Chapter 149: It’s Good to Be Back. (1)
Zvalter spoke seriously.
“Who would want to send their daughter to Perdium? If you don’t want to end up like me, you can’t miss this timing. You need to get married quickly while you’re still young and prosperous.”
“… Ha.”
It hurt just to hear it, but objectively speaking, he was right.
My husband is away on campaigns in the North for half the year. At first glance, it seems great to have a husband who’s absent, but that’s not the only problem.
No money, danger lurking in this rural backcountry, and there’s no one to keep me company—that’s not an enviable situation for anyone.
That’s why the Count of Perdium always pleaded with the lord families of nearby territories to arrange betrothals.
Ghislaine and Amelia’s previous engagement was also arranged in this manner.
In fact, it would be better if an engagement is established. Zvalter himself couldn’t even find a decent match when he was young.
“Look at me. If I hadn’t accidentally met your mother, I wouldn’t have been able to marry at all. Your mother was also from a fallen noble family, so you don’t have a maternal side, do you?”
At Zvalter’s words, Belinda awkwardly turned her gaze and scratched her neck. Ghislaine’s mother had also come to the marriage with nothing but Belinda as a maid.
Still, the family of Perdium graciously welcomed her with gratitude for marrying into their house.
People fell silent for a moment at that rather self-deprecating fact. The difficulties of marriage were not just a problem for lord families.
Baron Homern cautiously opened his mouth.
“Now that the influence of the Grand Duke has risen significantly, how about pushing for a marriage with Count Raybold’s young lady again?”
“Amelia? Could we?”
Zvalter’s face brightened at the thought.
Amelia Raybold, the daughter of the Grand Duke representing the North, was renowned for her nobility, grace, wisdom, and benevolence.
Becoming part of the House of Marquis Branford would be a dream come true, but honestly, that would be too much to ask.
“Right, if we’re going to live in this barren North, we need someone with a good heart. After all, we were engaged once, so this should be easier this time. Once is hard, but is twice really that hard?”
Raybold is a great duke of the North.
Although their relationship had slightly soured due to unfortunate events, the territories were close, and they had been nominal allies since their ancestors.
“There’s been a bit of a distance lately due to certain circumstances, but the territory is close, and we’ve had a long-standing nominal alliance since the previous generation.”
Count Raybold has many children, and in the past, he generously allowed the marriage between Ghislaine and Amelia.
Now that Ghislaine’s reputation has greatly improved, the chances of him accepting her again were high.
The retainers also began to voice their support one by one.
“If it’s the daughter of Count Raybold, she’s certainly more than enough. In fact, she’s overflowing.”
“Rumor has it Count Raybold is looking for a match again.”
“Rather than that, it would be better to deal with us, an old ally. Re-establishing the relationship should be easy enough, right?”
As the mood leaned positively, Ghislaine’s expression started to twist in proportion.
Eventually, Ghislaine, unable to hold back any longer, shouted out.
“Absolutely do not make contact. I will not marry that woman, not even if I die!”
“No, why? Honestly, there’s no one as good as Young Lady Amelia in the North.”
Baron Homern asked with a puzzled look.
Good background, beautiful, known for her kind heart, quiet and composed personality—she seemed fit for inner support. No matter how you looked at it, there was no one like her.
“Is it because of the past? That’s all in the past since Marquis Branford is behind it. If anything, they’ll probably like it better now. Politics is like that.”
“Oh, please. I’ll never do it, so don’t think about that. If it gets pushed forward, I’ll overturn everything. We’ll just all die together.”
Ghislaine furrowed her brows, raising her voice like never before.
You want to marry two people who are ready to kill each other?
It was obvious they’d be pondering how to assassinate each other from the first day of their honeymoon.
Everyone felt regretful at Ghislaine’s fierce rejection and could only lick their lips in disappointment.
‘Why does she hate it so much? Didn’t she like it before? Did she get dumped when she came back with the support money last time?’
Zvalter clicked his tongue inwardly.
A difference in family background can bruise one’s pride.
However, even if they don’t get along when they’re young, through life, bonds can form.
Just look around; everyone lives like that.
But since she hated it to the point of losing her cool, they agreed not to push it for now.
“Okay… then let’s talk again later.”
“No, I don’t want to talk about marriage right now, so don’t bring it up. I’m leaving. Hey! Quickly sort the support supplies! We’re heading back to the territory!”
Ghislaine huffed and stormed off.
Zvalter looked at Ghislaine’s retreating figure with sad eyes. No matter how he thought about it, there was no one better suited for a daughter-in-law than Amelia.
*
“Finally back! Home really is the best.”
As they passed through the outer castle of Penris, Belinda was delighted.
The capital manor was splendid and nice, but she was anxious about what trouble Ghislaine might cause, so she could not relax.
Indeed, there’s no place like home—a timeless truth.
The other members of the party didn’t show it overtly, but their faces reflected a sense of relief.
At least here, they didn’t have to walk on eggshells under the scrutiny of high-ranking nobles.
I didn’t have to walk on eggshells around the high-ranking nobles.
When the news spread that the lord had returned, the territory residents flocked in.
“The lord has arrived!”
“Wow! But what’s all that?”
People were shocked to see the wagons trailing behind Ghislaine.
Military weapons, all kinds of materials, and magnificent warhorses.
There were also wagons packed with essential supplies following closely behind.
It looked similar to the procession of merchant groups entering the territory, but it was the first time so many items came in at once.
“Look at those wagons. They’re massive, right?”
“I heard they were selling cosmetics or something and hit the jackpot!”
The territory residents’ eyes sparkled as they gawked at the wagons, brimming with anticipation that Ghislaine would distribute these items throughout the territory.
Whenever something was brought in, it was always poured back into the territory. The food supply issues were being resolved, and facilities were on the rise.
As long as you weren’t deliberately slacking off, anyone could work and get paid fairly.
Though it couldn’t be said that they were thriving, compared to the hunger of the past, they felt grateful for their current situation.
“I’m glad you made it back safely.”
“Right? I was so worried!”
“I was so anxious while the lord was away.”
The memories of the previous lord and the nobles’ tyranny still haunted their minds.
They worried that if something bad happened to Ghislaine, those tyrants might return, keeping everyone up at night waiting for news about the lord.
The territory residents were purely joyful that their lord had returned safely.
“Thank goodness you’re back safely!”
“Lord! Please look this way!”
“Don’t go anywhere now!”
Unlike in other territories, the residents didn’t prostrate themselves or tremble when their lord passed by.
Ghislaine’s kindness and generous support had won them over.
Claude, the chief officer and administrator of the territory, seized the opportunity.
He quickly dismounted and climbed onto one of the wagons, shouting loudly.
“Everyone listen! This time, the lord’s venture has been incredibly successful! We’ve gained a massive benefit and strengthened ties with the kingdom’s high-ranking nobles! Especially with the Minister of the Interior, Marquis Branford, acting as the lord’s guardian…”
The territory residents looked blankly, blinking.
What did they know about who Marquis Branford was, living out here in the countryside farming?
But everyone perked up at what came next.
“…Thus, with the profit, we’re purchasing large quantities of necessary items for the territory… This is a policy aimed at stabilizing the suddenly skyrocketing prices, so the residents can buy them at prices lower than the market rate… Let’s all express our gratitude for the lord’s generosity in hoping for the stabilization of the residents’ lives!”
“Wooooooow!”
“The lord is the best!”
“Only our lord looks out for us!”
The ground shook from the enthusiastic cheers.
A few emotionally moved residents even collapsed, tears streaming down their faces.
While the food supply issues had been somewhat solved with the large wheat harvest, people couldn’t live on bread alone.
Though the food problem has been somewhat resolved, people can’t live on bread alone.
They need clothes too, and they should indulge in something delicious from time to time.
However, since the surrounding territories aren’t much different from the Penris Territory, it was quite challenging to procure daily necessities.
Even cooking utensils and pots were being shared between neighbors.
While the merchant group consistently visited the area near the Lord’s Castle to sell goods, it was still far from meeting the required amounts.
This situation became even more severe for villages farther away from the Lord’s Castle.
However, it was said that the Lord had purchased a large quantity of necessary items for them.
What could be seen in front of them, piled on the wagons, were not luxury items for the Lord but various daily necessities.
For those who had been living day by day, thankful to not starve, this was an extraordinary gift.
Amidst the cheers coming from all sides, Claude raised his spirits and shouted again.
“There’s no need to worry anymore! If anything happens, the Lord and I will handle everything! Never forget that giving your best from your position is the way to repay the Lord’s grace! Hahaha!”
The territory residents responded to Claude’s words with clapping and cheers.
“Woohoo! Long live the Chief Officer!”
“I’ll do my best!”
“The Chief Officer is on board!”
“Who the heck are you? Step up!”
“You heard wrong! Wahaha!”
Ghislaine chuckled and shook his head as he watched the laughing and bustling territory residents.
He had planned to make an official announcement anyway, but he never expected it to come out like this.
He really had a knack for talking.
“Well, it’s not bad after all.”
When he first arrived here, everyone was slowly dying without any hope.
Seeing the brightened expressions of the territory residents filled him with pride and fulfillment.
‘We need to quickly improve the roads too.’
Most merchants in the North don’t come all the way to the Penris Territory but unload their goods in Raybold instead.
That’s partly because Raybold is a large and wealthy territory, but also due to the harsh conditions of the road leading here.
To make it easier for merchants to come and go and to transport cosmetics to the capital or various points, road maintenance was essential.
Receiving endless cheers from the residents, Ghislaine slowly made his way towards the Lord’s Castle.
Like everyone else, he felt somewhat at ease returning to the territory.
It seemed that there hadn’t been any accidents, so it was time to swiftly proceed to the next plan…….
Boom!
Before he could finish his thoughts, a tremendous roar erupted from the direction of the Lord’s Castle, and flames shot high into the sky.
A hole opened up in the clouds where the red light had passed.
“……?”
Ghislaine stared intently at the Lord’s Castle in shock.
Why did such an explosion suddenly occur? Was there an attack?
As Ghislaine pondered, he recalled what facilities were in that location and widened his eyes in realization.
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