One morning, Ray prepared a basket filled with warm bread. This time, he was assigned by Anna to deliver an order of bread to a church located quite far from the city gate, so Ray had to come to Anna Bakery very early to prepare everything, assisted by Anna who had stayed overnight at the shop.
Yawn...
Anna yawned while continuing to work in the early morning.
"Hm… should I make you some coffee, miss?"
"Hm…? Yeah… I need that… hah… I really hate waking up early…"
Ray began preparing two cups, adding coffee powder and sugar, then brewed coffee for both himself and Anna.
Anna inhaled the familiar aroma of the hot coffee, took a sip, and murmured, "Thank you…" before drinking it slowly.
`Hmm… this order is from the church, huh?`
On the outskirts of Foxglove City, there was only one church "Santiago". It was an old church that had stood for around a hundred years, and right beside it was an orphanage that served as a shelter for unfortunate children.
Every week, citizens would donate money, clothes, unused goods, or food. Anna Bakery was one of the regular donors, usually providing bread for the orphanage children. But this time, the church itself had placed an order to distribute bread to them.
"Oh right, Ray; this time you'll deliver it, okay? ^^"
"Eh?! Me? Don't we usually use a courier?"
"Hah… what courier would want to deliver something this early in the morning?"
`Hmm… yeah, makes sense…`
Ray thought.
After everything was prepared, Ray was about to leave when Anna called out.
"Wait."
`…?`
With gentle and caring movements, Anna fixed Ray's slightly messy clothes and handed him a piece of bread that wasn't part of the order.
"Huh? Are we short one?"
"This is your breakfast. You haven't eaten yet, right? Want me to make you something first?"
Ray's face turned slightly red from embarrassment at her closeness and kindness.
"O-oh… thanks… but later, okay? Let's eat together with Rona."
"I see… good boy…"
Anna gently patted Ray's head before he left, carrying the warm basket of bread on his back as he waved goodbye and headed toward Santiago Church.
***
Ray walked along the city's main road, where people and horse-drawn carts carrying goods moved back and forth. Since this was the main road, only those with official permits or properties- like cafés, clothing stores, taverns, blacksmiths, inns, and money exchangers; were allowed to operate here.
A cat suddenly dashed past after stealing a fish dish from a restaurant. Ray chuckled softly at the sight.
At the city gate, he saw a small guard post watching over the eastern entrance. The atmosphere was relaxed; the guards were casually chatting with locals, occasionally yawning from boredom. Across the gate was a horse rental and courier service, though it was still closed since it only operated during the daytime.
`Hah… renting a horse would be much easier. Seriously, why does it only open at noon?`
Ray muttered in annoyance.
He continued walking along a small path surrounded by grass, eating the bread Anna had given him as he headed toward Santiago Church.
***
After about fifteen minutes, the church came into view, standing beside the orphanage. Both buildings looked old but well-maintained. A watermill powered by a nearby stream stood beside them.
Ray saw several children playing near an apple tree, while others were being chased by a caretaker for playing too close to the river despite being warned.
"Big brother Ray!!"
One of the children shouted and waved excitedly. Some of the kids already knew Ray from his previous visits. He waved back with a smile.
Creek...
Ray opened the church door to meet the priest, but the moment he did-
"Huh?!"
A beautiful silver-haired girl stood in front of him, clearly startled as she was about to open the door from the other side.
She looked very young. Her face slightly flushed, dressed entirely in white, skin as smooth as milk. Around her neck hung a silver necklace connected to a small pocket watch engraved with a star and adorned with a purple gemstone. Even her surprised voice sounded cute.
"…Uh, hello? Are you the new staff here?"
Ray was momentarily captivated by her beauty, though he managed to stay calm. The girl seemed a bit confused at first, then sighed lightly and smiled gently.
"Yes, I'm the new caretaker here^^ May I ask what brings you here?"
"I'm delivering bread from Anna Bakery. The total comes to 6 Silver."
"P-p-pardon? An order...?- oh! Yes..."
Just then, another child ran up to Ray.
"Brother Ray!!! You brought bread for us again, right?! Eh- who's that girl?"
A little girl beside him answered,
"Maybe that's his girlfriend."
"Wha- no, no. This is actually our first time meeting. And where did you even learn about girlfriends, hmm?"
"Pfft-" The girl laughed softly as the children gathered around them.
"Where's the bread, brother? You said you brought bread!"
"Ah, right… everyone gets one, okay?"
Ray handed out the bread to the children one by one.
"B-but I haven't paid yet," the girl said.
"It's okay. You can pay later. The church often orders from our bakery anyway, so I don't mind giving it out now."
After all the children received theirs, there was one piece left.
"Here, you want some bread? It's good, you know~ Don't worry, i don't put anything weird on it."
Ray offered it to her. She hesitated for a moment, then smiled sweetly and accepted it, eating together with the children.
They chatted lightly, gradually growing more comfortable with each other—talking about the church, the orphanage, the economy, and other things.
"Ah- sorry… I forgot to pay you for the bread."
She handed him 10 Silver Coins. Ray felt uneasy since it exceeded the actual price, but she added,
"Consider it a tip. You've been here helping for quite a while."
Ray eventually agreed, then said goodbye to the children. One of them even tried to stop him from leaving. Still, he had to return to work.
As he walked away, he waved, and the children and the girl waved back at him before returning to their play.
Not long after, a priest approached the girl and bowed.
"My apologies for making you wait, Saintess. I've prepared a room for you to stay in tonight. Your guards have also arranged everything-"
Noticing her spacing out, he asked,
"Saintess? Is something troubling you?"
"Ah… no. I just feel… happy?"
Clank, clank, clank, clank
The sound of armored footsteps echoed as her guards approached; wearing expensive silver armor engraved with star motifs.
"Your Grace, the meal is ready. Shall we proceed to lunch?"
"Yes… thank you. And when we arrive in Foxglove City later… I'd like to visit Anna Bakery..."
The priest suddenly remembered something.
"Ah! That's right, the bread order this morning-"
"It's fine. He already came, and I paid him."
"W-what? My apologies for this oldman carelessness…"
"No, I'm actually grateful"
"Grateful…? Then I shall return the 6 Silver-"
"That won't be necessary. Andreas, prepare meals for the priest and the other staff as well. Including the knights from the Palace of Light who escorted me here."
The large man named Andreas, who seemed to be the squad leader, replied firmly.
"Yes, Your Grace."
As they walked toward the dining area, the Saintess glanced once more in the direction Ray had gone.
"Ray, huh…"
She smiled softly as she whispered his name; as if it was a name she would remember for a long time.