Lina swallowed.

"With one month of work, this amount is equivalent to—"

She stopped mid-sentence, as if afraid to continue.

Lucas frowned. "Equivalent to what?"

Lina took a deep breath. "To… a full month's wages for a daily laborer. Even—slightly more."

Lucas froze.

"…Huh?"

Damn.

That was the first word that surfaced in his mind.

By reflex, he glanced to the side.

Geralt.

The man immediately broke into a wide smile, straightening his back slightly—full brown-noser mode.

"This is because the Young Master is magnanimous," he said quickly, barely pausing. "The Young Master is kind, generous, and truly cares for the common folk. We all feel the blessings of his benevolence."

Lucas stared at him flatly.

…Looks like someone got overpaid, he thought. And worse—everyone here knows it except him.

Before Lucas could speak, Elin stepped forward half a pace. She bowed deeply.

"Y–Young Master, please forgive us," she said earnestly. "To be honest… I felt something was wrong from the very beginning."

She clenched the hem of her skirt.

"My husband always comes home carrying two gold coins every day," she continued quietly. "For a family like ours… that is far too much."

Elin lifted her head slightly, her eyes serious.

"We are prepared to return it, Young Master. If this truly was a mistake, we will not treat the Young Master's lack of awareness as a fault." Her voice trembled slightly. "Please do not punish my husband. He is only a commoner who wants to live a better life for his daughter."

Geralt bowed as well, his smile disappearing. This time, he remained silent.

Lucas gaped.

"…Huh?"

Liona, standing a little farther back, couldn't hold back a small laugh. Not mocking—more like amused by the situation.

Elin bowed again, even deeper than before. "We are truly sorry."

Silence.

Geralt remained quiet.

Mae was quiet too—but her expression changed.

In her heart, Mae could think only one thing.

Does the Young Master truly not know… the daily wages of common folk?

Meanwhile, Lucas stood stiffly.

Damn. In his head, there was only one deeply unpleasant conclusion.

I feel like a tone-deaf crazy-rich now. He let out a quiet sigh.

Lucas fell silent for a moment.

Hmm… good thing I can still put on the Lucian mask.

His expression hardened, his shoulders straightening slightly. He let out a quiet breath—then spoke in a voice that sounded arrogant and assured.

"I know," he said flatly. "And you should be grateful for my generosity."

Elin blinked, clearly caught off guard.

"S–so… we don't need to return it, Young Master?"

"No need," Lucas replied without hesitation. "That was my intention from the beginning. Consider it a small act of goodwill."

He paused briefly, then added in a tone that sounded carefully calculated.

"However, from now on, your husband's wages will be reduced. Adjusted accordingly."

Elin let out a long breath—relief washing over her, almost leaving her weak.

"Thank you, Young Master."

Geralt lowered his head slightly, his expression conflicted.

…Oh my lads, why? he thought. It seems the shine of gold coins won't fill my days anymore.

Silvara remained silent at Lucas's side.

But inside her mind, a sense of guilt surfaced.

I should have corrected him earlier.

He truly… didn't know.

----

Far from the field, where the wage dispute was unfolding.

The wagon wheels rattled softly as the horses moved on. Inside the wagon, Lilia sat neatly on the bench, her hands folded in her lap.

Silas sat near the small window and spoke without turning his head.

"The maid earlier," he said calmly. "Was she an acquaintance of yours from Maidternal?"

Lilia startled slightly, then nodded. "Yes, Sir."

Silas fell silent for a moment.

Their relationship seems rather close, he thought. More than just old acquaintances.

"Don't worry," Silas said at last. "The Voss family already has a bleak future."

Lilia stiffened. "Sir…?"

"The Young Master will be dueling," Silas continued flatly. "And if the Voss family's economic situation continues to deteriorate, their fall is only a matter of time."

Lilia remained silent for a few seconds, then asked quietly, "So… that duel isn't just a rumor?"

Silas gave a short nod. "It isn't."

He continued, his tone still controlled. "If the Voss family falls, I will try to secure your friend."

Lilia's eyes immediately lit up. She bowed quickly. "Thank you, Sir."

Silas let out a quiet breath. He looked out through the wagon window, watching the fields slowly drift away.

I never expected it, he thought, that my affection for my late daughter never truly disappeared—and has now grown into my weakness.

-----

Back at the field.

The atmosphere had completely settled.

Silvara held the small chest filled with gold coins, standing at Lucas's side. The other workers had already begun to disperse.

"Geralt. Elin. You may go home," Lucas said curtly.

Geralt nodded quickly. Elin bowed deeply once more.

"Thank you, Young Master."

The two of them turned and left.

Anya remained where she was.

Silent. Upright. Far too upright for a child her age.

Elin glanced back. "Anya? Let's go home."

"I'll… stay here a bit longer," Anya replied shortly.

Before Elin could say anything—or scold her—Lucas spoke first.

"I allow it."

Elin paused, then gave a small nod and went after Geralt.

Anya stayed where she was.

Lucas observed her. Her posture hadn't changed at all—back straight, hands at her sides. Her expression was serious, slightly pouty. Her eyes kept flicking between Lucas… and the small chest in Silvara's hands. Again and again.

Lucas let out a quiet sigh.

…She's waiting for her pay, isn't she?

He reached into the chest and took out a single copper coin.

Lucas turned to Anya. "O Guardian of the Tomato Field," he said flatly. "Here is your payment. Your duty is complete."

Anya immediately stepped forward and accepted the coin with a stiff, knightly gesture—both earnest and ridiculous.

Her eyes widened. Her smile spread wide.

"Waaah… my first wages!"

Lucas held his breath for a moment. "Now go home. You have duties again tomorrow."

"Yes, sir!" Anya answered loudly.

She gave a knight-like salute to Lucas—then to Silvara—far too serious for someone her age.

The next second, Anya turned and sprinted off across the field, hopping along as she ran, unable to contain her excitement.

Liona stood a little farther back, staring at Lucas's back.

Her thoughts drifted.

Lilia… my life will be better.

The real Young Master was gone.

Silvara let out a quiet sigh beside Lucas. She clearly wanted to scold him—about the wages, about the mess that had just happened—but her gaze stopped when she noticed Mae and Lina still standing there.

Mae stepped forward half a pace. "In that case, we'll take our leave, Young Master—"

"Wait," Lucas cut in.

Mae stopped.

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