait a little longer before telling you.”
“…Hmph. I see.”
Licia fell silent and, without another word, took Ren by the hand and started walking.
Seeing this, the attendant from before spoke up.
“Master Ren, I shall leave you to it.”
“Wait! The way to the Old Wing?!”
Despite his question, the attendant simply waved with a smile and said nothing more.
Ren allowed himself to be led down the corridor by Licia.
Once the smiling knights and attendants were out of sight, he found himself in a wing of the mansion he had never visited before.
At the end of the hall stood a weathered door.
(Ah, so this is it.)
Though she remained silent, it was clear Licia was acting as his guide.
As if to confirm his thought, she opened the door while still holding his hand.
Beyond lay a long connecting corridor that led outside. The two of them walked along it, bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun.
“Lady Licia, is the Old Wing just ahead?”
“…………”
She didn't answer, silently leading him further along.
They passed through what looked like it might have once been the main entrance to the estate before reaching the end of the long corridor.
There, the door to the Old Wing stood prominently.
When Licia placed her hand near the frame, the door swung open on its own. It seemed the entrance itself was a magic tool.
(Wow… impressive.)
The interior was magnificent and grand, but the moment the door opened, a thick cloud of dust billowed out.
…This was definitely going to be a project to clean.
It would probably be best to finish the cleaning before actually moving his things in.
Still, the interior was every bit as high-end as Lezard had promised.
“Sit here.”
Licia finally let go of his hand and pointed to a wooden chair in the entrance hall.
Two chairs were set around a small round table. Licia brushed the dust off one with her hand and sat down.
Ren set his wooden box on the floor and took the opposite seat. Licia immediately narrowed her eyes at him.
Sunlight filtered through the stained glass in the ceiling, illuminating her elegant features.
“Everything, Ren. I want to know everything.”
With the faint traces of tears still on her face, she began to voice her grievances.
“I didn't hear a single word about this. …I know that from your perspective, I’m probably just an immature girl. But you could at least trust me a little.”
“I-I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to keep it a secret, I just—”
Licia wasn't trying to be difficult.
She was simply hurt that Ren had been making major life decisions without saying a word to her.
Even as she spoke, she felt a pang of self-loathing. She didn't want to be a burden or a nuisance, yet here she was, acting out. The realization only made her more upset.
(What should I do?)
Ren didn't think anyone was truly at fault, but he wanted more than anything for Licia to return to her usual self.
He was racking his brain for a way to fix the mood when—
Knock, knock.
A polite rap sounded at the door, identical to the way the servants knocked on his guest room door.
Ren stood up and went to the entrance.
“I thought it best to bring this here. Master Ren, a delivery for you.”
The attendant from before stood outside. She glanced past him at the pouting Licia and offered a helpless, knowing smile.
She then looked back at Ren, giving him a supportive nod.
“For me? Er, thank you.”
He hadn't realized what it was at first, but he took the package and returned to the table.
“Did you buy something from that shop?”
Licia had noticed the mark engraved on the wooden box.
At her words, Ren finally realized what had been delivered.
“Yes. There was something that caught my eye.”
He broke the seal and quickly opened the lid.
Inside was exactly what he had expected: a dress of pure white.
It was a simple, elegant one-piece he had chosen as a return gift for her.
“If you’d like, please accept this.”
“…For me?”
“As you can see, it’s not exactly something I can wear.”
For the nth time that day, Licia was stunned into silence.
Ren held out the white dress. When she took it and spread it out, she let out a tiny, soft murmur.
“It’s beautiful…”
“I bought it on my way home after my first day of work.”
It was the very first thing he had bought with his first paycheck. Since he’d forgotten to buy his own wallet that day, it was, quite literally, his first purchase.
“You gave me clothes before, Lady Licia, so I thought I would return the favor.”
Licia’s shoulders gave a small tremor.
She pulled the dress against her chest, hugging it tightly and burying the lower half of her face in the fabric.
“If you don't like it, I can find something else—”
“No. I’m not giving it back.”
“—Then I’m glad you like it.”
Her cheeks were beginning to flush a deep crimson as she looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with a new light. She tightened her hold on the dress as if it were a precious treasure.
“…That’s not fair.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to buy your forgiveness.”
“No! That’s not it! It’s just… everything is so sudden… I haven't had time to prepare my heart…!”
Her words sounded like a complaint, but her voice told a different story.
She finally seemed to be in a better mood.
Ren felt a wave of relief wash over him, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“…And don’t think for a second that I’ve forgiven you yet,” she added.
But her voice was filled with a joy she could no longer hide.