A fresh breeze drifted through the fully open window, slightly brushing Aveline’s bangs as she lay facing the ceiling of her room, lost in thought. Then she heard the sound of horse hooves gradually grew louder, approaching from a distance.

Knock knock.

The door opened slightly and Emily poked her head inside.

“Baron Elfon is here,” she stated, smiling. 

She had known this friend for only four days was leaving for the mansion in the capital. Though Emily was curious about what the capital looked like, as a former slave who had been sold by traders and abused by her previous master, she knew she couldn’t ask for more from the baron. If not for him, she would be dead by now.

Aveline hastily sat up and went out with her to greet the baron.

When they stepped outside, the other servants were already waiting at the porch in a neat line, anticipating the carriage’s arrival. The two took their places and stood quietly.

The approaching carriage was vastly different from the one that had brought Aveline to this townhouse. This carriage was pure black with equally black steeds that shimmered under the sunlight. With the thunder of their powerful legs, the carriage quickly arrived before them.

Up close, Aveline noticed the carriage bore an insignia: a silver scepter and black sword crossed in front, with a gold crown behind them featuring a rather large red gemstone, and all of these elements were encircled by two rings.

As the driver opened the door, Baron Elfon descended with his signature amicable smile.

“Welcome, Baron.” Everyone greeted him in unison, including Aveline, with a respectful bow.

“You don’t have to do this every time I come,” the baron said with a helpless chuckle as he helped the elderly head maid straighten up.

“We can’t help it. If it weren’t for the baron, we wouldn’t be here. We’ll be eternally grateful to you,” Madam Emma said, smiling, the wrinkles on her face deepening with warmth.

The baron merely chuckled again, looking at everyone until his gaze rested on Aveline. He then urged them all to go back inside, as it was scorching outside. 

Afterwards, everyone returned to their work, leaving Aveline and the baron alone in the entrance hall.

“I’ll quickly prepare, sir.”

“Yes, let’s depart soon.”

Aveline immediately went to her room and packed her pitifully small luggage. There wasn’t much, so she soon was finished.

“Won’t you stay for a little while, Baron?”

Madam Emma emerged from the side hallway. Beside her was Emily, carrying a tray of tea and what appeared to be pastries in a bag for the journey.

“I’m afraid not. I’m terribly sorry,” the baron replied.

Madam Emma shook her head as if to say it was fine.

“Then at least try this tea—it’s jasmine, your favorite. Also, take these biscuits to munch if you ever get hungry on the road.”

Emily immediately offered the tea and biscuits with a bright smile.

Elfon sipped the tea with a pleased expression, then took the bag of biscuits and simultaneously patted Emily’s head.

“You’ve grown quite big.”

“Yes, it’s all thanks to the baron.”

Emily’s eyes sparkled as she looked up at him as though gazing at a father figure. In fact, in all of Emily’s memories, she didn’t know what a father was, much less a mother. All she remembered was a dirty basement filled with equally malnourished children like herself. Then, when she was bought by a noble, those memories were replaced with scolding, whips, and mistreatment. For Baron Elfon, the first person to show her genuine kindness, her devotion was inevitable.

When Aveline approached with her belongings, the baron signaled to his attendant. The attendant took Aveline’s luggage and placed it in the carriage first.

“Are you ready?” the baron asked, adjusting his monocle.

“Yes,” Aveline answered with a firm tone.

The two of them bid farewell to Madam Emma and Emily. Aveline also asked Emily to relay the message to Sir Dion that she was heading to the capital. She had made him worry earlier, and he kept asking if she was okay until he was sent out to run an errand.

After their farewells, the two boarded the carriage. Aveline couldn’t help but inwardly marvel at the interior. It was her first time sitting on such plush velvet seats.

The carriage wheels slowly began to roll, and they departed. The movement started gently until the view of the townhouse gradually grew smaller and smaller in the distance.

Seeing this, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret. She had been settling in perfectly well at the townhouse, but she couldn’t possibly tell the baron that she had changed her mind about going to the capital and instead become a servant here. After she and Bridget had begged to be accepted, it would only displease the baron if she backed out now.

Aveline exhaled a silent sigh.

‘Then so be it. I’m also quite curious about Grand Duke Estonia.’

****

In the distant mountains, part of a range where a large charred section lay, wind blew and swirled. What was peculiar about this wind was that it didn’t dissipate immediately. Instead, it formed a ribbon-like flow from atop the mountain, slowly gliding toward the bottom until it reached the charred black earth where a small village once stood. Then it dissipated.