The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 164

Chapter 164: The Promise of Reunion and a New Way of Calling Each Other

After confirming the contents of the contract, Melfina and Alexis each signed it. With this, the arrangements and compensation regarding this technology transfer were finalized.

“Thank you for another good transaction this time.”

“Likewise, it was an excellent deal. I am grateful for the unsparing provision of your technology.”

They shook hands lightly, and August took Alexis’s contract while Marie took Melfina’s, each rolling them up and tying them with a ribbon.

“Three days went by in a flash, didn’t they? Honestly, I’d like to relax in the Enkar region a little longer.”

“You should come and visit when you get a vacation.”

“No, I’ll work my fingers to the bone so I can come frequently as an envoy of the ducal house.”

“…Come to think of it, there have been complaints from the other knights about August being sent out as an envoy so often. I thought it would be smoother with a familiar face, but…”

“Your Excellency! Isn’t Lord Rufus about the only confidant more trustworthy than me!?”

“Well, I wonder about that.”

It seemed that due to their long acquaintance, Alexis also adopted a familiar attitude towards August. Chuckling and shaking his shoulders, he exited the reception room and descended the stairs.

Lined up in the inner bailey were carriages from Soarasonne, their preparations for departure nearly complete.

The Enkar region and Soarasonne are by no means close. Although the highways were being improved and there were no difficult passes like cliffs along the way, it was still a journey of about three days by carriage.

It would likely be quite difficult for a busy person to visit casually.

“Lady Melfina, I have a request from some of the technicians. They would like to study in the Enkar region for a while once the technology transfer settles down.”

“In that case, how about having them learn while working as craftsmen in the Enkar region? New techniques might be devised while they are making things, and if they share those with the Enkar region as well, I think it would be mutually beneficial.”

“Lady Melfina, you truly are a selfless person. I would think the conversation would turn to how much the gratuity would be per technician accepted.”

It seemed August hadn’t seen the number of digits written in the compensation column of the contract signed just moments ago.

If he knew the amount of gold coins Melfina would receive from the ducal house for this technology transfer and this year’s corn trade, the word “selfless” would likely never cross his lips.

“The secret to further technological development is to develop technology, earn money, and use that money to stimulate the economy. Besides, a year ago, the Enkar region was even refused by craftsmen we asked to come and work. To have them say they want to learn here makes me happy.”

If the movement of people becomes more active and logistics increase, the cost of transportation will decrease, and the Enkar region will likely be able to obtain goods more cheaply than now.

The exchange and influx of people has an effect that should never be taken lightly.

“You truly are a fine lord.”

“To be told that by the Duke is an honor.”

While they were talking, it seemed the loading of the luggage had finished. Once Alexis and William boarded the carriage, the party would likely set off.

“Um, Aunt Melfina. I am sorry for this sudden visit. Um, may I… may I come here again?”

William, who had been waiting nervously beside Alexis until then, spoke while clenching his fists tightly.

Since he had fair skin like Alexis and Marie, his blushing red cheeks were very noticeable.

“Of course, Lord Julius. We weren’t able to talk much this time, but we are planning to expand the scale of the autumn harvest festival a little this year, so if you’d like, please come again around that time.”

“! Yes!”
“If you’d like, you too, Your Grace, and August. It will be before the real winter begins, so if it is convenient for you.”

When William looked up at Alexis with a start, Alexis, with his usual unreadable expression, patted William’s head with a gentle hand.

“That’s right. Let us rest and recharge before the winter work begins.”

At those words, William’s expression brightened happily, and then, as if embarrassed by his straightforward show of emotion, he mumbled with lips that had formed a smile.

I had heard from Marie last night that the relationship between the three of them had changed a little, but it seems to be heading in a good direction.

“August, take William to the carriage first.”

“Yes. Then, shall we go, Lord Julius?”

Urged on, William seemed a little puzzled but obediently followed August and got into the carriage. Although he closed the door, August remained by the carriage and showed no sign of returning.

“Melfina.”

“Yes?”

“Once more, I wish to express my gratitude and my apologies to you.”

“I have received proper compensation for the technology transfer, you know?”

When I tilted my head, Alexis showed a faint, bitter smile.

“That is not it… I was a terribly dense and thoughtless man. I was so focused on simply protecting the North and not letting anyone near me that I forced my close family to endure, and I was rude to you as well, after you married into the family. It is not something that can be undone, but I want you to know I am sorry.”

That matter was resolved at the end of winter. I was a little surprised that Alexis, a rationalist, would bring it up again now.

“I am no longer angry about that, and I do not mind it.”

“I thank you again for your magnanimity. On top of that, might I be allowed to make one wish?”

Alexis said in a quiet voice. A soft breeze blew, rustling Melfina’s golden hair, which she wore down.

“I want you to call me by my name.”

Those words were so completely unexpected that I couldn’t speak right away.

“I will not force you. I am not in a position to make personal requests of you, after all.”

“May I ask why, so suddenly?”

I thought I understood that Alexis recognized me to some extent as a business partner, and we had become reasonably friendly after our reconciliation.

Though not quite friends, we were supposed to have the distance of good work partners.

“William said that he was the only one who could call Marie ‘aunt’. Now, though only in limited places, William has become able to call Marie ‘aunt’, and Marie has also called me… ‘brother’.”

“B-Brother.”

My eyes met Marie’s as she raised her voice in reproach, and she shyly averted her gaze.

“Now that both my father and mother are gone, you are the only one in this world who can call me by my name alone. When I thought that, I found myself wanting to be called by a name that is just for me.”

Even if it is considered a virtue for a wife to obey her husband, the standing of a husband and wife is considered equal in this world as well.

Even if they use titles during their engagement, many couples call each other by their given names without honorifics after signing the marriage certificate.

But I never thought that Alexis, who had so detested anyone stepping into his private affairs, would say such a thing.

—Has Alexis changed, too?

Just as Cedric, the stern and somewhat high-strung knight, decided to step down from his position.

Just as the frail and ephemeral Serleine is now able to run with Felice, laughing.

Just as Julius, the sorcerer who once charmed the heroine with his decadent and alluring words and deeds, now dresses in commoner’s clothes, developing farm tools with a laugh every day and spending his days on adventures with a little girl.

It surely wouldn’t be strange if Alexis changed as well.

—And that includes me, too.

At first, I had found the successive appearance of the love interests annoying, and I had been angry with Alexis, thinking him a disagreeable man.

But now, it’s different. Having interacted with them not as characters but as people, having come into contact with the side of them that holds heavy burdens and bitter feelings, I have come to wish for their happiness.

—It’s all right for me to change, too.

“This is so sudden, it’s rather embarrassing… In the Enkar region, then, I will allow myself to call you that, Alexis.”

“…Thank you, Melfina.”

Performing a knight’s salute, Alexis boarded the carriage.

“Marie, until the autumn.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“Aunt Marie! See you again!”

“William. I look forward to seeing you next.”

After a brief family exchange, August closed the carriage window once more.

He was usually a friendly knight who never lost his smile, but now, a gentle warmth bloomed on his lips.

“I believe I’ll be able to see you again a little sooner! Well then, until next time.”

“Be careful on your journey.”

Mounting his horse and waving broadly, August began to lead the way. The carriage started to move slowly, and eventually, all the carriages had departed the castle grounds.

“…It was only three days, but it felt somehow… intense, didn’t it?”

“Yes, Lady Melfina. Thank you very much.”

“I haven’t done anything to be thanked for. More importantly, if you’re going to call the Duke… Alexis, ‘Brother’, then perhaps it would be good for you to call me ‘Sister’, Marie?”

“That is an appealing suggestion, but I wish to call you by your name, Lady Melfina. Ah, but…”
Marie smiled faintly and narrowed her eyes like a mischievous child.

“Calling you ‘Big sister Melfina’ might be nice, don’t you think?”

“…No, that won’t do. I’d be so embarrassed every time you called me that, my work would come to a standstill.”

Even though I was the one who suggested it, being called “Big sister” by a girl as beautiful as Marie is just too powerful.

“That’s a shame.”

“…Let’s make it an occasional thing. That would be good.”

“Then, it’s settled.”

Marie laughed, and drawn in by her, the tension left Melfina’s shoulders, and she giggled.
“August says he’s no match for me, but I don’t feel like I can match you, Marie, so you must be the strongest.”

“That is good to know.”

Exchanging words as if whispering, they entered the lord’s mansion and returned to the office.
The work that needed to be put away was still piled high, but her steps felt as light as if they had been freed from invisible chains.