Chapter 4

Only a week had passed since Archus' birth, yet Laya was already eager to return to work. Despite Lyndis and Rin's efforts to persuade her to rest longer, they couldn't change her mind. Clad once more in her maid uniform, she wrapped her newborn in a thick fur blanket and secured him to her chest before stepping outside.

With her golden hair bouncing in the morning light, Laya skipped along the dirt road, drawing the attention of those around her. Lyndis and Rin, both dressed in identical maid outfits, followed closely behind, their expressions resigned yet fond.

Four Months Later

Before sunrise, the group walked along the same well-worn dirt path. The vast fields of wheat that stretched endlessly on either side had begun turning gold, signaling the approach of the harvest season. Scattered across the land were small farmhouses, smoke rising from their chimneys as early risers prepared for the day's labor.

Farmers diligently tended the fields, their backs bent as they sowed seeds or weeded the soil. The scent of freshly turned earth mingled with the morning breeze, accompanied by the rhythmic chirping of birds.

"It's nearing harvest season again, Lyn," Laya said, her voice tinged with excitement. Her eyes sparkled as she glanced back at her companion.

Lyndis nodded, her expression neutral save for the faint upward curve of her lips. "Yes, Miss Laya."

"At last, I'll get to have that delicious bread again," Laya sighed longingly before suddenly turning to Rin. She gently took the younger girl's hands in her own. "You've never had one, right, Rin? You arrived during the winter."

Rin shook her head. "No, I haven't. But I've heard you talk about it."

"Oh, you'll love it," Laya assured her warmly. "Freshly baked bread during the harvest is a treat like no other."

Archus, wrapped securely against his mother, listened intently. Over time, he had started to piece together the language they spoke. The grammar, the structure—it all felt oddly familiar, though slightly different. His vocabulary was still limited, and his body too weak to speak, but he was patient. There was no rush. He would learn, slowly but surely.