Chapter 88
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Dear, I believe you may be misunderstanding.
Episode 88
Princess Fresia, who had mentioned extortion, smiled and shot a meaningful glance at Lucas Black, who sat behind her.
Lucas had already returned to his composed expression, smiling with refined elegance.
As Grace Oellin observed them, wondering what on earth was happening, the princess extended something toward her.
"Here, take this."
The rolled parchment bore the royal seal.
Grace Oellin carefully unrolled the parchment and examined its contents, then hastily lifted her head.
"Blooming...?"
"Yes, it's a decree granting you the Territory of Blooming. Moreover, it states that your title will be elevated. Congratulations, Grace. You've acquired a true title now, not merely a name. Should I address you as Countess of Blooming from now on?"
The moment Princess Fresia finished speaking, Alendia squealed with delight and applauded.
Selena also patted Grace Oellin's back with an expression of amazement, while Vivian smiled quietly as if she had known all along.
'What... what is this...?'
Grace Oellin could scarcely believe it.
She had become a true noblewoman with a territory. And a countess, no less!
The magnitude of what this meant was so overwhelming that my hands trembled entirely.
A countess's title...
Historically, women receiving titles were rare enough to count on one hand, and never had a woman received a countess's rank.
Could I truly accept such a thing?
Did I truly deserve this honor?
Grace Oellin felt utterly bewildered and disoriented.
I couldn't even be certain it was real.
It felt so unfamiliar, something I had never once imagined, that my heart trembled with emotion.
"May I ask why I have received such a gift...?"
Princess Fresia answered readily, as if she had anticipated the question.
"Well, a formal objection was filed. It stated that your previous compensation was inadequate."
"An objection? From whom?"
"That shall remain a secret."
Princess Fresia's gaze shifted once more toward Lucas Black.
Grace Oellin looked at Lucas Black with suspicion, but he was reading a book that seemed to have appeared from nowhere.
The way he pretended not to notice, eyes downcast while sipping tea with elegant grace, was as beautiful as a painting.
As if he had orchestrated it perfectly.
'Hmm.'
Grace Oellin withdrew her suspicious gaze and turned her attention back to Princess Fresia.
"Ah, but the compensation wasn't reassessed solely because of the objection. Once the objection was filed, we decided to conduct a reevaluation, and a comprehensive review of the dried food supply distribution was undertaken."
Cain Black had spearheaded that administrative assessment.
He had produced a report spanning thirty-seven pages detailing how effectively the dried foods I had created were being utilized.
It was an extraordinarily detailed report with field-by-field evaluations, projected future revenues, anticipated effects, and even unforeseen impacts.
"The Conea Farm, which was established last year, spans an astounding 250,000 hectares, and seventeen new varieties of food can now be made from dried Conea. Since the Royal Palace oversees the primary sales and distribution, the profit margin remains modest, but the relief effect has been remarkable. During last year's dry season, mortality rates dropped by a staggering 70% compared to the previous year's dry season. An extraordinary achievement!"
Numbers and complex terminology tumbled forth in a dizzying array.
"Since 'Conea Farm' is difficult to pronounce, we decided to call it 'Coni' instead. What do you think?"
"Oh, how charming."
"Right? In any case, your contribution in discovering and processing that plant is significant enough to warrant a reassessment."
Grace Oellin felt bewildered.
I had only created it so the orphans would suffer less hunger.
Using common ingredients, processed in an ordinary way, with nothing but the hope that the children wouldn't fall ill....
And yet that had led to this....
"So don't hesitate and accept it, Countess of Blooming."
...They were making me a countess.
"I, I...."
My trembling fingertips curled into fists.
Princess Fresia approached Grace Oellin as if understanding her feelings.
"I know. You're frightened, aren't you?"
She was right. I was frightened.
Could I truly accept something like this?
I had never received anything like it before. I was stepping onto a path no one had walked.
It was joyful, yet terrifying.
Princess Fresia grasped my hand as if she understood everything in my heart.
Only then did I notice that the princess was missing one of her pinky fingers.
"The beginning is always criticized. But there must be a beginning for there to be a future. In that sense, this is a deeply meaningful moment."
The princess's deep emerald eyes gleamed with resolve.
"Do you know why His Majesty ordered me to grant this to you?"
I slowly shook my head. I could not fathom his intentions.
"I've recently created a rather interesting gathering."
I had heard of it—Wings, an organization created by the princess.
"That gathering includes Alendia over there, and Aunt Vivian as well. What do you think this gathering does?"
"...I heard it hasn't done anything yet."
"No. You're mistaken. We are doing something, Grace Oellin."
"What is it?"
Princess Fresia, smiling brightly, spoke with conviction.
"We're doing what we want to do."
"...What we want to do?"
"Doing what you want isn't a sin. As long as it doesn't harm others, we can do anything. Just as the male nobles do, so can we women."
Princess Fresia's tone was combative and delightful.
I was instantly drawn in by her voice.
"Alendia, what are you doing?"
"Hunting! Hunting is so much fun! And soon I'll be learning sports too. Sitting still and watching is boring!"
Alendia spoke in her characteristically cheerful voice.
"And you, Aunt?"
"I've shed my corset. And I'm steadfastly standing against the Nobility Council that pushes marriage. Marriage doesn't have to be a woman's obligation, does it? The same goes for pregnancy and childbirth."
Vivian spoke in a composed and elegant voice.
"What a wonderful person. She's asserting her right to love freely. It may seem strange and peculiar to some, but it's a matter of personal preference, isn't it? We should respect that. Don't you think?"
Princess Fresia's words seemed to keep touching something deep within Grace.
The princess had casually voiced a goal that Grace had never managed to articulate herself.
...Freedom, freedom!
Grace asked Princess Fresia with a trembling voice.
"What about you, Your Highness? What is it that you wish to do?"
"Me?"
Princess Fresia, who had been smiling softly, approached the wide-open balcony window.
Before her eyes, the Capital of Zeronium stretched out vast and boundless.
Embracing it all, Princess Fresia spread her arms wide, drew in a deep breath, and spoke loudly.
"I'm going to become king, Grace."
Her voice was bold and unwavering.
"I will become the king of this nation—a very good king."
Princess Fresia slowly turned around and looked at Grace.
"Don't be afraid of change, of new beginnings, Grace. I will... create an era where you don't have to be afraid."
Goosebumps erupted across Grace's entire body.
She sensed it instinctively.
"What is it that you want to do, Grace? Tell me."
"I...."
That this princess before her would change the very age itself....
"I wish for a world where families don't abuse their own. No—I wish for it to become a crime."
"I like that. It's a worthy goal. Yes, I like it. I'll create such a world for you."
This princess would surely accomplish it.
"But the beginning may be humble. Supporting me might become a somewhat exhausting life. Is that alright with you?"
Grace laughed.
Laughing, yet crying, yet grimacing all at once.
No single expression could contain what her heart felt in this moment, so she answered with a face twisted in joyful delight.
"Living an exhausting life—I'm quite good at that."
Princess Fresia burst into laughter first.
"Welcome to Wings, Grace."
* * *
So what Lucas had asked of the princess wasn't to bring Grace into Wings.
He simply wanted her to know of Wings' existence and to become good friends with her.
She had such a similar gleam in her eyes that he knew they would grow close with just a little push.
Those who stood out tended to struggle with making friends.
They were either admired or despised.
Grace was quiet and unassuming, yet she drew attention through a subtle presence.
Despite her fragile appearance, she possessed an unwavering gaze, and a stubborn pride that refused to be trampled upon.
She naturally caught the eye.
With her exceptional intellect and straightforward manner, coupled with an unyielding spirit, many surely treated her as peculiar.
It was for this reason that Lucas had noticed her life lacked many friendships.
Especially in her youth, when her body was frail, she had even fewer friends, or so she had said.
Even now, the closest people to Grace were the maid Julie and the head maid Elia.
Lucas wanted to show Grace more people.
In doing so, he believed her suppressed desires and ambitions would naturally kindle.
He hoped she would develop greater aspirations, deeper longings, and become someone capable of savoring joy.
He wanted to support her, to encourage her.
"...But who could have known she'd join Wings so suddenly."
Yet who could have predicted that awakening would happen in mere minutes?
Lucas burst into hearty laughter as he watched the four women embrace and greet one another.
Behind them were many more, their forms concealed, working implicitly in the shadows.
It wasn't only women, as was publicly known.
Like Lucas himself, there were many men who supported their vision under the guise of patronage or the name of collaborators.
All shared one heart.
They yearned for an age where none deemed suffering inevitable, where equal rights would be enjoyed by all.
That a world might come where my mother, my sister, my beloved would find greater happiness.
"Your Excellency! I apologize for keeping you waiting. I was just having such an enjoyable conversation."
That even if something befell me, even if a time came when I could no longer sustain her, she might find the strength to be happy on her own.
"Count Blooming, have you been well?"
"Don't tease me. It still feels strange."
May this smile, radiant as sunlight, endure forever.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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