The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 172

Chapter 172: The Ale Stand and the Romana Market

The high, clear autumn sky was the same in this world as it was in her previous one. As they traveled to the Enkar village plaza by carriage, gazing at the clear blue sky, it seemed even more lively than usual.

“It feels especially crowded today.”

Stepping down from the carriage, she was surprised by the clamor and bustle.

Although the number of laborers entering and leaving the Enkar region had decreased after the corn harvest, construction work on irrigation channels and buildings was still ongoing in various places, and the number of workers was large. As a result of the stable increase in shops providing them with meals and lodging, various divisions of labor had also been established.

The market held in the Enkar village plaza was the most prominent example of this.

Last year, it was common for every household to be self-sufficient, but as the division of labor progressed, more people began to purchase vegetables, meat, and eggs at the market instead of producing them within their families, allowing them to devote their spare time to specialized labor. This meant that a change had occurred not only in the lives of the craftsmen and laborers, but also in the lives of the people who had put down roots and were living in the Enkar region.

“Lady Melfina!”

“Hello, Fritz. It seems very lively today. Did something happen?”

“Yes! A caravan from a country called Romana is visiting and they have rare goods, so it’s very lively. I just bought some fabric myself, and it looks so warm.”

Saying this, he showed her the fabric he was holding in his hands, and she gently touched it. At the same time, she activated Appraisal, and it came up as cotton fabric. As Fritz said, it had a nice feel, and the weave was tight.

Fabric was extremely expensive in this world. The fabric in Fritz’s hands was a little rough for a noble to use, but it was of a quality that a commoner would have difficulty affording.

“I’m also thinking of having some clothes made for the winter, so I’ll take a look.”

“Yes, please do. The number of people who do sewing in the village is increasing, so I’m thinking of having a new shirt made for myself after a long time.”

He must have been happy about purchasing the new fabric. Although he was a friendly person to begin with, today he had a particularly pleased expression on his face.

Parting with Fritz, she headed towards the building facing the plaza, which was her destination for the day.

It was a shop where Ricardo, the head carpenter who had recently moved to Enkar village, had been commissioned to create cutout-style walls and doors and install single panes of glass. It was still difficult to produce large single panes of glass, but the design was such that it was no problem for passersby to peek inside. Barrels of ale were stacked in front of the shop, and people on the street were stopping to buy some.

“Lady Melfina! Welcome.”

“Hello, I’m just going to stop by inside.”

She called out to the man selling ale and entered the shop. Inside, ale barrels were also meticulously stored, and there was a counter. From behind it, a man who had noticed Melfina’s arrival came out, looking a little flustered.

“Lady Melfina, welcome.”

“Hello, Dmitry. How are things?”

“It’s very busy every day. The ale we put out for sale is gone by early afternoon, and purchases by the barrel are not uncommon.”

Melfina smiled and nodded at Dmitry, whose eyes were shining as he reported this.

He, along with Marcel who was selling ale outside, was one of the young men who had been the first to start a food stall in the Enkar region. He was quick to seize business opportunities, and it was clear that he enjoyed a good trade.

When she had opened the lord-operated shop, she had asked if they would like to work there, and both of them had accepted on the spot.

“That’s good to hear. It’s the first time we’ve had this kind of shop. Have there been any complaints?”

“Just a housewife who came to buy a small keg complaining that her husband has completely stopped drinking the ale she makes at home. But she also laughed and said it can’t be helped because she also likes the Lord’s mansion ale. She said they’re eating the leftover barley for the ale as porridge.”

It seemed no serious problems had occurred, and as she listened with a nod, Dmitry’s expression suddenly turned a little troubled.

“I was planning to report to you today, but a customer from Romana said he wanted to buy all the large barrels we have. I told him I would have to confirm with you first, Lady Melfina.”

“Large barrels… how many do we have now?”

“We have twenty-four barrels delivered from the lord’s mansion three times a week, so right now we probably have about twelve in the cellar.”

“In that case, it would be better for him to purchase them by the barrel directly from the lord’s mansion brewery. The deposit amount also changes depending on whether the barrel is returned or not.”

Barrels were by no means cheap, and currently, the barrels of ale sold in Enkar village used a deposit system, where a deposit amount was added to the price, and the difference was paid back if the barrel was returned without damage.

Since the system was based on the premise of return, it was necessary to add to the price if the barrel was to be purchased outright.

“I’m heading to the Romana stalls now, so I’ll speak to them about it myself.”

She told Dmitry, who bowed his head and said, “As you wish,” to return to his work, and Melfina also left the shop.

“He’s cleaned the inside of the shop thoroughly, and sales seem to be doing well. I’m glad I left it to those two.”

“It’s only natural that it’s doing well, since they can drink the ale you made, Lady Melfina, anytime.”

“It’s hard to say that I’m the one who makes it anymore, though.”

The yeast selection for the “lord’s mansion ale” was complete, and it had already been entrusted to the brewery. Melfina was now only making a small amount of ale for a select few within the lord’s mansion to drink.

In this world, ale was a common drink that even children could have. The ale sold at the street-side shop was also made with a recipe that kept the alcohol content low so that it did not exceed that category, adjusting it to have a smooth finish and a rich barley flavor without any moldy smell.

As they walked towards the bustling area, the fragrant smell of food wafted towards them. The number of food stalls had increased considerably, and recently, in addition to flatbread sandwiches, it seemed that soups and grilled meats were also gradually increasing.

Walking through the market like this, she could feel with her own skin that the choices were increasing, and the market was becoming more complex and richer.

Eventually, when they reached the middle of the market, the atmosphere changed from the familiar stalls of Enkar village.

The agricultural products on display at the stalls decreased, and processed goods began to line the eaves. There were dried meats, dried fruits, herbs hanging from the eaves, and even salt sold in jars.

“They’re selling wine too. It smells good.”

Drawn by the smell, she turned her gaze and found a stall selling wine from a pot. The line had just ended, so she bought the cups they were selling and had them pour a cup for each of them.

“You can use these cups at any of the Romana stalls! You young ladies, drink and eat your fill!”

A stout woman said this to them cheerfully, and she and Marie tilted their cups with a laugh. The wine was slightly warm and rather tart, but it was easy to drink.

“It’s a little sour, but it’s delicious. But it doesn’t seem quite like wine vinegar. I wonder if they’ve mixed something in it.”

“The grape flavor is rich. I believe they’ve probably mixed water and verjuice with the wine.”

Verjuice is the juice of unripe grapes, and unlike the juice of ripe grapes, it is sour and can also be used as an acidulant.

I see, now that she mentioned it, it tasted similar to an Americano, which is made with red wine and lemon.

“It’s elaborate, and a bit of a luxury.”

Although the price of the cup was included, it was an amount that could buy three flatbread sandwiches. Still, as it was a rare foreign market, the residents’ purse strings seemed to have loosened a little.

Melfina also bought several types of bay laurel and herbs that she had not seen among those Simon cultivated, and eventually, she arrived in front of the largest and most bustling stall.

“Well, well, Your Lordship! Welcome.”

“Hello, I believe you were with Raymond when he came to the castle?”

“Yes, my name is Michele. The line here is quite long, so if you’d like, please come inside the tent. The boss… Raymond is also here.”

It seemed they were using two of the plots leased as stall space for a tent. She glanced at Theodore, who had a slightly difficult expression, but after carefully looking around, he gave a small nod.

“Then, I’ll take you up on your offer.”

Led by Michele, she entered the tent. The inside had fewer things than she had expected. A woven carpet was spread on the ground, and a collapsible sofa and table were placed on top, creating a space where one could relax.

It was likely for holding separate business negotiations with large customers while the market was open.

“Your Lordship, welcome. Did you enjoy the market?”

“Yes, it’s very lively, and there are all sorts of things, so it’s very interesting. I met Fritz on the way here, who had bought some fabric. The color palette of Romana is different from Francesca’s, so vivid and lovely.”

“The art of dyeing is also progressing day by day. I believe it will become more and more vibrant, next year more than this year, and the year after that more than next year.”

As she sat on the sofa, warm tea was immediately served. The woman who served it looked familiar.

“Well, Tori. It’s been a while.”

“It has been a long time, Lady Melfina. Thank you for your patronage before.”

“Likewise, my hair has been in great condition since then. You came with Raymond this time, I see.”

“Yes, but I’ve been told to refrain from my work as a beautician this time…”

Tori shot a reproachful glance at Raymond.

“If something were to happen to me, you are the only one who could lead the Great Lion Trading Company. I need you to learn the flow of business.”

“Me, take over from you, brother? That’s impossible. Besides, nothing good comes from a woman inheriting a trading company.”

“Even as a woman, you have talent. You have courage, and you’re not timid. Stop complaining and learn properly.”

“That’s what you call family bias.”

When they had met before, Tori had given a quiet and reserved impression, but in front of Raymond, she seemed to behave more like a younger sister.

“Come to think of it, when you sold me the oil and brushes, Tori, I thought you were a good saleswoman.”

“Yes, she was very skilled in conversation, and I found myself wanting to buy things.”

Not only was her skill in her craft excellent, but her polite tone and the smooth presentation of her products along with a demonstration were truly enticing to a customer.

As if to say, “See, I told you so,” Raymond looked at his sister with satisfaction. This time, it was Tori’s turn to make a sour face.

“You two really get along well.”

When they met individually, they both seemed like capable merchants, but their conversation was heartwarming.

“I might start wanting an older brother myself.”

Marie, who had started calling Alexis “brother,” made a slightly pouting face, as if she thought she was being teased, but then she was met with a soft laugh.

“Is a little sister not enough for you? Big sister.”

“…You’re right. She might be more than enough.”

The tea that Tori had brewed seemed to have spices in it as well. It was spicy, and for a body that had traveled in the chilly air, it was a deeply warming taste.