DWBVP 09

Chapter 09 …

And the status window that had once threatened his life had, of course, long since disappeared.

‘There’s really nothing he can’t do.’

He was far stronger than ordinary men and also very skilled. Even though he had never farmed before, he managed to plow the fields with ease.

While Seith plowed the land, I worked with Ain—sowing my father’s herb seeds and watering them, waiting for the sprouts to grow.

In between, we didn’t forget to carefully prepare the herbs we had gathered.

And just like that, the day passed.

Ain also knew this mountain extremely well, and he could tell exactly where rare herbs grew. So I often went herb-collecting with him.

‘Wow, this is no joke.’

Thanks to that, our household finances were improving—no, they were becoming quite prosperous.

At this rate, our three-year plan to move to the capital might even be shortened to two years. Thinking that, I couldn’t help but grin.

“Seith!”

Today as well, after gathering a large amount of valuable herbs with Ain, we were preparing to head down to the village herbal shop to sell them. I called out to Seith before leaving.

“We’re going down to the village with Ain. We’re going to sell herbs. If there’s anything you want or need, just tell me. I’ll bring it back.”

But Seith, who always told us to have a safe trip, hesitated and walked toward us.

“Teacher.”

“Yes?”

“Can I come with you today?”

I was surprised by his unusual request and widened my eyes.

“You want to come too, Seith?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you trying to tag along? How annoying.”

Ain grumbled.

“Sigh. Ain, I told you to speak nicely.”

“Hmph. Ailette always scolds me.”

Ain whined at me, while Seith rubbed the back of his neck, his face slightly red.

“Yes. It gets a bit boring just waiting here.”

Ah, I hadn’t thought of that. I looked a little apologetic.

“Oh, I see… You’ve only been staying on the mountain. Sorry, then just a moment.”

I went to the storage room and brought out a wide-brimmed hat, then placed it on him. It was still dangerous for him to show his face.

When I saw Seith wearing the hat, I burst out laughing.

“Ahahaha!”

When I laughed, Seith smiled back, his face partially hidden.

“Why are you laughing?”

“You just look like a mountain village farmer.”

Honestly, a farmer—but the most handsome mountain village farmer in the world.

Then Ain, pouting, teased him.

“A farmhand. A farmhand.”

“Ain, do you want to get scolded again?”

When I scolded him, Ain clung to my arm affectionately.

“I want to go together~.”

“Seith must be bored too.”

“…Alright.”

Ain nodded sulkily, and Seith adjusted his hat and asked me,

“Teacher. Do you dislike a mountain farmer?”

I laughed.

“Why would I? I’m a mountain village girl myself.”

“I see.”

Seith’s lips curled upward slightly.

“Let’s go then. Our mountain family.”

“Sounds good.”

He took the herb basket from my hands, and the three of us headed down the mountain together.

I was slightly worried that those frightening knights we had met before might recognize Seith and threaten him again, but now he looked completely different from before.

I was confident no one would recognize him.

His face had darkened slightly from the sun, and continuous outdoor life had turned him into a true mountain man.

Still, his looks hadn’t changed.

‘What a waste of a face.’

Both Ain and Seith were handsome and capable—it almost felt wrong for them to be living in the mountains like this.

As I was thinking that, Seith suddenly spoke as if he had read my mind.

“Teacher, are you planning to stay here forever?”

“Hmm… no. I have plans.”

Seith looked surprised. After thinking for a moment, he asked carefully,

“Are you leaving?”

“One day?”

“…Then what about me?”

He looked like a abandoned puppy, which made me laugh. I lightly poked his side with my elbow.

“You’ll probably get your memory back by then.”

“What if I don’t? Or… if I do get my memory back, will you abandon me?”

He asked cautiously, and I considered teasing him—but instead shook my head and answered seriously.

“If it’s fate, even if your memory returns, we can meet sometimes. And if it doesn’t return by then, we’ll go to the capital together. I’m surprisingly responsible, you know.”

“Really? Thank you. I’ll work hard.”

Only then did he look relieved.

I wondered again why his memory still hadn’t returned. The detox medicine had already neutralized the poison, so I thought his short-term amnesia would’ve cleared up by now.

‘Was it a stronger poison than I thought?’

While I was worrying about Seith, Ain crossed his arms.

“Ailette. I’m coming too, right?”

Ain tilted his head as he clung to me.

“Of course, Ain. What would a curious beastman like you do alone in this mountain? Let’s all stay together.”

“Ailette is so kind! Yay!”

Ain cheered happily, and Seith smiled gently as well. A relieved smile.

Well, I suppose being in a situation where you don’t remember anything and might be abandoned would feel suffocating.

I suddenly felt a strong sense of responsibility to feed this household.

‘Is this what it means to be the head of the family?!’

Finding that responsibility not entirely unpleasant, I smiled and headed to the herbal shop again.

“Welcome, Ailette!”

The herbal shop owner was surprised to see Seith instead of the usual companion.

“Who’s this? He’s quite handsome.”

“Oh, he’s a relative. He came from far away and will be staying with us for a while.”

“Aren’t your house a bit small? Must be hard housing two relatives.”

“It’s fine.”

I smiled confidently at the two men behind me.

Ain transformed into his fox form at night to sleep, so he didn’t need a bed, and Seith stayed in the annex. So everything worked out fine.

“Our log house is bigger than it looks.”

“I see.”

The shop owner nodded.

“I thought Ain was handsome, but this young man is also quite striking.”

“They are both handsome.”

I proudly patted their shoulders like they were my own children.

Then the shop owner narrowed his eyes.

“Hm. Are they really relatives? Ain and Ailette look somewhat alike… but this man doesn’t resemble you at all. And he looks familiar…”

The shop owner tilted his head.

But Seith was not focused on that.

“They say you don’t look like Ailette at all.”

“…Be quiet.”

“It’s getting to you~”

Hearing he didn’t resemble me at all, Seith looked devastated, and Ain happily teased him, making him sulk.

I lightly warned Ain before turning back to the shop owner.

“Familiar? Where have you seen him?”

The shop owner nodded.

“In the capital.”

“The capital?”

At that moment, Seith’s expression stiffened—but I didn’t notice as I continued talking.

The shop owner went on.

“Yes. I went to the capital wholesale market and saw a missing persons list. I think he was in one of those drawings. Isn’t this man one of the missing people?”

The shop owner looked between us suspiciously.

Then Seith stepped forward.

“No. You’re mistaken. I am indeed Ailette’s relative.”

He spoke firmly, and the shop owner instinctively nodded, slightly intimidated.

“Ah, I see… no need to glare so frighteningly.”

I stepped between them and laughed.

“Thank you! I’ll check in the capital later. Maybe we really do look alike. And yes, he is my relative.”

“Right. Do check. He really does look similar. Though the man in that drawing looked more noble.”

Today as well, the shop owner was pleased with the herbs we brought and said he would sell them in the capital.

We received a generous price, and I looked at the two men arguing over who would carry my bag.

Is this what it feels like to raise a loyal dog and a cat at the same time?