Return to Franzberg
Valentine Countship
The next day.
"Hmm~ ♬ Hmm-hmm~ ♩ Hmm~ ♬ Hmm-hmm~ ♪"
"Are you that happy?"
Schwarz asked with a faint smile as he watched Milia humming to herself while gazing out the window.
The two of them had left the manor and were on their way somewhere.
"Of course I am! A whole year and a half! Do you have any idea how badly I've wanted to come back?"
It had been a full year and a half since she had left the countship.
Considering how deeply attached she was to the place, it was a wonder she had managed to endure it this long…
Knowing that, Schwarz simply nodded with a low chuckle.
"Heeheeheeheehing—!!"
Just then, the horses' cries rang out and the carriage began to slow.
Before long it came to a complete stop, and Schwarz stepped down, offering his hand to her.
"It's been a long time since I've been here too."
Escorted by Schwarz, Milia alighted from the carriage and her eyes sparkled as she took in the sight before her.
Unlike the white stone buildings of Barenberg, the streets here were lined with structures of red brick.
Though not quite as crowded as the capital, throngs of people still bustled to and fro.
Franzberg.
The sole city of the Valentine Countship, and one of the five greatest cities in the entire kingdom.
As Milia gazed upon the familiar scenery of her hometown with eyes full of emotion…
"I'll be heading back first!"
"Take care!"
Watching Ban drive the carriage away into the distance, Schwarz raised a hand in farewell.
A short while later, once Ban had completely vanished from view, Milia turned to Schwarz with an expectant smile.
"Well then, shall we go?"
"Yes, My Lady."
And so the two of them set off along the bustling streets of Franzberg.
"Nothing's changed here at all. It's exactly as I remember."
Even after a year and a half away, Milia still recalled precisely where everything was.
"It's only been a year and a half, after all."
"You know how quickly Barenberg changes, don't you?"
"Hmm… when you put it that way, I suppose you're right."
As the capital of the kingdom, Barenberg was a city that transformed almost overnight.
From the latest fashions to shops that vanished and reappeared in endless cycles, entire streets could be redeveloped in the blink of an eye.
By contrast, Franzberg had barely changed at all since Milia had left for Barenberg.
The ever-shifting, lively atmosphere of the capital wasn't bad, but for the two of them the quiet, unhurried air of the Valentine Countship felt far more comfortable.
"My goodness! Who do I see? Isn't that the young lady?!"
As they walked along, a voice called out from the side of the street.
Turning their heads, they saw a woman standing in front of a small flower shop, looking straight at them.
"It's been so long, Auntie Layla!"
Recognizing her at once, Milia hurried over with a bright smile.
"How long has it been? A little over a year, maybe?"
"About that long, yes. Everything going well?"
"Oh, you know how it is around here—same as always. And the Count? He's well, I hope?"
Layla greeted the long-absent Milia with open delight, words tumbling out in a rapid stream.
"Father is doing just fine. Come to think of it, I don't see Uncle Dale anywhere."
"Ah, him? He hurt himself a little while back chopping wood up in the mountains."
"He got hurt? Is he all right?"
"Nothing serious—just a bit of a twisted back, or so he says. Nothing to worry about, so don't you fret."
"I see…"
Layla offered a reassuring smile at Milia's worried expression, then shifted her gaze to Schwarz standing behind her.
"And who's this young man? I've never seen him before."
"Good day. My name is Schwarz. I serve as My Lady's attendant."
"Ah! I remember now! I heard the count's household had taken on a new servant—so that was you!"
As Schwarz bowed in greeting, Layla let out a soft exclamation of recognition.
"I'd only heard the rumors, but seeing you in person… you are rather unusual-looking."
"Rumors, you say?"
Schwarz gave her a puzzled look as she looked him up and down.
"Yes. There were quite a few floating around about you. Some said you were from the barbarian tribes, others that you came from the far eastern lands…"
"Hmm…"
A boy of unknown origins who had suddenly become a servant of the count's house.
It was only natural that people would talk.
This is troublesome…
Schwarz let out a quiet murmur as the thought crossed his mind.
Being the subject of gossip didn't particularly bother him, but drawing people's attention was another matter entirely.
Where attention gathered, curiosity inevitably followed—and that could lead to people digging into his true identity.
"A barbarian?! Schwarz has saved my life more times than I can count!"
At that moment Milia, who had been listening beside them, burst out in an incredulous voice.
She was clearly furious at the rumor that painted him as some sort of savage.
"It's all right, My Lady. Rumors are only rumors."
"Ah…"
Seeing the faint smile on his face, Milia let out a soft sound of realization at her own misstep.
The best way to deal with rumors was simply to ignore them.
The moment you reacted in any way, the story—true or false—would only spread further.
"Anyway! He's not from any barbarian tribe, so if you hear anyone saying that, please set them straight!"
"If that's what you wish, then of course I will."
With a light cough, Milia pressed on, and Layla bowed her head with a gentle smile. The two of them made a hasty escape from the spot.
"Whoever started that nonsense—when I catch them, they won't get off lightly! Comparing you to some barbarian?!"
"My Lady, perhaps you should calm down first…"
Watching Milia still fuming and muttering under her breath, Schwarz spoke in an awkward tone.
He had the distinct feeling that if left to her own devices she really would hunt down the rumor-mongers.
In any case, they continued along the road, exchanging greetings with several other acquaintances of hers as they went.
After walking for some time…
"Hello, Auntie Delilah!"
"Good heavens! Who is this? Our young lady herself?!"
The moment Milia called out to the woman standing in front of a bakery from which a sweet aroma drifted, a plump, kindly-looking woman who appeared to be the proprietress came bustling over.
"How long has it been? A year and a half, is it?"
"About that long, yes."
Milia nodded in reply as Delilah welcomed her with open delight.
"And… who's this handsome young man with you?"
Just like the others they had met, Delilah regarded Schwarz with curious surprise.
"He's my attendant. His name is Schwarz."
"I've heard a great deal about you from My Lady. My name is Schwarz."
"My, my. Such good manners. Take good care of our young lady, won't you?"
Watching Schwarz bow politely, Delilah chuckled softly and offered him her hand.
"Do you still have the raspberry pie?"
"Of course we do! I've been baking a little every day just in case you showed up."
"Thank you, Auntie Delilah."
As Schwarz well knew, Milia was a regular customer of this shop.
The reason was the raspberry pie sold only here.
Ever since she was little, Milia had been utterly helpless when it came to this shop's raspberry pie.
"It's so hot out—why don't you sit down and have something cool to drink before you go? I've developed a new beverage that I think will be right up your alley."
"In that case, I won't refuse."
At Delilah's suggestion, Milia and Schwarz stepped inside the shop.
"So how has life in Barenberg been treating you?"
As she carefully packed a pie topped with bright red raspberries into a box from the display case, Delilah asked.
"Don't even get me started. There's never a moment to rest…"
Working late into the night was routine, and if Schwarz didn't make sure of it she would often skip meals entirely.
The fact that this was already an improvement since he had begun helping with her work was nothing short of absurd.
"Oh dear, that won't do… You should take it a little easier. Work is all well and good, but if you wear yourself out you'll only suffer for it later."
"I know. Still, thanks to this one here, things are much better than they used to be."
"You flatter me."
As Milia turned her head with a faint smile, Schwarz gave a light bow.
"Well, that's a relief to hear."
Nodding, Delilah approached the table where Milia sat and set down a glass beaded with cold droplets.
"Oh? What's this?"
"It's a syrup made from raspberries and blueberries mixed in just the right proportions, topped with sparkling water. It's still a prototype, so feel free to be honest."
In short, a raspberryade.
As Milia eyed the drink with interest, Delilah folded her arms and wore a confident smile.
"Well then, let's see…"
Milia picked up the glass and put the straw to her lips.
With a soft slurp the level of the drink dropped a little…
"This is really good!"
"Is it? That's a relief."
Pulling her mouth from the straw, Milia's eyes sparkled with clear approval.
At her reaction Delilah let out a short sigh of relief and smiled.
"At this level you could sell it right away without any problem."
"Wonderful. I'll have three or four more people taste it, and if the response is good I'll add it to the regular menu."
"Schwarz, you try some too."
"My Lady, I am technically on duty…"
Schwarz looked awkward as Milia held the glass out to him.
His duty was to attend her.
In other words, even at this very moment he was strictly speaking performing his duties, and any deviation while on duty was unthinkable to him.
"Oh, what does it matter? You're hot too, aren't you?"
"Ugh…"
But Milia waved the concern aside and pressed the glass into his hands, drawing another reluctant sound from him.
"That's an order. Drink."
"If you put it that way…"
To a servant, the master's command was absolute.
If Milia ordered it, Schwarz had no right to refuse.
Accepting the glass, he took a sip through the straw…
"This is quite nice. Not too sweet, and the coolness makes it perfect for summer."
"Right?"
At Schwarz's brief review, Milia giggled and took the glass back.
Just then…
"Hmm…"
"What is it?"
Watching the scene, Delilah let out a low murmur, and Milia looked at her in puzzlement.
Had something gone wrong?
As Milia blinked in confusion, Delilah carefully opened her mouth.
"Well… wasn't that an indirect kiss just now?"
"Eh…?"
"What…?"
Completely blindsided by Delilah's words, Schwarz and Milia both let out dazed sounds at almost the same moment.
Silence settled over the shop.
"W-w-w-w-w-what are you talking about?!"
"Th-that is…! I didn't mean to…!!"
Seeing the two of them flush scarlet to the tips of their ears, Delilah let out a soft snort of laughter.
"Ah, what a lovely sight. Back in my day the young men used to line up for me, you know…"
"I-I told you it's not like that!!"
"All right, all right. I'll pretend I didn't see a thing, so you two run along. Looks like you've got plenty to do together…"
As Milia squawked in protest, Delilah answered with an easygoing laugh. Milia could only let out a mortified "Uuu…" and hang her head.
"W-we'll be going now!"
Unable to bear the embarrassment any longer, Milia sprang to her feet and hurried out of the shop.
"Ah, My Lady! Wait for me! I'll be going as well!"
Watching her go, Schwarz accepted the box Delilah held out and hurried after her into the street.
In an instant the shop fell quiet once more.
"Maybe I should start learning how to make wedding cakes…"
Gazing after the two figures disappearing into the distance, Delilah murmured to herself.