At the gates of the Asades family castle, the returning Henna dismounted her horse and handed the reins to the approaching stableman.
She then headed to her room to change out of her armor.
Afterward, she went straight to the room where Enya was staying.
As Henna approached, she heard two gentle female voices chatting inside.
She couldn’t help but slow her pace, pausing just outside to listen for a moment.
They were simply discussing various sights and stories from distant places.
At that moment, Enya was resting her head on her hand, gazing out the window.
As befitted the lord’s castle, it offered a far more beautiful view than the common folk ever saw—outside the window lay a picturesque and tranquil scene.
At once graceful and serene, she idly reached for small pastries on the table, popping them into her mouth one by one, perfectly balancing daydreaming and snacking.
Beside her, a lively and adorable young maid chirped away like a little bird, flitting from topic to topic.
Enya would occasionally respond with a word or two.
The maid’s voice was clear and pleasant, brimming with youthful energy—the kind a young girl should have.
Enya, on the other hand, was about to “give birth” to a new life.
Though the egg had not yet hatched, she was soon to become a mother.
Inevitably, that thought stirred a quiet anxiety and confusion within her.
From time to time, Enya would sigh without realizing it, giving her a touch of melancholy.
That subdued sorrow, combined with her cool yet gentle beauty, made it difficult for anyone not to feel a twinge of sympathy.
Suddenly, the maid asked a question that caught Enya off guard.
“Mrs. Clorcy, have you decided what name to give your baby?”
The maid’s big, shining eyes were filled with curiosity and expectation as she looked at Enya, clearly eager for an answer.
“Her name…”
Enya stared blankly into the distance, slightly dazed.
Even now, she hadn’t fully embraced the responsibility.
She was still caught in a haze of confusion.
Though she knew she was supposed to hatch this egg, to raise this unexpected child, it felt like her mind was still trapped in the past.
Enya could sense that the egg was a girl.
Thanks to the resonance of their bloodline, she could clearly feel it even without a name.
Because of that bond, she had never thought seriously about naming this strange little creature that had come into her life so suddenly.
Turning her head to the maid, Enya smiled faintly and said:
“If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve completely forgotten.”
“Eh?” The maid tilted her head in confusion.
Enya gently placed her hand over the dragon egg through the fabric and said softly:
“Hmm… Her name is Rosily.”
Just as she finished speaking, she turned to glance toward the door—and Henna stepped inside at that very moment.
Noticing Enya’s gaze shift, the maid instinctively looked toward the doorway too, only to see Lord Henna walking in.
Startled, the maid jumped up from her stool.
“Lord Henna!?”
She quickly bowed respectfully, her small hands nervously clutching her skirt, clearly afraid she was about to be scolded.
Henna motioned for the maid to leave.
The girl hurriedly took her leave without a moment’s delay, clearly terrified that lingering even a second longer would earn her the lord’s wrath.
After the cheerful little maid who had kept Enya company all afternoon departed, Enya tried to stand to greet Henna.
But Henna gestured for her to remain seated.
Enya’s mouth twitched a little.
Well, she thought, guess she really is treating me like… that.
Though that thought annoyed her slightly, she sat back down, albeit a little sullenly.
Enya never liked being treated like a fragile thing needing protection—it gave her the uncomfortable feeling of being controlled.
She had always been a rebel, ever since she was a child.
Choosing not to argue over something so minor, Enya spoke to Henna directly:
“It seems the lord’s mission went quite smoothly?”
“Mm.”
Henna nodded, not elaborating.
She pulled out a nearby chair and sat down, her gaze falling on Enya—who sat sideways in her chair, propped up with one hand under her chin.
Her beautiful, slightly tilted eyes looked quietly in Henna’s direction.
Henna asked: “Do you know how to read? Just to confirm…”
Enya gave a faint smile and nodded.
Henna continued: “I’ll honor the requests you mentioned earlier. Someone will take you to visit those places—you can pick one as you wish. I’ll also arrange a light clerical job for you.”
Enya blinked in surprise.
She lowered her eyes, thinking for a moment before replying: “There’s no need for the job. I can support myself—I’ve got some modest savings. But I appreciate your kindness, Lord Henna.”
Henna paused, choosing not to press the topic further.
Instead, she shifted to a new question:
“By the way, I don’t actually know your name…”
“Phil Clorcy.”
The moment Enya said the name, Henna suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Enya felt a prickling sensation—she understood immediately: Henna was probing her strength.
So she didn’t resist and masked herself to appear as a typical fourth-tier mage.
Just as Enya expected, Henna sensed only an average fourth-tier power.
Her suspicion faded completely, and she released Enya’s soft, slender wrist.
“Miss Phil… my apologies.”
“I didn’t think a lord would say those words to a commoner. It might undermine your authority.”
Enya tilted her head slightly, carefully studying the red-haired woman before her.
She was starting to grow curious about this female lord.
Henna’s pupils visibly widened.
She took a deep breath and turned her head away, avoiding Enya’s gaze.
After a brief cough, she said:
“Ahem. I’ve already had everything you asked for arranged. You’ll receive it tomorrow. The clerical job too. But you don’t actually need to do anything—the salary will be paid either way. Just take it.”
With that, Henna turned and walked off.
Truly, she had come in a hurry and left just as quickly—so quickly, in fact, that Enya didn’t even have time to turn her down again.
Seated in her chair, Enya stared quietly at Henna’s departing figure, lost in thought.
Then she murmured:
“Why’d she leave so fast…”
She thought about it for a while, came up with nothing, and let it go.
She picked up a pink-and-white pastry and popped it into her mouth.
At that very moment, Henna had only just walked a short distance out of the room.
Bracing herself against the wall, she clenched a fist and gave her chest a few light knocks.
Her gaze wandered blankly, as if lost in thought.
The next day.
Before noon, Enya was already standing in front of a horse-drawn carriage.
Only one person had come to see her off: the same little maid who had looked after her the day before.
The maid showed a bit of reluctance at Enya’s departure.
“Goodbye, Mrs. Clorcy.”
“I think ‘Miss’ would be more appropriate.”
Enya had never gotten used to the way the maid addressed her—it sounded awkward.
The maid beamed brightly and nodded:
“Alright, madam.”
“…”
Enya sighed helplessly, comforting herself inwardly—a title is just a label, nothing worth getting hung up on.
She waved lightly to the little maid.
After saying her goodbyes, Enya boarded the carriage and set off toward the destination she had chosen.
Tftc!