Chapter 49

The strawberry harvest was in full swing.

Annie, who had a half-filled pink strawberry basket, looked around.

Carla eagerly picked strawberries a few steps next to her, putting on a headband.

Carla has been working hard since before she came here. She picked so many strawberries that she will make sure the kids don’t even think of strawberries for the time being.

Annie was a noblewoman. Even so, strawberries were rare for Carla, a commoner.

No matter how much Annie took care of it, she couldn’t eat enough because she had a different mindset.

For Carla, this strawberry field was no joke. She picked the strawberries at a fast pace, sweating.

‘Let’s take a break.’

Annie, with her tongue sticking out in grief, looked down at her own basket. She only picked the largest and brightest red strawberries.

Annie walked up to Carla and checked thoroughly until she was sure there wasn’t anything wrong with it.

Then she put the strawberry in her mouth, and Carla’s golden eyes widened.

“Wow! It’s delicious!”

“The strawberries here have a high sugar content. It’s as sweet as the Duchamp Kingdom’s strawberry.”

“What? Where is it?”

“It’s a small country called Strawberry Soup near the Zir Sea. A few years ago, there was a wealthy man who bought the whole kingdom, so it was even published in newspapers. This strawberry field is called the Duchampria strawberry field because the variety is similar.”

“Huh. Anyway, this strawberry that we just ate is great too?”

“Right.”

“But it tastes better than strawberries here. I… I can’t imagine.”

“I read in a book that it’s sweet, delicious, and tastes as if the strawberries were drizzled with honey. Well, we will try it at least once before entering the coffin.”

Annie, talking playfully, put one of the strawberries in her basket into her mouth and groaned.

Carla burst into laughter as the strawberry was delicious. Carla’s laughing look was cute, so Annie laughed while covering her mouth with one hand.

The eyes of the two, who had been taking a break for a while, moved to a corner.

In the distance, three men picked strawberries as if they were competing.

“What’s going on over there?”

“… Oh my gosh.”

Annie and Carla opened their mouths.

Over dozens of baskets full of strawberries were around the men, who moved their hands in the spirit of ruining this strawberry field.

Even a volunteer helper works so hard… Annie thought she would have to reimburse them more.

“Carla, do you have some extra silver coins left?”

“Of course.”

Even Carla, who would usually protest, nodded her head, loudly agreeing to better cherish this opportunity.

With that kind of enthusiasm, it wasn’t a waste of a few gold coins in her hand.

How hot the day was; thick sweat dripped under the men’s hats like rain.

Their gasping was heard by Annie.

‘I think they’re going to get sick from that.’

“Carla, can you bring some snacks?”

“Yes, Miss.”

Carla quickly took off her gloves and left the strawberry field. Annie observed the ongoings as she snacked on some of the strawberries.

Like workers who have worked here for quite some time, their movements were very skilled.

In particular, the tallest man moved like a well-trained knight.

Annie thought seriously.

‘Is that young man the reason this strawberry field is a famous landmark?’

She could bet her whole fortune that he would have a very good-looking face if he would take off his hat.

Even though he was wrapped up like that, his aura was unique, and it would shine even more if revealed.

Not only the limbs, but also the fingers wearing the work gloves are long, and the jaw line slightly exposed between the hat and the mask is dripped with sweat; it felt strangely sensual.

Meanwhile, Lang approached the young man and shook her tail.

The young man who was picking strawberries stopped working as if he was surprised.

‘Huh? Why does Lang keep…’

It was rare that Lang, who was very shy, expressed such pleasure to a person she saw for the first time, so Annie stared at him.

She was sad that Lang went to someone who was not her owner.

‘Don’t come to me; it’s too much.’

The young man who felt that gaze fluttered greatly. He laid his strawberries down in a hurry, and the basket rolled over.

‘Ah…’

A small exclamation passed between Annie’s teeth. The young man squatted on the floor to pick up the strawberries.

Annie approached him because she felt bad after watching him for a while.

“I’ll help.”

Annie stood next to him, and the young man stiffened like a stone. He hurriedly grabbed the hat and pressed it down further.

‘Does he have bad memories about the people of the Porcaus Empire?’

Annie felt sorry for the good worker.

Come to think of it, it was often reported in newspapers because it has become a common problem of treating people like livestock within the new Porcaus Empire.

Dark under the lamp, this young man could have been one of the victims.

‘It’s sad…’

Perhaps it wasn’t just an imagination, the hand holding the strawberry was calloused.

How could they have been so mean? Perhaps the former employer is very vicious.

Or maybe the owner of this strawberry farm who gave her a good impression is actually a bad guy.

Fortunately, there were no farmers and workers when she looked around. Annie, bowing her back, slowly extended her arms.

Until then, the young man’s breath had stopped and he did not respond.

Her little gloved hand rested on the back of his large hand.

“It’s okay.”

“…”

“Breathe. You’re not in trouble.”

The young man, turning his head, slowly exhaled.

His side profile, slightly exposed, turned red like a ripe strawberry.

‘Tsk, tsk.’

She had no choice but to click her tongue. If this amount of trauma remains, it’s not enough for the former employers to only get imprisoned.

Annie said in a voice small enough to be heard only by him.

“I’ll report it.”

“…”

“Let me help you. Which field was it? Or is this place the problem?”

What the young man needed was a champion of justice. Annie said with a trusty voice.

“It’s not too late. In the Porcaus Empire, the law is clearer than in other countries. There is no statute of limitations. Everything will be fine, so don’t worry.”

“…”

As a sign of encouragement, she held his hands tightly and spoke, and he lowered his head.

The shaking angular shoulders couldn’t escape Annie’s sharp eyes.

Of course. It’s the first time someone from a foreign country cares so much, so he must have been touched.

Annie spoke fondly.

“I am Annie of the Dsev family. If you need help, you can come to me anytime.”

“…”