How that wish must have warmed the heart of a child who had lost her family and was living alone in an unfamiliar environment.

But. When Sergei-sama appeared in the garden as she had wished, Laiza hesitated as she ran up to him. She had not yet learned the word social pleasantries, but she knew that adults sometimes say things they dont mean in order to please the other person for the time being. So how could it be true that such a fine person would want to hear about laundry from a child?

Laizas thoughts were honest and reasonable. But when Sergei-sama spotted Laiza, he smiled and waved.

[Laiza, its nice to see you. Do you have a minute?]

Sergei-sama then listened to her story about the laundry. She talked about how impressed she was with the facilities in the laundry room and about the gossip and relationships among the workers. Laiza became more and more eager to answer Sergei-samas questions. He asked about other people and about what was going on around her. They met and talked many times in the yard. The conversation spread outside the laundry room to the various departments of housekeeping.

**

Cutting the conversation there, the present Laiza smiled.

Young Lady, do you understand what that was all about?

As for Ekaterina, she could only giggle.

Grandfatherhe had Laiza as his eyes, didnt he?

In the harshest terms, it could be said that he was using her as a spy. He must have discovered something suspicious at that time. Laizas eyes, the eyes of a clever child without any calculations or human ties, would have been an invaluable source of information for Sergei, who would normally not be able to communicate directly with a servant.

It was somewhat ridiculous. Grandfather took advantage of a pure child in such a natural way a natural-born manipulator, I would think. But at the age of twenty-three, how could he do such a thing so casually?

Laiza looked at me a little surprised and smiled.

Do you consider the feelings of a child? So kind. This is why His Excellency Alexei is so concerned about the young lady. What Lord Sergei did is natural for a duke. I am only glad that I could be of service to him, as a laundress, for example. And, after all, you resemble Lord Sergei a lot. That man, too, has been impossibly good, even to a laundry woman like myself.

**

[Laiza, would you like to learn to read and write?]

[Yes! I think I could be of more help to you if I could write to you. but thats a luxury for a laundry girl]

Besides Sergei, Laiza slumped. Her hands were chapped as she looked down at them. Still, she considered herself fortunate to have food and a place to sleep.

It had been several months since she had arrived at Yurinova Castle. Laiza was accustomed to her new surroundings and her new job, and she was proud of her secret relationship with Sergei. Although she still thought she was happy, little by little, she began to hope that she would not end up just being a laundry girl.

[You are a smart girl. And you are single-minded and always try your best. I like talking to you.]

Sergei said this, but the next time they met, he said something unexpected.

[Why dont you leave the castle and become a child of a family I know?]