The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: The Approaching Shadow of Winter

The reason for his visit could be guessed as ominous even before hearing the details.

“Long time no see, Lady Melfina.”

The one greeting her with polite formality was August, the confidant and guard knight of Alexis von Oldrand, Melfina’s nominal husband.

Unlike their previous meeting, where he wore light attire, August was now dressed in his formal winter knight uniform.

“August, it’s been a while. …It doesn’t seem like you’re here with good news.”

“Knowing you don’t like beating around the bush, I’ll get straight to the point. Several farming villages in the neighboring domain have been destroyed.”

A slight gasp escaped Marie and Cedric, who stood by her side.

Establishing new settlements requires a great deal of effort and time. Therefore, protecting stable land is one of the most important duties of a lord.

These lands are home to generations of people, their fields, and their livestock.

The destruction of multiple villages is not a common occurrence.

“When you say ‘neighboring,’ do you mean it isn’t within the duchy?”

“That’s correct. On the eastern side of the highway lies Count Dantes’ territory, which borders the Oldrand duchy. Thanks to the bountiful harvest in the Enkar region, the duchy has been able to curb the number of deaths due to starvation to some extent. However, other territories haven’t escaped the impact of the potato blight, and small mountain villages are being wiped out one after another.”

The destruction of a village doesn’t necessarily mean everyone starved to death.

It could mean the village collectively tapped into their wheat reserves meant for tax, leading to an emergency lockdown, or many villagers and serfs left in search of food, abandoning their fields.

In the former case, the entire village would be demoted to serfdom, and the knights serving the lord would oversee their forced labor. In the latter case, the outcome would depend on the fate of the fleeing villagers.

If they move in groups to larger villages or towns for sustenance, they face a nation-wide food shortage. Finding work would be extremely difficult, and they might perish during their journey.

The most troublesome scenario would be if these groups turned to banditry, attacking merchants along the highways or raiding other villages’ food stores.

In this world, there’s a saying that poor harvests breed thieves.

Nobody wants to sit idly and wait for starvation. Watching their family members waste away from hunger would be unbearable for anyone. The desperation of hunger is truly terrifying.

“…So, they’ve turned to banditry.”

Melfina remarked.

“As expected, Lady Melfina. Your insight is unparalleled.”

August replied.

“This isn’t a moment for compliments… Wherever they go, food isn’t exactly abundant right now.”

Melfina continued.

“Yes, that’s what fuels the rumors. Despite the circumstances, the Enkar region seems to be flourishing. Rumor has it that not a single resident is starving, and they’re even thriving.”

August explained.

Melfina couldn’t help but press her hand against her forehead at those words.

Rumors can be embellished in countless ways.

“Not everyone is overweight, but they’re all healthy.”

August added.

“Staying healthy in times like these is invaluable, Lady Melfina.”

He continued.

Melfina crossed her arms, gazing out of the window of the lord’s office.

Indeed, it’s easy to forget when you’re in the Enkar region, but the country is currently facing an unprecedented famine. And on top of that, a harsh winter, which claims many lives even in normal times, is approaching.

It’s easy to imagine that the further one is from the capital, the more they’re dominated by a sense of hopelessness.

While Alexis has been distributing corn purchased from the Enkar region within the duchy along with instructions on how to consume it, he’s unlikely to extend support to other domains.

Until the advent of Saint Maria, tragedy will continue to spread throughout this world.

The deeper the scars, the more glorious Maria’s achievements will appear.

“Lady Melfina, please consider spending the winter in the capital, as proposed by Lord Alexis.”

“I appreciate the offer. However, I must respectfully decline.”

Melfina responded with proper etiquette to August’s usually playful demeanor.

August’s courteous words indicated that he was here not as a wayward knight but as a messenger of Alexis.

Understanding this, Melfina straightened her back like a true noble and responded politely. It was clear that August’s demeanor had shifted from that of a rogue knight to that of Alexis’s envoy.

“If the lord were to spend the harsh winter in another domain’s castle, it would not sit well with the people. Especially when our own lands are facing crisis.”

Melfina explained, maintaining her noble demeanor.

“To be frank, even amateurs in battle can be quite formidable when hungry. They come at you with a desperation like no other.”

August added.

“Although I have never experienced hunger myself, I can imagine it must be so.”

Melfina replied, her expression somber.

August’s words resonated with Melfina, and she nodded in agreement.

Alone, she might have readily accepted. Bowing to Alexis was nothing out of the ordinary. But now, Melfina was the lord of Enkar. If bandits were to attack, she would have to take command and make decisions for the safety of her people.

“August, if your lord faced imminent danger, would he abandon his territory and flee to the capital?”

Melfina inquired.

“Well, if my lord were that type of person, then I probably wouldn’t be here right now.”

August replied with a wry smile.

The Oldrand family had a long history of confronting the formidable demon, Pluina, head-on. While there may be some eccentricities in Alexis’s personal character, his firm leadership as a lord and ruler was what kept his followers loyal.

“Otherwise, the Oldrand family wouldn’t have been able to rule this harsh northern region for so long.”

Melfina remarked.

“Regardless of whether the enemy is a monster or an invader, isn’t it the duty of a lord to lead from the front in battle? It’s because they’re willing to fight that they can truly be called rulers, don’t you think?”

She continued.

“But can you fight?”

August asked, appearing puzzled and slightly incredulous.

Having grown up as a noble lady without lifting anything heavier than a fork, the idea of Melfina fighting might seem like mere talk to him, especially as he was a professional knight.

“Yes, that’s why I’ll fight in my own way. Let me reiterate. I have no intention of leaving here.”

Melfina reaffirmed firmly.

“I understand. I’ll refrain from further persuasion, lest my escort behind me becomes even more intoxicated with admiration for you, Lady Melfina.”

August conceded.

“Cedric?”

Melfina turned to look at Cedric, who was sitting behind the sofa, his usual serious expression unchanged.

It seemed he had been teased by August.

“Oh, right. Marie, I’ll only say this once. Please don’t get upset. How about going back to your ‘hometown’ during the winter?”

Melfina suggested.

“Lady Melfina!?”

Marie exclaimed in surprise.

“We’ve talked about you going back to the capital occasionally in the carriage when you come to Enkar, but you’ve been with me all this time, haven’t you? Winter means less work here, and the capital is relatively warmer. It’s a good opportunity for you to visit home…”

Melfina explained gently.

“I decline! If you’re going to fight, then I’ll be right there beside you, with a knife or an axe if need be!”

Marie interjected passionately.

“Marie…”

Melfina’s voice softened.

“I’ve been prepared for everything since the day I offered to work here. Please don’t say things like that now! It makes me feel like I’m being pushed away… and lonely.”

Marie expressed, her voice trembling with emotion.

As Marie’s words trailed off, Melfina reflexively squeezed her hand tightly. The weight of regret settled heavily in her chest for inadvertently causing Marie, who usually kept her emotions in check, to express herself like that.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you.”

Melfina apologized sincerely.

“I’m the one who should apologize. I didn’t mean to react like this.”

Marie responded, her voice soft.

“No, it was my fault. …Please stay by my side, Marie.”

Melfina implored, gently but firmly holding Marie’s hand.

With a timid nod, Marie returned the gesture, her silver hair gently swaying as she lowered her gaze, no longer looking up.

“I’m sorry to interrupt our conversation… I’ll go fix my hair.”

Marie said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes, take your time.”

Melfina replied, watching Marie leave the reception room without lifting her head.

Melfina knew that Marie was Alexis’s half-sister, a fact that was an open secret in the ducal household.

In the corner of her mind, there was a sense of not wanting to put Marie in harm’s way, and perhaps even a calculation that if anything happened to her, it could lead to direct opposition with Alexis. But that calculation didn’t outweigh Marie’s straightforward affection and loyalty towards her. Keeping an eye on her to ensure nothing bad happened was enough.

“…That’s the first time I’ve seen Lady Marie raise her voice.”

August remarked.

“Marie usually has a calm demeanor.”

Melfina agreed.

“Of course, that’s part of it, but ever since Lady Marie was welcomed into the ducal household at such a young age, she rarely raised her voice or cried or laughed in a boisterous manner.”

August explained with a gesture indicating a tiny size.

Melfina couldn’t help but laugh at August’s jest and the idea of mischievous Marie.

“It must be very comfortable being around the Enkar region, or rather, being by your side, Lady Melfina.”

August commented.

“I’d be glad if that were true.”

Melfina replied sincerely.

“I envy not just Cedric but even Lady Marie now.”

August muttered softly.

“This position is not up for grabs.”

He added firmly.

As August’s words trailed off, Cedric cleared his throat, covering his mouth with his fist.

“I wish winter would never come.”

Cedric remarked.

It was an unavoidable sentiment. Melfina’s reach was limited, and she could only protect what was within it.

The one to save this world was Saint Maria, not Melfina, the villainess.

Melfina had always been careful not to overstep her bounds, and she believed it had paid off.

There were probably no starving people in the Enkar region. But just a little further away, hellish famine was beginning.

Knowing this, she still couldn’t stop it. She had repeated those words to herself countless times, trying to convince herself that there was nothing she could do.

But it was unbearable, suffocating even.