PTMH 03

Chapter 03

A ring with a yellow gem that shone brilliantly.
Judging by its small size, it seemed like a ring for a child. Putting that aside, it looked extremely valuable.
“I feel like I’ve seen this ring somewhere before…”

For reference, my memories from before I was seven are incomplete.
My earliest memory is holding my brother’s hand and running away from our burning house. Everything before that has long been wiped clean.
It was probably a lingering effect from nearly dying at Cromwell Castle.

After tilting my head for a while, I answered honestly.
“I’m not sure. What’s certain is that no one in our village would own such a precious gem. And our general store doesn’t help people track down items either.”
“Is that so?”

The man raised his eyebrows as if disappointed, then took the ring back.
Maybe he confused a pawnshop with a general store.
Well, I had heard that in other villages, many shops combined the two businesses, so it could happen.

He slid his hands into his pockets and slowly scanned the display counter.
After circling the general store, his gaze finally rested on me.
His expressionless eyes, which revealed nothing, softened with charm.
His gentle smile completely changed the impression I had of him. I never would have guessed he could make that expression.
I had heard that a man who flaunts himself like that could ruin a family in three generations—it looked exactly like that.

“So, what does this store sell?”
“Most people buy purified water. Some buy city goods that have been cleaned with purified water.”
“Who gets the purified water?”
“My older brother. There’s purified water in the nearby monster territory.”
“Your brother is a soldier?”
“No, he’s not.”
“Not a soldier, but he goes into monster territory?”
“Yes.”

He said it’s worth going because when you’re drunk, nothing seems frightening.

As the conversation continued, I had the odd feeling of being interrogated.
Well, it makes sense to be curious; few people enter monster territory alone.

“My brother says the monster territory isn’t that dangerous—if you don’t go too deep, that is.”
“Hmm…”

His deep red gaze returned to the display.
Since he wasn’t leaving and seemed to be killing time, he must be planning to buy something. That meant it was time for business.
I decided to take the opportunity to clear some troublesome stock.

“The item you’re looking at is a new-model calculator from the city. It’s charged with magic, so it’ll work for ten years. If you buy it today, I’ll give you a special discount.”

Of course, in a rural village, there’s usually no need for anything beyond an abacus.
I smiled brightly, wondering how far I could go before it became overcharging.
However, he wasn’t easily swayed.
“I see.”
A disinterested tone, a formal reply.

Realizing that selling the stock was hopeless, I quickly changed the subject.
“You seem like an outsider. What brings you to our village?”

The man answered openly.
“I’m Baron, the nephew of Uncle Franz at the blacksmith.”

His personal details were much clearer than I had expected.
I thought he might be a little suspicious, but knowing he was related to Uncle Franz made him feel suddenly familiar.

“Uncle Franz’s cousin lives in the capital. So maybe this man is from the capital too.”

I couldn’t bring myself to ask if he was really from the capital.
The capital, Gretchen, had long been devastated by civil war. Only the royal palace remained untouched like a sanctuary.

“I see. Welcome to Luden Village. I think you’ll grow to like our village soon, Baron.”
“I already like it.”
“That’s good to hear. If you need anything, please stop by Golden General Store.”

I gave a polite sales smile as I finished my line.
If he wasn’t buying anything, it was my way of saying not to waste my time.

However, he leaned back against the wall and stared at me silently. Very intimidating.
Just as I wished he would at least speak, he tilted his chin and finally opened his mouth.

“What’s the name of the general store owner?”
“Oh, I didn’t give my name? It’s Hazel.”
“May I call you Miss Hazel?”
“Whatever’s comfortable.”
“Good. Miss Hazel, I look forward to working with you.”

Baron greeted me in a refined city tone, then finally took his heavy steps toward the door.
Once he left, the store felt empty and hollow.
The fresh scent of pine lingered at my nose.
“What an interesting person.”

Baron wasn’t just interesting to me; the whole village buzzed because of him.
As soon as my friends spotted him, they ran to me breathlessly.
The married women were especially frantic.
“Breaking news! A handsome man has appeared!”
“…What? Handsome, not a monster, and appeared?”

While I was exhausted by their commotion, Sara and Meribel were full of energy.
Their eyes sparkled at the sight of a new handsome man.
Both of them were married with children, yet always like this.
Love for their husbands and love for handsome men were separate, their firm belief.

“Listen, Hazel. A handsome man is wandering around the village. They say he’s related to Uncle Franz.”
“I saw him too, and he’s even more handsome than the lord’s son and Duke Cedric. They said he has black hair—seems that’s true.”

The lord’s son and Duke Cedric. The top-tier handsome men the village women had ever seen.
But due to their status, commoners couldn’t interact with them. Often, even exchanging a single word was impossible.
So a handsome man of equal status was naturally welcomed.

“I saw him too. Calm down, you two.”

At my calm response, Sara pinched her head.
“Right, we need to calm down. You can get a little excited.”
Meribel nodded, holding my hand tightly.

“Hazel, you’re the only unmarried woman left of marriageable age, you know? The most beautiful girl in the village, and the last to marry—I was so worried.”
“You don’t have to hype me up. I’ll get married someday, I guess.”

It’s said that when friends and family call you pretty, you shouldn’t fully trust it.
Friends’ evaluations are generous, and I can’t trust what my brother says.
I just appreciate that they say I’m pretty, even if it’s empty flattery.

“She still doesn’t believe us. Anyway, try your best. We’ll support you.”
“First, let’s lock your brother at home. We need to act fast before Felix notices Baron’s presence.”
“That’s a good plan. Let me know if you need the key to our mill.”

I felt dizzy from the married women’s high-level teasing.
I waved my hands and shooed them away.
“I’m not interested. You know my type.”

A solid, earthy “potato” type. Far from the usual handsome man traits—a diligent worker.
When I smiled silently, my friends immediately frowned.
Sara thumped her chest in frustration, and Meribel clicked her tongue sharply.

“What? Potato? A man like a root crop who would be chopped to pieces if your brother ran at him with a hoe?”
“…Too much. Why are you insulting my potato?”

Bang, bang!
I hit my friends’ behinds with the broom handle, finally shooing them away.
It was revenge for insulting my potato.

“Stop talking nonsense. If you’re not buying anything, leave.”

Even as they were chased off, they couldn’t stop giving me advice.
“Judging by his back, Baron wouldn’t lose to Felix.”
“Exactly. Accept it. That man is yours.”
“Please! I don’t plan on it, so don’t do anything silly.”

I threatened them, and they left sulking.
If I left them unchecked, the entire village would gossip that Baron belonged to Hazel. Meribel used the same strategy when she married her husband.

As I swept the entrance on my way back inside, a voice called me from the alley.
“Miss Hazel, how have you been?”
“….”

I frowned at the unpleasant voice.
Slowly, I lifted my head to meet the speaker.
Axel Cromwell.
The son of Lord Cromwell and heir to Cromwell Castle.

He approached, weakly smiling with his friends.