Chapter 345: More selfish and shrewd

Xenia patted her lower back after doing a few light stretches, trying to ease the stiffness that had settled there.

"Gosh, my back is aching. We have been moving things around since yesterday," she murmured, rolling her shoulders.

"Sis, but everything is in order now," Lara replied from her seat on the bamboo chair. "Our new home is truly lovely. I heard Brother Charlie say that there is a fire show at the evening market. I would like to watch it too, Sis."

"That is why we are going to take you to the market," Oliver, their fourth brother, said as he entered the room carrying a tray filled with cream buns and glasses of milk.

He placed the tray on the nearby table before turning toward Lara.

"Eat this. You have been working hard all day."

Lara immediately ran toward her big brother, who handed her one of the cream buns. Oliver placed the tray on the table before gently lifting Lara and settling her onto the chair.

"Where are the other four?" Xenia asked as she sat on the edge of the bed.

"They went to the market to bring back some fresh vegetables for lunch," Oliver replied. "Charlie also wants to meet some of the senior merchants in the area. Apparently, they have a community where the merchants gather twice a month."

"That sounds interesting," Xenia replied.

Beside them, little Lara happily munched on her bun, seemingly unconcerned with the conversation around her.

"It is. I wonder how Charlie is going to manage it. This is Varos, after all. The larger the city, the more selfish and shrewd people can be," Oliver remarked.

"That is true," Xenia agreed. "But if we serve them good meals, we can build a reputation and thrive in the market. Brother Charlie and Henry suggested opening a restaurant instead of running a homestay, which I think is the better choice. At least we will not have to work day and night just to keep the place running."

"I agree," Oliver replied, reaching for two buns from the tray. He handed one to Xenia before taking a bite from the other.

As she ate, another thought crossed his mind.

’I need to see Prince August too. I still have not had the chance to properly thank him. If it were not for him, we would never have been able to come here, and my brothers would still be rotting in prison for something they never did.’

~~~~~

In the evening, Louis finished the work he had been handling on Damian’s behalf and prepared to return home.

As soon as he stepped through the estate gates, his gaze fell upon Elodie, who was standing across the road. The moment she noticed him, she straightened and rose to her feet.

Louis paused for a moment before subtly gesturing for her to come over.

Elodie nodded and carefully crossed the road toward him. Louis stepped aside to allow her passage before entering the carriage.

She hesitated beside the open door, glancing at him as though uncertain whether she should follow. After a brief pause, she gathered her courage and climbed inside.

Louis entered after her, and the chauffeur closed and secured the carriage door from outside.

"How have you been, Miss?" Louis asked.

"I have been doing well. I was allotted a small room in the new establishment you arranged for our locality," Elodie replied. "I have wanted to thank you for days, but I never had the opportunity to see you, my lord."

"You could have come to my office," Louis replied.

"Getting an audience with a man of your stature is not easy," Elodie said honestly.

Louis regarded her for a moment.

"Do not tell me you have been coming here every day."

Elodie immediately fell silent and lowered her gaze.

Louis sighed softly.

"Do not do this in the future. If you wish to speak with me, there is no need to wait outside the estate."

He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small card.

"Keep this with you. If you ever need to see me, simply show this at the gates. They will allow you inside without asking any questions."

Elodie hesitated before accepting it.

Noticing her uncertainty, Louis gently took her hand and placed the card in her palm. She looked up at him for a brief moment, her eyes meeting his, before lowering her gaze again.

"Thank you, my lord," she said softly.

Louis gave her a small nod, his expression remaining composed as the carriage began to move.

"My lord, I need to get out here first," Elodie said, wanting to stop the carriage.

"There is no need. I will drop you home," Louis replied. "The creditors are not troubling you anymore, are they?"

"No. After you helped me, everything became much better. I even found a cleaning job at a local restaurant. It pays well enough," Elodie said with a smile.

Louis watched her for a moment, somewhat surprised. He had rarely seen her express any emotion so openly.

"I believe this is the first time I have seen you smile," he said. "And I must say, you have a beautiful smile."

Elodie froze for a moment, her eyes widening slightly. Her smile slowly faded as she looked at him, caught completely off guard by the unexpected compliment.

The journey came to an end when the carriage stopped outside Elodie’s home.

She stepped down, but to her surprise, Louis followed her out. The moment she realized he had also stepped onto the road, she became conscious of her surroundings and glanced around nervously.

"My lord, if someone sees you—"

She stopped when Louis removed his fur overcoat and gently draped it around her shoulders.

"The days have grown colder. You should wear something warm to keep yourself from falling ill," he said.

Before she could respond, Louis adjusted the coat around her and tied the fastening beneath her neck.

"I do not fear people seeing us together," he said calmly as he stepped back.

Elodie stared at him, unable to find an immediate response.

Louis turned and returned to the carriage. A moment later, it pulled away, leaving Elodie standing alone outside her home.

She continued staring in the direction the carriage had disappeared before finally looking down at the fur coat wrapped around her.

Her fingers slowly curled around its edge as she stood there, still trying to comprehend what had just happened.