Chapter 4

The Barley family, who possess the dragon god’s blessing of “rain,” is somewhat special compared to other nobles.

The territory adjacent to the royal direct-controlled land is quite small for a count’s domain, and the number of its inhabitants is not large. Of course, the tax revenue is also modest.

However, a wide road leading to the capital runs through it, bustling with merchants. Therefore, it did not feel desolate at all.

Similarly, the Halford family, who possess the blessing of “sunny weather,” is in a similar situation. Both families receive a budget from the royal family to maintain the dignity of their heads.

In other words, they can be considered nominal count families, kept under the royal family’s protection.

Eleana and the others walked for about an hour to the road leading to the capital and sold the ruby necklace to a merchant. Liam, now an adult, was skilled at negotiating, and they got a higher price than expected. After having a meal, they looked for a carriage to take them to the capital.

“It’s been years since I last visited the capital.”

Since the incident with the queen’s garden party, Eleana had distanced herself from social events and spent most of her time in her territory. After her father went to war, she no longer rode in carriages.

Eleana was excited. Holding her parasol, she walked briskly, looking for a carriage that might take them.

“Hmm… I’ll ask that person.”

Liam spotted a carriage and walked over confidently. Eleana hurried to follow.

“I don’t mind if it’s a cargo carriage,” the man agreed immediately. He was Zagarie Easton, the head of a large trading company, a middle-aged man with a kind smile and sharp eyes. After giving Eleana a probing glance, he led her to the cargo area.

“Thank you. We suddenly decided to visit my father.”

Liam, who had somehow turned into a teenager, thanked him with a serious tone. It seemed they were pretending to be siblings visiting their father in the capital.

Eleana also bowed, saying, “Thank you,” while holding the hem of her dress.

“Ha ha ha, no need to be so formal. We should arrive by evening.”

Zagarie patted Eleana’s head and gave instructions to his servant before getting into another carriage.

After Eleana sat down in a corner of the cargo area, the carriage started moving. The speed increased, and her heart raced with excitement.

“We should have planned this better. I’m just causing trouble for Liam.”

“Don’t worry about it. You want to be excited and thrilled, right? For such a journey, spontaneity is best. We got a thrill today, didn’t we?”

“I was excited, but more worried about the lack of money.”

“That’s why I’m here.”

They took a few breaks and continued straight down the road. By the time the rural scenery turned into the cityscape of the capital, it was dusk.

Deciding to visit Sophia’s house the next day, they were looking for an inn when Zagarie called out to them.

“Are you looking for an inn now? Why don’t you stay at my place?”

“No, that would be too much trouble.”

Eleana declined, thinking that the household would be surprised by their sudden visit, but Zagarie insisted that his family was away at a villa, so there was no need to hesitate. They decided to accept his offer.

Zagarie’s house was large and prosperous, with several servants. They were shown to their rooms and had dinner and a bath prepared.

Eleana, who hadn’t had a bath in a long time, washed her hair and felt refreshed. Liam’s water magic was nice, but nothing compared to a real bath.

Zagarie did not pry into their backgrounds and even offered for them to stay as long as they liked. He was a kind man, and Liam had a good eye for people.

The next day, after leaving Zagarie’s house and buying some gifts, Eleana headed to Sophia’s house at the edge of the capital alone. She held her parasol in one hand and a trunk in the other. Liam had returned to his gecko form and sat quietly on her shoulder because Sophia thought he was a pet gecko, not a spirit beast.

“Miss! What are you doing here? Please come in.”

Sophia, surprised by the sudden visit, welcomed Eleana into her house.

The poor baron’s family, without a territory, lived in a small house, their only home.

Sophia, who was academically excellent, had been helped by Eleana’s mother when she could no longer afford the tuition for the royal academy. In exchange for her daughter serving as a maid, she received assistance and graduated successfully. She was, in a sense, the daughter of Eleana’s benefactor. Having taken care of Eleana since she was young, Sophia cared for her deeply.

“You old hag! Not even serving a meal, are you trying to kill Miss?”

Sophia got angry when Eleana explained why she had come to the capital.

“Sophia, that’s going too far. Besides, you never served meals before. I didn’t starve to death thanks to you.”

“Miss…”

“I’m sorry for not properly thanking you before I left. Thank you, Sophia.”

When Eleana bowed and offered the apple pie as a gift, Sophia became flustered.

“P-Please stand up! And while working, do you plan to wait for your husband in the capital?”

“Yes. I’ll work as a servant in some noble’s house.”

“But Miss, you need a letter of recommendation to work in a noble’s house.”

“…I see.”

Eleana hung her head, realizing her lack of planning again. She should have done more research, as Liam had suggested.

“But this is the capital. Even if working in a noble’s house is difficult, there must be other job opportunities. Is there anything else you’d like to do besides being a maid?”

“I’d prefer indoor work. You know, I’m a rain girl. It’s impractical to carry an umbrella, and if it rains all the time, it would be a burden to everyone.”

“That’s right. You are a notorious rain girl.”

“Looking for a job this way is so frustrating.”

Feeling that things weren’t going as planned, Eleana felt disheartened.

Sophia, as if reading her thoughts, looked at her with a gentle gaze.

“That’s not true. How about working as a clerk in a trading company? You’re good at reading, writing, and arithmetic, and with a trading company, your father’s connections might help you get a job.”

Eleana’s face brightened. Thanks to Liam’s strict education, she had some knowledge of estate management, which might come in handy.

That night, Eleana slept in the same room as Sophia for the first time in half a year.

“I’m getting married.”

Sophia reported this modestly, explaining why she had been at home instead of working. Eleana wished for Sophia’s happiness, knowing she would soon leave the capital.