A Sunny Afternoon.
On a clear, sunny afternoon, Leo was savoring a hearty, modest lunch in the Second Dining Hall, a place frequented by lower-ranking nobles and commoners alike.
“Ah, and for dessert, we have this—brought it myself—the Baumkuchen from ‘Gaus,’ which just opened!” Rolf, characterized by his playful tone, eagerly presented the dessert.
“You always manage to find the sweetest things,” Oscar said, resting his cheek on his hand in exasperation.
Wedged between the two, Leo enjoyed the free meals and desserts being offered to him.
“Delicious,” he remarked.
Even if the ingredients in the Second Dining Hall were not as premium as those in the First Dining Hall, the free food was undeniably tasty.
Leo had a peculiar sixth sense, beyond taste, sight, or touch—a sense of value that enhanced his appreciation of free food.
Usually, he followed this sense and dined in the First Dining Hall, where luxurious ingredients were abundant.
However, when his other five senses rebelled and craved more humble flavors, he would eat in the Second Dining Hall, provided Oscar and his friends were paying.
“Ah… Leonora, you don’t need to peel the Baumkuchen like that,” Rolf said awkwardly as Leo began to peel away the layers of the high-end dessert, trying to prolong the experience.
“You can just take a big bite,” Rolf advised.
“Why? This way, I can enjoy it tomorrow and the day after too,” Leo replied.
Rolf, who had heard that Leo grew up without enough to eat, felt a pang of sadness seeing her try to stretch the dessert over several days. Gently taking her hand, he said, “If you want more of Gaus’s Baumkuchen, I’ll buy it for you every day. You don’t need to save it like this.”
“Really?” Leo, unaware of the pity she was being shown, tilted her head in confusion.
Seeing this exchange, Oscar suddenly spoke up. “Hey, Leonora. How about having lunch at my place on the next day of rest?”
“Eh?”
An invitation for a free meal outside the academy? Leo saw no reason to refuse but was puzzled as to why she was being invited to Oscar’s house. “Why?”
“You’re a benefactor to my sister. I’ve been wanting to thank you properly for a long time. If it suits you…”
“Benefactor?”
Leo furrowed her brow, having no recollection of being one.
“You can’t tell me you’ve forgotten the miracle you worked for Camilla,” Oscar said, shrugging.
At the mention of Camilla, Leo finally understood.
(Ah, that advice.)
Oscar, who had been talking more and more about his sister lately, had once complained during a meal, “My sister, who has gotten better, is now so cheeky. What should I do?” Leo, thinking he was just a siscon, had given some random advice: “Why not try giving her a lot of calories?”
Leo lived by the simple belief that giving money to men and sweets to women usually solved most problems. (It seems Camilla’s mood has improved… But I didn’t think Oscar was the type to thank me for such trivial advice.)
Realizing Oscar’s true reason for gratitude, Leo had a sudden epiphany.
(It’s about the hair I gave him for the wig!)
Oscar had promised to compensate her for the hair she provided for his wig with money for an escape plan from the academy, which was yet to be fulfilled due to various incidents.
He must be feeling guilty about it and was offering a luxurious meal as a substitute.
Sharing his wig-related troubles with friends was one thing, but discussing it openly was still uncomfortable. Understanding this, Leo asked tentatively, “Is this… about the hair?”
Oscar glanced around and then whispered, “Of course.”
(Now I get it. He’s trying to keep it quiet.)
Feeling some sympathy for Oscar, Leo agreed to the invitation. Next to her, Rolf was eagerly raising his hand, saying, “Then I’ll join too!” but Leo, considering Oscar’s feelings—and her own share of the meal—gently dissuaded him. She didn’t realize that Rolf wanted to join to thank her for saving his mother’s life.
(I wonder if the wig turned out well.)
Leo pondered, staring at Oscar’s head.
With her serious gaze, Oscar tilted his head. “What?”
“Um… how is the wig…?” she asked softly, lowering her voice for the word “wig.”
Despite their different hair textures, Oscar’s hair looked naturally full. She wondered if this was the result of the hair she gave him or something else. “Just curious… about the wig.”
Oscar, moved by her concern, said, “As I told you, it’s working well. The magic hasn’t caused any problems, and it suits me perfectly.”
“Really? It suits you?”
“Yes, my family is grateful. You’re a benefactor to the entire Bernstein family,” Oscar declared.
Being thanked profusely for something as simple as giving hair was a bit overwhelming for Leo.
Unsure whether to be impressed by the family’s unity or the extent of Oscar’s hair problem, she responded, “That’s good to hear.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll send a carriage before noon,” Oscar said, smoothly organizing the details.
And so, before she knew it, Leo found herself facing the next day of rest.
***
The next day
“What a huge house…!” Leo exclaimed.
Arriving at Oscar’s residence, close to the downtown area, Leo stepped out of the carriage, marveling at the grand mansion. He had placated his reluctant servant, Kai, who seemed to suspect he was planning another escape.
The mansion, with its golden decorations and impressive columns, exuded luxury without crossing into gaudiness—a balance that Leo appreciated.
(So much gold everywhere… This meal is going to be amazing!)
Filled with anticipation, Leo was greeted at the entrance by Oscar himself. “Leonora, welcome.”
“Thank you for having me,” Leo replied, pushing a wary Kai forward as she bowed politely. She always showed respect to those who offered her a good meal.
“Come in. My father and the others are waiting,” Oscar said, guiding her inside.
Following Oscar, Leo looked around the lavish hallway. Tapestries, valuable vases, and paintings lined the walls—each paired with a duplicate, likely for both display and preservation.
Soon, they entered a room adorned with intricate carvings. Standing to greet them were a middle-aged couple and a girl slightly younger than Leo.
“Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you for coming, Leonora.”
“Thank you for visiting us, Lady Leonora!”
They were unmistakably Oscar’s family. The man, with a charmingly round belly and keen eyes, extended his hand. “I am Hargel Bernstein. This is my wife, Juana, and our daughter, Camilla.”
Leo’s gaze instinctively went to the couple’s heads. Both had full heads of hair.
(Is the whole family…?)
Oscar, sensing her unease, said, “Don’t worry, my father is strict with business rivals but not with family friends.”
“Really…?”
“Lady Leonora!” Camilla, a charming girl with neatly braided chestnut hair, suddenly hugged her.
“Ah.”
“I’ve wanted to meet you! Thank you so much for giving me your hair!” Camilla exclaimed.
“Camilla, please,” Hargel said, though his tone was filled with affection for his recently recovered daughter.
Leo, indifferent to the hug, responded calmly, “It’s fine.”
“You’re so beautiful, Lady Leonora, like a princess! I’ve always wanted a sister like you,” Camilla continued.
“Is that so…”
“Yes, but Mother said wishing for more would be greedy. She’s right, isn’t she?”
As Camilla chattered, Leo responded with vague nods. Camilla then whispered, “I was ashamed of my illness. But thanks to you, I can go out with Oscar every week now.”
“Is that so?”
Apparently, Oscar’s hair loss was due to illness. Understanding the sensitivity of young girls, Leo simply nodded.
(Oscar, you’ve been through a lot…)
Oscar’s family expressed their gratitude, Hargel saying, “Thanks to you, our home is filled with light. Every morning, it’s like living in a miracle.”
“Light…”
Feeling overwhelmed by the family’s gratitude, Leo clutched her chest.
“Enough, Father. Leonora is not used to such extravagant praise,” Oscar said, ending the conversation.
The family, nodding in agreement, followed Juana to the dining room.
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