The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 115

Chapter 115: Inspection and Carriage Conversation

As I entered the dining room, the gentle aroma of stew wafted through the air.

Aside from the servants, who had already started their work, most of the members currently staying at the lord’s residence were gathered.

With the arrival of spring, Melfina’s duties as a lord had become busier, leaving her little free time during the day. Breakfast was a rare opportunity for her to see everyone’s faces. As soon as she sat down in her usual chair, Ed quickly set a steaming bowl of stew, bread mixed with whole wheat, a salad, and warm corn tea before her.

“Lady Melfina, the carriage is ready, so you can leave at any time.”

“Thank you, Rad. I’ll leave right after breakfast, so have it waiting by the gate.”

“Sister, are you going out today?”

“I’m heading to inspect Melto Village. Since we just divided the village, and now that it’s warming up, pests seem to have appeared. I’ll also be considering countermeasures for that.”

When cultivating crops, problems with pests and diseases are inevitable. It will still be some time before strong, disease-resistant varieties are developed. Measures such as spacing the rows to improve airflow, regularly weeding to prevent weeds from becoming a breeding ground, and manually eliminating pests when found are being taken. However, once an outbreak occurs, it can quickly affect the overall harvest.

“The northern region is cold, so the damage from pests and diseases isn’t as severe as in the southern or eastern regions, but some degree of damage is unavoidable.”

“How do you deal with pests and diseases?”

“Since many diseases are spread by insects, the most reliable method is to manually eliminate them as soon as they’re found. Another option is to spread oil, but for large fields, unlike expensive single crops like in the herb garden, the costs are too high. There’s also the option of spraying diluted vinegar.”

“It really does cost a lot, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. I’ll inspect the situation on-site and decide from there.”

“Can I come with you?”

Serleine leaned forward slightly.
Though Serleine had been busy touring the developing Enkar region with his own guards and Felice, he hadn’t had much free time lately, and perhaps he was getting a little bored.

“I don’t mind.”

Said Melfina.

“Lady, I want to go too.”

Julius, who had been absentmindedly stirring his spoon as if he still wasn’t fully awake, raised his hand, finally seeming more alert.

“Lord Julius too?”

“Yes, I feel much clearer today, and the weather is nice. I’d like to join and soak in some sunlight as well.”

Since the carriage seated four and Cedric would be riding horseback during the journey, there shouldn’t be any issue.

“Ah, should I prepare some light snacks for the road?”

“Thank you, Ed, but some food stalls should already be open in Melto Village. I’ll sample their offerings while we’re there.”

“In that case, I’ll make sure to put extra effort into dinner!”

Ed, who had grown a little taller this year, said this with a bright smile. Melfina smiled and nodded back. It must have been thanks to better nutrition—last year, though he was the same age as Serleine and looked just as young, his physique had barely differed from his. But ever since the new year, he’d been growing rapidly.

After finishing breakfast and preparing themselves, they got into the carriage. While Melfina, Marie, and Serleine fit comfortably, the tall Julius looked a bit cramped in the roofed carriage.

Outside the window, fields stretched out across the landscape, with lines of laborers walking to their morning work. Noticing the carriage, they doffed their hats and bowed, to which Melfina waved in return, letting out a soft sigh.

“I keep thinking about wanting to improve the carriages, but time keeps slipping by.”

“Like upgrading to a four-horse carriage?”

Asked Julius.

“No, I’m thinking of designing something more comfortable, that puts less strain on the passengers.”

Carriages of this era still lacked suspensions—no leaf springs had been invented to absorb shocks. The wheels were made of hard wood reinforced with iron, so the bumps in the road directly jolted the body of the carriage.

“This is just what I thought carriages were like.”

Julius said.

“After sitting in them for a long time, your backside starts to hurt, and if you’re not feeling well, it often makes you feel nauseous. Reducing the strain would be wonderful.”

“Lady, if you’d like, could you tell me what kind of mechanism you’re considering?”

Marie promptly handed over a pencil made from finely sharpened charcoal wrapped in twine, crafted from plant paper. She truly was a capable and attentive secretary, always ready for the smallest tasks.

“I plan to bend iron plates of varying lengths like this and secure them at four points with rings. These will be placed above the axle, and the body of the carriage will be suspended on top of the leaf springs. The idea is that every time the wheels hit a bump, the springs will act as cushions, absorbing the impact.”

Melfina explained.

“I see. So instead of directly connecting the axle and the carriage, you’re inserting something between them to absorb the shock.”

Julius remarked.

“Exactly. But it will take time, as we’ll need to create multiple prototypes and do strength calculations. The blacksmiths are already working at full capacity making building materials and tools, so it won’t be ready anytime soon.”

Melfina added.

Since spring had arrived, she had often thought of all the things she could have done over the winter, but it was too late for that now. It seemed she’d have to save this idea for next winter’s project.

“Still, if a comfortable carriage could be made, I’d want one as soon as possible. The idea is revolutionary, but the structure itself doesn’t seem too complex. Couldn’t you place an order with a workshop in the capital?”

“Once it’s out there, it will be copied immediately.”

Melfina replied.

“And I suppose that’s fine…”

The design of the leaf springs was simple and easy to replicate. Once demonstrated and its usefulness proven, imitation models would appear quickly. In this world, there was no concept of patents, so it couldn’t be helped.

“Lady Melfina, even if copies do appear, there’s no reason to give up the credit for being the inventor. Considering the testing and calculations needed, it will take some time for others to imitate it.”

Marie said.

Nodding at her secretary’s words, Melfina listened as Marie continued in a firm tone.

“It would be best to spread word that this innovative carriage originated in the Enkar region and is spreading across the northern lands. It’s important to maintain the impression that this is a land ruled by a capable lord.”

“I agree, Lady.”

Julius added.

“When a young or female lord suddenly takes over a territory, they’re often underestimated by certain unsavory types. The balance only really tips in your favor when people perceive you as a capable young female lord, backed by powerful allies and competent officials.”

Until now, the Enkar region had been an unremarkable land inhabited by pioneers. It was only last year that its name started to gain recognition thanks to a modest amount of corn exports. However, as they expanded the fields and introduced more specialty products, the region would inevitably attract more attention.

Melfina understood that once this happened, with a young woman like her ruling the land, ill-intentioned individuals would likely come knocking. She had been told many times that the strict demeanor of her two stewards was a precaution against this very threat.

“Yes, I’ll make sure to act as a strong and calculated ruler.”

Melfina responded.

“I’m sorry, Sister. I didn’t mean to say anything unnecessary.”

Serleine said, his shoulders slumping.

Melfina gently patted Serleine’s back.

“It might not be possible by summer, but once the harvest settles down, I’ll consult with the workshop. By autumn, we may be able to go on a picnic in the new carriage.”

“Yes!”

Serleine perked up, visibly excited.

The memory of last year’s picnic was a pleasant one for Melfina. The thought of spending another relaxing day by the lakeshore in a more comfortable carriage brought a warm, uplifting feeling to her.

“That sounds wonderful. Please, let me come along as well.”

Julius chimed in.

“Of course. The view of Lake Moltre in autumn is truly beautiful. We’ll have sandwiches and plenty of other dishes. By then, we should also be able to make some hot wine.”

Melfina replied.

Although they hadn’t been able to harvest any grapes for wine last year, they might be able to gather a small amount this year.

Despite the busy days ahead, making promises like these gave her the motivation to keep pushing forward.

Suddenly, the carriage jolted, perhaps after hitting a rock, causing everyone inside to startle. Then, without prompting, they all began to laugh quietly together.