Chapter 53

This is a story that takes place a little over a year before the main narrative begins. It is a side story centered around Albes.

... A small sound was heard.

It was a very slight sound, the kind that would usually go unnoticed.

But Albes did not miss it. Before he even opened his eyes or sat up in bed, he reached for the short sword under his pillow. He opened his eyes as he felt the hard texture in his fingertips.

Looking towards the window, he saw a faint light seeping through the gaps in the shutters. It was no longer dark. The sun had not yet risen, but it was already morning.

In an instant, Albes recognized all of this and released the short sword to sit up in bed.

The faint sound in the hallway was slowly moving downstairs. He knew exactly which steps and parts of the hallway creaked, and was trying to walk as quietly as possible.

It was his sister, Lucia. Soon, sounds began coming from the kitchen. She seemed to be opening the windows, starting a fire, and adding firewood.

Albes yawned lightly and brushed the dark blonde hair that had fallen over his eyes.

His awakening was not bad, but it seemed he had woken up later than usual.

He knew the reason.

It was because he had been helping with the sheep shearing for a few days. It was an annual event, but dealing with the sheep had been more stressful than he had anticipated. His arms felt tired.

However, it was just muscle soreness, not numbness. It shouldn't affect his ability to wield a sword. If anything, it might make it difficult to pick up small, needle-like objects.

Unfortunately, today he had planned to repair the woolen bedding. He felt that the tasks of holding and moving a needle, and threading spun wool through the needle's eye, would not go well.

"... Maybe I'll have Lucia do it for me."

Albes repeated the opening and closing of his hand, shook his head slightly, and smiled wryly.

He was not particularly skilled with needles.

The thick, long needles used for bedding were similar to weapons. By convincing himself of this, he managed to sew in a way that made his sister laugh a little.

Today, however, it would be better to honestly ask for her help.

After a small sigh, Albes got out of bed and quickly changed.

He put on his usual simple clothes, not the elaborate attire that commoners might imagine for nobles. The Laguren family was not of high nobility, and they did not live a life of luxury that allowed for such finery.

For the various tasks, including field work, simple and sturdy clothes that could be washed were better. He only dressed more formally when he needed to display the authority of a noble.

Albes thought this way and was not at all bothered by his simple attire.

However, he did not neglect his grooming.

He washed his face, combed his disheveled hair, and checked his appearance in the large, old mirror.

He adjusted his collar and made sure all the buttons on his shirt cuffs were properly fastened before taking his sword and opening the door to his room.

In the hallway, the small sounds were now clearly audible.

They were coming from the kitchen.

It seemed that Lucia's morning preparations were going smoothly.

He considered going straight to the kitchen, but this morning, Lucia was unusually humming a song. If she was in a good mood, it would be rude to disturb her. Albes decided to go outside without making a sound.

He drew water from the well and filled a large metal watering can. Carrying the heavy can back to the kitchen, he saw Lucia shaping bread while keeping an eye on the oven.

Her cheerful singing had turned into a soft hum, and Albes secretly felt relieved.

"Good morning, Lucia."

"Ah, brother, good morning. Thank you for drawing the water!"

When he spoke, Lucia turned around quickly. Seeing the large watering can her brother had brought, she immediately thanked him with a happy expression. Her hands did not stop, and it seemed the bread had not yet been baked. If she was going to bake it now, it would take some time.

Albes quickly checked the kitchen and transferred the water to the cooking jug.

"I'll go draw more water for the kitchen. There's still more to do, right?"

"Yeah, please do. When you're done, let's have breakfast."

"Alright."

Nodding, Albes left the kitchen with the empty watering can. Glancing back in the hallway, he saw Lucia putting the bread in the oven.

The smoked meat was already out of the pantry. Slicing it thinly and searing it over the fire, then arranging it on the table with the baked bread, would complete the morning meal.

Although there was no need to hurry, Albes found himself quickening his pace back to the well.

In the past, the Laguren family owned a large mansion nearby. They often moved to the smaller house in winter, but at that time, they lived a more luxurious life with many servants.

The dining room that the lord's family used back then is now rarely used. It is only opened when the villagers gather.

Albes and Lucia use a room next to the kitchen for their meals.

It used to be a servant's waiting room, but since Albes's father became a viscount, this room has been the main dining area.

The room is simple, but there is plenty of space even with two tables placed side by side.

For everyday meals, they use an old, small, and sturdy table.

During the day or evening, they sometimes sit with Yurana and other villagers. However, for the simple morning meal, it is just the brother and sister.

The food is usually the same.

Freshly baked thin bread that doesn't keep long but cooks quickly. Sliced smoked meat or cheese. Hot tea. Sometimes they also have a bit of sweet baked goods.

When Albes first inherited the viscount title, Yurana prepared the bread and meals the day before. Sometimes Albes did the preparation.

Now, Lucia handles many tasks, and recently, freshly baked bread has become a regular part of the morning meal.

Lucia is a hard worker.

She wakes up early every day and prepares the meals. He is grateful for this.

However, sometimes he feels sorry for her.

As a former knight, Albes is used to waking up early and doing chores like cooking and cleaning. Compared to the harsh conditions of camping in the wilderness during his missions, the Laguren life is quite comfortable.

His knight days were tough, but he enjoyed and lived a lively and noisy life as a young man.

However, Lucia has not had such experiences.

Even if she cannot live a luxurious life befitting a noble, she does not have to do all the chores. Yet, since she grew up in a simple life, she tries to do everything herself.

Albes did not want to make her work in the fields, getting sunburned, and harvesting vegetables. Even if he couldn't provide luxury, he wanted to give her a decent life.

He wanted to let her dress up her age, see plays in the capital, go shopping, and even attend the grand palace balls as a noble daughter.

But due to debt, he couldn't fulfill these wishes as much as he wanted.

Lucia does not shirk any work.

She comes to the fields with a bright smile, saying she likes physical labor, and hums while cooking. She gets absorbed in cleaning the floor with a bucket and scrub brush.

She clearly enjoys her daily tasks.

On the other hand, she has lost a lot. Noblewomen have beautiful hands because they do not do such work.

Lucia's hands are rough. The scars on the back of her hands, which are less noticeable now, were from practicing bread baking. The more she took on cooking and cleaning, the more her hands became chapped in winter.

But Lucia does not complain.

She takes pride in living independently without relying on others or receiving charity. She dislikes being pitied and tries to stand and walk on her own.

It can't be helped. Lucia has a strong sense of independence, even more so than Albes.

Therefore, he is proud of his sister but does not pity her.

Whenever he feels hesitant, he reminds himself of this. Besides, thanks to Lucia, managing the estate has become much easier.

However, his friend with a complicated past is not as convinced.

The man who often visits and stays for long periods left for the capital without a word after seeing Lucia's chapped hands.

A week later, he returned with a simple container of ointment, which he pressed into Lucia's hands with a smile, saying, "A friend gave it to me."

He understands Lucia's character well.

If he had said he bought it, she would definitely not have accepted it. If it were before her birthday, he might have given it as a gift. The man probably didn't want to choose the ointment as a gift.