Chapter 5

This story is from Zagary's perspective.

The Easton Trading Company, which has several bases abroad, is one of the largest trading companies in the capital. In recent years, it has made substantial profits by focusing on this country, which is at war.

Zagary Easton, the head of the company, had just returned to the capital after delivering necessary supplies to the military and loading food onto the empty carts. He had entered the country from the south, bypassing the western border, which was a battlefield.

He met the siblings on a break at the Barley Earl's territory along the way.

"Could you give us a ride to the capital? Of course, we can pay."

Behind the polite young boy, a girl of about twelve or thirteen, with large blue eyes, was bowing, holding the hem of her dress.

In areas where carriages are scarce, it's not uncommon to be approached like this. He had encountered many such one-time encounters before. Some had their reasons: a servant fired and returning home, a mother and child heading to the capital after a divorce, a wife fleeing from her husband's violence...

Compared to them, these siblings left a particularly vivid impression.

First, Zagary thought they weren't siblings. The ordinary brown-haired boy and the blue-eyed beauty were so different that it was hard to believe they were related. It felt more natural to think of the boy as a servant.

The girl's manners were clearly those of a noble, and she had a certain grace. However, she was wearing an old dress. Her soft, flaxen hair, though neatly arranged, had no hair accessories.

It was obvious that they had no money, yet they offered to pay. They even offered a higher amount than the usual fare, which left Zagary puzzled.

If they had that much money, wouldn't it be better to tidy up their appearance? He almost said something, but bit his tongue.

Moreover, despite their sudden decision to go to the capital and their hasty departure, they didn't seem desperate. Unlike the others, who had an air of fear or tension, these two had a rather relaxed atmosphere.

They seemed wealthy but claimed to have no money. They were methodical yet spontaneous. They were in a dire situation but remained calm. It was a strange mix of contradictions.

Zagary glanced at the girl.

A whimsical noble lady and her servant boy. That image vaguely came to mind. Still, the old dress didn't quite fit the picture.

However, he had a hunch that she might be from the Barley family. He remembered that the Barley Earl's daughter was around this age.

In any case, if he refused, they would just find another carriage.

Concerned for their safety, he agreed to take them and even offered to let them stay at his house. He told them they could stay for a while, but they seemed to have a destination and left the next day.

What was that all about?

The rumors about the Barley family had reached Zagary's ears as a merchant.

They were a family said to be blessed by the gods. The current lady of the house had passed away, and the current head was acting in her place. After remarrying, he had gone to war and was absent.

"Something might have happened."

Information is a merchant's lifeline. It was intriguing, but there was nothing he could do about it now. He decided to ask someone if the opportunity arose and returned to his usual business.

So, a few days later, when the girl appeared at the Easton Trading Company, he was genuinely surprised. She seemed equally surprised.

"My name is Eleana... Ah..."

After a moment of wide-eyed surprise, the girl, Eleana, held out a letter of introduction from a baron he had once helped and asked for a job.

Wait, wasn't the spoiled daughter of the Barley family named Marietta? Perhaps his assumption that this girl was a noble lady was wrong.

Zagary thought this as he opened the letter.

The letter stated that the girl's name was Eleana, and she was the lady that the baron's daughter, Sophia, had served as a maid for the past six months. Unable to endure the treatment at the estate, she had sought refuge with the baron's family and come to the capital. She needed protection until her father returned from the war.

The Barley family was not mentioned, but Zagary knew that the baron's daughter, Sophia, had returned from the Barley estate.

(There was another one...)

Even before their debut in society, there are social events for young nobles. However, the Barley family's daughter was known as Marietta, and he had never heard of Eleana.

She must have bought new clothes on the way. She was wearing a new dress, a white parasol, and a pochette on her shoulder.

"Thank you for giving us a ride the other day. Um... I'll work hard. I can read, write, and do calculations. I can speak everyday language in the West, East, and South. I can't cook, but I can clean and do laundry."

Zagary pondered what to do.

The baron not mentioning the Barley name could mean to hide her secretly, to pretend he didn't know, or both.

He noticed the white parasol. It was a cloudy day, yet she had brought it.

"Miss, that parasol..."

"Um, actually, I have very sensitive skin. Without it, I get red and swollen."

Zagary chuckled at Eleana's hesitant tone. She couldn't lie.

He was certain. This girl was the next head of the Barley family and the one blessed by the gods.

The royal family's "Fertility" blessing is well-known, but the details of the other two families' blessings are kept secret. Rumors suggest "Sunny," "Rain," or "Wind." Some say "Water," and others say "Life." It's intentionally vague.

Given the parasol, Zagary guessed it was probably "Sunny" or "Rain."

"Alright, Miss, you said you can do calculations. Starting tomorrow, you'll work as a clerk at the Easton Trading Company. It's far from the baron's house, so you'll live with us. And we need a more friendly name. To get along with everyone."

"Then, how about Ellie or Liana?"

"Let's go with Ellie. From today, you're Ellie."

"Ellie... It feels like I'm someone else."

"Exactly. Being someone else isn't bad. It will save you from too much prying."

Eleana smiled, seeming to understand. Despite her relaxed demeanor, she was quite sharp.

This way, if anyone investigated, the employees could claim ignorance. He didn't intend to make it public, but he didn't want to betray the baron's trust. Zagary became cautious.

"Yes! From today, I'm Ellie."

Eleana's expression finally relaxed.

And so, Zagary decided to hire Eleana.