Chapter 219

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 219
Chapter Title: Running Again
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After her riverside picnic with Raphael de Valdesal, Ariadne remained bedridden for two more days before finally getting back on her feet.

The situation in the Kingdom of Etruscan was improving day by day. First, tragic news arrived from the Kingdom of Gallico.

Princess Auguste had died of the Black Death.

“They say Philip IV has cast aside all state affairs, secluded himself, and is wailing like a beast.”

Representative Caruso of the Boccanegra Company, who had recently been granted an audience again, summarized and reported the external news.

Thanks to him, Petruccia, with nothing to do, sat beside him, pouting with her lips pushed out.

“It’s not often that grown siblings are so close. Their bond must have been truly remarkable.”

Ariadne, who knew the truth from her past life, merely offered a wry smile.

It wasn’t something to be said in front of a child.

“Thanks to this, all provocations at the border have ceased.”

“Good.”

The situation in San Carlo wasn’t bad either.

Thanks to the efforts of the nursing staff from the Rambouillet Almshouse, the number of Black Death patients in the capital was being kept at a manageable level.

Considering that some provincial cities had been left in ruins as their lords abandoned their castles and fled, and that Gallico’s land and administrative power were being devastated, it was a remarkable achievement.

Ariadne’s personal situation wasn’t bad either.

“The price of grain is also skyrocketing. Ten times? It’s already jumped nearly thirtyfold.”

Unlike in her past life, where the great plague had stopped at the northernmost tip of the Kingdom of Etruscan, this time the Black Death had crossed the Prinoyak Mountains and advanced without restraint.

Now, it wasn’t just the Kingdom of Etruscan that had lost a year’s harvest. The harvest across the entire central continent had come to a halt.

“It will probably keep rising until next spring.”

“Yes. People are clamoring to buy, but we are releasing only the minimum quantity. So far, we have sold about fifteen percent of our total stockpile.”

“Let’s play it safe. Release a little more.”

If she held out until the very end and sold just before the spring harvest, she could get the highest price.

But there was no telling what might happen before then. A fire could break out in the granaries, or an angry mob might attempt to loot them.

Of course, the most plausible scenario wasn’t an angry mob, but rather the foolish monarch who ruled over them attempting a confiscation.

To mitigate the risk, it was better to convert at least a portion into gold coins beforehand.

“My lady, speaking of which, a guest requests an audience with you regarding that matter. I was asked to inquire when would be a good time to schedule an appointment.”

“Oh? Who is it?”

“The ambassador from the Republic of Porto. And there is also a letter you should see.”

Ariadne took the letter from Representative Caruso.

“...It’s a letter from the Duchy of Acereto.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Representative Caruso waited for a moment while Ariadne read the letter before explaining.

“Both are inquiries, sounding out the possibility of purchasing food supplies.”

The letter from the Duchy of Acereto was addressed not to Representative Caruso, but to Lady Ariadne de Mare. Ariadne smiled faintly.

“My, it seems the rumors have crossed the border.”

“News travels fast in the world of merchants.”

“Selling a large quantity abroad all at once would be easier than releasing it to the market in small increments…”

The halo of light on her unseen right hand trembled.

It seemed to be shouting, *Do not export food abroad, you traitor!*

Ariadne had no desire to grant this halo’s wish—in fact, her contrarian impulse made her want to do the exact opposite—but as someone who had come very close to becoming the queen of Etruscan in her past life, she did feel a shred of hesitation.

“...I’ll hear them out. Please relay that they should prepare their terms and visit soon.”

“Yes, I understand.”

* * *

She thought she had a sufficient grasp of her rising status just from the outside news Representative Caruso delivered, but actually going out into the world was a world of difference.

She was on her way to the Grand Cathedral of San Ercole for the monthly High Mass.

The crowd gathered in the square before the grand cathedral spotted the de Mare family’s silver carriage and immediately swarmed around it.

- “It’s the Lady de Mare!”

- “The Saintess of the Rambouillet Almshouse!”

- “Bless the saintess!”

- “Bestow your blessing upon us, bestow your blessing upon us!”

Isabella, sitting across from her in the silver carriage, pouted her lips in displeasure but dared not say a word.

If Isabella had said anything, Ippolito would have likely kicked her in the shin.

“Impressive, Ariadne.”

Ippolito praised his half-sister with exaggerated ease.

“You’ve elevated our family’s name. Well done.”

Though Ariadne pursed her lips, she replied in a gentle tone.

“You flatter me.”

It seemed Ippolito now wanted to ride on the coattails of her fame. Not a chance.

Her conversation with Raphael had made her reconsider the concepts of ‘forgiveness’ and ‘generosity.’

Over the past few days, Ariadne had thought a lot about Isabella and Cesare.

She had agonized over how far she could forgive, and to what extent she had the right to condemn.

But Ippolito wasn’t even part of that consideration.

It wasn’t a matter of forgiveness or generosity; he was simply too trivial and shallow to associate with. He was the type of person she found it impossible to get close to.

“We’re here.”

Wanting to cut the conversation with Ippolito short, Ariadne preempted the coachman’s announcement.

She stepped out of the carriage without a backward glance.

She could see the crowd in the square, which had surged forward to approach the de Mare carriage, being held back by the guards of the Grand Cathedral of San Ercole, packed tightly at the cathedral entrance.

- “Thank you for the food!”

- “The mother of the poor!”

- “Bless the saintess!”

Ariadne raised her right hand with composure.

She had started the charity work in the first place to raise her reputation so the king couldn’t touch her.

There was no need to be timid now.

She thought it fortunate that the weather had turned cold, making thick gloves seem perfectly natural.

Cheers and fervent cries erupted, and Ariadne left them behind as she stepped into the grand cathedral.

The nobles inside the grand cathedral were no different.

Though they didn’t express their affection and interest as rawly as the commoners, they watched her with eyes full of admiration.

- “Hello, Lady de Mare.”

- “It’s been a while.”

Those who had even a slight acquaintance with her in high society vied to greet her.

“It’s been a long time, Marchioness Cibo. Have you been well, Lady Romani?”

Those who were close to Ariadne exchanged greetings with her and then bragged to those around them about their connection.

- “I was the one who taught Lady Ariadne the Gallican language! Yes, she was an excellent student. Ho ho, to think she hasn’t forgotten her teacher! A favor? Of course, I’m sure she would grant at least one, wouldn’t she?”

There were also people who tried to greet her despite not having a deep connection.

“Well, look who it is! Isn’t it the Lady de Mare?”

Baroness Loredan, who served as lady-in-waiting to Countess Balzo in the ‘Silver Cross Women’s Association,’ greeted Isabella with excessive familiarity.

“B-Baroness Loredan.”

Isabella returned the greeting with a hesitant smile. *There’s no way that woman would act so pleased to see me.*

As expected, Baroness Loredan blocked the cathedral aisle with her body and gave Isabella a meaningful look.

“Your younger sister is as beautiful as her reputation suggests! Please, introduce me, Lady Isabella.”

It was a situation Isabella would rather die than face, but she had no way to refuse.

Praying to the heavens that Ariadne wouldn’t embarrass her in front of everyone, Isabella spoke to Ariadne in her nightingale-like voice.

“Ariadne. This is Baroness Loredan, a friend I made in the ‘Silver Cross Women’s Association.’ She is well-connected and very helpful in many ways.”

Her words were laced with the hint that since the woman had a loose tongue, treating her poorly would not reflect well on Ariadne’s reputation.

Ariadne clicked her tongue inwardly. She had just been contemplating forgiveness.

That, of course, included the question of whether to be generous to Isabella.

But Isabella herself lacked any sincerity.

*Honestly, can’t she take a single breath without trying to manipulate someone?*

However, Isabella’s threat was somewhat effective.

Ariadne, too, was well aware that Baroness Loredan was a notorious gossip in high society.

She sighed and offered a greeting to Baroness Loredan.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Baroness Loredan. I am Ariadne de Mare.”

She didn’t even feel like adding empty pleasantries like how she had heard so much about her from her sister. But the other woman didn’t seem to mind.

“Oh my, what a lovely voice!”

Ariadne’s voice was low and husky, and while pleasant to listen to, it was not the typical female voice favored in high society.

But the desire to curry favor crushed any such trivial facts.

“We should see each other more often from now on!”

Ariadne gave a nod just polite enough not to be rude and passed Baroness Loredan.

Isabella walked on, staring straight ahead with a wounded expression, without a single word of thanks for saving her face. Well, not that she had expected any.

Their party made its way through the crowd toward the de Mare family pew in the very front row of the Grand Cathedral of San Ercole, and only after much effort did they finally reach their seats.

*Finally.*

Now, no one else would approach her. Just being inside the grand cathedral felt as if her energy was being drained.

But here, she could be quiet until the sermon began.

However, contrary to her expectations, the crowd behind her began to murmur.

“Well, if it isn’t the Lady de Mare!”

At the words ‘Lady de Mare,’ Isabella instinctively turned around the fastest. But, of course, the voice wasn’t calling for her.

Standing there was the king, Leo III.

The stairs leading up to the royal family’s box were right next to the de Mare family’s pew, and he had spotted Ariadne before ascending the round staircase and decided to acknowledge her.

Despite the sigh that escaped her inwardly, Ariadne quickly rose from her seat and began to kneel on one knee to show her respects.

“I greet Your Majesty, the sun of the kingd—”

“No, no, stand up. Why would you pay respects on this hard stone floor?”

Leo III approached her amicably and helped Ariadne to her feet himself.

“I’ve heard that my lady’s name is being praised highly in the streets.”

“...You flatter me, Your Majesty.”

“No! Flattery? For a young, unmarried lady to have cared for the poor in places the state’s hand cannot reach—it is a matter for which I should be ashamed, and for which your reputation should soar even higher. What a beautiful heart you have!”

Leo III was lavishing her with praise, putting her on display for all to see. This was not good.

“I am humbled.”

Leo III didn’t argue with Ariadne’s words, “I am humbled.” It seemed to be what he wanted to hear.

“So, I intend to summon you to the palace soon.”

Ariadne, who had been worried that Leo III might call her up to the royal family’s box in the grand cathedral, let out a sigh of relief for the moment.

Over Leo III’s shoulder stood Duke Cesare of Pisano, the ‘king’s nephew.’

She was consciously trying not to look in his direction.

Since being recognized as a collateral branch of the de Carlo royal family, he had been permitted to sit in the royal box in the absence of Prince Alfonso and Queen Marguerite.

If she were dragged up to the family box today, she would be stuck next to Cesare for the entire sermon.

“My lady.”

Startled, Ariadne once again bowed her head before Leo III.

“I will send someone soon to set a date.”

“I am grateful for this infinite honor, Your Majesty.”

If she thought positively, there would be praise and, with luck, a royal gift. If she were incredibly lucky, she might even receive a title.

But Ariadne was no optimist, and especially not when the situation involved Leo III.

It seemed the time had come to protect her grain.