CBOM 57

Leto had begun to blend in naturally.

He himself had opened up a lot, and as his surroundings became more comfortable, he started to change little by little.

“Um, brother.”

“Yeah?”

“May I read beside you?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

He had started approaching others first, asking if he could do something. And though only a little, he even began to smile.

The only problem was—perhaps due to Sophien’s rigid teaching methods—once he picked up a book, he couldn’t stop until he had practically memorized it cover to cover.

“Is there any part you don’t understand?”

“No, sir.”

“That’s a pretty difficult book, you know. You’re really smart.”

“…Am I?”

Whenever that happened, Livanu would skillfully interrupt Leto’s focus by striking up a conversation or persuading him to do something else.

At first, Leto couldn’t understand it.

‘Books should first be read lightly once over, and then carefully studied multiple times for memorization. I don’t think I have time to chat or play right now.’

That was how he had reacted back then—utterly unable to comprehend Livanu’s intentions.

But now, things were different.

“Let’s go out.”

At those few words, Leto would immediately put down his book.

And once they were out, they would spend hours walking, joking, and playing before dinner.

He had started spending his time like any ordinary child.

It was such a peaceful time.

Grace wondered if she had ever lived such a leisurely day in her entire life.

Others might have called her life a miracle—being given a second chance to live again—but for some reason, Grace always seemed to be burdened with work.

Perhaps it was because her first life had ended so miserably. Maybe she was cursed to tangle up her own fate.

“Grace, are you done with work today?”

On her way back from finishing up her chores, she saw Livanu approaching.

At some point, his presence had become something completely natural to her.

“Yes. You’re here again today, I see.”

“Mm-hmm. You always pass by here around this time.”

Grace had worked as a maid for many years, but strangely, every master she had served before had been an absolute disaster—scoundrels, degenerates, or both.

She had resigned herself to it as fate. Yet ironically, the one master she had chosen without expectations—Livanu, whom she served for the sake of the future—turned out to be the most decent of them all.

“The weather’s so nice today, isn’t it?”

“It is. But, young master, why do you always wait for me?”

She had wondered at first if it was coincidence, but rain or snow, he was always there.

On bad-weather days, he would even come all the way to her workplace, holding an umbrella over her head and keeping her company.

“Well, because I want to see you as soon as possible.”

“Why?”

But Grace couldn’t understand his feelings at all.

“Hmm, do you dislike that I do this?”

“It’s not that I dislike it… I just find it curious since you could see me anyway when I return home.”

Although it was clearly a good thing for her master to depend on her, there were times when it felt burdensome—because, after all, a maid was still just a maid.

No matter how grateful he was that she stayed by his side in hard times, what kind of master went this far?

“I told you—because I want to see you.”

“All right.”

“You don’t hate it, right?”

“No, I don’t.”

He always watched her expression too carefully.

“Then it’s fine if I keep waiting for you? And pick you up?”

“Yes, of course.”

Grace let it go with a small smile—thinking that maybe Livanu was just naturally like this.

After all, he often showed a surprisingly kind side to Leto as well.

She never once suspected that his kindness toward Leto partly stemmed from not wanting the boy and her to become too close.

Before anyone realized, more than two years had passed since Livanu came down to the Albata Villa.

Grace had thought that once he learned to handle mana, his skin condition would improve quickly—but progress was slower than she had hoped.

What was wrong?

She had assumed that beginning sword training earlier would make the healing faster, but that hadn’t been the case.

Had she missed something?

“Young master, congratulations!”

Even so, Livanu had achieved remarkable progress in just two years.

It was said that his skills could easily surpass those of most knights.

Even Ahin admitted he had nothing left to teach him.

In other words, Livanu had completely exhausted his master’s lessons—in just two years.

“Thank you.”

Under the sunlight that gleamed upon his golden hair, Livanu smiled brightly.

Though his recovery wasn’t as quick as Grace had hoped, his features had become clearer—his eyes, nose, and mouth properly defined.

Before, even when he smiled, his face looked twisted somehow. Now, when he smiled, one could truly see that he was smiling.

He looked human again.

Maybe he’d still get teased for being plain-looking, but that was about it.

Even Ahin had said he couldn’t be sure whether the skin disease would ever fully heal—so perhaps this really was the best outcome for now.

“How about we dine out today? It’s been a while.”

Much had changed in those two years.

After his first outing, Livanu would often go out with Grace.

He even began, little by little, to talk with the townspeople—who all seemed to be social butterflies themselves.

“Sure, sounds good.”

“What would you like to eat?”

“Whatever Grace wants.”

“I’m fine with anything.”

“Me too. Then maybe we’ll ask Leto.”

Livanu handed the decision to Leto.

“I’d like to eat Aunt Stella’s home-style cooking.”

Leto answered right away—but that happened to be Grace’s favorite restaurant.

So really, it was just another way for Livanu to let her choose.

Caught in the brothers’ playful scheme, Grace could only laugh helplessly.

Together, the three headed out for a rare meal in town.

This time, Livanu had thrown off the stifling robe he always wore when going outside.

“Oh my, young masters—it’s been a while!”

Even so, the townsfolk greeted him casually, making eye contact without fear or hesitation.

“Hello.”

Livanu and Leto smiled back at them warmly.

They had grown familiar with the villagers over time.

It had all begun one day when Livanu’s face had started to show slow but steady improvement.

Around that time, Leto had also gone on a few walks outside, sometimes accompanied by Livanu.

During one such walk, a child accidentally bumped into Livanu—knocking off his robe.

Everyone gasped. His face beneath the robe was unsettling to behold.

But most villagers, after a brief shock, continued to treat him just as before.

Of course, not everyone was so accepting—but gradually, even the hesitant ones opened their hearts. Now, Livanu could walk the streets freely without issue.

“Still, doesn’t the town seem noisier today?”

“An outsider arrived—first time in two years.”

“Really?”

“Yes. From what I heard, he doesn’t seem like a bad person.”

“You’ve spoken with him already?”

“Yeah. Said his business went bankrupt and he had nowhere else to go.”

The villager clicked his tongue sympathetically.

“Oh dear. That’s unfortunate.”

“If you’re curious, you should go see him. Moved into the house with the green roof.”

“I might do that.”

It truly was a strangely welcoming village toward strangers.

As they parted from the villager and headed toward Stella’s restaurant, Livanu asked,

“Are you going to see him?”

“Why, are you curious?”

“No, I was wondering if you were.”

“Not really. Maybe I’ll just say hello if we happen to meet.”

At that moment, Grace genuinely had no particular interest in the newcomer.

But then—

“Oh, Grace! Young masters, hello!”

“Mrs. Johnson, good day.”

“Ah, right, this is the gentleman who just moved in.”

The man talking with Mrs. Johnson looked somewhat awkward, pushing up his round glasses before greeting them politely.

“I’m Avolant. Pleased to meet you…”

At the sound of his name, Grace froze and blurted out unintentionally,

“What?”

“Pardon?”

Avolant, confused, echoed her.

“Did you say your name is Avolant?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“By any chance… are you a merchant?”

Avolant’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You… know me?”

“Oh my goodness.”

Grace couldn’t help exclaiming.

But wait—his trading company collapsed?

She remembered clearly: Avolant had once been the head of the massive Platt Trading Company.

“I wasn’t part of any major company, really…”

“Not… major?”

“Yes. But how do you know me, exactly?”

Avolant stared at her curiously.

Grace hesitated—she couldn’t very well say, I’ve turned back time and already know how successful you’ll become.

So she came up with a plausible explanation on the spot.

“You just looked like a merchant. Wearing glasses means you probably handle lots of paperwork, but you’re also well-built, which suggests you do some physical work too. And from what I’ve heard, most merchants, no matter their financial troubles, refuse to look shabby. Yet your clothes are still quite fine for someone claiming to be down on their luck.”

“…You noticed all that in just a moment?”

Avolant blinked, astonished.

In truth, she didn’t know a thing about merchants.

She had merely recalled seeing Avolant give a speech once, in her previous life.

Back then, he’d said the key to his success was imagination and always carrying oneself with confidence.

“Yes.”

Though she hadn’t imagined this was what he meant by confidence.

“…You have an incredible eye for detail!”

Avolant exclaimed in admiration.