The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 128

Chapter 128: Blessings and Talents

That morning, Melfina watched from the window as three black carriages departed from the Lord’s mansion. She then began her daily duties.

Though the administrator and civil officials were all present, there was a vast array of tasks for the Lord of Enkar, a region undergoing rapid development.

“After the rainy season ends, we should increase the number of watermills for grinding flour by three. The wheat harvest will begin soon, and we need to minimize the possibility of falling behind in our production due to the increasing population.”

“Regarding the corn drying sheds, Ricardo has requested a consultation. He believes we can build them at the same pace as last year.”

“Tell him it’s fine. We’ve expanded the wheat fields, and the timber drying sheds can be used again after the corn harvest, just like last year. And how is the glass workshop going?”

“There were concerns about the furnace temperature during the rainy season. Craftsmen are scheduled to arrive after the rainy season ends.”

“We need to prepare the workshop by then. We have many glass items we need to make.”

The glassmaking techniques were still rudimentary compared to her previous life, but the convenience of glass was undeniable.

The annex, which was still being built, currently had louvered shutters instead of windows, and she wanted them replaced with glass as soon as possible.

On days like today, when it was raining, being able to work on documents with natural light coming in through the windows made a huge difference.

“Eventually, I want to create windows without lead frames.”

“Aren’t glass windows made by joining round blown glass with lead?”

“There’s a method to create flat and large sheets of glass. And glass is very useful for transportation and crop cultivation as well.”

Using the technology of this world, it should be possible to create flat glass using a hand-blown cylinder method. All she needed was to build the necessary equipment and furnaces, then wait for the arrival of a craftsman who could develop the technique based on her knowledge.

“This is something that will come later, but I want to be able to transport ale and wine in glass bottles.”

Since glass is fragile and ale and wine are usually consumed locally, Marie and Cedric didn’t seem to get it.

It would take a long time to develop glass bottles that could withstand the internal pressure of carbonation and alcohol. A lot of trial and error would be needed.

“It’s a long way off, but if you make glass into a bell shape and put it over crops, the temperature inside will rise, allowing you to harvest spring and autumn crops even in winter. That would be a great way to cultivate high-end fruits for nobles.”

One day, she hoped to have a glass greenhouse, but that was still a dream.

While having these conversations interspersed with sorting documents, a soft knock sounded at the door. Marie opened it to reveal Anna, standing there with a look of apology.

“Anna, is something wrong?”

“Well, a child from Melto Village said they wanted to see Lady Melfina. I told them you were busy with work, but they said it could be just for a moment.”

“Anna, when something like this happens, you should ask for the message first and then inform Lady Melfina.”

“Oh, yes! I, I’ll ask them!”

“It’s fine. Let’s take a short break. Anna, would you prepare tea for everyone?”

Anna was about to turn around and run away, but when Melfina called out to her, her face brightened.

“Yes! Right away!”

“Don’t run, take it slow and gracefully.”

The sound of her feet, which had started to tap quickly, came to a sudden stop. Melfina let out a chuckle.

“Anna has grown into quite the young lady.”

“I’m still a bit clumsy.”

“We’ll give you time to learn. Sitting for too long isn’t good for you, so it’s good that we have this break.”

As she stretched her back and descended the stairs, she noticed Rad standing at the entrance of the Lord’s mansion. Upon seeing Melfina, he waved his hands excitedly.

“Well, Rad, you’re soaking wet!”

“It’s the rainy season, so it’s okay. But Lady Melfina! I received a Blessing at the square today. And guess what? I have two talents – Calculation and Analysis!”

“Wow, two talents? That’s amazing, Rad!”

They had been discussing the possibility of Rad having the talent of Calculation last summer.

Calculation was supposed to be a higher-level talent than Calculation. And now, with Analysis on top of that, it could be said that he was a rare talent holder.

“It’s uncommon even among nobles to have multiple talents or attributes. You’re amazing, Rad.”

“The priest said the same thing. They asked if I wanted to join the church, but I told them that I want to help Lady Melfina!”

Rad grinned proudly, and Melfina gestured for him to come inside, telling Marie to get him a towel. Rad waved his hand dismissively.

“I’m going back to the village. The carriage is waiting, so I’m going now!”

“Wait, Rad!”

“Sorry for interrupting your work! I wanted to tell Lady Melfina first!”

With a cheerful “See you later!” and a wave, Rad rushed out of the gate into the rain. The soldiers on guard duty watched him leave with a wry smile.

“Don’t slip and fall on your way back!”

“See ya later, Lady Melfina!”

His departing words were filled with joy. Melfina watched him leave with a wry smile, then exchanged glances with Marie and Cedric.

“Two talents, that’s incredible.”

“It’s amazing, and both are rare talents. I think he’d be well-suited to be an architect or a scholar.”

“Other than that, an artist. I heard a sculptor who was once employed by the Duke’s family also had Calculation and Analysis.

“I think studying at the church would be a good environment for both architects and artists.”

“It’s probably best not to tell that to the boy. He might end up confessing his feelings again.”

Cedric said that with a serious expression, and Melfina laughed sheepishly.

“He won’t tell me that again. Besides, no matter what talents they have, all children are full of potential.”

“That’s so Lady Melfina.”

Since Anna had prepared tea for them, they had a short tea break before returning to their work.

Melfina looked up from the documents she was engrossed in, startled by the sound of her stomach growling.

She had been so focused on work that she hadn’t noticed the sun had moved from high noon to an oblique angle. Usually, Ed or Anna would have informed her by now that lunch was ready.

“Has Ed still not returned?”

“It seems lunch is quite late. I’ll go check downstairs.”

Marie left the office, and Melfina turned to Cedric.

“The blessing might be taking a long time. If he hasn’t returned yet, I’ll make something simple.”

She could quickly whip up some sandwiches with bread, eggs, and ham, and a milk tea would be enough for lunch. As she thought this, Cedric spoke softly,

“If I could, I would… but I don’t think I could make something worthy of being eaten by Lady Melfina.”

“You’re a knight, Cedric. But you have skilled hands, so if you learned to cook, I bet you’d become better than me in no time.”

“I can’t even imagine that.”

As they were having this conversation, Marie returned, accompanied by Anna.

“Anna just came back from shopping at the market. Apparently, Ed hasn’t returned yet.”

“He’s probably taking a long time with the blessing. I’ll make something –”

“The “Blessing” is over! They were starting to dismantle the tents at the square. It’s strange that he hasn’t come back by now!”

Anna interrupted Melfina, causing Cedric and Marie to look at her with a hint of disapproval.

“I was asked to buy things because Ed said he’d cook today. And then Rad came, so I thought Ed would be done soon, so I asked him to carry the luggage. But Ed wasn’t at the square or the market. Maybe we just missed each other?”

“Anna, calm down. – Marie, could you please ask the soldiers to look for Ed?”

“I’ll tell them right away.”

“Lady Melfina, it’s strange that Ed isn’t back. He’s not the type to get lost, and he would never skip work just because he went out.”

Anna’s face was filled with worry and anxiety.

Despite their frequent arguments, Melfina knew that they weren’t truly enemies.

Ed often ran to nearby houses to inform them about Melfina’s messages. Even though the area had developed, the path from the Lord’s mansion to Enkar Village was not complicated enough to get lost.

The Enkar region was a bustling place with people coming and going. With the influx of newcomers, there were bound to be disputes and problems. Melfina could sense that Anna’s anxiety was growing due to the possibility of something bad happening.

“I know, Anna. We’ll have people look for him soon. Don’t worry so much.”

“….Yes, I, I’m sorry for speaking so loudly.”

“It’s okay, I’m worried too. He’ll be back soon, I’m sure.”

Even though she said those words, Ed still hadn’t returned to the Lord’s mansion as the sun continued to descend.

The rain, which had been falling steadily since morning, began to intensify.