“My father proposed to my mother here.”

“Ah…really?”

“He’s been coming to this lake since he was a child and even then, he knew he wanted to propose to the woman he loved here.”

“How romantic.”

“And hearing that story, my brother and I vowed to do the same.”

At those words, Iva’s gaze shifted from the lake to Ray.

He was gazing at her, a tender smile tugging at his lips, his expression brimming with affection, which Iva felt deeply.

Just as her eyes flickered, uncertain in the warmth of his gaze,

“Pretty sister!”

A voice sliced through the tender atmosphere. Mainy, spotting Iva, was running towards her, waving excitedly.

“Big brother! That sister is the pretty one I was telling you about.”

“Mainy, slow down. You’ll fall over.”

The child wasn’t alone; her big brother was with her.

“Sister, this is our big brother. What do you think, cool, right?”

Mainy confidently introduced her brother with hands on hips, her demeanor so adorable that Iva nodded in agreement.

“Mm? Yeah, just like Mainy said, really cool.”

At his sister’s response, Mainy’s brother, awkward and apologetic, kept bowing his head and apologizing.

“I’m truly sorry for making you come all this way. My sister made a mistake. I apologize.”

“No, it’s okay.”

When Mainy had brought up the marriage talk, Iva naturally assumed the prospective groom would be an adult. However, the brother in question was but a boy, appearing to be no more than fifteen years old.

Ray only after confirming that the ‘brother’ was just a child did Ray breathe a deep, internal sigh of relief.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Medi.”

“I’m Iva Blanche. Nice to meet you, Me…!”

Medi offered a handshake of apology, and Iva was about to readily accept it.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Ray Castello, the head of the Castello family.”

But Ray was the first to grasp the offered hand, shaking it firmly. While he was relieved, he still disliked anyone making contact with Iva.

“Ah, you must be Teacher Bear. Mainy has told me a lot about you.”

“Don’t you take classes?”

“I need to earn money. Thank you for letting at least my sister attend. I was worried about leaving her home alone.”

Both felt a pang of pity at the sight of the young breadwinner’s plight at a single glance.

“Big brother, this pretty sister doesn’t believe you’re a wizard. Quickly show her.”

“What? Mainy, I told you not to talk about that outside.”

“No, I only told this sister. Ah! Did I tell the captain too?”

From the way her sentence trailed off, it was less of a question and more of a sheepish admission. Could it be that Leo had intentionally introduced Mainy? Iva marveled at his cleverness.

“Medi, I won’t tell anyone. I won’t breathe a word of what I heard today to anyone.”

Iva promised, taking Medi’s hand. Ray intently watched that hand from behind.

“Mainy just says things because she’s still young. Don’t take it too seriously and go on your way.”

“It’s really important to me, that’s why. Please, help me just this once.”

As Medi struggled with the earnest plea in her voice, Ray added his piece.

“It seems Mainy’s waist isn’t in good shape, is that correct?”

“Wh-How did you know?”

“With enough experience in physical activity, you can tell just from how a person walks. It doesn’t seem to be congenital.”

“When she was younger, she took a big fall and didn’t receive proper treatment.”

“I’ll assist with the treatment at our mansion.”

“Pardon?”

“We will also help you find stable work in the capital. If you keep doing physical work with that fragile body of yours, your back won’t stay healthy either.”

Even by just seeing the calloused and scar-strewn hands of Medi, Ray could tell he had been engaging in hard labor. Iva silently admired his keen perception.

“Is that for real?”

“Yes, so please help this lady out.”

“If it’ll help Mainy’s back get better, I’ll do anything.”

Medi bowed slightly, expressing his gratitude.

When Iva looked at Ray in thanks, he responded with a sly, playful smile.

“What would you like to know, madam? I’ll tell you everything.”

“Uh, hmm? Madam?”

“You two aren’t married? Mainy always talks about marriage to the married ladies because she misses having a mom around.”

“Oh, no. We’re not, uh, like that.”

Iva raised her hands in denial. Yet, there seemed to be a subtle pang in that negation.

“I see. It seems Mainy may have misunderstood.”

“Kids can do that.”

“So, what would you like to know?”

At Medi’s question, Iva turned to look at Ray.

Without even speaking, he felt her summoning and took a step closer to Iva.

“Is there something you want to say?”

Iva nodded slightly, a motion laden with contemplation, prompting Ray to speak even more gently.

“Please, speak freely. Didn’t I tell you to make use of me?”

Lifted by his warm words, Iva raised her gaze to meet Ray’s eyes.

“In that case, could you please step aside?”