Baroness Pongfuri’s maid Anna was a native of Oklama.
Her family had settled and lived there since her great-grandfather’s generation.
Born and raised in Oklama, she entered Oklama Castle as a maid when she came of age to earn her own living.
It had been nine years since she began working. Soon, it would be a full decade.
Anna, who knew the geography of Oklama and its people inside out, was exactly the kind of person Eleanor needed.
A maid thoroughly familiar with the land and the lives of the domain’s people.
Though Vanessa didn’t recommend Anna directly, she sent her through the butler.
“I’m Anna. It’s an honor to serve you, my lady.”
Anna greeted with evident nervousness.
Though the Stikoff family had visited many times, this was the first time she’d seen one of them up close.
They were usually served by their own maids, and Eleanor, too, had only been attended by Lisa since arriving.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Anna.”
Eleanor smiled kindly. Anna’s cheeks flushed red.
Oklama was a rural southern estate. Secretly, Anna had always wanted to see an aristocratic lady from the great imperial city of Bayren up close, and now she peeked at Eleanor shyly.
From nearby, Eleanor looked every bit the graceful and refined noble lady.
Her soft, melodic city accent, the faint floral scent that followed her, and the dresses she wore—dresses Anna had never seen in Oklama—were all dazzling.
They were so delicate that the laundry maids worried they might ruin them if touched carelessly.
And in Anna’s eyes, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Her white, flawless skin looked sculpted from ivory, her honey-blonde hair cascaded gently, her eyes sparkled more than sapphire, her lips were a perfect rosy shape, and her nose stood straight and proud.
She looked like a mermaid from the legends of Lake Nifla.
There were other noble daughters in nearby estates, but standing close to Eleanor, Anna realized they were rustic nobility by comparison.
“Why are you staring? Do you have something to say?”
The lady turned back with a lace parasol in hand, her face so lovely that Anna quickly ducked her head in flustered panic.
Eleanor said nothing and simply smiled, turning her head again.
What a beautiful lady she was. Anna’s gaze fell to Eleanor’s dress.
Today, Eleanor wore a soft yellow dress with no elaborate patterns, only a black ribbon cinching the waist and a brooch on the chest.
Yet it didn’t feel plain at all—it was elegant and graceful, and Anna stared at it with admiration.
Her hair was braided thickly by Lisa and adorned with real flowers.
Anna also looked with envy at Lisa, who walked half a step behind Eleanor with confident pride.
To be a maid to such a beautiful lady—how fortunate she was.
“Anna.”
“Y-Yes, my lady?”
Lost in thought, Anna snapped back. She was walking behind Lisa and the knight guard, at the very end of the group.
Eleanor, realizing the distance, beckoned her forward.
“Walk beside me.”
“Pardon? B-but…”
“I can’t hear you well from so far away.”
Anna hesitantly moved closer. Now that she was near Eleanor, she caught a whiff of her delightful scent.
Was this young lady a living flower?
Anna’s heart raced so fast her face stayed flushed.
“Your face is red. Are you hot?”
“No, not at all. I’m fine.”
“You don’t have to lie. Here.”
Eleanor offered her parasol. Anna, stunned for a few seconds, flailed in refusal when she realized what was happening.
But Eleanor, convinced Anna was overheated, gently placed the parasol in her hands.
Anna nearly fainted from shock.
Even a country maid knew it was unthinkable to take a lady’s parasol.
“So this is the bustling area of Oklama, I suppose.”
Leaving the dazed Anna behind, Eleanor curiously looked around.
Lined around the central square were numerous shops. Anna explained this was Merva Market, Oklama’s main commercial area.
Whenever she visited, Eleanor had only ever played in nature—Lake Nifla or the Valois Plains—so this was her first time at Merva Market.
The stalls were covered with awnings and packed together, creating a lively atmosphere.
Although not densely populated, the area bustled with people.
Compared to Bayren’s grand markets, Merva felt quaint and charming.
“…Oklama focuses heavily on agriculture, so the market’s usually active,”
Anna, now more composed, began explaining her hometown’s commerce.
Thanks to the warm climate, Oklama was ideal for growing crops, and all trade centered around Merva Market.
Even those who didn’t farm came here to buy food, which naturally attracted other vendors as well.
Since Merva Market surrounded the estate’s only square, it easily became the town center.
“Everyone shops and sells here, and they cook with what they buy.”
“Do your parents also work here?”
“Yes. We don’t farm—we’ve run a shoe shop for generations.”
“Really? Can I visit it?”
Anna hesitated. Eleanor was the esteemed niece of the estate’s baron, fresh from the capital. Would a narrow little shop suit her?
One pair of Eleanor’s shoes likely cost more than half the entire inventory.
“Of course, if it’s a bother, we don’t have to. Want to explore elsewhere?”
Eleanor left her an out, not wanting to pressure her.
Anna, touched by her consideration, shook her head.
“No, I’ll take you to my parents’ shop.”
Though she felt guilty for giving her parents no warning, seeing Eleanor smile softly erased her doubts.
When she spotted the shop’s humble wooden sign, Anna was hit with a wave of regret.
Was she really dragging a noble lady to her family’s shabby store?
But Eleanor met her eyes and smiled warmly. There was no turning back now.
They reached the shoe shop in no time. Anna approached her father, who was organizing shoes out front.
Startled by his daughter’s voice, he turned and nearly fell over.
A noble lady unmistakably stood beside Anna.
“Father, this is Lady Eleanor Stikoff, niece of Baron Pongfuri.”
“A pleasure. You must be Anna’s father.”
Eleanor, completely out of place against the backdrop of a modest shop, greeted him with a gentle voice and a warm smile.
“Yes, my lady. I’m William, Anna’s father. I had no idea my lacking daughter served you.”
“I asked Anna to guide me because she’s a native of Oklama. She’s been a great help—smart and well-mannered. You must be a wonderful father to have raised her so well.”
Eleanor complimented the daughter, smoothing over Anna’s nervous stumbles.
Both Anna and William were deeply moved, their eyes brimming with gratitude.
Uncomfortable with their glowing gazes, Eleanor turned her head. Her eyes took in the humble shop.
It was starkly different from the luxurious boutiques of the capital.
The exterior and goods reflected that.
Most were sturdy shoes for farming or everyday wear for commoners.
Still, there were a few pairs of women’s shoes. Eleanor crouched down to look at them.
“My lady, your dress—”
Lisa reacted first to Eleanor’s impulsive move. Her lady often forgot her noble bearing and acted freely, which constantly gave Lisa headaches.
She wasn’t even sitting on a chair—just squatting on the ground.
“I tucked it between my knees.”
Eleanor pointed proudly at her dress folded between her legs.
It didn’t drag on the ground, technically, but that wasn’t the point.
Lisa sighed and gave up. When her lady set her mind to something, she never listened.
Eleanor picked up a pair of beige shoes with a dried rose corsage. They weren’t luxurious, but they were lovingly crafted.
No loose threads—clearly handmade.
“How much are these?”
“Pardon?”
“I’d like to buy them.”
“……Excuse me?”
Father and daughter looked flustered. Why would a noble want shoes made for commoners?
“My lady, if it’s because of me, you don’t have to…”
Anna tried to dissuade her, not wanting to burden Eleanor with a sense of obligation.
“Hmm, has anyone already reserved them?”
“No, but… they’re too cheap for someone like you…”
“Then I can buy them. Lisa, would you pay?”
Eleanor didn’t intend to argue. Lisa, understanding, handed over a silver coin without protest.
The shoes only cost 10 copper, and William quickly shook his hands.
“I can’t accept that. They’re worth far less.”
“Then just take it.”
“……What?”
“I can’t coldly insist on the exact price when visiting my maid’s family business.”
Eleanor handed the shoes to Lisa and placed a hand on Anna’s shoulder. The light touch made Anna stiffen.
“I plan to keep Anna by my side as I explore Oklama. Think of this as a small token for the trouble she’ll go through.”
It would be rude to refuse further. William, trembling, accepted the silver and took the shoes inside to wrap them.
Even though it was just wrapping, they could hear a racket from inside.
Eleanor noticed Anna frozen stiff.
“Sorry, Anna. I didn’t mean to touch you without permission.”
She let go. Anna looked pale—perhaps it was because a noble had touched her unasked.
It was socially acceptable, but dislike is still dislike.
“N-No! It’s not that…”
“Anna?”
Just as Anna was about to explain she was nervous and disoriented by Eleanor’s presence and scent, someone called her.
“Mom.”
“It is you, Anna. And this must be…”
Turning around, Anna saw her mother with a shopping basket and her younger brother in tow. Her mother looked nervously at Eleanor.
A young lady, clearly noble, stood with her maid and knight, chatting with her daughter.
She had never seen this lady before—undeniably a noblewoman.
“This is Lady Eleanor Stikoff, niece of Baron Pongfuri.”
Anna quickly introduced her, just like before.
Realizing she was the baron’s niece, her mother quickly bowed.
Not just noble—but very noble.
“My deepest apologies. I’m Nicole, Anna’s mother, my lady.”
“Nice to meet you. Anna seems to resemble her mother more than her father.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Anna looked just like her mother. She’d likely be her spitting image when older.
Nicole, not knowing what to be thankful for, bowed again and pulled her son forward.
“This is my son, Jeremy. Jeremy, greet the lady.”
Jeremy squirmed and bowed. Clearly shy. Nicole urged him more, anxious he might offend the noble.
“Jeremy! Bow properly!”
“Wait, it’s fine. Please don’t push him.”
Nicole smacked Jeremy’s back, and he began to tear up. Eleanor stepped in.
No noble would punish a child for poor greetings. Not unless they were petty—and she wasn’t.
Eleanor knelt before Jeremy. He looked just like Anna.
“Hello, Jeremy. I’m visiting with your sister. It’s nice to meet you.”
“…Hello.”
Jeremy whispered and bowed. It was clumsy, but Eleanor smiled and gently patted his head.
“Well done. Some people are shy—it’s okay.”
Jeremy stared wide-eyed. He looked about seven, barely reaching Eleanor’s waist.
Even that effort was praiseworthy.
As he gazed at Eleanor’s face, he reached out.
She thought he might touch her cheek—but his hand reached lower.
“……!”
“Jeremy!”
Nicole panicked and swatted Jeremy. He’d tugged Eleanor’s ribbon.
Her carefully braided hair came undone, flowers scattering.
“My lady! I’m so sorry! Oh no. Truly, I’m sorry—”
Anna, aghast at her brother’s blunder, began apologizing frantically.
“Anna, it’s fine. I’m okay.”
Eleanor helped her up. The ribbon tug was unexpected, but that was all.
She wasn’t hurt, and though Lisa might be upset, Eleanor herself was fine.
Anna looked close to tears. Her hands were dirty from picking up the flowers. Eleanor wiped them with a handkerchief.
“They weren’t precious. Not gemstones. Even if they were, I wouldn’t mind. I could always get more.”
Oklama was full of fresh flowers. Lisa had gathered these locally.
There was no need for a maid to soil her hands over it.
“I’m so sorry… because of my brother…”
“I told you, it’s okay. Lisa, could you let Anna know I’m not a petty noble who gets mad over flowers?”
Passing Anna to Lisa, Eleanor approached Jeremy, who was crying quietly.
“Jeremy.”
“Yes…”
“Why’d you do it? I’m not mad—I’m just curious. Did you want the ribbon?”
He shook his head. Right, a little boy wouldn’t want a hair ribbon.
Then why?
Seeing Eleanor’s calm and gentle gaze, Jeremy stammered.
“B-Because… it was pretty…”
“Hm?”
“B-Because it was pretty. I’m sorry…”
Jeremy mumbled, deflated. Eleanor smiled softly and took the ribbon from his hand.
She tied the pale yellow ribbon into a bow under his shirt collar.
“There. Now you’re pretty too.”
She patted the ribbon, and Jeremy’s frown faded.
“Don’t scold the child. I’m not upset.”
She reminded Nicole, who bowed deeply in thanks.
Just then, William reemerged with the wrapped shoes.
Eleanor turned her head—and saw someone looking her way before quickly turning away.
‘Vanessa?’
Across the square, diagonally from the shoe shop—there stood Vanessa.
And in front of her, a massive man appeared.
Eleanor recognized him and her eyes widened.
‘…Yahin?’
Feeling fuzzy