“Is there somewhere you want to go?”

“First, I want to see the white desert. I heard the sugar-like white sand is spectacular. Then I want to visit port cities, the capital, and I heard there’s a village where witches gather. They say it’s a place where day and night are chaotically intertwined—I’m curious about it.”

The two walked steadily through the seasons. Winter’s chill and summer’s sunlight wrapped around their feet.

“Sir Kale, do you have some money?”

“Yes. I’ve saved quite a bit. Since becoming a guard, I’ve hardly had time to spend it.”

Whether guard or personal maid, living according to their master’s schedule naturally left little time for personal leisure. Kale confidently smiled, saying he could play for years without worry. Julie whispered that she was happy to leave Paratan without getting married.

“You know, Sir Kale. About marriage, as I said earlier, it’s not that I hate you. I just meant the timing feels a bit early, and,”

“I respect your wishes. I have no intention of pressuring you if you don’t want to,”

“No! That’s not it. I mean…… Not now, but if I were to marry, I’d want it to be with you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Their steps halted. They were just far enough apart that the backs of their hands barely missed each other. It’s truly cliché, but in that moment, even the leaves brushing in the wind seemed to stop, and everything around them grew quiet.

Turning his gaze, there stood a man flushed redder than a summer peach. The man, especially crimson under his eyes, barely managed to nod and then spoke.

“Let’s drop the ‘Sir.’ My name is enough.”

“I’m just Julie too.”

Julie had read countless fairy tales. Stories of brave knights pledging loyalty to elegant noblewomen and tales of ladies hiding their identity who marry princes from neighboring kingdoms.

“……Lady Julie.”

“Lady is too—well. Yes, Kale.”

Beautiful, instructive fairy tales don’t feature maids. At most, they appear to covet their mistress’s position and receive punishment, or help with the Miss’s adornments before exiting.

“Julie.”

“Yes. Kale.”

But—in this moment, with white snow at their feet and greenery overhead, even if they weren’t a beautiful Miss and a prince, couldn’t they claim at least one scene from a fairy tale?

“I really, truly like you.”

His scarred hands enveloped Julie’s. Kale carefully held both of Julie’s hands in his, as if building a nest. Their eyes reflected each other. The series of movements was awkward, like dancing for the first time, and—

“Likewise. I like you very much too, Kale.”

Tender.

“……Didn’t we already say this earlier? We’ll spend the whole day just confessing.”

Julie, laughing faintly, deliberately murmured playfully.

“Julie, you said you read fairy tales often?”

“Yes.”

“Then you must know how many fairy tales end.”

His neat lips curled up mischievously. Julie, recognizing Kale’s intention, couldn’t hide her expectation despite her bewilderment.

“But this is reality.”

“I’ve seen the wish-granting flower I couldn’t show you, and we’ve been wandering all day in this absurd mountain where snow falls in midsummer—if this isn’t a fairy tale, what is?”

“It seems more like a pilgrim’s ascetic practice.”

“Having confirmed our feelings with the person we love…… I think we’ve fulfilled the requirements for a fairy tale. Except for one thing.”

The hazel eyes drew closer. A radiant, brilliant wave like a piece of cut sunlight rippled right in front of Julie’s nose.

“It’s cliché.”

Julie recalled the endings of the dozens, hundreds of fairy tales she had read. The act like an agreement toward a happy ending—before concluding with “and they lived happily ever after.”

“Fairy tales are supposed to be cliché.”

Small shadows fell at the ends of his long eye corners. The knight lowered his shoulders and tilted his head, while the maid raised her heels and embraced his firm neck.

Her feet on the snow were wet and slippery. The two lovers kissed as if they were about to fall, like reflexively grabbing a branch when tumbling down.

※※※

Violet Blanchet, who usually slept late, woke up early that day. It had been a while since she had jumped out of bed without her maid’s urging. Just as she was about to wonder vaguely what was happening, Violet startled and let out a squawk.

“Julie!”

“Oh my, you’re awake without me waking you?”

The brown-haired maid sat in a chair beside the bed, smiling slyly. The pale blue dawn light illuminated the woman languidly. She was wearing neither the pretty dress borrowed the day before nor her usual maid’s uniform.

“I’m sorry, Miss. The clothes you lent me got ruined in the rain.”

A dark green skirt dangled above her ankles. The cream-colored blouse had worn cuffs but was otherwise neat without any loose threads.

“That doesn’t matter. Why didn’t you come yesterday? How was it? How did you two—”

Something seemed familiar—she used to dress like that whenever she went to the train station to meet William returning from the academy. She said it was more comfortable than dresses because of the loose fit—it was her outfit for leaving the village.

“Where are you going? Where are you headed?”

Only then did Violet notice the suitcase at her friend’s feet. It was similar in size to the bags her brothers took when their vacations ended.

“Miss.”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry I can’t be your bridesmaid.”

Julie apologized, referring to Violet’s grand wedding that would soon take place. Traditionally, the bride’s closest friend served as her bridesmaid, and Violet had intended to entrust that role to Julie without a second thought.

It was so obvious she hadn’t even bothered to ask.

Her friend had preempted her. Saying she couldn’t do it.

Scarlet lips pressed together. Golden strands trembled finely. Normally, Julie would have given in to Violet’s stubbornness, but that day was different. Julie simply waited quietly for Violet’s feelings to settle.

“……Where are you going?”

“Well, I’m thinking of going to the very last train stop for now.”

“Are you leaving for good?”

“Probably.”

“Why?”

“Hmm, because I’m tired of it? I also don’t want to marry a man twelve years older than me.”

“Did you get tired of me?”

The maid hesitated a little before answering affectionately.

“……No.”

At her usual gentle tone, Violet threw a tantrum as she always did.

“Can’t you stay? No, at least stay until my wedding. Please?”

“I’m sorry. If I did that, I think I’d never be able to leave because I’d miss you too much. It has to be now—for me, there’s only now.”

Unlike yours, Miss, my courage has a short lifespan, she added jokingly.

Violet couldn’t understand Julie.

Why on earth? Where else could be as peaceful and pleasant as here? Judging by her mention of marriage, her family must have said something, but Violet could have easily prevented that. Not just Violet, but the other family members were also quite fond of the maid who was the same age as their youngest.

If Violet could guess this, Julie must have noticed too…… Yet Julie said she was leaving. That she would leave forever, suddenly departing at this dawn.

“Are you going alone?”

“No. With Kale.”

“Will you marry him?”

“Later. After some time passes and I’m certain.”

“Certain of what?”

“That even after seasons change and years pass—I’d still rather be with him than alone?”

“……I see. Sir Kale is a good match. But still, can’t you stay?”

“No, I can’t.”

Though they argued back and forth, Julie’s attitude remained firm.

The sun was drawing closer. Gentle hands carefully traced Violet’s hair, cheeks, and shoulders.

“I’ll write to you.”

Strong arms embraced Violet’s delicate shoulders. Julie’s body carried the faint scent of wood and the savory smell of flour.

The large window opened. Julie tossed her tightly packed suitcase out beneath it. The butler was probably already guarding the front door, she explained with a tone suggesting she found it bothersome to explain herself to anyone else.

Escaping from the youngest Miss’s bedroom to the outside was easy. All she had to do was climb down the old plum tree and slip through the dog hole.

Violet was probably watching Julie climb down from the tree for the first time. Julie had always followed behind Violet.

Grabbing sturdy branches and making her way down, Julie looked just like a nimble squirrel. Violet leaned her upper body out and watched her only friend.

After landing safely, Julie dusted off her grass-stained suitcase and looked up. Her eyes, filled with morning sunlight, were fresher than a June forest and brighter than noon on the clearest day.

“Goodbye, Vivi.”

Julie waved her hand after using the Miss’s nickname she hadn’t called her since growing up. It was purely a farewell as a friend, from someone who was no longer a maid or anything else.

※※※

“Have you ever ridden a train, Kale?”