The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: End of the Harvest Festival and the Name of the New Village

“I’ve been thinking, it’s about time we register the former serf settlement as a village. If you all don’t mind, could we discuss what to name the village?”

“The name of the village?”

“Yes, I’ve been rather secluded at the lord’s manor lately, so I apologize for the delay in our conversation. There’s no rush, but I’d like a name that feels welcoming.”

Continuing to refer to them as the former serf settlement doesn’t sit well, and it’s disrespectful to those who’ve become freemen. Now that the corn harvest is finally over and they can take a breather, Melfina thought it would be a good idea to discuss and decide on a name with the villagers.

“Well then, if it’s not disrespectful, I’d like to suggest naming it after you, Lady Melfina…”

“Huh!?”

“Everyone here deeply appreciates Lady Melfina. If the village bears Lady Melfina’s name, I believe everyone will hold it dear…”

“Calling it Melfina Village sounds awkward. Besides, naming a village after the lord…”

Even when it comes to naming streets, it’s usually done with the assumption that the name belongs to the ruler or authority figure of the time, indicating it’s the center of that area.

There’s already an Enkar Village in the Enkar region. Establishing a new village with Melfina’s name attached to it might imply that the village would become the center of this area, at least that might be the lord’s intention.

For the people of Enkar Village, who have been cultivating the Enkar region for decades, this wouldn’t be an amusing turn of events. As a lord, one can’t afford to sow unnecessary discord in the land they govern.

“But Melfina Village sounds awkward, and it’s inconvenient for me. After all, the lord’s manor is in Enkar Village.”

“I see… I just thought it would be nice if that were the case, so I spoke without thinking. I apologize for my impulsive suggestion.”

“It’s fine, no need to apologize. I appreciated the sentiment.”

“Well then, let’s discuss with everyone and come up with a neutral name.”

“What’s wrong with a safe name that isn’t Melfina’s!?”

As Nid visibly relaxed more than before, Marie muttered quietly, pondering how to follow up.

“…How about Melto Village, or perhaps Feena Village?”

“Melto Village…”

“That sounds good, doesn’t it? ‘Melto’ also refers to ‘melting snow.’ It’s a fitting name for the first place transformed from frozen land to a fertile ground by Lady Melfina’s wisdom.”

“That… sounds like a wonderful name. I doubt anyone in the settlement would oppose it.”

Blushing at Cedric’s words and showing signs of excitement, Nid said.

It seemed like Melto Village was now the definite choice. With that name, Melfina wouldn’t have a strong reason to object.

Although it was a bit embarrassing, if it meant the villagers could proudly call themselves residents of that village, it was a good thing.

“A village named after Lady Melfina… It’s quite envy-inducing.”

Looking at Lutz as he muttered, his gaze met mine, and he quickly averted his eyes.

Although we’ve become quite familiar since our first meeting, it seems the fear of nobility is still ingrained in him.

“Enkar Village already has a splendid name for the entire Enkar region, doesn’t it?”

“Enkar Village ended up with that name because there’s only one village around here, and we kept calling it ‘the village”, so it naturally became Enkar Village.”

I see, if there’s only one village in the area, there’s no need for a name to distinguish it from others. And if ‘village’ is the only classification around, it’s natural for it to be called by the name of the land it’s in.

“Well, I’ve grown fond of the name Enkar Village, and I’m sure everyone here was born and raised in a village with that name.”

“That’s true, but…”

“I quite like Enkar Village. After all, my lord’s manor is located here.”

“…Indeed. Lady Melfina resides in our village.”

Feeling relieved at Lutz’s acceptance, Melfina lifted her face to the cool touch of the wind brushing against her cheeks.

The sun of this season quickly retires to its bed. Twilight will soon descend upon us in moments.

“Shall we start tidying up? Just transporting that barrel of ale to the lord’s manor will take quite some time.”

“In that case, let’s have the young folks from the village help. Since it’s empty, it won’t take too long.”

“It’s completely empty indeed. If you’re willing, could you help with cleaning tomorrow?”

“In that case, a few of us will come to the lord’s manor around midday—”

As Marie and Lutz talked, everyone began bustling about, preparing for cleanup. Stalls were folded, wooden crates were gathered in their designated spots, ready to be returned to the drying shed tomorrow.

“Today was quite enjoyable.”

“Yeah, my cheeks hurt from laughing too much.”

“You were trying to get that girl to dance, weren’t you? Seemed like things were going well.”

“Cut it out. But, we did make plans to go to the forest together next time…”

Watching the lively chatter and movements of those tidying up, Melfina realized she should lend a hand too.

Before she knew it, a man was sitting on the opposite crate.

“Good day, my lord. It’s been a wonderful festival.”

“Thank you. Did you enjoy yourself as well?”

“Yes, I’ve only just arrived, but I didn’t expect it to be so lively.”

Amongst the predominantly Western-looking faces compared to his past life, the man had an oddly plain countenance. His eyes were narrow and almond-shaped, fitting the description of a so-called “melon seed face.”

At least, Melfina couldn’t recall seeing him in Enkar Village before.

Could he be Ricardo or another craftsman from the workshops? As if sensing her thoughts, the man smiled, his lips curling up slightly.

“I left this village a long time ago to work in a larger town. Being the third son, I couldn’t inherit the fields, and I wasn’t confident in my physical strength to cultivate my own. So, I decided to seek a different path in life.”

“I’ve heard that many people from rural areas head to larger towns or cities in search of work.”

It’s not uncommon for people from rural areas to seek employment in larger towns or cities. Ed, Cliff, and Rad, who currently support Melfina at the lord’s manor, also hailed from a farming village and migrated to the capital, Soarasonne, within the Oldrand Duchy.

The man before her seemed to be another one who left Enkar Village in search of work.

“At the beginning of summer, my father contacted me, saying there was a labor shortage in the Enkar region, and he asked me to return and lend a hand. However, being a wanderer, I received the letter late, hence my arrival today.”

“I see. What do you do for work now?”

“I’m a traveling entertainer. My father isn’t fond of the wandering lifestyle.”

Traveling entertainers and minstrels travel from place to place, showcasing their talents to earn a living. Some belong to troupes, while others travel solo.

Since they don’t belong to a specific region, they often perform in cities and towns, paying market entry fees, before moving on. As they don’t pay specific taxes, they can’t rely on the protection of guards or constables, making their profession somewhat risky.

It’s understandable for parents not to want their children to pursue such precarious professions.

“You’ve stopped releasing pigs into the forest, haven’t you?”

The topic shifted suddenly, causing Melfina to look up in surprise.

“Yes, free-range isn’t conducive to adequate herd management, and it’s unsanitary.”

Pigs typically give birth to around twenty to thirty piglets per year.

However, only one or two pigs per household remained, as many of them either wandered off somewhere or fell victim to wild animals.

It seemed quite common for pigs to be discovered in distant villages. If the owner was too far away to come and retrieve them, they often ended up being left to roam freely, leading to unresolved situations.

Since Melfina took over centralized management, they either refrained from breeding pigs unless necessary or, in some cases, discussed among several households to share breeding pigs and cull the surplus.

“If they’re enclosed, they won’t be attacked by wild beasts in the forest.”

“Yes, the forest creatures must be puzzled not to find plump pigs feasting on autumn acorns.”

The man said somewhat cynically.

“My lord, will this village continue to grow in the future?”

“Yes, that’s what I hope for.”

“With more people and livestock, the village will expand as well.”

“That would be wonderful.”

“That’s very—marvelous, I think.”

The conversation seemed to drift off track.

As the sun began to set, the light dimmed slightly.

—Oh, right, I wanted to help with the cleanup.

I realized I no longer felt Cedric’s presence, who should have been behind me.

When I thought something was odd, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder.

“Lady Melfina? Is something the matter?”

Marie, who seemed to have finished giving cleanup instructions and returned, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Cedric was also behind Marie, a familiar face from everyday life.

“Oh, Marie… Wasn’t there a man here just now?”

Glancing around, I noticed only an empty crate lying on the ground. It seemed like everything had been tidied up except for Melfina and that crate.

“When I arrived, there was no one here… Are you feeling tired?”

“No, I’m just feeling a bit fuzzy-headed… He must have gone back to help with the cleanup too. I suppose I missed asking for his name.”

He addressed me as “my lord.”

He must have truly just returned to this village today.

He had a distinctive appearance, so I’ll recognize him next time. I’ll ask for his name then.

With that thought, Melfina returned to her daily routine, and soon, the matter was pushed to the back of her mind.