Light Village. Though Derek and Sophia harbored their own thoughts, they maintained a harmonious facade.

One was willing to fetch; the other, to follow. They reached an instant accord.

Sophia had little luggage. A quick pack, and she was ready to leave by carriage.

But then, Kana approached…

"Young Master Derek," Kana pleaded, "I wish to accompany you to Dakelos. I’ll serve you well."

Kana sought to repay Derek’s life-saving grace and care for her daughter, Teresia.

Derek, however, was unwilling.

An extra servant was useful—but not Kana. She *had* to stay. Someone must remain in Light Village. In half a year, Holy Knight Bysca would come searching for family. If Bysca found no one, Teresia would miss her chance to join the Holy See. Without meeting Bysca, Teresia couldn’t "study abroad." Without that, she’d never become the next Holy Maiden. And if Teresia wasn’t the Holy Maiden? Well. Game over.

But how to refuse Kana?

Beside him, Teresia was already gazing up at him. Her radiant eyes shimmered with hope, nearly blinding him.

She wanted to stay with her mother!

Absolutely not.

Derek feared that with Teresia constantly by his side—and spoiled by Kana—he’d raise a spoiled brat.

As Derek scrambled for a solution, Xinzel—who rarely spoke—suddenly intervened.

"Kana, Young Master Derek understands your feelings."

Derek blinked, glancing at Xinzel. *Since when do you know my feelings?*

Sensing Derek’s silent approval, Xinzel continued smoothly.

"But your request puts him in a difficult position. Though he saved you from the Duke’s wrath, we can’t afford carelessness. If word spreads that you’ve left with us—and reaches the Duke—he’ll question why Young Master Derek sheltered an exile. His suspicious nature will convince him he’s been deceived. Then, not only you and Teresia, but even Young Master Derek himself won’t be safe."

Kana’s face paled. She’d acted rashly, blind to the consequences.

Ashamed, she bowed deeply. "I was selfish, Young Master Derek. Let Teresia accompany you to Dakelos instead. She’ll serve you well in my place."

Derek watched silently. He hadn’t expected Xinzel’s masterful assist. *Should’ve hired him as my translator ages ago.*

"After some time," Derek said calmly, seizing the moment, "I’ll have Xinzel bring Teresia back to visit you." He’d learned a thing or two about improvisation in this acting troupe.

Kana’s eyes welled with tears. Despite her constant burdens, Derek still showed them kindness. She’d once fiercely opposed sending Teresia to him. Now, she realized: if Derek favored Teresia, it would be the girl’s greatest blessing. Where in Light Village could ordinary folk find a noble as kind as Young Master Derek?

After Derek returned to the carriage, Kana pulled Teresia aside.

"Teresia," she whispered earnestly, "serve Young Master Derek well."

Teresia, too young to grasp her mother’s longing, nodded vaguely.

…

Teresia pressed her small face against the window, waving goodbye to Light Village.

Derek’s party set off.

Xinzel guided the horses upfront. Inside the carriage sat only Derek, Sophia, and Teresia.

A long road lay ahead. What to talk about?

*Like hell I will!*

One wrong word from him, and the conversation could get… explosive. Better to stay quiet and pretty.

But silence bred awkwardness. Derek closed his eyes, feigning meditation.

Sophia, seated close to him for the first time, was trembling with nerves.

Relief washed over her as she noticed his "meditation." Then, excitement bubbled up…

*Young Master Derek’s eyes are closed!*

Now she could admire his handsome face freely!

*Ohhh, he’s so handsome~*

*Thank you, Young Master Derek, for blessing my life with such goodness~*

She clasped her hands, praying fervently.

But her devotion grew… intense.

"Sophia," Teresia piped up, sensing her odd stillness, "what are you doing?"

"Praying to the gods."

"Praying?"

"Yes. For everything to go smoothly."

*She believes in gods?* Derek thought inwardly. *Need to tell her later—gods are scammers. They prey on naive girls like her. Just focus on making money for me, Sophia. No daydreaming.*

"Sophia," Teresia asked suddenly, "why is drool coming out while you pray?"

"Eh?!"

Sophia frantically wiped her chin, her cheeks blazing crimson.

Teresia patted her arm comfortingly. "It’s okay. I get it. Sometimes I drool too."

She remembered how, near mealtimes, delicious food would fill her thoughts, making her mouth water.

Sophia panicked. *Teresia understands? Does she know I’m drooling over Young Master Derek?!*

Of course she did. How could anyone resist his charm? Teresia must recognize this feeling—it mirrored her own.

"Sophia," Teresia declared dreamily, "when that happens, I just want to bite it!"

"Eh?!"

Sophia shot a nervous glance at Derek. *Bite?!*

"T-This! This is unacceptable!"

"Why not? It’s just a thought."

"B-But… where… where would you bite?" Sophia whispered, burning with curiosity.

Teresia puffed out her budding chest proudly. "Teresia bites wherever she wants!"

"Eh?!"

Sophia felt faint. *Teresia isn’t as innocent as I thought…*

"Sophia, why be shy?" Teresia said matter-of-factly, unaware she’d just been labeled an "experienced driver" in Sophia’s mind. "Biting makes it even tastier~"

Sophia covered her flaming cheeks. Her body grew hotter. This wasn’t a carriage to Dakelos—it was a furnace. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could endure.