The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Dinner and the Village’s Development

As they took their seats, Melfina entered the dining room shortly after. Accompanied by Cedric as her escort knight, she sat down gracefully in the chair he had pulled out for her.

Her dress, made of green silk with rose-colored embroidery, was simple in design but elegant. A little disappointed that it wasn’t the ale, I watched as the servants poured wine into each glass.

“We do not have a dining room here, and it was a sudden event, so we could not prepare a full course, but this is our utmost hospitality. Please pardon us.”

“No, rather, I appreciate the hospitality.”

Though I thought they might be too busy to join us for a meal, speaking out would likely be seen as sarcastic about their sense of courtesy.

“We have bread and corn potage, fritters of winter vegetables, and roasted pheasant for tonight. Please enjoy the bread with this butter.”

Tonight’s dinner seems to be served all at once rather than in individual courses, a style common in the southern regions.

“Is a taste test necessary?”

“No, if I were to collapse here, it would disrupt your work from tomorrow onward, so there’s no benefit in it.”

“Indeed. It would be problematic if His Grace were to collapse now.”

Exchanging lighthearted sarcasm, I scooped up the potage.

Corn soup is now a well-established drink even in the territory capital. It tastes the same as the recipe I purchased recently.

The fritters, while not a particularly novel method of cooking, help mellow the bitterness of the strong-flavored winter vegetables, making them more palatable when coated and fried.

Undoubtedly, the fritters would go well with that ale.

When I picked up the bread, it was so soft that it tore more vigorously than I expected. The round-shaped bread resembled what is served in the Duke’s household, but the inside was as white as cotton, so soft that it seemed it might crush if I squeezed it too hard.

“This bread… is quite soft.”

“I think the taste is good too. For lunch, it’s also recommended to sandwich it with cheese or meat.”

As Melfina said this, she spread the butter that came with it. Following her lead, I put some butter on the bread and took a bite, surprised again by its softness.

Commoner bread is baked by professional bakers with a royal charter, but bread for the nobility is baked by the household’s personal cooks.

This white, soft bread is made from flour that’s sifted several times. It doesn’t keep well, and the result varies depending on the skill of the cook, making it a luxury item. It’s said that the reputation of the noble house employing the cook can be judged by how white and soft the bread they serve at their table is.

The bread served at the Oldrand Duke’s household is comparable to that of other noble houses. Yet, the bread I held now, mocking the competitive spirit over noble bread, was equally white and soft.

“…It seems you’ve hired a very skilled cook.”

This bread would pass even in the Duke’s or the Royal family’s kitchens. For such a cook to be employed in this remote area, they must have been offered a substantial reward, or there could be some other reason.

However, Melfina’s response was far beyond my expectations.

“I baked this myself.”

“Huh?”

“I baked the bread. I made it yesterday at noon, so the flavor has diminished a bit.”

“…You cook?”

“I’m the one who came up with the idea for the flat corn bread.”

Only then did I realize that even that was Melfina’s idea, as she spoke as if it was obvious.

Until now, I had naturally assumed that the methods were developed by the servants or craftsmen.

Commanding them to create something, and having craftsmen experiment to fulfill the order—such thinking was so ingrained in me, as it is common for nobles.

“I see, so you made this.”

“If you had given proper advance notice, I could have prepared freshly baked bread.”

“Then, I’ll make sure to do that next time.”

Ignoring Melfina’s expression that suggested she did not expect there to be a next time, I sliced into the roasted pheasant. The strong flavors of ginger and garlic warmed my body.

They wanted to be hospitable. And they wanted Melfina to have a good impression. I could feel this sentiment from whoever prepared this dish.

I recalled the words of the attendant who described her as a goddess in this region.

Indeed, Alexis realized, finding himself understanding this more clearly.

＊　＊　＊

The next morning, breakfast was brought to the room. Near lunchtime, as preparations for departure were being finalized, Melfina finally emerged from her office. Apparently, she had worked late into the night and had applied slightly heavier makeup than usual.

“Although it’s called a tour, the village is small, and there aren’t really any industries to speak of, so we can only walk around and take a look.”

“That’s fine. Just seeing the streets can tell me a lot.”

“Understood. Shall we go by carriage?”

“No, since we’re here, I’d like to walk directly.”

Though Melfina seemed somewhat surprised, she did not refuse. They traveled to the village entrance in a canopy-less cart that she usually used. It was drawn by a donkey, moving at about the same pace as walking.

Wooden crates served as seats in the cart. Melfina and Marie sat across from Alexis, while August and Cedric rode horses flanking them, moving slowly along.

Though it was a clear day and not particularly cold, the wind was now quite chilly, indicating that the use of a roofless cart would soon no longer be feasible.

“Don’t you have a carriage with a roof?”

“We don’t usually use it, so it’s stored in the warehouse, but yes, we have one. We can’t exactly visit a noble’s house in a cart pulled by a donkey.”

“Why not use that one regularly?”

“The noble’s carriage can’t carry cargo, and it takes time to prepare the horses.”

“But you might get cold, and it could be a good idea to own a smaller, more maneuverable covered carriage.”

Marie suggested.

Melfina put her hand to her cheek and tilted her head thoughtfully.

“That’s true, and I often send Marie on local investigations, so I don’t want her to be cold.”

“I mean, for your use, Lady Melfina.”

“If it’s mine, then it’s also Marie’s, since she’ll use it too.”

Marie’s pale cheeks flushed slightly as she pouted at Melfina, who appeared unaware of the gaze of disbelief that fell on her. Realizing she was being watched, Marie’s expression quickly turned neutral.

“Then please purchase a carriage with wind protection for me, Lady Melfina.”

“Yes, I will.”

Melfina’s voice was as gentle as a sister doting on her younger sibling. It was a very different side of her.

“It might have been better for His Grace to ride a horse or at least use his own carriage. This cart feels quite unsuitable.”

“On monster hunts, we sometimes use carriages like this. Depending on the road, it can shake terribly, and poor visibility can be dangerous.”

That being said, it wasn’t exactly like this peaceful donkey-drawn cart. The hunting carriages had reinforced wheels and increased speed. When not used to it, one could be thrown out by the jolts and bounces over rocks.

“Ah, I see. In emergencies, mobility is prioritized over safety. In that case, without a securing belt, there’s a risk of falling out.”

“…You are someone who understands much from little.”

Once you become accustomed to it, you learn to gauge the level of impact, making such measures unnecessary. However, for new recruits, there are regulations to secure themselves to the wagon with belts and clasps.

Melfina’s immediate understanding of the need for such measures in combat wagons, despite seeming unfamiliar with them, was impressive.

“You exaggerate. In situations requiring such vehicles, one can naturally deduce what is needed.”

That’s the talent of a strategist—an exceptionally rare skill.

While engaged in this conversation, they arrived at the entrance of Enkar Village. The wagon moved to the central square, which didn’t exist until last year. She alighted from the cart with Cedric’s escort, who had dismounted first.

“From the square to the west gate, there’s a daily market. The southern area is heavily focused on construction and could be dangerous, so it’s best to avoid it. Craftsmen primarily reside from the west to the east section, so if you want to look around, that area would be suitable.”

“What about you?”

“I have work, so it’s difficult for me to accompany you.”

“Wandering around aimlessly seems inefficient. Could I observe your work instead?”

Considering that a lord’s duties might involve confidential matters, I was prepared for a refusal, but Melfina readily agreed.

“I don’t mind. However, my work is rather dull, so you might find it boring.”

Visiting the craftsmen to check on progress and ensure they had what they needed, Melfina moved methodically. Marie, following slightly behind, took notes.

She appeared to frequently visit, and the craftsmen seemed quite familiar with her. Requests for more steel for nails, additional workers due to production delays, and suggestions for hiring through personal connections, even if it meant overwintering here, were approved by Melfina, facilitating the flow of work.

Suddenly, I noticed white plumes of smoke in the distance. Judging by the way the smoke rose, it wasn’t a fire but rather workshops using fire. Several white smoke trails ascended like bands.

“What’s happening over there?”

“That’s the smoke from the pottery workshop and charcoal kilns. They’re rushing the production of hibachis* right now.”

“What is a hibachi?”

“It’s a heating device. This area gets cold, so ideally, I’d like to provide one for every household.”

“If it’s for heating, why not use a stove powered by magic stones?”

“Magic stones are expensive. It’s difficult for commoners or farmers with little cash income to use them continuously. Besides, if you don’t mind a bit of effort, most things can be managed without relying on magic or mana.”

Such a perspective was far from the typical noble mindset. But Melfina’s belief that hard work can achieve results similar to magic seemed to be the foundation of Enkar’s development.

“If you’d like, would you like to see a hibachi up close? We’re using one in our workshop today.”

One of the craftsmen offered. His gaze was directed at Melfina, not Alexis.

“That sounds good. It’s quite chilly today, so let’s warm up a bit.”

She agreed.

“I’ll prepare some corn tea! Hey, Lady Melfina is taking a break here!”

He called out.

Inside the building, the air was noticeably warmer than outside. Low benches were arranged in a circle, and in the center was a heavy, blackish-gray brazier.

Inside were ashes and glowing red charcoal, with a metal trivet on top holding an iron kettle. As they were offered seats and sat down, the warmth gradually seeped through.

“The hibachi alone would make it too dry and not warm enough, so we always keep a kettle on top to generate steam, which helps to heat the room. It’s essentially the same principle as the sauna you used yesterday.”

The craftsman explained.

“This is indeed warm. Is the charcoal made in the village?”

“Yes. Charcoal and ashes have many uses and are always in demand.”

“Charcoal—does it have uses beyond being a heat source?”

Charcoal is crucial for glassmaking, iron smelting, and casting, primarily as a heat source. As for ash, he couldn’t think of any particular uses.

“When burning charcoal, you get a by-product called wood vinegar. It’s very useful for pest control. The ash, when spread over the soil, helps crop growth. Charcoal itself has similar benefits, and can also be placed in closets to prevent moth damage to clothes. It can be used to filter water, and it has strong deodorizing properties.”

“Wait, wait a minute… Can I write a record of what you just said?”

“Go ahead. It’s not a secret, and even if people know about it, it won’t become widespread that easily.”

“If what you’ve said is true, then we shouldn’t neglect something with such a wide range of uses.”

At this, Melfina chuckled softly.

“The uses of charcoal are not something I’ve researched and discovered myself. There must be many people who know these things from experience. If it’s useful but not widely used, it means its priority is not very high.”

“But you are using it.”

“That’s because Enkar benefits from the abundant wood from the Moltre Forest, and the winters here are extremely cold, creating a high demand for charcoal. In the southern regions, for instance, unless you are sleeping outside, it’s rare to get cold enough in winter to risk freezing to death. Commoners there don’t need to buy charcoal for warmth. Ash and wood vinegar are by-products of burning charcoal; they aren’t made intentionally. Besides, Enkar is still small in terms of farmland and population compared to other territories. If this were the southern granary region, it would be impossible to distribute leftover charcoal or its by-products throughout all the fields.”

In other words, it’s a method that works precisely because Enkar is a small territory.

Even excluding the southern regions, settlements the size of Enkar village are scattered throughout the country. Melfina seemed to read his thoughts and raised a pointed finger.

“The biggest reason this can’t be done in other areas is the presence of guilds. Charcoal burning falls under the jurisdiction of guilds of charcoal burners, and individual craftsmen can’t handle the smoke or ash freely. If wood vinegar and ash can be sold, it’s the guild’s job to develop the market. But there’s no guarantee the craftsmen will earn enough from making these products to justify the effort.”

If there’s no profit, it just increases the craftsmen’s workload. Life for commoners is never easy. Hence, they might prefer to continue burning charcoal to sell it, let the smoke dissipate as it will, and dispose of the ash by dumping it in designated places or into rivers, following established methods.

“Is that why you don’t invite guilds to the village?”

“No, I don’t have such intentions. There are still not many people around here, and no guilds have approached us to establish a branch.”

Melfina’s responses, so prompt and resonant, were pleasant to listen to.

It had been quite a while since someone had sat so close and had such a conversation.

Although he had close people like August and the butler, Rufus, they were his retainers and could not be considered equals.

August, despite his irreverent attitude, was still a top-notch knight who knew where to draw the line.

—When Christoph was a child, we often sat and talked like this.

He remembered his younger brother, whom he hadn’t thought about in a long time.

Christoph, three years younger, had been deeply affectionate and sensitive to those he let into his inner circle. As boys, they used to sit in the shade of trees, talking enthusiastically about making the Oldrand territory better when they grew up.

Melfina might be a little like Christoph. Intelligent and affectionate, yet capable of childlike sarcasm towards those she disliked.

Alexis felt a bitter taste in his mouth as he realized he was subconsciously comparing his wife on paper to his brother.

Perhaps he felt a certain precariousness about her because, unconsciously, he saw Christoph’s shadow in her.

Talented and idealistic, deeply affectionate but not good at making cold, calculated decisions, Christoph had fallen apart. Despite being so close, Alexis had been unable to do anything.

He had been a cherished younger brother.

After warming themselves and finishing the tea they were served, Melfina stood up, saying she had to go to the next appointment. When they stepped outside, the warmth made the cold feel even sharper, but somehow the heat accumulated in his body didn’t dissipate.

“That hibachi is a good thing.”

“You have a fireplace at the duke’s mansion, right? You should place a basin of water nearby. It helps with the dryness, and just that makes it feel warmer.”

Even as they moved to the commercial district, Melfina continued discussing plans and progress with Marie.

Enkar Village, which used to be a disorganized cluster of houses deserving to be called a poor village, now had some paved areas and gradually began to resemble a more orderly town.

It gave the impression of development progressing based on a concrete urban plan.

“There are a lot of new buildings in the village.”

“Most of the houses were wooden before. Winter is approaching, and thanks to everyone’s hard work, the finances have been replenished. I thought we should get various things in order while we have the money.”

“You seem to have quite the qualities of a ruler.”

There was no response, so when he looked back, Melfina was again talking to Marie about something.

He thought she hadn’t heard him, but even after that, Melfina remained mostly silent until they left the Enkar area.

—Did I say something to upset her?

No, she had always been a person who got angry.

The fact that he was even considering Melfina’s mood was already a departure from his usual self, something Alexis hadn’t yet realized.

*Hibachi: A traditional Japanese heating device. A brazier which is a round, cylindrical, or box-shaped, open-topped container, made from or lined with a heat proof material and designed to hold burning charcoal.