Chapter 8 - III -

 

“I’ll be settling in here.  So please, make use of me as you see fit!”

 

And with that declaration, Lily became a citizen of Hagena.

 

Though the injury on her leg hadn’t fully healed yet, even if several ‘sleeps’ had already passed, the former head maid of the Holy Palatial Gardens decided that it’s already way past her time allowance to be a freeloader.  

 

Lily’s already itching to be back working once again.

 

“Uhh…Grandma?”

 

“Yes, milady?”

 

“I think I can already walk with little help from the crutches.” Lily tried showing it before Grandma Margie, though she had a noticeable limp as she walked, “Do you have any work for me?”

 

“Err…milady, I don’t think a person of such status such as you, should do any village work.”

 

“But Grandma, you’ve been a squire once, and you know we knights don’t want to impose on the kindness of our hosts.” Lily insisted, “Just as the same, I don’t plan to live relying on the generosity of others.  I need to earn my share properly!”

 

“You’re  different from most nobles we know.” Grandma Margie quipped, “But even so, can you shift your weight on that injured leg without crutches?”

 

Lily did what the old lady asked of her, and almost immediately, pain shot through her thigh, causing her to lose balance.  Fortunately, Grandma Margie hadn’t lost her agility just yet and was quick to support her.

 

“I don’t think you can carry stuff with an injury like that unless it fully heals.” the old lady assessed, “I guess it would still take several more sleeps before you can truly move around.”

 

“Aww…” Lily couldn’t help but sulk in the corner.  As someone who was used to do something for most of the time she was awake, it’s torture that she couldn’t do anything as of the moment.  Not only did it feel like she’s a deadweight to her gracious hosts, but Lily also wanted to avoid getting used to inactivity and end up lazy.

 

“Hmm…well, you may work, but it has to be relatively light for now.  Let’s see…Vallete has a medicine store on the other edge of the village, though, as you can see, we’re only a handful of families living here, so it’s not that lucrative.  I doubt the old crone would hire you when she can’t even make the ends meet herself!”

 

“Err…is there anything else?”

 

“The merchant Lavoir has a caravan business here and drops by from time to time.  Maybe he’ll need a guard for his carts, though I don’t know when he’ll be back.  If he does indeed appear, your injury should’ve fully healed and you’re already walking without a limp for him to employ you.”

 

“Uh…I don’t think it’s possible for now…”

 

“Yes, I think so as well…”

 

Silence then ruled between the two.  Lily was desperate about her circumstances, while Grandma Margie kept on thinking for alternatives.  

 

And it was in this situation that Mariya and Anton found them.

 

“Uh…what are you guys doing?” she asked.

 

“Oh!  Lady Lily was thinking of getting a job.” Grandma explained, “But with her injury not fully healed just yet, I’m afraid she’ll have to stay put for a few more sleeps.”

 

Anton then whispered something to Mariya.  The big sister nodded a few times, and turned to Lily, “Ah, Miss Knight, Anton just told me that if you want to work, why don’t you try to be a shore-watcher?”

 

“A what?” Lily asked, confused at the suggestion.

 

“Ah yes!  A shore-watcher!” Grandma Margie’s face lightened up when she heard that.  And then, “Wait, what’s that?”

 

“Well, it’s a made-up job by Anton.” Mariya laughed, “But well, I think we need someone like that though.  And, just like what I always say, our neighbors here are kind.  I’m sure they’ll be more than glad to help someone like you, Miss Knight!”

 

“Err…Mariya, what does a ‘shore-watcher’ even do?”

 

“Someone who watches the shores?”

 

“Of course, it’s a given.” Grandma Margie asked further, “But aside from that?”

 

“And why do I even have to watch the shores?” Lily followed-up.

 

“Well, you know, pirate attacks?”

 

“Mariya, you’re being a fool!” Grandma Margie chuckled, “There have been no pirate attacks in this region ever since we settled here.  We’re a poor village; I don’t think they’d be raiding a place full of empty houses and penniless people.”

 

“And it’s like you’re wishing for something like that to happen, Mariya!” Lily jested.

 

“I don’t!” Mariya was getting annoyed with all the jeers aimed at her.  She was already red in embarrassment, and she was inflating her cheeks.

 

“Besides, our lord has posted some of his guards to watch the beaches already.” Grandma Margie commented.

 

“Well, those tin heads are just for enforcing the ridiculous taxes on us, Grandma!  They don’t even care about the villagers.  I bet they’d run once they saw the pirates’ ships coming from afar.”

 

“Mariya, stop that!” Grandma angrily blurted out, “Anyway, this is nonsense!  If you have plenty of time, then why don’t you take Lady Lily around the village and help her find work that fits her?”

 

“It’s Anton who suggested that!” Mariya countered, “Hey!  Don’t leave me here, you big little bro!”