The man's words came out broken and slow.

Lucas's gaze lowered slightly, his eyes hardening—Lucian's persona surfaced without needing to be announced.

"What?" he said curtly. "What do you want? Be quick."

The man flinched. His shoulders trembled faintly.

"I-I… I ask for a moment of your time, Young Master," he said nervously. "My name is Edric. I am a commoner from this village."

Lucas gave a slight nod, his expression unchanged. "Alright. I don't care about your name. Tell me what you want."

Edric took a deep breath, then lowered his head. "I wish to… borrow money."

Lucas's brows knit instantly.

"Borrow money?" His tone was flat, but sharp. "Huh? Why would you want to borrow money from me?"

Edric hesitated. His gaze flicked to the side—toward Geralt.

"Ge… Geralt once told me," he said haltingly. "He said that if he ever lacked money for his child's medicine, you told him it was better to borrow from you—rather than from moneylenders."

Lucas turned to Geralt.

Geralt returned a thin smile. Awkward.

Lucas looked back at Edric.

The man's trembling became more obvious. He bowed even deeper. "I beg you."

Lucas was silent for a moment. "What exactly do you need the money for?"

"F-for childbirth," Edric replied. "And temporary living expenses. I can work without pay. Any work. While slowly repaying the debt. I—I beg you, Young Master."

Lucas let out a quiet breath. "How much do you wish to borrow?"

The man swallowed. "F-fifty silver, Young Master."

Lucas fell silent.

Damn.

Fifty silver.

The same amount as the pay I set for Geralt today.

He glanced toward the field, then looked back at Edric. "Follow me."

"H-huh?"

"Move," Lucas repeated shortly.

They headed toward the field. Edric walked behind him, his head kept low.

As they walked, Lucas's thoughts moved quickly.

I used to pay Geralt two gold a day.

Why didn't this man just borrow from Geralt instead? Closer. Easier.

Lucas stopped abruptly and turned around.

"Why didn't you borrow from Geralt?"

Edric jolted, clearly confused. "A-ah…?"

"Answer."

Edric scratched the back of his neck, uneasy. "Geralt… is the same as me. Just an ordinary commoner. He lives with the same hardships as I do."

Lucas glanced at Geralt.

Geralt looked uncomfortable. His gaze averted for a brief moment.

Lucas turned back and continued walking.

Is he hiding his pay?

Lucas did not draw a conclusion.

They arrived at the field not long after.

Liona, who was standing near the tree with a basket in her hands, immediately turned around.

"Oh—Young Master," she greeted lightly.

Lucas gave only a brief nod in response.

Silvara stepped closer. Without a word, she handed him the coat he had entrusted to her earlier. Lucas took it and draped it over his shoulders.

He then slipped a hand into the coat and pulled out a small pouch.

The soft clink of metal echoed quietly.

Lucas opened the pouch and poured its contents into his palm. One by one, he counted them calmly. Then handed the coins over.

He tied the now-empty pouch again, then handed the silver coins to Edric.

Edric's eyes widened. His hands trembled as he received them.

"Tomorrow," Lucas said flatly, "come here early in the morning."

Edric nodded quickly. "Y-yes, Young Master. I will come for sure."

He bowed deeply—this time more controlled, full of respect.

"Thank you very much, Young Master. I will not forget this kindness."

Lucas did not reply. He merely glanced back toward the field.

Edric stepped back half a pace, then turned around.

With hurried yet light steps, he left—glancing back several times before finally disappearing from sight.

Liona watched his retreating figure, then turned to Lucas.

"…Fifty silver?" she asked quietly.

Lucas let out a short breath. "He borrowed money."

Lucas had only taken a few steps closer when his gaze landed on Anya.

The child stood stiffly near the tree. Her eyes were slightly red, the lower lids damp, as if she had been holding something back for far too long.

Lucas narrowed his eyes.

"…Anya?"

Anya gave a small jolt and immediately shook her head, as if denying it before any question was asked.

Liona let out a small laugh—clearly nervous. "A-ah… it's nothing, Young Master."

Beside her, Silvara released a quiet sigh.

"…This is what happened," she said briefly.

—

A short while earlier.

Lucas had not yet returned to the field.

Anya stood in front of Liona, holding a small copper coin in both hands, her posture far too serious for a child her age.

After Anya offered the copper coin—

Liona lowered her gaze to the coin.

Silence followed for a moment.

Then—

a slow smile formed on Liona's face.

A smile that… was not kind.

"Oh?" she said lightly. "In that case… I would be happy to accept this coin."

Anya tensed.

Liona moved her hand slowly. Very slowly. Her fingers crept forward bit by bit, as if about to take the coin.

Anya swallowed. Her shoulders began to tremble. Her eyes glistened, yet she continued to clutch the coin with both hands.

Silvara, watching from the side, immediately furrowed her brows.

Ah… Liona, that's too cruel…

Anya bowed her head even lower, her voice nearly breaking.

"P-please…"

Liona finally stopped.

A few seconds passed—then she gave a small laugh and pulled her hand back.

"I'm just playing," she said quickly. "Relax. You're guarding the tomato field, after all—O Iron Knight."

Anya fell silent.

It took a few seconds before she truly understood. Then her shoulders sagged at once, and the tears she had been holding back finally fell.

Silvara immediately knelt down and gently patted Anya's back.

"…There, there."

—

Back to the present—

Lucas looked at Liona.

Liona scratched her cheek, letting out an awkward laugh. "Hehe… I was just jesting a little."

Lucas's gaze remained flat.

Silvara closed her eyes briefly and let out a long sigh.

"…Liona," she said shortly, "next time—don't."

Geralt, who was standing slightly behind them, finally covered his mouth with the back of his hand.

A quiet chuckle slipped out.

"Ahh… Miss Maid," he said lightly, "so you can be mischievous too."

Liona immediately turned to him. "Ehehe… forgive me, Sir Geralt. I didn't mean to make her cry."

They finally took a break to eat.

Bread was handed out. The atmosphere settled down again. Anya sat beneath the tree, eating slowly—this time without any tension on her face.

After they finished, Liona cheerfully returned to the Voss residence, delighted that she got to ride the horse-drawn carriage.

Lucas stood up and lightly clapped his hands.

"Geralt," he said briefly. "Come with me for a moment."

Geralt nodded at once. The two of them moved a few steps away from the others.

Lucas stopped. His tone was flat, straight to the point.

"You didn't tell people about your wages?" He stared at Geralt. "To the point that the man earlier chose to borrow money from me instead of you?"

Geralt lowered his head, his fingers clenching lightly. "My apologies, Young Master. I was–"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.