One night, several days after Ren had departed from Clausel, Licia stood in the manor’s garden, gazing up at the frost-nipped sky.
Her breath bloomed in white clouds with every exhale, and her porcelain skin, peeking from beneath her shawl, was growing chilled. The warmth of the bath she had taken moments ago was steadily being stolen by the winter air.
Yet Licia refused to look away from the heavens. She remained there for so long that the attendant who served her, unable to watch any longer, finally spoke up.
"The chill will affect your health, Young Lady."
The attendant’s voice came from behind, but Licia didn't turn around. Still staring at the sky, she spoke in a tone that made it clear her thoughts were far away, fixed on a specific person.
"I’m fine. It’s cool enough to be pleasant, actually."
"If you say so..." the attendant replied with a resigned sigh, stepping up to stand beside her.
Looking at the young lady’s profile, her features were as exquisitely refined as ever. Her expression wasn't exactly gloomy, but her usual sharp, dignified air seemed to have faded into the background. She had been buried in work lately, so exhaustion likely played a part in her subdued mood.
However, the attendant noticed there was no trace of worry for Ren on Licia's face.
The prediction had missed the mark. "Oh?" the attendant murmured, resting a hand against her cheek in surprise.
"Is something wrong?"
"I simply assumed the Young Lady had come out here because she was worried about Master Ren."
"Worried about Ren? Why would I be?"
"Well, because the Baldor Mountains are so dangerous right now."
Licia turned her gaze toward the attendant.
Indeed, there was no anxiety in her expression. In fact, she looked confused by the attendant’s words—so much so that the servant began to doubt her own common sense.
"It would be a lie to say I’m not concerned at all, but I’m not nearly as worried as everyone else seems to be," Licia said, her voice sounding as if she were stating a fundamental law of nature.
Driven by curiosity, the attendant pressed further. "And why is that?"
Licia let out a small smile.
"—Because I know how strong Ren is better than anyone else in the world."
Just how much experience would a girl her age need to have to speak with such a voice and such an expression? Faced with Licia’s declaration, the attendant found herself at a loss for words to describe the sheer weight behind her conviction.
"I see. Was that a foolish question to ask?"
"Yes. Very."
As Licia smiled, snow began to fall silently from the sky.
Deciding she couldn't allow her mistress to stay out a moment longer, the attendant draped a coat over Licia’s shoulders. "We should head back inside."
"I suppose you're right."
That, however, left the mystery of why Licia looked so downcast. As they walked back, the attendant crossed her arms, deep in thought. Since Licia had insisted she wasn't worried, there had to be some other reason for her melancholy...
"Ah."
She realized what it was.
She had no intention of voicing her epiphany, though. It was a matter of preserving the Young Lady’s dignity.
"Did you say something?"
The attendant’s quiet realization had reached Licia's ears. The servant shook her head, trying to dismiss it, but Licia stopped and peered into her face, repeating the question.
"There's no need to hide it. What is it?"
The attendant finally gave in. "Well... I was just thinking that rather than being worried, perhaps you were just feeling lonely because Master Ren isn't here..."
Licia’s face went rigid.
She tried to force a smile and let out a dry, hollow laugh, but it was painfully obvious the attendant had hit the bullseye. The flush on her cheeks began to deepen, turning a brilliant red.
The attendant, breaking into a cold sweat, tried to maintain a neutral expression.
Finally, Licia was the one to break the silence.
"I didn't quite catch that. Would you mind repeating yourself?"
"I... I asked if you would like some tea before you retire for the night."
"Thank you. I think I will."
By mutual, silent agreement, the previous topic was erased from existence.
The two of them continued toward Licia's room, both feigning a perfect, calm composure. Once inside, the attendant began the tea service as promised.
And that was when she noticed it.
Despite it being the dead of winter, a pure white one-piece dress was laid out on Licia's bed. The attendant recognized it immediately. It was the very dress Ren had given her back in early summer.
Presumably, she had brought it out to stave off the loneliness. The thought of her hugging it was undeniably adorable.
"Ghk—!"
The moment Licia realized she’d been caught, her facade of composure shattered completely.
She couldn't bear it anymore. Realizing there was no way to talk her way out of this one, she simply gave up. She took a sip of the freshly brewed tea, then walked over to the window with her cup, her back turned to the servant.
"This is... this is a secret, alright?"
The attendant gave a firm, respectful nod.