Chapter 2
A languid afternoon sun poured down, bathing everything in warm light.
The height of summer had heated the air until it seemed to color the skin with warmth. Beneath the relentless sunlight, the garden, lush with thick greenery, was sprinkled with tiny white flecks.
“Miss!”
A small commotion shattered the quiet peace. As always, it was the voice of the maid, Betty, anxiously calling for the little lady who had gone missing yet again today.
The young girl, curled up tightly and pressing her hands over her mouth, shivered slightly. Her eyes widened, fearful that a sound might escape.
“If you don’t come out now, I’ll really be forced to scold you!”
“…!”
“Madam Purin has already arrived!”
Betty frowned as she rummaged through the bushes. Her young lady—the only daughter of the Mabel family, Vivian Mabel—had a habit of disappearing whenever it was time for Madam Purin’s etiquette lessons. On lesson days, Betty watched vigilantly, anxious that Vivian might vanish again, and today was no exception.
I was watching carefully… wasn’t I?
Desperately, Betty began shaking every patch of grass that might conceal Vivian’s small frame.
Wasn’t she in the garden?
Betty tilted her head and quickly moved on. The time of Madam Purin’s arrival was fast approaching. If her young lady were late, she would be in serious trouble. Once again, Betty’s steps toward Vivian’s room carried a trace of urgent anxiety.
Just as the human presence disappeared and only the soft rustle of the wind remained, a small movement stirred in the middle of the garden. Among the green foliage, a tuft of hair that looked like pure white snow peeked out.
“Gone…?”
Vivian’s disheveled hair was tangled with leaves and grass. She glanced around cautiously and, seeing that no one was nearby, quickly slipped through the gap leading out of the estate.
A mischievous little rogue—Vivian had earned her nickname well. The estate’s staff had affectionately dubbed her so because she seemed to vanish like a fairy whenever she opened her eyes. Today, as always, that name suited her perfectly.
The decorum expected of a young lady was far removed from Vivian’s nature.
At twelve, having only just begun her etiquette studies, Vivian loved running and exploring. She enjoyed lying on the garden floor with her hair tousled—a spirited young lady enjoying a lazy summer.
Yet even Vivian couldn’t completely avoid her etiquette lessons. Of all things, she hated Madam Purin’s classes the most, where the strict instructor would drone on about proper manners, posture, and how a young lady should behave.
“Raise your chin higher.”
“Here? Higher?”
“Higher. Shoulders down.”
Vivian frowned at the memory of Madam Purin lifting her chin with a frilled fan.
“A young lady with no progress at all! Even a bird flying by would learn more than you!”
After the humiliation of the previous lesson, Vivian had devised a perfect plan to skip the next session. She felt a pang of guilt for disappearing without a word to Betty, who must have been worried, but she had no regrets.
Hmph! I’m never going back.
Vivian wrinkled her nose and shook her head, shaking off her thoughts. She brushed the dirt off her skirt and marched onward toward her destination.
Suddenly, something nudged her foot. Looking down, she saw a small squirrel with dark, round eyes blinking up at her, as if it had just descended from a tree. She scooped it up onto her hand and tapped its moist, shiny nose.
“You don’t like it either, huh?”
The squirrel blinked in response, as if to answer. Smiling, Vivian hurried on, leaving the garden behind.
The Mabel estate, located on the outskirts of the Agent Empire in the territory of Fover, wasn’t large but was famous for its beautiful scenery, attracting countless visitors. The cozy estate, coupled with the dazzling view of the emerald Tanik Sea, was the pride of Fover.
The miracles of the Tanik Sea.
The bustling merchants and tourists brought wealth and prosperity to the small village. The lively city sounds and the emerald sea harmonized with the gentle charm of Fover.
“Peter!”
“Miss?”
Vivian’s familiar footsteps carried her confidently along the streets of the town.
Stepping into the busy streets, her round cheeks flushed, Vivian raised her hand high and waved. The soft summer breeze tousled her hair.
Peter, startled by her bright smile, dropped the flowers he had been arranging and hurried over.
“Running away from the estate again…!”
“Shhh!”
Vivian stomped her foot playfully, pressing a finger to her lips as if sharing a great secret.
Troublemaker, rascal, stubborn little thing—Vivian was already quite famous in Fover.
Born into a noble family yet possessing such a charming, lively personality, everyone in the village loved her.
“Hello, Miss!”
“Rose!”
Vivian greeted Rose, who was emerging from Peter’s flower shop carrying a bundle of flowers. Seeing Rose’s cheerful smile as she leaned against her waist, Peter couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
Indeed, good things come to those who appreciate them!
In an era where old notions of class and etiquette were fading, it was hard to dislike a young noble girl who could fill an entire town with her charm. In Fover, there was little to remind the girl of the walls erected by social status.
“Out running away again today?”
“I’m not running away! I just—”
“Then?”
“The estate is too boring…”
Her rolling eyes and wriggling fingers made Peter decide to indulge her mischief with a gentle smile.
A sweet little lady. Rose bent down and tucked a white daisy, as delicate as her hair, behind Vivian’s ear.
“Well, it would be a shame to spend a day like this lying around the estate, wouldn’t it?”
Vivian nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes!”
With a small travel bag packed neatly, Vivian set off in earnest. Rose couldn’t help but laugh and asked,
“What adventure will you go on today?”
“I’m going to Grandpa Len’s bookstore.”
Rose frowned instantly. Somehow, the young lady of Fover had extended her lively social curiosity even to the old man. Speaking with heartfelt concern, Rose advised gently,
“Whatever he says, just take it lightly.”
“…Why?”
“He’s an eccentric old man who says strange things.”
Vivian, tilting her head in confusion at Rose’s muttered warning, didn’t fully understand but nodded quickly anyway.
“Have a good day.”
“You too, Rose and Peter!”
Vivian hurried on, a white daisy dangling from her platinum hair that sparkled in the sunlight.
Starting from Peter’s flower shop, the streets of Fover unfolded before her. The faint summer air was slightly humid but graceful. Buildings along the tree-lined streets were adorned with the flowers Peter had ordered.
Passing the flower shop and the antique store, and going beyond Madame Hailey’s renowned atelier, the downhill path offered a breathtaking view of the Tanik Sea. At the very end of that path was Grandpa Len’s small bookstore. No matter what others said about him, Vivian liked him. She loved the bookstore too, filled with the warmth of his touch and the full view of the sea.
The bookstore door was wide open, as if welcoming her just knowing she’d come. Vivian knocked softly and peeked through the haze of floating dust.
“Grandpa?”
