The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: A Beautiful Scenery

As you travel further north from Moltre Lake, located at the northernmost point of the country, you come upon the vast Moltre Forest. Beyond this forest lies the neighboring Kingdom of Luxen.

The great forest belongs to neither nation and serves as a natural border between them. Deep within the forest, monsters occasionally appear, thwarting both countries’ repeated attempts to construct a road through it. As a result, both the Kingdom of Francesca and the Kingdom of Luxen primarily rely on sea routes for their diplomatic relations.

Enkar Village is the largest settlement in the Enkar region, with numerous serf communities around it working daily to cultivate new fields.

Pioneering is a grueling task. Developing uncharted land while securing daily sustenance is no easy feat. This is why pioneers often become deeply attached to the land they cultivate, almost to the point of dependence.

Even in the event of a large-scale famine, abandoning the land would be difficult for them. Thus, it was easy to predict the severity of potential damage. Despite receiving reports of a bountiful harvest from his trusted aide, August, it was hard to feel optimistic until he saw the vast, green fields before his eyes.

“…Incredible.”

“Isn’t it?”

August said, somehow proudly. Another knight who accompanied them as an attendant also sighed in admiration.

Between the capital and Enkar Village, there are many towns and villages. Some of these, despite their size, had been overshadowed by the dark specter of famine.

Everyone on the road looked pale. The poorer they appeared, the less they seemed able to eat, many with limbs so thin they looked like withered branches.

The markets, likely driven by the fear of vanishing potatoes, saw increased demand for other crops. The markets were often sold out, and prices continued to skyrocket.

Hunger from food shortages and excessive buying fueled by anxiety created a vicious cycle. As supply dwindled, fears heightened, and people spent their savings on whatever food they could get, leaving the poorest even more deprived.

However, after passing through the last village and entering the Enkar region, that dark shadow was completely swept away. As they traveled along the road and the forest opened up, they were greeted by vast fields of tall corn stretching all the way to Enkar Village.

—Beautiful.

Having emerged from the oppressive atmosphere, he could truly appreciate the scenery. The gentle wind rustling the soft green leaves was pleasant. In the vast fields, the harvest was ongoing, with serfs busily at work.

Serfs were the lowest-ranking laborers, and having seen their dire conditions until now, he was astonished to see them working so energetically, with sweat glistening on their foreheads.

“Hey, does anyone know where the mistress is?”

When August, who was accompanying them, raised his voice, a robust man among the workers approached. Though his attire was shabby, his bare arms were muscular, and he exuded vitality.

“Oh, Lord August, you’re back again?”

“Don’t say ‘again’ like that. Give me a warmer welcome, Nid.”

“Haha, my apologies.”

The man called Nid spoke cheerfully with August and bowed to Alexis and the other knight. Since they were dressed in knightly attire, he probably assumed they were colleagues of August.

“Lady Melfina should be at the manor today. Marie is working on a new recipe, so she said to look forward to it.”

“Oh, that’s great. We came at the right time. Sorry to interrupt your work.”

“No problem, please give my regards to Lady Melfina.”

Without unnecessary conversation, the man returned to his farming. It was clear, even without asking, that he enjoyed his work.

It was the first time Alexis had seen such bright expressions on serfs—or rather, commoners.

“Looks like Lady Melfina is often out inspecting the fields, so it’s good that we can talk to her easily today.”

“…It seemed the serf called the lady by her name.”

“Oh, that’s because Lady Melfina doesn’t like being called ‘Madam’ or ‘Mistress’. She tells everyone to call her by her name. She told me the same thing.”

“My wife is quite unconventional.”

“She left the ducal house and achieved all this in just four months. She’s not someone you can measure by common standards. Well, shall we go?”

Even though August had likely only stayed for a few days, he seemed to have already developed a strong admiration and familiarity with Melfina.

—What kind of woman did I marry?

Alexis had always thought he didn’t need a partner in his private life. That feeling hadn’t changed. But in that moment, he felt a flicker of interest in Melfina, not as the daughter sent from the south for a contract, but as a person.

＊　＊　＊

Melfina reflected deeply. Unexpected guests always seemed to arrive when she was busiest.

“August, didn’t you leave just five days ago?”

“Nid said the same thing. That’s harsh. I haven’t forgotten the food I had in Enkar Village even for a day.”

“So you’ve been thinking about it every day for five days. And you came at lunchtime for that reason?”

“Yeah, we’ve been riding since morning, and I’m absolutely starving.”

From behind August, Cedric’s presence conveyed a mix of anger and menace, but Melfina quickly decided it was a battle not worth fighting.

“…We’re just about to have lunch ourselves, so would you like to join us?”

“Really? Thank you! Oh, can we have enough for three? There’s no dining hall in Enkar Village, and everyone is hungry!”

“…Should I charge you?”

“Come on! Think of it as a kind of presentation, and go easy on us!”

As always, Melfina pressed her hand to her forehead in exasperation at the playful knight of the ducal house. Sometimes Cedric’s rigidity also gave her headaches, but perhaps these two balanced each other out.

“Fine. Marie, can you ask Eli to prepare more for lunch?”

“Understood. Um, Lady Melfina?”

“Is something wrong?”

Marie glanced toward the two men behind August, unsure what to do. Melfina, not wanting to trouble her, looked at the two men.

Although August was well-built, the two men behind him were also tall and had the strong physiques typical of knights. One was a middle-aged man with a deep scar on his cheek, whom she didn’t recognize. The other had a finely sculpted face like an ice statue, with silver hair.

“So, you came with three knights from the ducal house. Don’t you have anything better to do?”

“Uh, Lady Melfina, maybe you, uh, don’t recognize me?”

“Anyway, I haven’t finished my morning work yet. Do as you like until lunch.”

“Melfina.”

As she was about to return to the mansion with Marie, a voice called out to her. She looked over her shoulder, narrowing her eyes. Then she placed a hand on her cheek and tilted her head slightly.

“Oh my, since when do knights of the ducal house call me by my name?”

“If I am your husband, I have that right.”

“Husband? …Who could that be?”

Feigning ignorance was, of course, a tease.

Having conquered all the hard modes in her previous life, there was no way I could mistake Alexis von Oldrand.

“Oh, now that you mention it, I think I got married about four months ago. I had completely forgotten.”

“…You’re quite the talker, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I’m very stubborn. Isn’t it strange to marry someone without knowing that?”

Despite her sarcasm, Alexis didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

Melfina had many thoughts about Alexis, but I knew this was just his character.

His appearance here was unexpected, but considering that August had already seen the bountiful fields, it was only a matter of time before this happened.

—In fact, this might be convenient.

It was clear what August meant by his presentation.

If she had to negotiate, dealing with the highest-ranking person would be quicker than with officials or deputies.

In any case, this was her first meeting in about four months with Alexis, her husband on paper.