“How come you’re down here?” Layla asked in surprise.

  Perlnas’s status was entirely different from theirs. As a noble, she studied in an advanced class, under the tutelage of far better instructors.

  Of course, in this rather modest town, “better” was only relative—nothing truly impressive.

  Still, the academy made sure the nobility received their due privileges; otherwise, certain status-conscious parents would surely complain.

  “I happened to notice you from upstairs, so I came down for a look,” Perlnas replied casually, then asked, “Now tell me, what were you all talking about? Class was dreadfully boring.”

  Layla exchanged a glance with Bonnie, who subtly shook her head.

  Layla understood at once. Because of her family background, Bonnie had never been fond of associating with Perlnas. The last time the noble girl had offered her refuge, Bonnie had declined without hesitation.

  Now, faced with something risky, Bonnie clearly didn’t want Perlnas involved—and Layla agreed.

  Waving her hand dismissively, she said, “Oh, nothing important. Bonnie just invited me to visit her home.”

  Perlnas looked at them both, then at the boys loitering nearby, unconvinced that the conversation had been so trivial.

  Still, since Layla offered no further explanation, she let it go.

  “I see. Well, that reminds me—my uncle visited recently and brought along the newest cake recipe from the Conedy Bakery. Would you two like to come by tomorrow and try it?”

  At the mention of cake, Bonnie’s eyes flickered with momentary delight before she quickly concealed it.

  She tugged discreetly at Layla’s sleeve, signaling her not to agree.

  Layla, though tempted by the thought of such rare delicacy—especially for someone of common birth—still shook her head politely.

  “Tomorrow we have some things to take care of, so we’ll have to pass. I’m sorry, Perlnas.”

  So they are hiding something, Perlnas thought with certainty, though she only sighed theatrically.

  “What a pity. Even the most delicious food tastes bland without friends to share it with.”

  “I can go! Perlnas, please, let me try some!” Myer blurted eagerly.

  Perlnas cast him a sidelong glance. “You? A man? How shameless to show up at my home uninvited.”

  Myer’s face flushed crimson.

  But then Perlnas smiled faintly. “Still, I could bring a bit out for you.”

  “That’s wonderful!” Myer cheered.

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  “Be sure to share it with Burke and the others.”

  “I promise I will!”

  When she finished teasing him, Perlnas turned back to Layla. “I’ll save some for you two as well.”

  Layla said nothing, but stepped forward and gave her friend a gentle hug.

  Bonnie, meanwhile, stood where she was, turning her head away.

  Perlnas, as always, appeared unfazed. From the moment she had joined their small circle, Bonnie had shown her little warmth. Yet Perlnas had never once responded with irritation or complaint.

  The others had tried, more than once, to ease the tension between them, but all efforts had failed.

  Even Layla had asked why Perlnas was always so patient with Bonnie.

  Each time, the noble girl only smiled and changed the subject.

  Watching the graceful exchange between the three girls, the nearby boys could only look on with envy.

  How they longed to be part of that circle—but no matter how they tried, they could never quite fit in.

  They chatted a while longer until the bell rang, and then drifted their separate ways.

  Bayek.

  Perhaps it was due to his lycanthropic resilience, but though Glenn had not slept through the night, he woke by noon feeling entirely refreshed.

  Sensing no discomfort in his body, he went downstairs, greeting Tia, who seemed lost in thought.

  Once, he had suggested she tie her hair into a single ponytail—it was quicker, simpler, and far less fussy than her usual style. She had taken his advice, and now, with her youthful face framed by the neat ponytail, she looked every bit the picture of a diligent schoolgirl.

  Seeing Glenn, the little maid quickly straightened her dress and said nervously, “Good afternoon, Mr. Glenn! I wasn’t being lazy—I just finished cleaning, and there wasn’t much left to do, so I—”

  Glenn waved a hand to reassure her. “No need to panic. Has Ravel gone out to work?”

  “Yes, sir. The young master left after breakfast, not long after you returned.”

  After parting ways with the old cat yesterday, Glenn had come home briefly to explain the arrangement of the food supplies and had told Tia to prepare dinner herself if he didn’t make it back in time.

  “Diligent enough,” Glenn remarked with a nod. “Did you make breakfast for me as well?”

  “Yes, but it may be a little cold now. I’ll go heat it up for you.”

  She turned toward the kitchen, but Glenn stopped her. “That’s alright. I’ll just grab something simple.”

  Tia wanted to protest, but Glenn was already heading into the kitchen.

  After eating a modest meal, he was preparing to step out and check on Ravel’s work when he noticed Tia wiping down an already spotless table.

  He paused.

  Keeping a young girl cooped up here all day… she’ll lose her mind eventually, he thought.

  After a brief silence, he said, “Tia, how about coming with me to Dud Town?”

  “Eh?” She blinked, her eyes widening with a mix of surprise and joy that quickly turned into shy uncertainty. “Mr. Glenn… are you joking with me?”

  “Of course not. Judging from your reaction, it seems you rarely leave the estate. Was that your master’s rule?”

  Tia nodded. “I don’t know how other masters treat their servants, but ours is very strict. We’re forbidden to leave the grounds. Ever since I was sold here, I’ve never been anywhere else—until the day you appeared.”

  “I see,” Glenn said thoughtfully. “Then today, I’ll take you to Dud for a walk.”

  Tia’s cheeks flushed bright red; her hands fluttered as if unsure what to do. “Should I… change clothes first? I just finished the chores, and I might be dirty…”

  “That’s fine. We’re not going to a banquet. Come on.”

  With that, Glenn strode toward the door, and Tia hurried to follow.

  They hadn’t gone far when she gasped softly, as though remembering something. “Mr. Glenn, what about the other person in the house? Is it alright to leave her here alone?”

  “It’s fine. Don’t worry about her,” Glenn replied without slowing his pace.

  Since even the master himself said so, Tia no longer fretted and simply trailed quietly behind him.

  Though she had lived in this place for several days now, the eerie atmosphere of Bayek still made her uneasy. Instinctively, she drew closer to Glenn, taking comfort in his presence.

  Their first stop was the pigsty.

  Ravel, accompanied by the Night Howler, had already gone into the woods to gather fodder, leaving the place unattended.

  Glancing at the empty pen, Glenn sighed. “An estate this large… and not a single reliable hand to manage it. Truly vexing.”

  Tia looked at the pigsty—barely larger than the servants’ quarters at her former master’s mansion—and wasn’t quite sure if this was what he meant by estate.