Nonna had been slouching on the sofa, but then she suddenly bolted upright. I found myself paying attention from the corner of the living room. I’d been sitting there in the same spot doing embroidery all morning, and at some point, Nonna and Elizabeth had come into the room to chat.
“Come to think of it, Master Clark’s father is the minister of foreign affairs, isn’t he? Do you think he might tell me something if I went to talk to him?”
“What could he tell you?”
“Like whether or not Ashbury and Subartu are heading toward war.”
“Nonna…”
Normally, Elizabeth was quite a pushover when it came to Nonna, but now she was smiling sheepishly at her like an older sister.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“No foreign affairs minister worth his salt would just casually disclose classified information like that to his son’s friend. Master Clark is heading to the place where he can make his mark, right? Then you should just wait patiently and not get in the way. Don’t you think that’s the best thing for you to do, Nonna?”
“Elizabeth…”
“What?”
“That’s surprisingly wise of you.”
“Well, you don’t have to put it like that. Now, let’s eat some of the baked goods my cook sent over with me. Sweets always help lift your spirits!”
I quietly got up, left the room, and asked Bertha to bring some tea to Nonna and Elizabeth. “I’m just stepping out for a bit,” I said, and then I got in the carriage and left.
I was heading to the abbey to talk with someone.
The Mother Superior said hello to me with a smile, like always. I was especially grateful for her kind greeting at a time like this.
“Welcome, Lady Asher. The ointment production is going very smoothly.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m sorry for not being able to visit for so long.”
“It’s quite all right. Lord Asher contacted me and told me you would be very busy. Please don’t worry.”
There was a sort of quiet energy in the workshop.
Some women were stirring the ointment mixtures in a pot, while others were filling containers with the finished ointment. Some women were labeling containers, while others were packing the products into boxes.
Knowing the reward we received from the gold discovery had helped all these women, even in a small way, allowed me to stop ruminating over negative thoughts like If only I hadn’t solved that code, then Jeff would still be here right now.
“The sheep farm is also doing well. Lord Asher said we should hire someone to manage it, so I’ve fielded a strong man who has experience in that area,” Mother Superior Eliza said.
“Oh yes, I received a letter about that.”
“The caretaker is already at the farm, so please go see him at any time. He’s a kind man, and the women who work there rely on him.”
“I see.”
The operation of the sheep farm had been entrusted to some women from the abbey who’d volunteered for the job.
That’s right, I did get a letter saying they hired a caretaker.
I hadn’t visited the workshop or the farm in two months, as I had been living at the castle. Both were businesses I had started. There was no time to be feeling down.
It didn’t take long to get from the abbey to the sheep farm by carriage.
“There he is, Lady Asher.”
I saw a man with short white hair drawing water from the well. I squinted, feeling like I recognized him. The man noticed us and walked over.
“Mr. Miles, this is Lady Asher.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I’m Miles.”
The man who approached me was that Miles. But why was he here?
He had lived behind Lady Yolana’s house before Chester. Miles was a retired soldier who’d worked with the Third Order to keep an eye on me.
Is he here to observe me again, but this time as my caretaker? I felt my chest tighten a bit.
I had a forced smile on my face, but Miles looked genuinely happy to see me.
“Lady Asher, since you’re here, would you like to take a walk around the farm? I can give you a detailed rundown of the sheep’s health.”
“Yes, please.”
“Mother Eliza, I’ll show the lady around, if you don’t mind,” said Miles.
“Of course. I’ll go ahead and return to the abbey,” said the Mother Superior.
Miles and I looked at each other after she left. His pale blue eyes narrowed with amusement. What’s going on? I wondered, and then he began to laugh.
“No, no. It’s not like that. It’s only a coincidence. I’m not watching over you again. That was my first and last time doing something like that.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because I saw a job opening. The position called for a live-in sheep-farm caretaker over the age of forty-five. It sounded like it was made just for me. My father owned a sheep farm, and I’m his third son.”
“Goodness.” I couldn’t help but laugh.
The reason I had fled Ashbury with Nonna was because I’d discovered he’d been watching me. Shortly after that, I’d learned that Hagl’s assassination squad had come after me. So although at the time, I’d thought he was a threat to me, he’d actually saved me from danger.
“You saved my life, didn’t you, Miles?”
“You know, that situation left a bad taste in my mouth. I heard you were on the run after that. You must’ve fled because you suspected me, didn’t you?”
“That’s right. Did Mike tell you I ran away to a neighboring kingdom, or was it Lord Edward?”
“Who’s Lord Edward? The guy who hired me was Mike. The one with the glasses.”
“I see.”
Miles seemed to be telling the truth. Apparently, Lord Edward was keeping himself completely out of sight.
“Well, after I fled, I got married to the man who was the captain of the Second Order of the knights,” I said.
“The Second Order… Oh, the big silver-haired guy? He looked like he was going to die when he saw the note you left behind.”
“Are you serious?”
“Sure am. He’s the kind of guy who treats you like a treasure, right? You shouldn’t make a purehearted man like him cry.”
“Yes, you’re right. My husband is currently accompanying the delegation for negotiations with the kingdom of Subartu.”
The sheep seemed to adore Miles. They kept nuzzling their heads against his pants. Normally, the sheep ran away from Nonna, so she would be very jealous if she saw this.
“Subartu’s a tough kingdom. They don’t have any real exports, and they’re always in turmoil. Their government is unstable, and public order isn’t great, either. And now we’ve found a gold vein right on their border. The discovery must have made them want to stir things up with Ashbury, since they’re so impoverished.”
“I see.”
“So did you manage to fully escape from your organization?”
“I’m not sure, to be honest. I’ve been told I’m considered dead in my homeland, but who knows if they’ve really bought that explanation?”
“I see. You’ve led quite the difficult life.”
He gazed at me sympathetically with his pale blue eyes, which reminded me of the sky.
“Yes, my life has been full of ups and downs for someone who was born to the owners of a small general store,” I said.
“I bet.”
Miles and I walked side by side, looking up at the sky. I never thought the day would come when I’d see him again.
“I don’t know what I’d do if something were to happen to my husband. I know I shouldn’t be saying such things, yet I can’t help but think it after everything that’s happened.”
My heart must’ve grown quite fragile if I was voicing such complaints to Miles. I was definitely out of sorts.
“Don’t worry. Subartu isn’t that stupid. The balance of power between the two kingdoms is nothing like it was in the old days when they went to war. They know full well they’d lose if they picked a fight with us. We’re too prosperous now. They’re probably just dragging things out, wanting to get better terms for themselves,” he said.
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am. Don’t fret. There won’t be a war.” Miles patted the sheep’s heads affectionately. “I’m just grateful to still be breathing. I intend to savor my life down to the very last second.”
“The very last second…”
“That’s right. I’ll enjoy my life to the fullest, right until the end. By the way, where’s your little girl?”
“She’s at home. She has a friend over today.”
“Would you bring her here sometime?”
“Sure, I’d love to.”
After I promised Miles that Nonna would come visit, I left the sheep farm behind.
Bertha came running toward me when I got home, tears welling up in her eyes. “Lady Asher! A letter has arrived, and it says that the master will be coming home soon!”
Thank you, God.
I wasn’t a particularly religious person, but I offered up my heartfelt gratitude.
I hugged Bertha tightly and began to sob. Nonna ran over, clinging to me as she did the same. Even Miss Elizabeth dabbed at her eyes and said, “I can’t help but to cry with you!” and joined in.
My life had been full of ups and downs. But if you keep going, sometimes, you’ll have wonderful days like these, too.