The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 133

Chapter 133: Agricultural Reservoir and Irrigation Ditch

On the fourth day, after seeing off the church carriage that was returning home as scheduled, Melfina also boarded her own covered carriage.

There were countless things to ponder, but it didn’t mean her workload would decrease. In fact, keeping herself busy mentally and physically was a relief, as it allowed her to temporarily put aside unanswered thoughts.

The rain that had been falling steadily since midnight had stopped by dawn. The carriage moved slowly and heavily due to the muddy ground, but the sunlight filtering through breaks in the clouds slightly eased the oppressive mood.

Although this constant rain could dampen one’s spirits, it was actually welcomed this year, as a new agricultural reservoir and irrigation ditch had been introduced.

While Enkar was a region naturally rich in water, resources remained finite, including lakes, rivers, and groundwater.

It took a bit longer than usual, but the carriage finally reached the newly constructed reservoir, located a short distance from Melto Village. As Melfina stepped out, Nid and several Melto Village officials had already arrived.

“I hope I haven’t kept you waiting.”

“No, we arrived earlier and were inspecting the area. The reservoir filled up sooner than expected due to the continuous rain, so we were worried about any problems.”

“It’s a new endeavor, and using water always carries the risk of accidents. I’m glad you’re being cautious.”

A dam had been built to release water into a nearby river when the reservoir reached a certain level, ensuring that no water overflowed onto the surrounding fields. Hearing that the dam was also functioning properly, Melfina felt relieved.

She cautiously approached the reservoir, but the water was muddy and opaque due to the persistent rain. It wasn’t the clear, inviting kind of water that sucked you in; instead, it had an unsettling color, making one feel that if they fell in, they’d sink to the bottom and never resurface.

This reservoir was vital for the surrounding fields of Melto Village. It had a considerable size and depth, and anyone who couldn’t swim would be in trouble if they fell in.

—In my previous life, I could swim perfectly, but I’m not so sure now.

As someone who grew up in the capital, Melfina had never actually been immersed in water outside of bathing. She wasn’t even sure if she could still do things like swimming or cycling, actions her body had learned in her past life.

“The reservoir is much deeper than a person’s height, so we might need to install a fence to prevent falls.”

“We’ve been telling the children not to go near it, but since it’s such a unique structure, many adults might be curious too. A fence might be a good idea.”

With a man-made pond appearing where the fields ended, it was only natural for people to investigate. It seemed prudent to restrict access to the area, allowing only designated managers, until the reservoir became a familiar sight.

“How is the irrigation ditch progressing?”

“We’ve already dug almost all the planned sections. However, some parts have collapsed due to this rain, so we might need to re-dig certain sections after the rainy season before we let the water flow.”

“I still think we should install concrete U-shaped channels. We might not have the resources this year, but we should start next year.”

Leaving the ditch as an exposed dirt channel would lead to problems with weed control during dry spells and the risk of collapse during prolonged rain. While installing concrete U-shaped blocks would take more effort, it would be safer in the long run.

The most efficient approach would be to manufacture them in the empty drying shed during this winter’s off-season and gradually install them. While pondering this, Nid stared at the full reservoir, his voice tinged with melancholy as he spoke.

“We were blessed with plenty of water last year, but there were times in the past when the fields dried up due to long droughts. By drawing water from here, we can avoid seeing our fields wither even if we face such weather again.”

“Indeed. The reservoir’s water level will also decrease in dry years, but we must prepare for the worst.”

Providing for future contingencies and ensuring the population wouldn’t starve were crucial parts of a lord’s duties. Melfina made a note in her mental list to add a section about the granary.

As they continued their inspection, confirming there were no major issues, a few raindrops began to fall.

The clouds were breaking, so it didn’t seem like it would pour, but the northern sky was notoriously fickle during this season.

“Lady Melfina, there’s a drying shed over there. Would you like to take shelter from the rain?”

“Yes, let’s have lunch there. I brought plenty of food, so everyone is welcome to join us.”

“Then I’ll go ahead and check things out. Lloyd, accompany Lady Melfina.”

“Yes!”

Confirming Lloyd’s response, Cedric steered his horse towards the drying shed. Despite the poor condition of the ground, the horse galloped lightly.

“Sometimes, laborers and hired workers who couldn’t afford lodging would sneak into the drying shed to sleep and live. I believe he’s worried about that.”

“That’s a concern. We’ve prepared a designated area for tents. Couldn’t they use that instead?”

“It’s less hassle to use a drying shed than setting up tents, especially when it’s raining or windy. The villagers are on patrol to prevent people from staying there, but sometimes they argue and refuse to leave. Soldiers on patrol would usually chase them away, but they often sneak back in before nightfall.”

It must be quite a challenge to deal with this issue, especially since calling for soldiers required a significant distance each time.

The drying shed wasn’t built for living. It would likely have drafts. If people tried to stay warm by making fires at night, there would be a terrible risk of fire.

“You can firmly tell those people that all drying sheds belong to the lord. …Although, I might not be intimidating enough.”

Even if she wasn’t a hulking giant of a man, she was still a teenage noble girl, lacking both authority and intimidation.

So far, the only person who had been taken aback by Melfina was Lutz, the village chief of Enkar Village.

“Yes, I’ll make sure to convey that clearly.”

“I’ll make arrangements to have trained soldiers stationed there as soon as possible.”

While they were walking and discussing this, Cedric returned after checking on the drying shed.

He used to always stay close to Melfina, like a shadow. But ever since Lloyd became her attendant, Cedric started leaving her side for short periods, albeit occasionally.

With Lloyd by her side, Cedric seemed to have more time to be vigilant about their surroundings. Their compatibility seemed decent, and Lloyd appeared to admire Cedric.

After being reassured that there were no problems, they arrived at the drying shed. It was usually used to store lumber until corn harvest, but with the ongoing second construction boom, the lumber stacked during the winter had already been cleared out, leaving it empty.

Cedric and Lloyd tied their horses to the bushes near the shed. Cedric’s horse munched on grass, while Lloyd gently stroked the neck of his chestnut mare, which he had received recently.

“Lloyd, are you getting used to riding?”

“No, I’m still at the stage where I’m being carried by the horse. Especially on days like today when it’s raining.”

Attendants typically didn’t have their own horses, but Lloyd was Melfina’s bodyguard, so he had been given a gentle female horse.

The mare’s gait was gentle and unhurried. She never misbehaved, and her black eyes were sleepy and dulled, giving her an undeniably gentle aura.

“If you become the head steward in the future, you’ll need to act on Lady Melfina’s behalf in certain situations. It’s best to learn to ride horses as soon as possible.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

Despite Cedric’s seemingly strict tone, Lloyd didn’t seem intimidated. Melfina smiled and sat down on the mat Marie had prepared.

Melfina’s actions were already familiar to the residents of Enkar. No one was startled by a noblewoman sitting on the ground.

Ed had prepared a basket full of sandwiches for lunch. There were egg and mayonnaise sandwiches, sliced pork marinated with salt and ginger with plenty of sliced onions, flaked roasted fish, and thick slices of cheese — a wide variety.

Melfina often had to take her lunch in her office due to her busy schedule, so her culinary skills were constantly improving. Especially on days when she had a lot of paperwork, the proportion of ham and cheese increased to prevent fillings from falling out. On days when she mentioned wanting something hearty, the sandwiches included fried pork. Her thoughtful attention to detail never failed to impress.

Ed’s meticulous care was even more remarkable than any “talent.”

“Please, everyone, wash your hands and take whatever you like. ”

“White bread… Is it really alright for us to have this?”

Even the wealthiest commoners rarely got to eat white bread.

Soft, white bread was incredibly difficult to make, and there was even a saying that anyone who could bake it could become a chef for a noble household. It was a truly special food.

It was hard to believe that a thirteen-year-old boy was baking this bread daily.

“Yes, the talented chef from the lord’s mansion made it. I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’ll relay them to the chef.”

Melfina took the first bite with a bright smile, and the people of Melto Village, including Nid, cautiously reached for the sandwiches.

That evening, Melfina was told that everyone had been speechless after the meal, saying they had never tasted anything so delicious and that the lord’s mansion’s chef was truly skilled. The young chef, with a slightly bewildered yet tickled grin, responded.

“That’s an exaggeration.”