Chapter 12
According to my mother, each person here is assigned a private cottage based on their status or rank.
Even in this fairy-tale-like peaceful place, human society still follows its own rules.
My mother spoke with a bright expression.
“This year seems quieter than usual, so we’ve been given a nice place to stay.
Last year, a foreign duchess was here, and I couldn’t stay at my usual spot. It was quite annoying.”
Just as she said, the small house we were given was beautiful. Every little detail had been carefully designed and decorated.
Each cottage had its private hot spring, which meant I could bathe with my mother.
Since my arm hadn’t fully healed yet, I still had to keep it immobilized. As I soaked in the warm water, I felt my muscles relax, and my body became pleasantly drowsy.
But I soon started to struggle. I had never enjoyed hot springs, so staying in the hot water for too long was unbearable.
I glanced at my mother, who looked completely at ease.
Was the water just warm, and was it only me who found it so hot? She even sighed with relief and closed her eyes, saying it felt refreshing.
Meanwhile, I felt like I was boiling alive. My skin burned, my head spun, and my vision blurred.
I kept waiting for a chance to leave but missed it, and in the end, I was completely overheated and dizzy.
I felt like a boiled frog.
“You always hesitate too much…” My mother sighed as she helped me out of the water. Then, she stopped and shook her head.
“No, it’s not your fault.”
She gently stroked my head and smiled.
“Don’t push yourself so hard. You don’t need to. I love you just the way you are.”
I grinned.
By now, I had learned how these moments always played out. If I were with anyone else, I wouldn’t have stayed in the hot water until I was half-conscious.
But with my mother, it was different.
I knew how she would react, and I liked seeing that expression on her face.
Does she know that, in front of her, I always end up exaggerating my efforts?
As she fanned me gently and spoke in her kind voice, I closed my eyes.
I felt completely safe and happy.
If I could receive this kind of love from my mother, I wouldn’t mind being boiled in hot water over and over again.
But my mother was sharp. After seeing me overheat a few times, she quickly learned to stop me before it went too far.
Now, she watched me closely and told me to get out as soon as I looked even a little unwell.
And so, I was eventually kicked out of the bath.
After getting dressed, I wandered around the wooden fence, taking a walk. Somewhere nearby, insects chirped softly, and a large, round, white moon hung in the sky like a queen.
A deep floral scent drifted through the cool night air.
My mother loves things like this. And I— I love them too.
A sense of calm washed over me as if I were floating in warm water. My chest tingled, and a small smile crept onto my lips.
As I fully immersed myself in the peaceful atmosphere, I suddenly heard a rustling sound near the wooden fence.
Was it a wild animal?
I focused my gaze on the bushes beneath the fence. The leaves trembled slightly once more.
Then, a small girl suddenly poked her head out and crawled into view.
My eyes widened.
“Who…?”
Hearing my voice, the girl looked up.
She had sharp, cat-like eyes, small lips, and rosy cheeks— for a moment, she looked just like a fairy from a summer night’s dream.
Then, her expression turned anxious.
“Huh? Where is this?”
She glanced around in confusion, looking lost.
The fairy-like impression vanished, leaving behind an ordinary, flustered human girl.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Kneeling, I reached out to help her up— but then, I paused.
Oh. I couldn’t use my right hand.
Instead, I offered my other hand, helping her to her feet.
“Who are you? Which family are you from? If you’re lost, I can call a maid to guide you back.”
She looked about fourteen, with a rather sharp and confident expression.
“I’m Parin Millerst.
The youngest daughter of the Millerst Count family.”
Her introduction was clear and precise, showing she had been well-educated. Since I had never heard of them, they were probably a noble family from the countryside.
She was bright— and a little cheeky.
“Did your husband hit you?”
Her wide eyes were filled with curiosity.
I inhaled sharply and immediately denied it.
“No!”
Then, I paused.
Wait. But he’s not my husband anymore.
So I calmed myself and repeated, “Really, no.”
Parin stared at my bruised cheek and injured arm.
“Liar. My sister was the same. She always said it wasn’t true, but her husband did hit her. Her face was all purple and yellow. My mom says men like that are no good.”
Her eyes were full of certainty.
She completely misunderstood.
I sighed.
“You’re right. A man who hits a woman is no good. Never forget that.”
“Then do you have to keep getting hit because it’s your fate?”
I burst into laughter.
“Who told you that?”
Parin rolled her eyes.
“My sister. She says she’s doomed.”
I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. Instead, I took her small hand and pulled her along.
“You shouldn’t say things like that. And ‘doomed’ is not a nice word. You should speak politely and kindly.”
She chartered away as we walked. She complained that there were only knights and soldiers in her hometown, that she was bored, that she wanted to live in a beautiful place like this, and that she wished she could attend ballroom dances in the capital.
Ah, so her family must be from the border region, involved in the military.
That explained why I had never heard of them— our circles never overlapped.
I casually mentioned that our house had a grand ballroom, and I’d love to show it to her.
At that, Parin’s eyes sparkled.
“What’s your name, sister? What do you like? I saw some beautiful flowers in our garden— should I bring you some?”
Oh, this girl.
I barely held back my laughter.
She was so obvious!
And suddenly, she was speaking in formal language?
She was too easy to read, which somehow made her even more endearing.
Parin loved talking about dresses and desserts.
At times, she seemed clever beyond her years, yet in other moments, she was adorably simple-minded.
“So, when you cut into it, melted chocolate pours out? What does that taste like…?”
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity— but just then, someone peeked out from behind the wooden fence.
“Parin! Come back right this—”
Our eyes met.
It was a young man with short, straw-colored hair and blue eyes.
His face immediately turned red.
And just like that, he froze.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
Then, suddenly, he ducked behind the fence and disappeared.
I blinked in confusion.
…What just happened?
A few moments later, the young man appeared at the front gate.
Introducing himself as Ian Millerst, he greeted me politely— though his eyes flickered with uncertainty when he saw me again.
He looked about the same age as Lysdel, maybe a little over twenty.
“I’m sorry for any trouble my sister caused. She’s still young and doesn’t know better. Please allow me to offer my thanks.”
His voice was fresh and youthful.
Seeing how nervous he was, I thought, If I had a little brother who had suddenly grown up, would this be what it felt like?
Though he was likely a year or two younger than me, my past experiences made me feel oddly generous.
“It’s fine. Nothing bad happened, and I enjoyed meeting her.”
Ian hesitated as if wanting to say something, but before he could, Parin wrinkled her nose and said,
“Ian, why are you acting so weird? Did you take medicine or something?”
Ian turned bright red.
Seeing him flustered, I felt sorry for him and lightly pressed my palm against Parin’s head.
“Parin, that’s rude. Even if he’s your brother, you should be polite.”
Parin pouted but stayed quiet.
I quickly tried to smooth things over.
“Thankfully, no harm was done, and I found this meeting enjoyable. There’s no need for any special thanks.”
Just then, Ian hesitated, then extended his hand.
In it was a single, perfectly bloomed rose, untouched by any insects.
“I wasn’t sure if you liked flowers, but… would you accept this?”
Despite his blushing face, his eyes were bright as he looked at me.
I suddenly remembered Parin’s earlier words about bringing me flowers.
So they were siblings.
So honest and lovable that it was almost funny.
Smiling, I accepted the rose.
“Of course. It’s beautiful.”
Ian beamed, his face lighting up with pure joy.
After that, he cheerfully took his sister home.
Parin waved enthusiastically, promising to visit again.
Once they were gone, I chuckled.
They were so different from the people in the capital— so fresh and lively.
Even I felt younger around them.
I lifted the rose to my nose and inhaled its sweet scent.
