Spring had arrived in Yeobaek, and the incessant snow and cold was replaced with frequent rains and warmer temperatures.

  So far it was Willow’s favorite season here, even if she wasn’t currently having the best time.

  Her work outfit when she was a girl was far too tight and restrictive, making movement difficult even if the material it was made of felt nice on her skin. Though she supposed it was a blessing in disguise since the restrictions made walking in a ‘composed and dignified manner’ slightly easier.

  It was more the people she had to deal with that were the real issue.

  Madame Park had clientele from all around the Allied Clan Territories, which was why it was such good practice for the etiquette lessons she’d taught to Willow. Every clan, and therefore all of their subsidiaries, had different customs and expectations for being served. Willow was at least usually given a heads up on which region her current client hailed from and she’d attempt to match her approach accordingly. This was on top of the number of teas she needed to memorise and try to recommend to her clients.

  It was exhausting at the best of times, and she quickly noted that some clients were worse than others.

  With her current client being one of the worst ones she’d dealt with so far.

  Septimus Horatius hailed from the lands governed by House Artorias to the west, and he constantly emphasized how important his family was without really explaining how anything he or his family did was of any importance.

  If Willow had to guess he was slightly younger than her brother, and was currently travelling to ‘take a well earned break from his many important duties’. The fact his much older guard’s qi flickered in amusement at that statement gave her the impression that he was vastly overstating his own importance.

  He also emphasized how great he’d heard the Madame’s teahouse was so he simply had to visit.

  Willow was getting better at maintaining a polite and interested smile, and even managed a titter or two whenever she recognized the teen made a joke, but Septimus was beginning to test her limits with how boring he was. She was also quite confused on why a teenager, or close enough to one, was so intent on talking to her when most clients seemed content to let her fade into the background as they enjoyed the tea.

  She chalked it up to the boy being lonely and wanting someone roughly his age to talk to since she doubted there was anyone in his retinue even remotely close. However Madame Park had made it clear that she was not to try and befriend any of her clientele, so sadly the clan boy was barking up the wrong tree if he was looking for a friend.

  “Look at me, rambling on. I was told by my father that if the serving staff here was around my age then they were likely to be from a branch family learning etiquette or somesuch. So which family are you from?”

  Willow’s smile grew slightly brittle before she fixed it. “My apologies, sir. I come from no family of great note or worth.” She lied. It wouldn’t do to reveal her mother’s origin after all.

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  She hated how much being polite often required her to put herself or her family down whenever speaking to someone who held a ‘higher station’. Yet she understood at this point it wasn’t good to make waves when she lacked the power or capability to change anything.

  Septimus’ face scrunched in confusion. “If that’s the case, how did you afford lessons from Madame Park? Surely such a thing would be out of reach for someone without means.”

  Willow’s cheeks were beginning to hurt from how much she was forcing her smile. “I’m apprenticed to a Master Wanderer, and she provided the funds for my tuition.”

  She’d been instructed to bring up her background sparingly if she was ever pressed about it, but so far no one had been quite as insistent as this boy.

  Funnily enough the guard at his side had a more extreme reaction than Septimus himself.

  His qi… sharpened for lack of a better word, and his eyes reflected that same sharpness. “Which wanderer is your master, girl?” His voice was coarse, but there didn’t seem to be any malice in his question.

  Still, she was a bit hesitant in her answer. “Scholar Mu is what she prefers to go by.”

  His qi relaxed, like a blade being sheathed. “So that was her snake beast at the stables then. A bit less impressive than I thought it’d be.”

  Willow’s facade broke a bit, as she puffed herself up in indignation on her mentor’s friend’s behalf. “Rotter’s plenty strong! Saw him eat another beast king in one bite before!”

  The old guard cracked a smile. “Is that so? I wonder if your master will let me have a spar with him. Could do with some proper exercise.”

  Septimus grew tired of not being the center of attention. “Gaius, it’s improper to speak of violence in front of a young lady. Especially something so crass as you sparring with a beast. Refrain from speaking out of turn in the future.”

  His smile vanished and his face returned to its previous stony facade. “Of course, sir.”

  Willow continued to be confused by the boy, the idea of the old guard sparring with Rotter was actually quite exciting to her. She shifted her face back into its smiling mask, and Septimus grew noticeably happier.

  However she did want to clear something up despite it potentially causing an issue. “Violence is to eventually be my life, sir. I thank you for the concern on my behalf, but if there was any impropriety it lies with me, not your guard.”

  She felt amusement flicker in Gaius’ qi, but nothing showed on his face.

  Septimus’ face scrunched up once more, and Willow had to wonder why he hadn’t been taught to be more careful in what expressions he showed considering how unflattering this one was. “I… suppose that’s true. However with the Madame’s tutelage I’m sure there are other avenues a pretty girl like you could take.”

  Was she pretty? She still felt like she didn’t hold a candle to Maple, but with nice clothes and her hair styled in a fancy way she supposed the statement was true enough.

  It still felt weird to be called pretty by a complete stranger.

  Despite the compliment buried in there she also needed to correct his impression of her situation. “Master Mu saved my life, and has helped me in many ways since. The least I can do is ease her burden by taking up the same calling as her.”

  Septimus grumbled a bit, but after a few more attempts at convincing her to change her path, he eventually dropped the matter.

  Willow was really unsure what stake he had in the matter, they’d just met after all. Maybe he had a little sister and he wanted to protect her in the same way he wanted to protect his family? Family did seem to be super important to him, after all.

  Perhaps she’d judged Septimus too harshly.

  Or perhaps she was giving him far more credit than he deserved.