Chapter 13
Autumn was Wivin’s most beautiful season of all four.
And also its only truly beautiful season.
Among the most remote of the small lands tucked away in the eastern corner of the continent, Wivin was a rural estate through and through. Its only real pride lay in its flat terrain and mild climate, meaning almost all of its residents worked in agriculture.
That was Wivin. A place so rural that its only real claim to fame was the golden waves of wheat in its fields.
The world outside was in the midst of upheaval—steam engines and pure magical theory colliding as civilization transformed—but in a place like this, such changes felt like something from a distant realm.
It would still take a little more time before the changing era reached this land.
And that was fine.
Elik looked out the window at the wheat fields where the harvest was in full swing.
Even in the cool air, beads of sweat dotted the farmers’ cheeks as they bent over their work.
It looked exhausting.
And yet it didn’t feel entirely sorrowful.
Because—
“It seems it really is a good harvest this year.”
“Yes, the yield is especially high. The second-best in the past ten years, and likely the first time you’ve seen such a sight since you were born, young master.”
At Aldio’s words, Elik nodded.
Indeed, in his memory, Wivin had never been this densely packed with wheat.
It was beautiful.
The sunset-painted wheat fields, glowing red and gold, were nothing like the bleak battlefields he knew.
His expression softened along with his thoughts.
Then—
“Hm?”
Elik spotted Tiria near the manor entrance.
She noticed him as well. Their eyes met, and she gave a brief bow toward the window.
Elik smiled and waved.
Seeing her brought something to mind.
‘The harvest festival is soon.’
This would be only the second proper festival he had attended since childhood.
The first had been a noble banquet in the Empire, which he attended while accompanying Elbers Graham.
At the memory, his breath subtly tightened, and he shook his head.
‘No. Comparing Wivin’s festival to an imperial noble banquet is absurd.’
This was a festival people had enjoyed since childhood.
It could not possibly be the same as a battlefield of words between nobles wielding political blades.
All he had to do was help Tiria complete her speech properly.
“Aldio.”
“Yes.”
“How is… her speech preparation going?”
“She is writing it herself. Just as the former lord used to.”
“I see. So she is also skilled with words.”
“Last year’s speech was quite excellent. It helped calm public sentiment during the turmoil following the former lord’s passing.”
“Ah… so the timing overlapped.”
He suddenly became curious about that speech.
Should he ask? She would probably answer—but it felt awkward to bring it up out of nowhere.
‘Forget it. Why would I pry into something like that?’
Elik brushed the thought away.
“Let’s have dinner soon. She’ll be done with her work around now as well.”
“Yes.”
Leaving the window behind, Elik headed down for dinner with Tiria.
The two of them now shared evening meals together.
A few days later
One morning at the breakfast table, Tiria spoke.
“Would it be possible for you to accompany me outside today?”
“Cough!”
Elik spat out the water he had been drinking.
He hurriedly wiped his mouth and looked at her.
Tiria, seemingly unfazed, continued—
“It’s… work.”
“…Work?”
“The villagers are decorating the square for the harvest festival. It’s usually routine, so there shouldn’t be much to fix, but we still need a safety inspection. I thought we could do it together. You should start learning these things as well…”
As she spoke, her gaze briefly drifted toward Elik’s leg.
“…If it’s inconvenient, I’ll go alone.”
“No. I’ll come with you.”
Refusing after she had already invited him would be awkward.
Besides, it wasn’t like it would be difficult. He could just observe her work while staying nearby.
Standing still wasn’t a problem as long as he used one leg.
“Are you sure?”
“There’s no reason I can’t.”
At that moment, Tiria’s eyebrows subtly shifted apart.
It was such a small change that Elik only noticed it thanks to his sharp observation.
She seemed… satisfied.
“I’m glad. There are some things a lord should learn during this season in particular.”
So that was it.
Elik laughed lightly.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
He almost added something like you’ll probably be doing this again next year anyway, but held it back.
“Then we’ll leave around noon.”
“You’re not going now?”
“…I need time to prepare.”
“Ah.”
Right. Women’s preparations took longer.
Elik nodded.
“Understood. Call me when you’re ready.”
“Yes.”
Tiria rose from her seat.
Her plate still had food left.
‘Not much appetite?’
He didn’t know that she had simply lost her appetite due to anticipation and gone to prepare early.
Meanwhile
Elik was the type of man completely detached from the idea of “dressing up.”
Clothes, to him, existed to cover the necessary parts of the body and provide warmth when needed. That was it.
As a result, his sense of fashion was… disastrous.
And disaster inevitably arrived.
“Young master… what on earth are you wearing?”
“Hm? I thought I dressed appropriately since we’re going out for official duties.”
“I didn’t realize the definition of ‘appropriately dressed’ had changed.”
Aldio’s sigh was inevitable.
Elik’s outfit was beyond salvation.
A sleeveless shirt in early autumn, a tie over it, a brown vest, trousers flaring oddly at the hem, and bright white pointed shoes that looked dangerously sharp.
The origin of the outfit was questionable at best, and horrifying at worst.
And the worst part was that Elik looked genuinely satisfied with it.
Aldio pressed his temples.
“…Please change.”
“Hm? Is it that bad? I heard from my travels that this is what makes a man look strong.”
“Who told you that?”
A mercenary.
Elik swallowed the words.
It was something he had heard from a particularly womanizing mercenary in the west, and the image had stuck.
He even remembered that the man had been quite handsome.
‘Of course, fashion sense didn’t save his life.’
He had his head cut off, if memory served.
Just then—
“Please change immediately. If Madam sees you like this…”
“May I come in?”
Tiria’s voice came from outside the door.
Aldio stiffened.
Before he could react—
“Ah, come in.”
“Understood.”
Creeeak.
The door opened.
Aldio closed his eyes tightly.
Elik smiled faintly.
“Welcome—”
His greeting stopped midway.
His eyes froze on her.
Tiria stood there in a simple white dress that flowed down to her ankles, with a navy shawl draped over her shoulders. Her hair was neatly tied up, revealing her slender neck and delicate ankles.
Her naturally elegant features, slightly drooping eyes, and long lashes created an almost unreal atmosphere.
“Ah…”
Elik’s gaze then shifted downward.
She was looking at him.
And then—
His mind went completely cold.
Why am I wearing this?
It felt like waking from a nightmare.
Next to her… in this outfit?
A chill ran down his spine.
He looked up.
And saw it.
Tiria’s pupils trembling like an earthquake.
This was the first time she had ever shown such strong emotion.
Her lips parted.
“Were you perhaps… not wanting to go out?”
“No. I was just teasing Aldio. I’ll change immediately. Sorry for the delay.”
A smooth lie flowed out instantly.
Aldio looked momentarily confused, then smiled.
“That was amusing.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Elik nodded in silent gratitude.
And inwardly, he could only hope—
