After putting away the gardening tools, Boka locked the storage room door.

Duke Agnes’s residence looked deep and silent under the dusk. From this spot, he would often see Duke Clar sitting at the second–floor window.

Clar was an old man full of thought and wisdom. You could feel it from his words, from those weathered eyes. These days he almost never left the house, the number of guards had clearly increased, and that even included Ian, the Knight Commander.

Boka hadn’t been blamed at all by Gna for slipping away from the brothel the other day. Instead, Gna had just patted him kindly on the shoulder, as if he understood, and said nothing more.

Work finished earlier than usual today. The steward seemed to have received an order. Aside from what Duke Clar needed for his daily life, no other staff were allowed to stay in the residence after dark. As for this sudden new rule, Boka actually welcomed it. It meant he could go home earlier.

During his days in Albion, Boka had gradually gotten familiar with the main city’s roads. He still didn’t have a clear grasp of every winding alley, but he had a rough idea of the main routes connecting the districts.

He’d told Cynthia in the morning that he’d be going out, so coming home late wouldn’t be a big problem.

Even so, once he thought of that, he still quickened his pace toward the brothel.

He reached that dark alley again, greeted the doorkeeper, and slipped into the hidden dark–red building. The madam clearly remembered him; he was Gna’s student, after all. After exchanging a few perfunctory lines, Boka stated why he’d come.

“I’m looking for Baird. Can I go up?” he said directly.

“Mr. Baird?” The madam frowned. “He’s already left.”

“He’s gone?”

Boka obviously didn’t buy it. Baird had probably told her something, at least to keep his whereabouts secret. But the madam was good at reading people. She spotted the doubt in his eyes right away.

“Don’t believe me?” she said, still smiling. “Come upstairs. You can see for yourself.”

Boka answered with a nod and followed her.

The brothel still carried that distinctly feminine scent. That particular female smell was a little astringent, making Boka feel awkward and out of his depth.

The madam opened Baird’s door and let Boka in.

“See? He really isn’t here.” She flicked her fan. “Mr. Baird left yesterday.”

The room had already been tidied up, the furnishings neat and clean. Last time there had been a lot of books here, but now they were gone. If Baird was deliberately hiding, he clearly hadn’t had time to prepare. The bedroom didn’t look like anyone was living there. Had Baird really left? Maybe once he realized Boka had found his place, he’d decided it wasn’t safe anymore.

Boka felt a bit helpless. He’d come to discuss something and hoped to get answers from Baird. Now he just felt completely on his own.

After that, he apologized to the madam. His behavior had been rather rude.

Back on the bustling main street, Boka finally felt a little calmer. He’d grown afraid of being alone; quiet places were becoming unbearable for him.

There was a sweet smell of alcohol in the air. Following it, Boka saw rows of oak barrels stacked in front of a shop. The tempting aroma was coming from there. If Aisha were here, she definitely wouldn’t be able to hold herself back.

Boka had the sudden thought of buying some to take home for her, but quickly shot the idea down himself. Yesterday, Cynthia had just recovered from her illness, got out of bed, and gone to wake Aisha—only to find her reeking of booze. Cynthia had been so furious she’d punched Aisha twice, leaving two big lumps on her head. If that scene repeated itself because of him, Boka wouldn’t escape a beating either.

It was at that moment that Boka suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the jostling crowd.

Lily…

Why was she wandering around outside during brothel hours? Boka felt a prickle of suspicion. His subconscious told him this might be connected to Baird, since Baird had once lived right next door to Lily. He didn’t know the truth, but he had to follow and see.

Lily clearly knew the main city’s routes better than he did. She crossed two districts, avoided the cold, empty alleys, and walked along the docks where workers still labored at night. She was carrying a wrapped bundle in her arms, walking like a little sprite, humming a tune, her shoulder–length blond hair fluttering in the wind.

At last, Lily reached her destination.

A monastery… no, not quite. Aside from the emblem on the building, there were almost no signs showing it had anything to do with a church.

“Smack!”

Something cold hit Boka’s forehead. He touched his face. Sticky. A raw egg.

“You tailed me for two whole streets and thought I wouldn’t notice, you big idiot egg!” Lily shouted from not far away.

Another egg smashed against Boka’s face.

“Go eat shit!”

Boka stood there silently for a moment, then suddenly lunged at her.

“You little brat!” He smeared the egg all over Lily’s face in return.

“Eat shit, you stalker!”

Boka and Lily tugged hard at each other’s cheeks.

“Where’s Baird?!”

“How would I know where Baird is?!” Lily yelled.

“Then what are you doing here?”

“This is an orphanage, you moron!”

An orphanage… Boka slowly loosened his grip on her. No wonder there was a monastery’s symbol on the building; it turned out to be an organization tied to the Church. But why was Lily coming here?

“Litviak, what’s going on?”

At some point, a nun had appeared behind them. She looked to be in her twenties; behind that peaceful, solemn beauty was a woman who could make eyes shine.

“Ah, Liz!” Lily’s eyes lit up.

Boka froze for a moment, slow to react.

“Hello.” Liz gave him a small bow. “Are you Lily’s friend?”

“Ah, uh, I—I guess you could say that.”

“I am not!” Lily snapped. “He’s a bad guy! A creep!”

“Is that so.” Liz suddenly leaned closer to Lily. “Litviak, but you look pretty happy.”

“Wh–what.” Lily’s face suddenly flushed. “I am not!!”

“May I ask your name?” Liz raised her head to look at him.

“Boka…”

Resting her hand on the disgruntled Lily’s head, Liz said, “Mr. Boka, we’re having dinner. Would you do us the honor of joining us?”

“N–no, I…”

“You’re not welcome here. Leave!” Lily was still yelling.

“Then I’ll stay and eat.” Boka answered right away. “I’m hungry.”

“Litviak, a girl shouldn’t be so loud,” Liz chided gently, then turned back to him. “Please, come in with me.”

The young nun invited him inside.

Organizations tied to the Church rarely turned people away. Even a stranger like Boka would be treated with sincere courtesy.

The courtyard wasn’t large, but having a property this size in the main city was already quite impressive. It was very dark outside, the only light coming from flickering candles within. Liz walked ahead of them, leading the way to the front door, and pushed it open with a gentle shove. It was chilly inside; even on a midsummer night, Boka felt a faint coolness.

“Miss Agnes is here today as well.” Liz stroked Lily’s head. “Litviak, be on your best behavior.”

Boka’s thoughts stalled for a moment. Agnes? Why had that surname suddenly come out of Liz’s mouth? Could it be Aria?

No, he denied it immediately, mocking himself a little. How could Aria be here?

Liz lit an oil lamp and walked ahead, guiding them. The walls around them were almost entirely covered in portraits. The tone of them was a bit dark, a bit wry. They looked like people who’d all played important roles in the Church’s history. Firelight glowed from a side hall up ahead.

When Boka followed Liz inside, he saw many children, about ten years old or so, gathered around two long tables lined with candles. They stared at this stranger, some with a hint of fear in their eyes, the rest filled with curiosity and excitement. A few elderly nuns sat among the children, studying Boka with doubtful looks.

Lily, on the other hand, moved as if she knew the place by heart. She handed two of the bundles to Liz.

“These are eggs and candy. The candy’s from my customers.”

“That’s quite a lot,” Liz said.

“Yep. I haven’t even eaten any myself. Let’s share it with everyone.”

Watching Lily, Boka felt something he couldn’t quite put into words. All of a sudden, his own presence felt awkward and out of place.

“You, why do you—”

“Why what?” Lily shot back.

“Nothing…” Boka swallowed his question.

“You’re wondering why someone who works in a brothel would come to an orphanage, right?” Lily had already seen through what he was thinking.

“I’m just working there part–time.” She pulled a face. “The madam there used to be taken in here too. She’s Liz’s friend.”

“I—I see.” Boka was clearly surprised.

Just then, Liz said, “Litviak, you still haven’t greeted Miss Agnes, have you?”

Lily’s face visibly stiffened. Looking unusually stiff and formal, she walked over to the woman sitting at the end of the table and bowed.

“I’m honored to see you, Miss… Miss Agnes.”

“Mm.” Aria answered softly.

…

Boka’s gaze followed Lily. At the corner of the table sat a cold, distant–looking woman. There wasn’t a trace of emotion on her face; she simply watched in silence, as if everything around her had nothing to do with her world. It really was Aria. What was she doing here…?

Aria had noticed Boka too. For a moment, a faint light flashed in her eyes as their gazes met.

“Do you know Miss Agnes?” Liz suddenly asked.

“Uh, n–no, I—” Boka’s voice caught.

Because of how far apart their statuses were, he didn’t want to admit in front of others that he knew Aria.

But instead, Aria spoke up out of nowhere. “Aren’t you going to sit?”

She glanced at the seat beside her, signaling for Boka to take it.

“Oh…”

“So you two are acquainted.” Liz smiled. “Miss Aria rarely speaks up first.”

No one knew better than Boka how sparing Aria was with words. Aside from that night, he’d never heard her say more than ten words in a row. So other than Liz, both Lily and the other nuns were stunned.

“How’s your injury?” Aria lowered her eyes to the candlelight, her gaze never landing directly on Boka.

She must mean the two arrows he’d blocked for her. Was she actually concerned? Did she feel indebted to him? Boka wondered. But he’d already told her—it had been nothing more than instinct, a reflex. He didn’t want her to dwell on it.

He tapped his back lightly. It still hurt a lot, but to prove he was fine, he forced a smile.

“It’s fine now. All healed.”

“Good,” she murmured.

A tall knight stood in the corner. Hidden in the dark, Boka only noticed him by accident and nearly jumped. He recognized the man: the one who’d been sleeping upright in the hallway outside Aria’s bedroom.

Liz brought Boka a wooden tray with rye bread and vegetables, plus a bit of minced meat. In contrast, the food on Aria’s plate was almost untouched. Only a few beans seemed to have made it into her stomach. Boka suddenly lost his appetite. He felt like he couldn’t sit here and “have dinner with” Aria. There was a sense of restraint he couldn’t shake off.

The two long tables were almost filled with children—around sixty, maybe. Some of their accents sounded a little strange. Were some of them from other countries?

“There are Nellos orphans here too,” Liz said with a smile, having noticed his puzzlement.

Boka froze.

Albion and Nellos had been slaughtering each other for a century. Yet here in the capital, there was a place taking in children from that enemy nation.

“Is that… allowed?”

“They lost their homes because of war.” Liz patted the head of the girl beside her. “But God’s love has no borders. We’re all God’s children. Helping one another is what we ought to do.”

Listening to Liz, Boka had no idea how to respond or what to ask. When it came to religion, he basically had no concept at all.

“God’s grace is vast.”

Lize went on, “Miss Aria also comes here every week to pray to God and share dinner with us.”

When she mentioned Aria, Boka hesitated for a moment. That woman who was cold to the extreme actually prayed? Did she really have a devout faith?

“But we also have to thank Duke Clar. It’s all thanks to his support,” Lize said, putting her hands together.

“What.”

“Eh?”

“What did you just say?” Boka pressed.

“Miss Aria—”

“No.” Boka cut her off. “The sentence after that.”

“It was Duke Clar who funded us,” Lize repeated, like she didn’t get why he cared. “The land and the building belong to His Grace too.”

Boka remembered. Cynthia had mentioned it. During the epidemic seven years ago, Duke Clar had practically emptied his coffers to help those in need. After that, he sold more of his assets and, together with relief funds from the royal family, set up all kinds of welfare institutions. Did that include this place too?

Boka looked at Aria. To his own surprise, his gaze was now burning with anger.

“Does he think he’s atoning for his sins?” Boka said.

“...What?” Aria’s voice was very soft.

“He killed so many people. Now he does all this—what, just because he feels guilty?”

Aria had already understood what he meant. She didn’t answer. She just went back to her usual silence.

Boka suddenly slammed his fist on the table, making everyone jump. Lily shrank back in her seat.

“Because of him, my grandfather and the others all died! Cynthia’s still suffering even now!” He was breathing hard, jaw clenched tight.

Boka’s emotions had suddenly flared out of control, but Aria stayed as calm as ever. Her feelings were impossible to read.

Everyone else was completely stunned. Even Lize’s expression turned complicated. Someone had actually slammed the table and shouted at the young lady of House Agnes!

A tall figure loomed in front of Boka. The knight who’d been standing in the corner had moved to block his way. His broad, imposing stance was an obvious warning.

“Rosha,” Aria said. “Stand down.”

Her voice was quiet, but it left no room for refusal.

The burly knight named Rosha hesitated for a moment, then went back into the dark corner.

“Boka Brumer,” Aria said suddenly. “You’re a strange person.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” His anger hadn’t cooled yet.

Aria rose to her feet. “I’m not sure. But you’re very different.”

“Different...”

Her tone was unhurried.

“You make me want to understand you.”

...

“Lize.” She looked at the nun. “That’s enough for today.”

Before her words had fully fallen, Aria was already walking toward the door. Under everyone’s silent gaze, she slipped out of their sight without a sound. By the time Boka snapped out of it, the knight in the corner was gone as well.

“Mr. Boka.”

Lize was standing in front of him, holding the tray of food she’d served him earlier.

“What is it?”

“I’m going to have to ask you to leave now,” she said. “You’re not welcome here.”