“What about Bruyang Trading Company?”

“We’ve confirmed they’re spreading money in multiple directions.”

Kaiden clicked his tongue.

“And this……”

It was a message saying Elsie had headed east.

Of all places, Earnest. Where Ryan Bruyang was.

Kaiden’s brow slowly creased.

Why there of all places. What on earth is she……

“Track the funds. We need to trace the flow. Pull together the information on former nobles who took his money and reorganize it……”

Kaiden’s expression tightened with displeasure.

“Check everyone, not just those of noble birth.”

People who chased short-term gain were the problem. Most of those who passed information to enemy nations fell into that category.

“Forgive the question, but does that include the former Mrs. Grey?”

“Yes.”

Thinking of Elsie made him strangely uneasy.

The image of her walking steadily toward the sea kept repeating in his mind. And inevitably, the next image followed.

Elsie, limp and swaying above him.

The truth was, perhaps she was nothing like what he had believed. Perhaps she was simply an ordinary woman, one who broke easily.

The thought reached that point, and a crease formed between Kaiden’s brows.

No. Had he already forgotten her father. The people killed by Henry Resleth’s hand numbered in the thousands, at least.

And among them were his own family.

So he couldn’t afford to go soft like this.

His fist tightened without him noticing.

On top of everything, Elsie Resleth, the daughter Henry Resleth had sheltered and doted on, had taken everything for granted. She had never spared a thought for the lives of people outside her world, and had grown up thinking only of herself.

Examples of this had accumulated in his memory, too many to count.

While people worked half their waking hours, or more, just to pay off debts, she wandered the neighborhood at her leisure and painted.

For that daughter, Henry had assigned people to walk ahead of her and clear the path of every last pebble.

And yet the paintings that came from Elsie’s hands were so luminous, so warm……

Kaiden ground his teeth.

There was no reason to keep thinking about her. Their relationship was over.

Setting her free after the divorce was already more than enough generosity on his part. Anything beyond that was not his concern.

“Don’t go easy on her. Investigate properly.”

“Understood. But if something does come up……”

“Then she’ll face the consequences.”

At Kaiden’s firm words, the subordinate standing before him swallowed hard.

“Even execution……”

“Obviously.”

Druelsha. Bruyang. And Elsie.

He would get a clear picture of what was happening, and then bring the full weight of the Strategic Bureau’s authority down on those responsible.

That was what he owed his dead family and fallen comrades.

***

Elsie declined Nellie’s offer to be her “assistant teacher.”

She spent days agonizing over whether someone like her had any right to teach children who had lost their parents.

The answer she arrived at was no.

That said, when Nellie asked for a simple extra pair of hands, Elsie did go along to Saint Liora Shelter.

Each time, she awkwardly faced the children who came running at her shouting “It’s the princess!”

“There, fold it over like this. The dough came out nicely this time, didn’t it?”

Beyond that, she had started learning to cook from Nellie.

The couple fed her two meals a day, sometimes three, and the guilt of it drove Elsie in and out of the kitchen.

“Thank you, Nellie.”

“Not at all. You’re so quick with your hands, it’s a pleasure to teach you.”

The gentle praise made Elsie’s cheeks flush pink.

Whatever she did, a “well done” always came back to her. Hearing it made her feel like a small child.

Something in her chest tickled, and she found herself smiling for no reason.

The two of them made their way to the market.

Today, Nellie had promised to take her to an art supply shop.

“Welcome…… hm? Nellie. And this one is……”

The shop owner was a cantankerous-looking old man. He propped an old brush handle under his chin and squinted at Elsie. His mouth was crooked, and his expression sharpened before he even spoke.

“Edgar, this is my guest. You understand?”

“Troublesome sort of guest.”

“Sir!”

“Well, money is money, so it makes no difference to me. Are you starting up with painting again?”

The old man rose from his seat and straightened his bent back as best he could. The wooden cane in his hand pointed toward Elsie.

He seemed to know she had painted before.

Meeting Edgar’s sharp gaze, tension crept up her back and her heart began to quicken.

“……Yes, just as a light hobby.”

“A hobby. Well, times have changed. What used to be a refined pursuit is becoming something more ordinary…… things are different from the old days.”

Edgar’s eyes swept over Elsie keenly.

“Is that what it is for you now, Miss?”

“I didn’t start because it was refined. Back then and now, it’s the only thing I’ve ever truly loved.”

“So at least it was genuine. Not just a pastime to throw money at.”

He let out a satisfied laugh.

“Well, I thought as much. Truthfully, I didn’t think your paintings were bad. I even sold a few of them on the quiet, at a good price. My pockets were rather full because of it.”

Ah.

Something ached in her chest.

This old man had seen her paintings.

The ones people had laughed and burned. The ones that had been hung in the museum as objects of mockery.

He had even acted as a middleman, buying and selling her work. The word “on the quiet” nagged at her, but still.

“Anyway, money is all that matters to me, so take your time and choose what you like. Miss.”

“Edgar, honestly……”

Nellie let out a long sigh at his wry words.

The owner was startling, but Elsie was beginning to like this modest little shop.

Unlike the people who had praised her paintings while watching her father for approval, Edgar seemed to have meant it.

“I’ll stay and chat with Edgar for a bit. There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask him…… anyway, go have a look around.”

So Elsie and Nellie each went about their own business.

***

Errands done, Nellie and Elsie made their way to Thomas’s fruit stall.

The stall was in the center of the market. On the door hung a warm, handwritten sign that read “Reed’s Fruit.”

The shop was open to let the breeze through, and the sweet smell of fruit drifted pleasantly on the air.

“Dear! Your favorite person is here!”

Nellie called out brightly as she pushed open the door.

“Well now, what a fine and welcome guest.”

Thomas turned his head from behind the counter.

He and Nellie fussed over Elsie together. Her ears turned red with embarrassment.

She waved a hand to make them stop, and Thomas and Nellie burst into warm laughter and apologized.

“Hello.”

“It feels different seeing you in the shop. Elsie.”

Elsie smiled shyly and took Thomas’s outstretched hand in a light handshake.

His hand was damp with sweat, but the warmth in it felt kind. The knowledge that people who genuinely cared for her still existed settled deep in her chest.

“Could you recommend some apples for baking an apple pie later?”

“I’ll pick out the best ones myself. The sweetest and freshest in the world.”

The shop was filled with a quiet, warm ease.

Black wooden crates were stacked neatly on the floor, and the shelves held raisins, dried apricots, lemon leaves, and more.

Nellie moved toward the counter and began quietly telling Thomas about the conversation with Edgar.

Not wanting to interrupt them, Elsie stood at the display and picked up a small tangerine.

The fresh citrus scent drifted to her nose and lifted her mood.

She was absorbed in looking at the fruit when the shop door opened quietly.

The footsteps were somehow too heavy for an ordinary customer. The sharp-pressed coat and gleaming gloves were equally out of place.

“Is this…… Reed’s Fruit?”

A man in a suit buttoned all the way to the throat stepped over the threshold, glanced briefly around, and gave Thomas a short bow.

“I’m visiting shops recommended by the Merchants’ Association for a fresh produce supply contract.”

Thomas’s expression shifted subtly.

“‘Visiting.’ We haven’t even started doing business, and that’s a strong word.”

“Ah, my apologies. Since you’re a member of the Earnest Merchants’ Association, I spoke too casually. In any case, we’ve had a great deal of interest in our trading company recently…… if you’re interested, please reach out to us here.”

The man pulled out a card with practiced ease and set it on the counter.

“I’m from Bruyang Trading Company.”

In that moment, Elsie’s heart dropped for no reason she could name.

Bruyang.

Ryan Bruyang came to mind on its own.

“I’ve heard a bit from the Association. I’ll think it over and be in touch.”

“Of course. I’ll be waiting. Then.”

The man gave Thomas a businesslike bow, his wariness plain. Before leaving the shop, he glanced at Elsie and gave her a brief nod as well.

The look told her he knew who she was. Elsie’s eyes flickered.

The thought crossed her mind that coming east might have been a mistake. But then, coming here had brought her good people.

Even so, a dark feeling settled over Elsie that life here would be no easier.