Chapter 24

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 24

Chapter Title: Arrival at Palavi Island

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Enoch bowed his head slightly toward her, lost in thought, and said,

"Shall I help you?"

"I'm fine. The governor's probably already prepared everything. You, on the other hand, have to go out to sea to welcome the prince yourself—are you sure you're up for it?"

Enoch had to command the navy and knights to prepare a formal reception for the delegation, just like her.

He even had to board a ship for the escort.

"What I did every day on the battlefield was receive envoys."

The man's eyes curved faintly as their gazes met. Caught off guard by the unexpected eye contact, Agatha stared at him, entranced.

She snapped out of it and replied.

"That's reassuring. Then I'll leave it to you."

"Don't push yourself. Huber will lead the knights for the escort."

"Got it."

The ship docked at the pier, and the anchor dropped. The governor and Noblesse retainers were already waiting on the wharf.

Knights poured out first from the massive vessel that had entered the main island's harbor. They swiftly secured the perimeter and, once safety was confirmed, saluted in unison.

Crack!

A tall man appeared first atop the high stairs.

The retainers immediately straightened their formal attire and stood tall.

Thud—

The approaching footsteps seemed to etch themselves into her eardrums.

The moment Agatha took Enoch's hand and descended the stairs, the retainers bowed respectfully.

"Welcome, Marquis, Madam. We bid you welcome to Palavi Island."

The governor stepped forward with the greeting. Agatha smiled brightly.

"Good to see you, Governor. I get your regular reports every year, but this is my first time here in person since my coming-of-age ceremony."

"Indeed, Madam."

"Oh, right. Let me introduce him. This is my husband, Marquis Enoch Aratus. Enoch, this is Palavi Island's governor, Phil Butler."

"Pleased to meet you."

The governor hurriedly bowed low, nearly touching the ground.

"I have long heard of your renowned name, Marquis. It's an honor to meet you."

As Palavi's officials exchanged greetings with the Aratus and Noblesse retainers,

Agatha surveyed the harbor, which had changed dramatically compared to seven years ago. The construction that had started two months prior was already paying off.

The expanded port facilities, and around the harbor, restaurants, inns, and shops springing up.

"Looks good."

"Thank you, Madam."

The watchful governor immediately bowed. Agatha turned to Enoch.

"Then I'll go inspect the construction sites and head to the castle first."

"Yes. I'll speak briefly with the navy and then join you at the castle."

He was likely planning to check the on-site security and maritime escort arrangements once the delegation arrived.

Meanwhile, Count Kaelro, the Imperial Eastern Fleet Commander who had just disembarked, was approaching with his officers.

Esel, the aide who had inspected the horses brought by the governor, nodded.

"No issues, Madam."

Governor Phil Butler had secured enough horses for the escort knights as well.

"I figured you'd want to move quickly, so I prepared horses instead of a carriage."

"Good work, Governor. Let's head out right away."

Esel handed her the reins of the gentlest horse. The unfamiliar mount was similar in build to her usual one.

She hesitated slightly due to her long dress hem, but a hand at her side gently steadied her waist.

"Should have had you prepare riding attire."

Enoch lifted her effortlessly onto the saddle, his brow furrowing faintly.

Agatha gripped the reins to hide her slightly trembling hands.

"I'm fine. It's just a quick ride back to the castle."

Her face felt a bit warm. Her attendant maids hurriedly adjusted her dress, looking troubled.

"Madam, what about the parasol?"

"Hmm, riding sidesaddle while holding one might be too much."

In the summer heat, wearing a hat atop her high updo was impractical too.

And the maids couldn't keep up on foot holding parasols like they would on the ground.

Enoch glanced up at the blazing sun, then beckoned behind him.

"Huber."

"Yes, my lord."

He took the parasol from the maid and passed it to the vice-captain, Huber.

"Don't let it stray from her side."

Huber paused in silence, then saluted with trembling hand.

"Yes, my lord."

Enoch nodded lightly and looked up at Agatha.

"See you at the castle."

Huber's parasol now cast a shadow over her head.

As the shade cooled her, her heart swelled unexpectedly.

Since when had locking eyes, whispering tenderly, and worrying about his wife's heat become a husband's duty?

On impulse, Agatha leaned down and kissed his cheek.

"Yeah. See you soon."

Instead of checking his reaction, she spurred the horse's flank.

"Depart."

"Moving out!"

Led by the vanguard rider and aide Esel, Vice-Captain Huber and some fifty knights followed.

Agatha didn't look back.

The unfamiliar horse carried her obediently.

The summer sun blazed, but the parasol mitigated the heat.

Soon, the construction sites visible from the ship came into view.

"We're preparing it to accommodate at least ten ships at once."

Governor Phil Butler, riding beside her, explained. As the future hub of new trade routes, the harbor was undergoing major expansion—longer and wider than the old pier.

Even to Agatha, who knew little of construction, it looked nearly complete.

"It'll be done within two weeks, right?"

"Yes, Madam."

"Then I can see it finished before we leave."

Inland from the harbor, large warehouses for trade goods were rising.

Further in, commercial districts with inns, shops, and eateries were being redeveloped—organized by zones and scaled up substantially.

"The construction office is already complete. Shall we take a look?"

"Lead the way."

When Agatha halted before the construction office in the administrative district, a servant cleaning inside rushed out.

"Greetings, Madam."

Of course, with negotiations pending, no envoys were staying yet.

"How's the management going?"

"We're using the merchant guild for now."

The Noblesse guild would soon trade here too, so personnel had been dispatched early.

Satisfied after checking on her guild's operations, Agatha nodded.

"Good. I like it. Now, shall we circle the island once?"

She checked the sky. It was about noon.

"Make it quick and head back to the castle."

"Understood."

Then Vice-Captain Huber carefully tilted the parasol and chimed in.

"Madam, if you're just sightseeing without close inspection, why not switch to the carriage? Even with the parasol, I'm worried about the heat wearing you down."

As if prepared for this, an Aratus-crest-marked carriage trailed the procession.

His initial awkwardness aside, Huber had quickly adapted to the lacy parasol and was fretting over his lady marching on in the sweltering weather.

Knights take after their lord, it seemed.

Agatha smiled and took the parasol from Huber.

"You've worked hard, Sir. We'll switch to the carriage."

The ship had docked that morning, but by the time they reached the castle, lunch had long passed.

The old Palavi Castle was rugged but possessed charm in its watchtower overlooking the island and its numerous terraces and balconies.

At the entrance, the castle steward awaited with the staff.

"Greetings, Madam."

Agatha nodded lightly in response, then glanced at Esel. He answered promptly.

"The Mainucor delegation is expected three days from now, in the morning."

"I see. Governor, how go the preparations?"

The steward replied at once.

"The kitchen is preparing samples of the delegation banquet menu for your tasting. The banquet hall and guest rooms have been cleaned and decorated to the best of our ability, but..."

As the steward trailed off, Governor Phil Butler glanced at Agatha and continued.

"As you know, Madam, I rarely visit the capital except for regular reports, so there may be some shortcomings."

"It's fine. At least knowing it's all cleaned is a relief. Good work, Governor."

After praising him lightly, Agatha led her retainers and knights inside.

Beyond the first-floor hall lay the grand banquet room; the second floor held the guest quarters. Phil Butler's decorations in both were woefully outdated compared to capital trends.

'Not enough time to do it properly.'

With time short, choices had to be made. Agatha decided to focus on the banquet hall and the prince's room, prioritizing neatness elsewhere.

Replicating the capital's splendor everywhere was impossible with limited supplies anyway.