Lucas blinked once more, making sure what he was seeing wasn’t just lingering drowsiness.
"Silvara?" he said again.
She stood straight in front of his bedroom door—far too close to be a coincidence. Her hair was slightly disheveled. Her eyes were red, dark shadows clearly visible beneath them.
Lucas frowned. "Why are you already here?"
Silvara didn’t answer right away. A few seconds passed, filled only by the distant footsteps of servants echoing through the corridor.
"I was just waiting," she said simply.
Then she stepped aside, positioning herself to the right of the door. She stood still, giving him space.
The unease in Lucas’s chest deepened. He glanced at her face again. Lack of sleep was obvious—too obvious for soone like her.
"...I’m going to wash my face first," Lucas said at last.
Silvara nodded faintly. Nothing more.
Lucas left the room and headed toward the washroom. Cold water splashed against his face, clearing away so of the heaviness in his head. Still, his thoughts circled back to one thing.
The morning passed quietly. No one rushed, no one lingered. Footsteps echoed softly along the corridor, blending with the faint sounds of the estate waking up. Everything moved at a steady pace, unremarkable, yet orderly.
Why was she waiting in front of the door?
He exhaled, dried his face, then turned back.
When he returned to the corridor, the Baron was already there, as if he had been waiting all along. The man glanced briefly to both sides.
"Lucas," he called lightly.
Lucas stopped. "Baron."
The Baron stepped closer and handed him a neatly folded sheet of paper. "Here."
Lucas took it, his brow lifting slightly. "What is this?"
"Registration papers," the Baron replied casually. "You can use them later for recruiting your guild. I’ll prepare about fifty copies first, if you agree."
Lucas paused. "That fast?"
The Baron smiled faintly. "I’d rather not delay."
Lucas unfolded the paper. His eyes moved quickly across the text. The requirents were simple. The contents were clean, clear—and already well thought out.
"I agree. This is good... It’s already solid," he murmured.
"Of course."
Lucas looked up. "Thank you."
The Baron nodded once. "You can also give a short speech later."
Lucas folded the paper again. "I was also thinking—maybe there should be so added benefits for the residents. So they’d be more—"
The Baron let out a soft chuckle. "There are no commoners who fully trust nobles."
Lucas fell silent.
"Especially you," the Baron continued, "who are still using the na Lucian. Just announce the benefits directly. Sotis, spoken promises carry more weight."
Lucas nodded. "I understand."
The Baron turned and walked away, leaving Lucas alone with the paper in his hand.
Lucas returned to his room. Silvara was still standing in the sa spot, as if she hadn’t moved at all.
He entered without saying anything.
Inside, the pouches of seeds were still neatly arranged in the corner. Lucas walked over, looking at them one by one.
So many.
He thought for a mont.
"Maybe... five seeds per resident," he thought.
After a brief pause, he placed all the seed pouches into the wooden drawer, along with the paper from the Baron, then closed it.
Now only one problem remained.
How should he make the announcent?
A soft knock sounded.
"Co in," Lucas said.
Liona entered, carrying a breakfast tray. In her other hand was an empty tray holding yesterday’s used towels.
She glanced at Lucas, then let out a long sigh. "Hey."
"What now?" Lucas asked.
"Don’t forget Lady Silvara," Liona said flatly.
Lucas turned toward her. "What are you talking about?"
Liona placed the food on the table. "You’ll be with her all day. At least don’t let her stay gloomy the whole ti."
She turned to leave, paused briefly at the door, and then it closed.
Lucas stared at the food for a mont before letting out a quiet sigh.
The day moved on.
The fields were as they always were. Geralt was already there, along with Elin and Anya. The soil looked healthy. The crops were growing neatly.
Lucas walked through the fields, checking each section. He moved along the rows with steady steps, eyes on the soil and the leaves. A few paces away, Silvara remained near Anya, standing still more often than moving. Her posture stayed upright, but her attention shifted in short intervals, never resting for long.
----
Anya sat beneath a tree, a small board in her hands. Her lips moved softly as she read.
Anya spoke while pointing at the ground, her gestures loose and unguarded. Silvara listened without interrupting, nodding when needed. Her hands stayed close to her sides, fingers occasionally tightening before relaxing again.
Every so often, she stopped, frowned, then continued.
Her eyes kept drifting toward Silvara.
Eventually, Anya stood and walked over.
"Miss Silvara," she said plainly.
Silvara turned to her.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
Silvara shook her head.
Anya stared at her for a mont, then suddenly patted her shoulder with enthusiasm. "Stay strong, Miss Silvara. You can do it!"
Silvara froze.
Then she let out a small laugh, instinctively. "Where did you hear that?"
Anya smiled proudly. "From a storybook!"
Elin imdiately turned. "Anya—"
Silvara shook her head. "It’s fine."
Elin fell silent. She studied Silvara’s face. Usually firm, sharp. Now it looked... tired. Too soft.
She glanced briefly at Lucas.
An argunt?
----
Ti slipped by unnoticed. Conversations were short, movents familiar. The world did not ask for urgency, only presence, and for a while, that was enough.
Near noon, Thriska arrived carrying a mahogany box. Inside was bread that looked expensive.
"For Anya," she said.
Anya’s face lit up. "Thank you!"
She took the box carefully. "Do I need to return the box?"
Thriska blinked. "Hm?"
"The box from yesterday."
"Oh." Thriska smiled lightly. "Just keep it for now. I’ll ask Lady Matruska about it later."
"Un," Anya replied quickly.
Thriska glanced at Silvara. "Are you alright?"
Silvara nodded. "Just a slight headache."
Thriska still looked uncertain, but she didn’t press further.
Lunchti ca and went.
After Liona stopped by, and the al passed in a quiet, lukewarm atmosphere, ti continued to flow.
Geralt’s family went ho.
Liona left as well. Only Lucas and Silvara remained.
They sat side by side, waiting for the second round of afternoon watering.
Lucas stared at the grass.
"Silvara, If I want to make an announcent. " he said at last. "Who do you think should deliver it?"
"Local soldiers," Silvara replied shortly.
Lucas nodded. That made sense.
Still, another face surfaced in his mind.
"...Or," he said quietly, "it might be better if Healer Mae does it."
Silvara turned, then nodded.
They headed toward the clinic.
Along the way, Lucas noticed the residents’ houses. Many had already been repaired. New walls, tidy roofs. Traces of the bandit attack were barely visible.
Mae’s clinic was calm. Mae and Lina were sitting casually inside.
The mont they saw Lucas, both of them stood.
"Young Master?" Mae said in surprise.
Lucas didn’t waste ti. "Mae, please gather the residents later at Voss Town Square."
Mae blinked once. "Ah, alright."
She nodded quickly, offering no resistance.
Lina glanced at Silvara. "Are you unwell?"
Silvara shook her head. "It’s nothing."
Lucas had already turned away. "Thank you. I’ll take my leave!"
They stepped outside.
Lucas walked ahead. Silvara followed.
But the footsteps he heard... weren’t behind him.
Lucas glanced to the side just as he passed through the doorway.
Silvara was walking with her head lowered, nearly colliding with the doorfra.
"Silvara," he said quickly.
He reached out and grabbed her hand.
Silvara jolted, snapping out of her thoughts. "Ah—"
Lucas didn’t let go, pulling her away from the wall.
Mae and Lina exchanged a glance. A faint smile ford.
"Is Lady Silvara stressed because of the marriage proposal?" Mae murmured.
Lina nodded softly. "Poor thing."
Mae sighed. "But there’s nothing we can do. It seems young master’s feelings are one-sided."
Lina nodded in quiet sympathy.
Outside, Lucas had already released his grip.
But Silvara was still holding his hand.
"Hey," Lucas said. "Let go of my hand."
Silvara lowered her gaze, staring at where their hands t.
Lucas’s words echoed in her mind.
Not forever.
Her grip tightened without her realizing it.
Lucas stiffened. "Silvara—"
She snapped back to herself, releasing his hand roughly and straightening her posture.
"You need to tell the Baroness," she said quickly. "That you won’t stay here forever."
Lucas nodded. "Yeah."
"Don’t use that rude attitude of yours," Silvara added. "Don’t make the Baroness sad."
Lucas let out a breath. "Yeah, yeah."
He scratched the back of his neck. "I already said it. I’ll be useful."
He looked ahead. "I’ll do my best. For the Voss family."
Silvara lowered her gaze slightly.
Lucas took another step forward. "And for you."
Silvara stiffened. Her eyes snapped forward.
Lucas was already walking faster, leaving a small distance between them.
For too?
The thought lingered as she followed after him.
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