Chapter 24

The capital city, located south of Kikito Village, never becomes sealed off by snow even in winter. The rooms are sufficiently warmed by fireplaces alone, and even when windows are opened for ventilation, snow does not blow in with the wind.

Lane returned to Alex's mansion, sat on the sofa in the grand hall alongside Reine, and while teaching her embroidery, recounted the long and harsh winters of Kikito Village.

"Before winter comes, the whole village works together to build snow barriers. We make sure the windows don't freeze and that the wind and snow don't get inside the houses. We also prepare a lot of preserved food to get through the winter."

"During the winter, we can't go out much, so we do embroidery at home. The whole family gathers in front of the fireplace, talking about all sorts of things..."

Lane, of course, did this with her mother.

But she had also been invited to her mother's house by Ada's mother and held a needle together with her. She had smiled happily, thinking that after marriage, she would be able to spend winters like this.

"... Lane?"

"Ah, sorry."

Lane realized her hands had stopped and quickly picked up the embroidery needle again.

"Are you okay? You seemed troubled."

"Yes, I'm fine. I was just remembering the past."

She answered with a smile and was suddenly hugged tightly.

"Lane, I'll protect you. You and my brother will protect you, so everything will be fine."

The warmth that enveloped her back was very comforting, and her heart felt at ease.

"Reine..."

"Call me Reine."

"Then I'll call you Lane too."

"Okay."

The two looked at each other and laughed.

Even though they had only met recently, being around these two felt very comfortable.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what the dress will look like."

"But it feels wrong to have a dress made that I might not even wear..."

"Don't worry about it. My brother isn't a noble, but he has a lot of money from monster hunting rewards."

Reine laughed, and Lane laughed along with her.

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it."

Lane realized for the first time how difficult it was to accept kindness.

Being too polite could make the other person sad.

But accepting everything also felt too much.

Since she was staying with Alex, she had offered to pay rent, but Reine said teaching her embroidery would be enough. However, she planned to gradually pay back the cost of the various items they had bought together.

(But the dress is too expensive... It feels wrong to have it bought for me, and I can't afford it myself...)

Since it wouldn't be ready immediately, she needed to think about what to do until then.

As the slow hours passed, Alex, who had been summoned to the castle, returned in the evening.

"Reine, I'm sorry. I have to go on a monster hunt to a place a bit far away."

As soon as he returned, he reported this to his sister and apologized.

Even though the Demon King had been defeated, there were still many monsters. In fact, without leadership, the damage had temporarily increased.

Alex still had to fight as a hero.

Reine nodded sincerely in response to her brother's words.

"Yes, I'll be fine. Lane will be with me. Be careful, brother. I don't think you'll get hurt, but just in case, don't."

Alex seemed a bit surprised by Reine's response but eventually nodded with a gentle smile.

"Understood. I'll be careful."

When he left the parlor, Reine said a bit shyly.

"In the past, I didn't like it when my brother was away. When I was alone, I couldn't help but think about losing my parents... But with Lane here, I'm fine. I'm not afraid of anything."

Lane had thought she was just being taken care of. She had assumed that the kind two of them felt sorry for her. But Reine relied on her.

This made her happy, and her heart felt warm.

The next day, Alex left the capital.

Lane thought Ada and the holy maiden Aki, as well as another companion whose name she didn't know, would go with him, but Alex said he was fine alone and set off without anyone.

When Lane worried, Reine laughed and said it would be fine.

"My brother will be fine. Actually, I don't want to go with that holy maiden."

Reine seemed to dislike the holy maiden.

Indeed, with such a personality, it was understandable that she would be disliked.

While Alex was away, a female mage he had hired would stay at the mansion to provide security.

Lane had met her, and she seemed quiet and serious. But Reine secretly told her that the woman loved sweets and cute things.

Before long, it became a routine to practice embroidery with Reine during the day and have a tea party with sweets at night with the three of them. Reine was quite skilled, and her embroidery was gradually improving.

Lane had also started working.

She was supposed to start going to her workplace after Alex returned, but she was doing embroidery on small items like handkerchiefs at home.

It was a peaceful and enjoyable time.

But on the third day after Alex left the capital, someone visited the mansion, which was without its master.

It was Prince Clarence and Duke's son Noah.

Moreover, they had come to see Lane.

If Alex had been there, he would have refused for her, but as a simple village girl, she had no right to refuse.

What business could they have with her?

"It's okay. I'll go with you. Since my brother is away, I'm responsible for this mansion."

Reine said this to Lane, who was feeling anxious.