When Werther saw Anita, he stopped short in surprise.
Her long golden hair fell over her shoulders, and her large emerald-green eyes shone brightly. Dressed in a blue dress, Anita stood in the distance, smiling at Werther.
In the three years since he had last seen her, Anita had changed dramatically. She had grown from a little girl into a graceful young woman.
Werther looked her over. For some reason, she reminded him of someone. If she had a single stray lock sticking up from her head, the resemblance would have been even stronger.
Anita twirled in place and winked at Werther.
"What, don't you recognize me? This young lady has finally escaped that awful little-girl figure."
Anita planted her hands on her hips and thrust out her chest, which now had a noticeable curve.
Anita had once told him that the women of her family shared a distinctive trait: they developed very slowly in childhood, then grew rapidly once they left it behind.
"Can't say I notice. I'm starving."
Werther walked past Anita and patted her shoulder.
"The food here's good, right?"
Anita could no longer hold her smile. The corners of her mouth twitched.
"It's... it's all right."
"Then hurry up and take me there. I've been eating jerky for five days."
The Chief Steward approached from the distance.
"My lady, I've missed the Castle's kitchen terribly as well."
Anita sighed and trudged ahead.
"Thanks for making the trip. And... it's been a long time, Werther."
"Yeah. It has."
That was the end of the welcome. The three of them went to the dining room.
Werther wolfed down the food before him. The Anita Family certainly had plenty of food, and its chef was even better than he was.
"Tell me what's going on. Did you bring me