“Are you sure you’re well enough to work already?”

“Of course!”

“Yes!”

I asked about their health out of courtesy, and the knights naturally replied that they were fine.

“Then Sir Ante, please chop some firewood.”

“And you two come with us to clear the snow.”

There are advantages to having people with amnesia.

With more workers, Sion and Lionel’s workload was somewhat reduced.

I found a bright side in all this and stood up from my seat. As I stood, people got up one by one and headed toward the garden.

At that moment, I noticed a small figure scurrying behind them.

It was Soho, dragging a shovel almost as big as his body with his tiny hands.

“Soho!”

“Yes?”

“Where are you going? Come here.”

“But…”

Soho hesitated and looked around nervously. Sion and Lionel, who had turned back while heading outside, looked at Soho and smiled fondly as if he were cute.

Sion came back and took the shovel from Soho’s hands while Lionel removed Soho’s robe and hat.

Then they pushed Soho by the shoulders and brought him to me.

“Stay with Lady Lora.”

“Make sure to stick close to Lady Lora.”

For once, they worked together and gently persuaded Soho. Just moments ago they had been in such a power struggle.

Soho, who had seemed determined to help but had everything taken away in an instant, made a sulky face.

Seeing this, a warm, unified smile bloomed on all our faces.

Soho mumbled, “But!”

“Soho, you have something else to do.”

“What is it?”

“Come here and play with me.”

The reason I had brought Soho from the slave trader in the first place wasn’t because I needed a cheap slave to order around.

It was because I felt sorry for the smallest, weakest child slave who would be mistreated.

So there was no reason for Soho to go out and clear snow in this weather.

Besides, we now had plenty of manpower. And very sturdy people at that.

“Those kinds of things are for adults to do.”

Irena, who was scurrying around clearing dishes, heard my words and laughed playfully.

“But Miss, you’re an adult too!”

“I haven’t been an adult for long. I’m still in my probation period.”

“What’s that?”

Irena chuckled. Soho, who had somehow made his way in front of me, stared at me with a serious expression.

Then he asked, “When I become an adult, can I be as cool as Brother Sion and Brother Lionel?”

“Huh?”

I briefly avoided the honest child’s eyes and looked at the distant mountains. Well, Soho is cute, but Sion and Lionel’s beauty might be too much to expect.

I debated whether to tell a white lie for the sake of his innocence or to teach him about the harsh reality of society, but decided to plant a vague hope instead.

“Soho, when you become an adult, you’ll be even cooler than Sion and Lionel.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But you’ll have to work hard for it.”

Soho’s eyes sparkled with expectation. They sparkled a bit too much. Feeling guilty, I pulled Soho along, suggesting we go play in the living room.

And so, sitting in front of the fireplace, I played jacks with Soho, tried knitting for a while before giving up when I couldn’t tell what I was making, and then just sat blankly watching the flames burning in the fireplace.

Beside me, Soho fidgeted as he picked up the knitting needles I had thrown aside and was knitting something.

Thump-

The strong winter wind knocked against the window, creating noise.

“The wind is blowing hard!”

“Indeed. They should clear enough snow and come back inside.”

As I looked out the window with concern, I could see five men diligently shoveling.

They all still look fine.

While listening to the crackling sound of the fireplace and absently staring at the glass vase placed on the mantel, Aria brought us two cups of cocoa and blankets.

Wrapped in a blanket and sipping cocoa, I felt strange.

All the commotion until now seemed like a dream.

Why did those three troublemakers beyond the window seem so familiar, as if they had always lived here together?

This natural division of roles and the atmosphere of the house felt oddly fitting.

As warm time passed and lunchtime approached, the men who had gone out to clear the snow came back in.

They were all soaked with snow and sweat, their cheeks flushed from the cold.

Irena and Aria quickly brought towels and blankets.

“You must all be cold.”

“Dry yourselves.”

“Thank you.”

“Sion, Lionel. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“Of course.”

Ante and the knights quietly expressed their gratitude. Sion responded calmly, while Lionel smiled brightly.

I sat quietly, staring blankly at the scene once again.

Then my thoughts flowed naturally.

What a perfect facial combination.

Sion and Lionel, with their slightly damp hair and flushed faces, looked incredibly good together.

Why would they try to fight when they match so well?

Unaware of my strange thoughts, the two looked at my blank expression with concern and spoke up.

“Master, what’s wrong?”

“Lady Lora, are you very cold?”

“Huh? No. I’m fine.”

Gathering my thoughts at their questions, I stood up. I should go upstairs before the drawing room gets more crowded.

“I’ll go up then. Soho, keep playing even after I go up. And everyone, please rest for today.”

“Yes!”

“Miss is truly kind.”

“Thank you!”

I nodded my head as a form of greeting.

***

After leaving their greetings behind, I returned to my room and lay down on the lavender sofa.

“Ah, this is nice.”

Although I would have to live with them for up to a month, giving up made my mind peaceful.

It seemed like things would be fine if we just continued like this.

They seemed to help diligently with the work, and they didn’t discriminate against the others by calling them slaves.

“I’m just going to stay cooped up in my room, lounging around.”

Then I wouldn’t have to run into them much, and when the harsh cold ended, I could politely send them back to the Grand Duke’s residence.

With this non-plan plan, I let my thoughts wander happily as I stared blankly at the ceiling.

Just lying down and looking at the ceiling is so much fun.

I spent several hours rolling around with all my might.

Then suddenly, I remembered the reason I had decided to live in the north.

“Ah, right. Irena’s siblings!”

I had forgotten with all the chaos around me. The reason I came to the north was because of Irena’s siblings.

“I should ask her what she wants to do about the academy.”

I might as well resolve this while I remember.

I got up and went downstairs but was left speechless at the scene in the drawing room.

My favorite rug in this house was curled up and pushed to one side. The sofa and rocking chair had been moved far away.

And there were colorful heads lined up in a row, all staring at one spot.

“Then, I’ll begin.”

“Yes!”

It was a group watching a sparring match that Sion and the knights were about to start.

Really, why are they doing this inside the house?

“What are you all doing?”

“Lady Lora?”

“When they heard that Brother Sion was a knight, the knights asked to spar with him!”

People turned to look at me when they noticed my presence, and Soho answered brightly.

Yes, thank you for the explanation. But that’s not what I was asking.

I narrowed my eyes and gave the knights a disapproving look, which made them flinch and avoid my gaze.

Sion also avoided my gaze. Naturally, the spectators did, too.

I let out something between a laugh and a sigh before speaking.

“The drawing room is spacious, but please don’t break any furniture.”

“Yes!”

At my roundabout permission, everyone’s expressions instantly brightened.

Well, I suppose some martial arts families practice even in their rooms. The drawing room should be fine. It’s probably good entertainment since they were bored.

Having given up on everything, I had become extremely generous.

“Miss, sit here!”

I also sat down on a chair that Irena had dragged from the kitchen and began to watch.