The young woman leaned against a tree, arms crossed. Her search had come up empty—she hadn't managed to catch the blacksmith in time.
—When he goes off to do his thing, it's nearly impossible to catch him.
She had sensed William's mana not long ago, along with someone else—someone powerful. She considered approaching in case he needed help, but then his presence vanished, as if something or someone had blocked the signal.
—If that's the case... she must be with him too. I'm sure he'll be fine.
So she waited. That's all she had been doing for the past hour.
—I can feel his presence again. He's getting close… Am I being too obvious?
She twiddled her thumbs, nerves churning in her stomach. A deep breath helped steady her—until his voice shattered the calm.
"Lucy?"
All the effort crumbled. Just hearing her name in his voice was enough.
Flustered, she blurted out, "Oh! Fancy meeting you here."
William chuckled. "What's up with you?"
They began walking back toward his home. The night wasn't over yet—he still had preparations to finish for the trip ahead.
—I told Nicolas we'd be working through the night. I wonder how far he's gotten.
He had tasked the boy with forging ten daggers infused with mana stones. William didn't expect him to complete them all, but even a few decent weapons would be useful for the journey.
—He has a natural talent for crafting magical weapons. Still raw, just a faint trace of magic... But maybe the stones will help bring that potential out.
He debated whether or not to tell Nicolas about his gift.
—Knowing him, his ego would explode. Probably best to keep it quiet—for now.
"What's got you so deep in thought?" Lucy asked.
"I was just thinking about my narcissistic apprentice. Hopefully he's cleaned up the mess he made earlier."
"Nicolas? I should apologize to him. I left without saying anything. He must be worried."
"He probably is. He gets under my skin sometimes, but he's a good kid."
Lucy giggled. "You've changed, William. I'm really enjoying this new side of you."
William noticed her cheerful demeanor—so different from how she'd been that morning. She skipped ahead of him, her silver hair shining with every movement.
"You seem... happier," he observed. "Something happen while I was gone?"
"Hm? I had a nice chat with Nicolas before I left. He really is kind. You chose well."
—Glad someone else thinks so, too.
Still, William couldn't shake the butler's words.
—"But don't you find something… odd about him?"
He hadn't understood what Sebastian meant, but the tone—those eyes—lingered in his mind. Cold, familiar eyes. The kind his family always had when they looked at him.
"You know," he said, "Nicolas isn't that much younger than you. He's almost about the same age as you."
"Oh?" Lucy blinked in surprise. "Then I'll be more mindful of how I address him," she said with a polite nod, as if making a mental note.
"What were you two talking about, anyway?"
She grinned and turned, pressing a finger to her lips. "It's a secret."
"What? Not even a hint?"
"Lock it up and throw away the key," she said, dramatically miming the motion.
William smirked. "What are you, five?"
Lucy pouted, arms crossed. "If you're that curious, ask him yourself. It's not really my place to say." She smiled again, glancing away, lost in thought. "But I think he'll tell you soon enough."
William knew he might never hear the details of that conversation—but he was glad the boy was connecting with someone his age.
"Well, I'm happy you two are getting along."
Lucy nodded. "I think we can become good friends. My first, I believe."
"Hm? What about your coworkers at the bar?"
She shook her head. "We just work together. We don't really talk much."
—That's strange, William thought. He considered asking about Marla, who often mentioned Lucy. He'd assumed they were close.
—Maybe there's tension between them?
He noticed her shoes—worn and scuffed.
"What were you doing out here so late, anyway?"
Lucy's cheeks turned red. "I noticed how late it was… and I got worried. About you." She fidgeted, thumbs twisting nervously.
"Don't worry. I was finishing some last-minute negotiations with an old friend."
"Nicolas said that too, but still—" She stepped closer, eyes locked on his. "You shouldn't wander through the forest so carelessly. You, of all people, should know that."
—Why does it feel like women are always scolding me lately?
William met her crystal-like eyes. He could see how deeply she'd been worrying. If she knew the truth about where he'd been, it'd only worry her more.
He gently patted her head. "I'm fine. Really. Thanks for worrying," he said with a warm smile. "But I should be the one saying that. Please don't go wandering the forest alone at night, alright?"
Her heart fluttered.
"I—I um, okay..." she murmured, clearing her throat. "Since you understand, I'll let you off the hook."
"Victory."
Lucy huffed. "Don't push it. Keep that up and I won't give you a free beer."
"Yeah, yeah… That reminds me. I stopped by your workplace today."
Her brow furrowed. "You did?"
"One of your coworkers mentioned something…"
Her curiosity piqued. "What did they say?"
William hesitated. How could he bring it up? He recalled a certain stubborn woman's words:
"Speak up, intruder. If you think too much, you'll never get anywhere in life."
He took a breath.
"Lucy… why did you run away from home?"
She froze.
She knew this question would come eventually. Just… not so soon. Not with such precision.
Her gaze dropped to the ground, her bangs hiding her face.
"I—"
"—Why pass the burden onto someone else?"
Her whole body tensed.
The gothic woman's words echoed in her mind.
"You got it all wrong. If he doesn't help me… who will?"
"It's your decision, Lucy. No one else's."
The answer had been there all along. She just hadn't accepted it—until now.
"Lucy, are you alright?"
She took a deep breath and looked up at the moon.
"It's beautiful tonight."
"Huh?" William blinked, surprised. But followed her gaze. "Yeah… I guess it is."
In that moment, she realized—William wasn't pushing her. She was the one pushing herself. Trying to justify telling him everything. But she couldn't. She wouldn't. Not now. Not when it could drag him down with her.
He was too important to lose.
"You know," she said softly, "I've been thinking about the choices that led me here."
He tilted his head. "Yeah?"
She nodded. "And I realized… I've never really had a choice. Everything was always decided for me."
"Lucy…"
"Not anymore." She turned to him with a warm, resolute smile. "You don't need to worry about me anymore."
"Lucy, I—"
Before he could say more, she turned toward the road. Her senses flared.
"Something's coming."
She grabbed William's arm and pulled him behind the trees.
A soft rustling grew louder. A wine-colored carriage with elegant gold trim rolled into view.
"That carriage…"
"That red hair…"
The coachman, humming casually, noticed the two figures hidden by the roadside. He gave a friendly wave.
"My, if it isn't Mister William! Fancy seeing you here."
William offered a wry smile. The carriage rolled to a stop. He stepped forward, approaching the driver's seat.
"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Sebastian."