14. End of lingering – 01
The Duchy of Estelle is located in the northernmost part of the Empire and is a land of extreme cold.
Even in midsummer, the weather is unpredictable, such as sleet and snow, and the land that can be cultivated is naturally extremely limited because of the exhausted wastelands scattered here and there. Even if you look at it as a whole, it couldn’t be anything but a f*cking neighborhood.
Since farming, which is the basis of the territory, is not properly carried out, the income of the territory decreases, and because the income decreases, the development of the territory does not occur, so the population does not naturally increase. Also, as the years passed, the cycle of evil, which only got worse, continued.
If it had not been for the few mines that had not yet been abandoned and survived, albeit slightly, the Duke of Estelle might have been forced into bankruptcy.
A thousand years ago, even three hundred years ago, it was a family that boasted of being one of the five most prosperous families in the entire empire, but if you recall how it came to be like this, you can’t help but sigh.
However, these days, the Duchy of Estel, where only despair remained, has begun to turn to life. A vitality called hope began to spring up in the people of the territory, who had assumed that there would be only frustration in this land from now on.
The reason is unknown, but the proper four seasons have returned to the dukedom. In spring, a warm wind blows and greenery blooms on the land. In summer, the strong sunlight heats up the mountains and rivers. In autumn, the fallen leaves were scattered and all the fields where farming was done were blessed with a good harvest.
…crucially, it wasn’t cold this winter. This winter, the temperature didn’t drop below freezing like it used to, and there wasn’t a blizzard like it always has. Like a gentle mother, calmly as if nothing had happened, winter ended and warm spring came again.
Intellectual power has returned to the barren land, which was considered impossible to farm. The range of activities of the territories widened and the clearing land increased in an instant. The number of immigrants began to increase gradually, as if I had heard rumors that there was a lot of land in the Estel Duchy.
In just a short period of time, at least one year, the atmosphere surrounding the Duchy of Estelle has changed a lot. Like other territories, farming was done properly, the number of immigrants increased, and vitality circulated throughout the territories, which led to a virtuous cycle of funds.
…That also meant that Son, Sarah’s new job as Treasurer had many times more work than before.
The newbie, who had just been appointed treasurer of the Duchy of Estel, was overburdened with undeserved work. Many people expressed concern about the paperwork of every asset in the Duchy being held at the fingertips of a woman whose hands had never been wet with water, but the chancellor made them keep quiet about her business. He only gave a bluff to watch, but took no action.
And as if to live up to the expectations of such a general, Sarah began to clearly tell everyone about her true identity. she was capable Not just competent, but much more competent than everyone thought.
It was basic to grasp all the contents with just one glance at the financial ledger, which gives even officials who were proud to have eaten a little bit of ink. After going through it, it was not long before it was resolved perfectly, and it was a mysterious sight like magic.
Also, she wasn’t just sitting in front of a desk and looking at papers. She tended to go around every corner of the manor and meet many people, preferring a flexible work process.
“The number written on the document is just a simple number and doesn’t tell us anything about the person involved. I just thought that replacing people with simple numbers and seeing them was the thing that the person in charge of the estate on behalf of the Duke should avoid the most.”
In this way, Sara gradually became a person who should not fall for the Duchy of Estel.
Sarah also liked the current ‘Sarah’ of the Estel Duchy much more than the ‘Sarah’ of Count Cernard in the past. Unlike the old days when you were just locked up in your room like a doll, now you can take the lead and take care of many things proactively.
…More than anything else, the fact that I was helping him now made me feel a little bit happy.
She was really glad that she could be of some use to him in this way, although she had been of no use to him at the time as her fiancée.
Working as treasurer, she met many people and talked about many things.
And the subject of her conversation always included a story related to the Duke of Estelle.
It is a fact that Sarah herself is never aware of, but whenever she exchanges stories with others about the Duke of Estelle, as if her heart was hot and excited, she would tell stories like this and that. Because getting to know the information about him and the aspects of him that she did not know was the greatest happiness for Sarah.
I was happy. Everyone in the dukedom of Estelle she talked with recognized Cain as a minor duke. No one denied that he was more suited to the position of a small duke than anyone else. He was the duke of Estelle in name and reality, and he was also the duke of everyone.
That fact made her proud for some reason.
She did not know why, but Sarah could feel the satisfaction and joy spreading in her heart when others complimented her, as if she had been praised. No, even if he was praised, he had never been this proud, and he had never been this happy.
That’s why I couldn’t help but realize it. Even though she cut her hair in front of him as a sign of determination, and even though she made a firm oath deep in her heart, in fact, her heart hadn’t changed even an inch from the moment he hugged her tightly. That she had already fallen into an irreversible spell towards him.
Even though I had promised myself so many times that I should stop showing my feelings for him, before I knew it, I felt so foolish and pitiful that I gave in to this urge that constantly welled up in my heart.
That’s why Sarah tried to run away from reality. Rather, if you pour all your mind into handling your work, this pain like cutting through your chest would be a little less.
That’s how she, day and night, was buried in paperwork and was only absorbed in work. And there was one person who looked at her with pity.
“…Lady, take a little break from work. He doesn’t have very good stamina, but I hope you will be a little considerate of this old man’s heart, who is worried that he might collapse from exhaustion.”
The commander placed a cup of black tea on Sara’s desk and spoke cautiously. The commander-in-chief, who had seen Sarah’s appearance since childhood, when Cain was engaged, felt as though he could understand why Sarah was behaving in such a way.
Because of that, the commander-in-chief couldn’t say anything hastily toward her. After all, since ancient times, wise men did not carelessly talk about relationships between men and women.
…However, the sight of that young lady whom I have known since childhood, heartbroken by the unfulfilled love, was also a sight that was hard to see with my eyes open.
“Only after processing this paperwork. Now, if I review this, it seems that the work will be roughly finished, so I think I can relax a little. and…”
“…and what?”
Sarah’s unfinished words raised questions from the commander, but Sarah could not open her mouth to the end. I couldn’t bear to speak to anyone else with my own mouth. How could Cain confide in others that he wanted to be praised for doing a ‘good job’ by roughly finishing all his duties before returning to the Duchy of Estel?
“…it’s nothing. More than that, Commander-in-Chief, you decided not to call me lady. Not only am I no longer a young lady, but most of all I-”
The moment he was about to say, “Since you are no longer Cain’s fiancée or a nobleman, there is no reason for you to treat me with respect,” the commander-in-chief shook his head left and right with a stubborn expression on his face.
“To me, a lady is always a lady. Also, the fact that the young lady was the Duke’s fiancé in the past is an unchanging fact. So, no matter how I call my lady, I think it’s my freedom. At least, when it’s just the two of us, please allow me to call her here.”
Hearing the commander’s stubborn words, Sara sighed softly. It was because he knew better than anyone else that no matter what he said, he would never be the kind of person who would readily change his title.
…However, I didn’t really like the title of lady. Being called ‘lady’ by the commander-in-chief made me feel like I was back in those days. All the days spent with him in the past, when he and her were engaged, when she used to fantasize that she might one day become his wife.
“…..”
The memory of that day, I don’t even want to think about it anymore. It wasn’t because I hated the times I had with him. It was because to her now, it was a time that was incomparably precious and vague to anything in the world, so I didn’t want to even think about it carelessly.
…If only I could dig out of this memory just one thing, the foolishness of myself who didn’t like him, it would be a truly perfect memory.
However, now it seemed that the past memories of being together with him would have to be left only in her own memories. Because, the rumors that once stirred up the system had finally reached the Duchy of Estel after passing through that far distance.
“Really, are you okay?”
In spite of the general’s question mixed with concern, Sara nodded her head up and down steadfastly. In fact, I couldn’t stand it if I didn’t pretend to be strong, so I desperately nodded with all my might.
“…I’m OK. No, on the contrary, I think it could not have been a very good thing for the Duke.”
Yes. The fact that Cain and the princess were getting married was truly auspicious news. Even in the eyes of the same woman, the princess was very beautiful and could not help but be a woman of ability. Seeing Cain and the princess standing side by side, anyone would have no choice but to admit that they are a pair of women who match very well.
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Moreover, the political gains from marriage with the imperial family were enormous. Starting with the huge dowry she would bring to the Estelle dukedom through marriage with the princess, and considering the fact that the status of the Estelle dukedom would rise throughout the empire by establishing an in-law relationship with the imperial family, it was a marriage that did nothing but gain. There was no other way to express it.
…So, congratulations are right. Even if you stay by his side, you can’t do anything for him. No, on the contrary, she was a woman who caused him a lot of trouble. I think it’s definitely the right way to have a beautiful and competent woman like the princess or Aria standing by his side.
Even if it doesn’t reach you, it’s okay. It’s okay if my feelings now become one strong emotion and don’t reach you. It’s okay if you don’t necessarily notice the feelings I’m embracing.
Because love for someone is not all of the feelings towards someone.
At least like this, at least in this way, I just want you to be happy.
…Yes, really.
“…I’m fine. Really, it’s okay.”
For some reason, Sarah, holding on tightly to her shivering shoulders, managed to come up with such an answer.
Perhaps from exhaustion, she unknowingly covered her face with both hands.
I closed both my eyes tightly. There was only darkness in the world surrounding her.
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Maybe it’s because I keep my eyes closed like this.
At least, Sarah wanted to believe that.