The hunter saw me standing there frozen. Seeming to gauge our status from our attire, he lowered his bow.

The startled deer got up and limped away again. The hunter didn’t pursue further.

“Alisa.”

“Ah… I was just so surprised.”

Rashid patted my shoulder while letting out a shallow sigh.

“I almost let you see an unpleasant sight. But if he doesn’t hunt, that man will go hungry.”

“Still……”

Rashid’s words were right. Winter is a season when food is scarce. Hunting mountain game would make it easier to survive the winter.

But it was difficult to stay calm watching a deer dying right before my eyes. I didn’t want to just watch that either. Especially if I could suggest another solution.

“In Legentia’s territory, we don’t hunt young animals in winter. We believe it angers the mountain god. We believe more animals will be born next spring that way.”

It was a superstition meant to preserve their population. Animals not hunted through winter grow safely and breed in spring. That’s how species can continue.

“A beautiful custom.”

Rashid commented briefly.

“But this isn’t Legentia’s territory.”

His following words were cold. That too was correct.

I watched the deer slowly moving towards the other side of the forest. Blood followed the deer, leaving red marks on the snow. Somehow it made me sad, as it looked like fallen camellia petals.

Though it wasn’t blood.

The hunter was still there. He seemed ready to pick up his bow again at any permission.

“Rashid.”

I grabbed his arm. Worried he might raise his arm to permit the shooting.

And I gestured to the hunter.

* * *

The hunter approached with quick steps. I stepped forward to meet him.

“I’m sorry for interfering with your hunt.”

“How could I mind.”

“I’m staying at that villa over there.”

“I see.”

The hunter with his bushy beard and fur hat was curt and brusque. He seemed to be more mindful of Rashid than me. It was probably natural. If I had been alone, he would have shot and killed the deer regardless of what I said.

“Show proper respect to your mistress.”

“Rashid.”

At Rashid’s words, and me calling his name, the hunter hurriedly bowed.

Black hair and golden eyes are rare. It must have been easy to recognize the ruler of the West.

“Forgive me. I’m honored to meet you, Your Grace.”

“To the Duchess as well.”

“My lady, I’m honored.”

When Rashid pointedly included me, the hunter kept bowing repeatedly. That wasn’t necessary. The arrogant man born a great noble seemed satisfied only after receiving all due courtesy.

Since he had been sharp, it was my turn to soothe things. I smiled and spoke to the hunter.

“It must be hard work in this cold weather.”

“Not at all. It’s manageable as it’s what I usually do.”

“If it’s alright, could I help a little? I’d like to share some food with you. I want to compensate you for the deer you lost because of me.”

“What? But……”

The hunter glanced at Rashid’s face. Rashid’s expression was frozen and seemed cold enough to feel murderous intent.

I poked his back from behind.

“It’s fine, right?”

Rashid reluctantly nodded.

“We’re heading back to the villa now. Would you like to come with us?”

The hunter hesitated.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, it’s just that I have a child waiting at home, so I should hurry.”

“Alone?”

“There’s no one else to look after them.”

“Oh dear.”

I clicked my tongue lightly. A child left alone guarding the house, how frightening.

“Is it your child?”

“My brother and his wife’s child. I took them in after they lost their parents last year.”

It was a sad story.

A child left alone after losing their parents. Still, it’s fortunate they have their uncle. Unlike his rough appearance, his attentive care for the child satisfied me.

“Then how about inviting you and the child for lunch tomorrow, Rashid?”

“What?”

When the arrow suddenly turned, Rashid raised his voice in an annoyed tone. I poked his back once more.

“It’ll be nice. If we’re going to compensate anyway, we should treat you to a meal too.”

Looking up at his face, his displeasure was evident. I could almost see thought bubbles of what he was thinking. For example, ‘Why should I?’ or ‘I don’t want to’….

“It’s fine, right?”

But I was certain he wouldn’t refuse.

“He says it’s fine.”

Though I declared without waiting for his answer, Rashid didn’t add that it wasn’t.

“But, but how could I dare……”

“If you’re not comfortable, you can decline.”

Thinking it might be burdensome, the hunter flinched and shook his head.

“No, no. It would be an honor, my lady.”

His attitude was somewhat strange. But it’s good that he’ll come. I was a bit concerned about the child as well as the hunter.

“Don’t feel pressured. It must be hard raising a child alone. They say it takes a village to raise a child.”

I smiled brightly so he could feel at ease.

“Do you know where the villa is?”

“Yes, I do.”

“And it’s not too far from your home?”

“No, it’s close.”

“Good then.”

I made arrangements with the hunter for the next day. He bowed deeply, saying he would certainly visit on time.

* * *

“Thank you for inviting us.”

The next day. The hunter visited the villa with the child. The boy standing next to the huge man looked so small and delicate.

The child with chestnut brown hair saw me and handed over an armful of wildflowers with bright green eyes.

「Cyclamen, daffodils, winter aconite, edelweiss. Each flower showed off its beauty before the Duchess.」

The names of the flowers gently rose in my mind. I softly smiled and happily accepted the bouquet the child gave me.

“Thank you. What’s your name?”

“I’m Lian.”

“Lian, what a pretty name. How old are you?”

“I’m six years old.”

Lian answered clearly. Though his clothes were worn, they were neat as if he had put on his best outfit. His hair was well-combed and tidy. His eyes were clear, showing signs of intelligence.

‘Though he said he’s raising him alone, he still worked hard to dress him up.’

Imagining the hunter dressing the child and combing his hair with those thick hands made me smile somehow.

I lightly smelled the flowers. The fresh scent found in winter’s gaps felt refreshing.

“You’re very beautiful, my lady.”

Lian looked up at me, clasping his hands together. When I smiled and stroked his head, Lian gently grasped my flowing hair with his small hand.

“Lian!”

The hunter was startled and grabbed the child’s arm. Rashid also quickly pulled me to him and embraced me. Seeing that, the hunter panicked and flustered about.

“I’m so sorry, my lady.”

“It’s alright. Is my hair fascinating, Lian?”

“Yes, yes. I’m sorry, my lady.”

Lian repeated his uncle’s words with a gloomy face.

“Because it sparkles.”

I glanced down at my hair. The salmon-colored hair must have looked unfamiliar. It certainly was a rare color in this country.

When I first opened my eyes here, I was very surprised as it was a color I could never see in the reality where I came from. A color somewhere between dawn turning to morning, or evening turning to night.

“Thank you. Shall we go inside?”

I led the two inside.

The meal prepared for them consisted of warm and modest dishes. The hunter ate freshly baked bread while trying to maintain proper manners, and the child stuffed meat into his cheeks.

“Eat slowly.”

“Yes, my lady!”

Lian answered energetically. My, he speaks so well for someone so young. Watching him diligently move his small hands to eat made me feel full just by looking.

“You eat so well. It’s nice to see.”

I instructed for more food to be brought for Lian.

Lian’s arms and legs were as thin as tree branches. I wondered what size was normal for a six-year-old. Was Lian’s size typical? I worried if he might be smaller than his peers.

“Did you gather the flowers yourself?”

“Yes! Uncle said we should prepare a gift when visiting as guests.”

While I was distracted by Lian, Rashid occasionally exchanged brief words with the hunter.

“Do you usually hunt?”

“Yes, otherwise I sell firewood.”

“I didn’t see any dogs.”

“Well, I had one but it got injured recently so I can’t take it with me now……”

“Then this winter will be difficult.”

“Yes, winter is always a harsh season, but this one especially so.”

The questions mainly concerned his livelihood. Normal conversations continued, like a lord looking after his subjects.

Then suddenly,

“How did that child’s parents die?”

At the unexpected question, silence fell over the dining table.

The startled hunter cleared his throat with a cough, and Lian put down his fork while reading the atmosphere.

“Rashid.”

I gave him a look, but he didn’t understand. The slight raise of his eyebrow suggested ‘what’s the problem?’ How could he so easily touch others’ painful wounds.

But he was a Duke, and the hunter and child were common people. Those who had no way to avoid his words opened their mouths obediently.

“Well, I don’t really know either.”

“Oh my, is that so……”