The Female Lead Takes Care of Everything - Chapter 109

Even though Ardores had put deep meaning into his gift, none of it really reached Nivellia.

Thankfully, Aref understood it all and quickly explained the meaning behind the gift to her.

“I think he gave it to us because he hopes we only walk the path to success. A compass is something that shows you the right direction.”

“Ohhh! I thought he was just giving me something useless. Grandpa really doesn’t have an eye for gifts. Grandma and Dad always say the same thing.”

Ardores, whose taste in gifts had once again been insulted, looked visibly hurt.

“Heehee! But thank you! I actually kind of like this one!”

Maybe she understood at least part of its meaning, because Nivellia beamed as she smiled.

“…Come back safely.”

Still feeling a little wounded, Ardores hugged each child tightly.

The rest of the family also came forward to say their farewells.

“We believe in you. You’ll do great.”

“If it gets too hard, you can always come back home, okay?”

Caleo and Celletina each kissed the children on their foreheads, silently praying for their safe return.

“Here, take this for the road.”

Soless handed over a basket filled with sandwiches made by the head chef.

“I think I’m going to be really bored while you’re gone.”

“You’re not allowed to cry just because I’m not here, got it, big brother?”

“I’m going to miss you too, and I’ll feel a little lonely.”

The children hugged each other tightly and stayed like that for a while.

“…Sniff.”

Then someone began to whimper. It was Nivellia.

“I don’t want to go…”

Nivellia, already overcome with sadness, began to fuss.

“Do you want to go another time instead?”

Celletina gently asked.

“No! I want to go now and make money!”

Snapping out of it, Nivellia quickly remembered her mission and stopped crying at once.

“Such a brave girl.”

Muniel gently stroked Nivellia’s cheek.

Grandmother and granddaughter, so alike in every way, looked into each other’s eyes.

“Take care of yourself out there.”

“Okay! I’ll be back!”

“So strong. You really are a wonderful leader.”

“That’s right! I’m a strong and amazing leader!”

“Of course, of course. Our Nini is meant to do great things.”

Muniel didn’t forget to send Aref off warmly, too.

“Take good care of Nini.”

“Yes, I will!”

Aref answered firmly, full of energy.

In the meantime, Caleo and Celletina gave Deter a strict reminder to look after the children carefully.

Deter responded with a humble, knight-like vow, saying he would protect them with his life.

“Have a safe trip!”

Soless waved toward the departing carriage.

Nivellia and Aref peeked out the window, waving back, their faces and hands growing smaller in the distance.

Outside the capital, the Pelea Trading Company ran into some familiar faces.

They were the same mercenaries who had guarded Pelea’s first westbound journey two years ago, back when the company had just been born.

“Oh! Oh no!”

As soon as she got off the carriage, Nivellia’s eyes went wide, and she quickly hid behind Deter.

“Who are they?”

Her wary gaze made the mercenaries laugh out loud.

“The boss was right. She’s totally forgotten about us.”

“She’s still a kid. Can’t be helped.”

The mercenaries introduced themselves again to the girl who had forgotten them.

The first to step forward was a man with short, silvery-gray hair tied up like a ponytail. When he smiled, a deep dimple appeared on his left cheek.

“I’m Falcone, sent by the Bellue Mercenary Guild.”

“My name is Mustela. It’s been a while, Company Leader.”

“I’m Lupinus.”

“And I’m Marte. It’s an honor to see you again.”

The mercenaries greeted her one by one.

“Starting today, we’ll be escorting you and the Pelea Trading Company. We’re glad to be working with you.”

“A gift from Lady Armiphera, no doubt.”

Deter smiled and explained to Nivellia, who was still hiding behind him.

“Trade companies always travel with escorts like this. Without them, you’d get attacked by bandits all the time.”

“Yeah. That’s why I made a contract with Aunt’s company. I asked for guards…”

“These people are the ones she sent. They’re on our side.”

“Young Miss.”

Aref stared closely at the mercenaries, and then his expression lit up with recognition.

“We met them a long time ago. They said they were Lady Armiphera’s companions.”

“My aunt’s friends?”

Nivellia, now slightly more relaxed, looked at the mercenaries with quiet curiosity.

The mercenaries were already chatting casually with the trading company’s staff, as if they were old acquaintances.

Encouraged by the calm atmosphere, Nivellia took a small step forward.

She still held Aref’s hand tightly in one hand and clutched the edge of Deter’s skirt with the other, but it was a meaningful step.

“I’m Nivellia, the leader of the company.”

“Yes, Miss Nivellia.”

Falcone stepped forward again, this time with a respectful tone.

“Thank you for always trusting us with your business.”

“We’ll do our best this time, too!”

“You can count on us.”

The guards waited until Nivellia had climbed back into the carriage before they began checking their swords and equipment.

It was a small kindness—done because they knew she used to be afraid of weapons.

“You know…”

Nivellia turned to them and spoke confidently.

“I’m okay with swords now. You can wear them if you want.”

“Really?”

Mustela looked genuinely surprised.

Nivellia nodded proudly, clearly eager to show her growth.

“I’ve watched my brother and Aref train a lot. I’m not as scared anymore!”

But the moment she got into the carriage, she quietly admitted the truth to Aref and Deter.

“I’m still a little scared… but I’m the company leader, so I should be able to handle it. I’ll do my best.”

Nivellia was learning to set her personal fears aside and focus on what was important for everyone.

Still, the fear lingered. So, without hesitation, she lay down and rested her head on Deter’s thigh.

“You must be proud of her.”

Deter smiled gently and stroked Nivellia’s hair with warmth in her eyes.

Aref didn’t hold back his praise either.

“Miss Nivellia is stronger than a sword now. That’s why she’s not afraid. That’s what Sir Ardores said.”

Deter looked at Aref with a surprised expression, as if thinking, “Where did that come from?”

When their eyes met, Aref gave a small, shy smile. But Deter saw something more in it—a quiet, steady confidence.

Where did that calmness come from?

When they had first met, Aref was the one who always acted impulsively.

He had been completely shaken by every word and action from Nivellia.

But now, it almost felt like the opposite.

“Miss Nivellia, if you stay like that too long, Deter’s leg might start to hurt. Would you like to lie next to me instead?”

“But I want to lie down…”

“Then you can rest your head on my leg. I’m smaller than Deter, so it should be a perfect fit.”

Without any hesitation, Nivellia scooted over and lay her head on Aref’s thigh.

“Hehe, this is comfortable!”

“If you feel sleepy, it’s okay to nap.”

“Mmm… but I’m the leader, so I should work. I want to go over everything I studied about Tepe village and the nearby regions.”

“Then how about we quiz each other to review?”

“Great idea! You’re really smart, Aref.”

“I used to study like this with Soless.”

If you listened carefully to their conversation, it was clear who was guiding it.

Aref was quietly leading the moment.

But he never made it seem that way.

Instead, he always let Nivellia be the one in charge. He simply offered ideas and asked for her approval. In the end, it was always Nivellia who made the decisions.

Deter let out a soft, amused breath.

A sly little wolf, isn’t he?

But she didn’t dislike the relationship.

For someone like Nivellia, who often rushed in headfirst, Aref’s calm and devoted patience was exactly the kind of balance she needed.

The carriage traveled for two full days without pause.

The journey itself went smoothly.

The biggest concern for this trip had been Nivellia. Everyone wondered if such a young child could endure such a long and tiring journey.

Fortunately, she held up far better than anyone expected.

The support from Aref and Deter played a huge part.

Especially when Nivellia looked like she might cry from missing her parents, Aref would sneak in a sudden kiss on her cheek.

“Do it again!”

And just like that, her attention would shift entirely to Aref.

On the second night of camping, the Pelea Trading Company arrived safely just outside the village.

Falcone, after scouting the area, came to report to Nivellia.

“We’ll arrive in Tepe Village tomorrow morning.”

Nivellia, now dressed in her soft, cozy pajamas, nodded firmly.

By now, many of the staff and mercenaries had gathered nearby. Since they were almost at their destination, everyone wanted to review the plan in advance.

“First, I’ll go with the deputy leader and greet the village chief. I can just call him ‘village chief,’ right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The deputy, Frece, nodded with a cheerful smile.

“Judging by the letter we received, they seem to welcome our visit. I’d say the chances of a deal are good.”

“Tepe fabric is super soft. You can’t stop touching it. It’s going to be a great product.”

Nivellia shared her ideas on how to use the Tepe fabric.

“I think we should make clothes out of it. Not bags. Bags have to be tough, like that tent over there.”

“I completely agree with you, Miss Nivellia.”

“I really hope it works out.”

Mustela spoke with genuine hope, ending her sentence with a soft sigh.

Then the name Roslen Trading Company slipped from her mouth.

“Pelea can’t afford to lose to someone like Roslen.”

“Exactly!”

Nivellia replied boldly, and the other Pelea staff members nodded strongly in agreement.

Falcone shot Mustela a quick glance, but she just shrugged, pretending not to notice.

The truth was, it wasn’t just Pelea that held a grudge against Roslen.

“Well, since the topic’s come up, I’ll say this too.”

Falcone spoke up.

“You all know that Roslen has been clashing with Bellue quite often recently, right?”

“My aunt wrote about it in her letter.”

“Do you know why it’s happening?”

“I don’t.”

Falcone sighed lightly before explaining.

“They’ve been repeatedly approaching our mercenaries, trying to force us to keep selling them dimensional storage pouches.”

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