The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 171

Chapter 171: The President’s Visit and the Unexpected Identity

Around the time the morning and evening air had become thoroughly chilled, a long procession, heralded by August, arrived in the Enkar region.

The train of the caravan, viewed from the window of the lord’s mansion that overlooked the highway, was so long that even Melfina was surprised.

“I had heard the president was coming, but I never thought he would arrive with such a large-scale caravan.”

“The Great Lion Trading Company is large, of course, but this is likely also an appeal to you, Lady Melfina. With the water transport proceeding smoothly, the Enkar region is attracting a great deal of attention, so I imagine there are many merchants who wish to form a connection.”

“It’s just as we’re beginning preparations for winter, so I’d be happy if we could purchase various things.”

As they were speaking, it seemed the lead carriage had arrived, and one of the maids announced a visitor.

Generally, according to the customs of the nobility, one would have them wait in the reception room for a while before meeting them. However, thinking it would take time to unload the many goods, Melfina decided to greet them directly. With Marie by her side, and Theodore, August, and Lloyd waiting behind, she exited the lord’s mansion into the inner bailey just as a box carriage came to a stop.

Though it was a fine, two-horse carriage painted black, the design was somewhat rustic, giving the impression of prioritizing practicality, and it was not as ornate as a nobleman’s carriage.

As she was thinking that perhaps there was an intention to avoid earning the animosity of the nobility by flaunting economic power, a large man dressed in black stepped down from the carriage first, followed by a man in starkly white clothes. The two noticed her immediately and knelt on the spot.

“I am Melfina von Oldrand. Thank you for coming all this way. Please, be at ease.”

“My name is Raymond, and I run a trading company in Romana. The man waiting behind me is my servant, Shou Lion. I am grateful to you, Your Grace the Duchess, for granting me this audience.”

“Likewise, thank you for coming all the way to the Enkar region. As it is at the northern edge of the country, supplies are most welcome. I hope we can do good business together.”

In response to the polite greeting, Raymond smoothly raised his face.

Although she had heard he was the second-generation head, he was a much younger man than she had expected. He had golden hair, tanned skin, and a gorgeously handsome face. His smile was refreshing, yet it felt not in the least bit pushy.

Though they had only just faced each other and exchanged greetings, she could see that his demeanor was exceptionally refined.

On top of this, he was one of the wealthiest men in this world; he must have no shortage of suitors.

His slightly downturned eyes made his gentle atmosphere feel even stronger, but more than his handsome features or the sweetness of his aura, Melfina’s gaze was captured by the irises of his eyes.

At a glance, they appeared to be blue eyes, but towards the pupils, they were mixed with a sunset-like crimson, an earth eye. She had a memory of seeing these eyes somewhere before.

With eyes this striking, she shouldn’t have been able to forget them after seeing them once, but the memory wouldn’t come to her immediately. She met his gaze as if staring into his eyes for a moment, and when she finally realized there was a match in her memories from her past life, she reflexively covered her mouth with her hand.

“Ah…!”

In that instant, August and Theodore moved in front of Melfina. Surprised by their speed, she saw them place their hands on their swords.

“What’s wrong, you two!?”

“Lady Melfina, please step behind us.”

Though they hadn’t drawn their swords, a strong sense of caution was conveyed, and she took a step back. Marie, her brows furrowed in astonishment, also slid her body in front of Melfina as if sensing this was no ordinary matter.

“Stand down.”

The one who said this was Raymond, who stood opposite her. But the voice was directed at the man in black waiting behind him—Shou.

“—My apologies. He is skilled, but as you can see, he is an ill-mannered guard. I will punish him for this later, so I beg your forgiveness.”

Confused by the turn of events, Melfina was bewildered by Raymond’s deep bow.

Melfina, who had been focused on Raymond, hadn’t noticed at all, but it seemed his guard had emitted a hostile aura, and her two guard knights had reacted to it.

“No, it was because I raised my voice so loudly that I must have startled him. Nothing happened, so please don’t mind it.”

August and Theodore also took their hands off their swords and stepped back, but a strong sense of caution remained in both of them.

“This has turned into a rather strange atmosphere, but I welcome your visit, Raymond. The harvest festival is near, so please stay for a while if you’d like.”

“I am grateful for your kindness. —Shou, you will also offer your apologies and thanks.”

“My apologies for my insolent behavior. I am grateful for Your Lordship’s benevolence.”

Compared to the slender and smart impression Raymond gave, Shou had a sturdy build and a low voice. Men with good physiques and curt manners were not unusual in the north, but he had a different atmosphere from them.

“Your Lordship, we have brought many goods, and would be honored to be granted a small corner of the market, if possible.”

“There is a market in the plaza of Enkar Village, which a man named Fritz manages. As long as you pay the set fee, you are free to do as you please. I will also pay a visit myself.”

Since the beginning of the year, there had been a fair number of craftsmen and new immigrants, along with their families, moving to the Enkar region to start businesses. Their purchasing power was likely higher than last year, and thanks to the good economy, the number of people who were just struggling to survive had decreased.

As preparation for the coming winter, it would be good for them to do some personal shopping without going through the lord.

“The wind is chilly, so I will have you show me the goods intended for the lord inside. Could you have them brought into the great hall?”

“Yes, thank you.”

At Raymond’s gentle way of speaking and his polite demeanor, the wariness of Theodore and August finally seemed to melt away.

The goods brought into the great hall were mostly things Melfina had wanted, such as foodstuffs like soft wheat flour and pasta, olive oil, and plant-based paper. The rest included furs, woolen textiles, fabrics that could be used for clothes and dresses, and even beautiful beads.

The fact that there was no jewelry mixed in, which was essential for trade with the nobility and should have had the largest profit margin, was likely the result of having meticulously researched what Melfina needed and preferred.

That sugar, a specialty of Romana, was not among all these goods they had prepared, also felt a little suggestive.

—I wonder if the warning I gave Lorenzo was a bit too harsh.

“These are all wonderful items. As expected of the great trading company that Romana is proud of.”

“Thank you for your praise. I had heard of Your Lordship’s discerning eye from Antonio and Lorenzo, so I have carefully selected only the best items our company handles to bring to you.”

As he said, even to Melfina’s eyes, which were accustomed to seeing fairly fine things as a high-ranking noble, the quality of the assembled goods was high. She tried secretly using Appraisal from time to time, but it seemed the trading company also had someone with Appraisal, as there were no problems with the quality whatsoever.

“Come to think of it, it seems Shou has a family name, but he is not a noble?”

“That is not a family name, but a title. It was given to his father for his great service during the last political upheaval, and Shou, as the eldest son, inherited it.”

The “last political upheaval” was likely the revolution in Romana that occurred a few years before Melfina was born. It felt in poor taste to make him speak of it, so she simply nodded and said, “I see.”

“Raymond’s father must have trusted Shou’s father a great deal. The name of the trading company is also taken from his title.”

“Yes, it is an inseparable bond spanning two generations.”

While looking through the goods as they spoke, she found camellia oil and her eyes widened.

The timing was perfect, as she had just run out of what she had purchased from Tori, so it was a welcome item. There was also cream mixed with beeswax and silk gloves for hand care.

“Using this for my hair makes such a difference in the finish. I was wanting some, so I’m happy.”

As she said this, she suddenly realized that Raymond’s skin and features bore a strong resemblance to Tori. She recalled that Tori had mentioned having a nagging older brother.

“I once had a treatment from a beautician named Tori. Could she perhaps be a relative of yours, Raymond?”

“She is my half-sister, from a different father. I don’t know who she takes after, but she’s reckless and won’t listen no matter how many times I tell her to behave herself in Romana.”

“Fufu, it’s nice that she has a kind-looking older brother like you, Raymond. I don’t have an older brother, so I admire it a little.”

“—I am humbled.”

For some reason, there was a slight pause in his reply.

“Winter will be here soon, so we can never have too many furs. I will purchase all the goods you have brought. We have a dedicated warehouse for foodstuffs, so could you have them transported there?”

“Thank you. It shall be done.”

As she watched Raymond, who had given an elegant bow and begun giving instructions to the company members carrying the cargo, her eyes happened to meet Shou’s, who had apparently been looking her way for some time.

His black hair and black eyes evoked a sense of nostalgia, but as Tori had once said, perhaps he dyed his hair as well.

The two characters who were scheduled to appear in the additional content for Maria of the Kingdom of Hearts: the prince of a fallen kingdom that was the predecessor to Romana, and a valiant general.

In the commercial, only their silhouettes were shown, but the striking earth eye alone was displayed in color.

The president of one of Romana’s leading trading companies, meaning one of the wealthiest men in this world and a prince of a fallen kingdom—he could be called a character perfectly suited to be one of Maria’s love interests.

That his guard, Shou, was the son of someone who had played an active role in the political upheaval… fighting on the side of the Senate and even being granted a title, was also a relationship fraught with meaning, but it was a matter that did not directly concern Melfina.

—I hope nothing happens.

Raymond’s stay in the Enkar region would be a week at the most.

Merchants would never waste their time.

Melfina made that wish, all the while feeling a touch of anxiety.