Chapter 16 - 16

"Gasp, we made eye contact!"

"She's really pretty!"

"Hey, don't say things like that!"

"Why? She's really really pretty!"

Given the flood damage, the children weren't in good shape either.

Some had bandages, some were filthy from not washing.

"Hey."

I called a nearby knight.

Calling him, I saw it was the knight who first lifted me up earlier.

Looking at his olive-colored hair, I thought it would be ambiguous, so I asked something else first.

"What's your name?"

The knight paused for a moment, then wore a strange expression.

"Jet."

The Duke of Altsbeit had given Charlize an escort knight unit composed of elite, skilled individuals.

But Charlize didn't even know the names of the knights escorting her.

"Okay, Jet. Is the entire territory in that state?"

"...I believe so."

If not, I would have asked another knight, but it seemed he knew the situation here.

"Then it's useless to go back..."

I averted my gaze.

Things I hadn't seen before because I was focused on the debris came into view.

It wasn't just the cityscape that was a mess.

People were groaning everywhere. There were patients, and people sitting despondently in front of collapsed houses, filled with despair.

Askin Lemut is not someone who turns his back on his people.

So the scene before me must be happening because it's beyond his capacity.

"It's unpleasant."

"...Pardon?"

I turned around.

I looked at the children of this territory who had been stealing glances at me.

They were still staring, flinching, but since I didn't say anything, they kept staring.

"Hey, I told you! She's prettier than the prettiest noona in our neighborhood!"

"But if we keep this up, we'll get in trouble, right? There are scary knights nearby!"

Looking at the children, I chuckled.

"Eek, she smiled scarily!"

"Is she going to scold us?"

What is it, I smiled pretty nicely. You little brats.

I turned my head.

"Call the head of the servants."

"What business do you have with them?"

"Bring food and water to the flood victims."

"...Pardon?"

Jet paused as if he didn't understand.

When I frowned, a quick apology came back.

Soon, the head of the servants and the captain of the escort knights arrived before me.

"I said to give food and water to the flood victims."

"...Forgive my impertinence, but why, Countess?"

"Can't you see that?"

I pointed in turn to the people collapsed or sitting blankly, and those covered in dirt from clearing debris.

"If an epidemic breaks out because they're so dirty, and I catch it, what then?"

"Ah..."

"I have to keep coming here. Do you understand?"

I don't know how many times I'll have to come here until my fiance gives me an opening.

If I just directly showed pity and gave them food and water, he might become more wary.

And I might arouse unnecessary suspicion from the Altsbeit people.

"I-I understand!"

This should be a decent excuse.

"But..."

"Are you about to say it's okay if I catch a disease?"

"No! I-I'll immediately secure food and water and distribute them."

Thus, the servants went back to the capital to get food and water.

Not long after, I heard that carts loaded with food and water, perhaps with help from a trading company, were heading here.

"Tell the workers to repair those houses once they're done clearing the debris. I can't stand the sight."

"...Yes, Countess."

Hearing that news, I gave the orders towards the ongoing construction and clearing, then turned around.

It seemed like it would take quite a while, so I decided to give up for today and come back early tomorrow.

* * *

When I arrived home, urged by the maids to quickly change my dirty clothes, I changed, sat on a comfortable sofa, and sipped tea.

My body was comfortable, but my mind was slightly uneasy.

'...Is the territory doing so badly?'

The sight of the Lemut territory I saw earlier wouldn't leave my mind. On the other hand, I was curious.

'Askin talked about breaking the engagement as if he could repay me soon.'

It seems difficult to even repair the territory now, so where will that money come from?

'There must be a force or collaborator helping Askin.'

I recalled the contents of the book in order. Places with lots of money, places that can produce a large sum at once.

And yet, even if discovered collaborating with Askin and incurring Altsbeit's wrath, it could endure... a place that needs Askin's power even if hated by Altsbeit.

'It doesn't seem like there is one at this point...?'

As I was pondering, I was soon summoned by my grandfather.

When I opened the door to the office and entered, my grandfather was sitting with a serious expression.

I thought he might be angry, but upon seeing me, he smiled.

Not a big smile, but one filled with satisfaction.

"Oh, Char! I heard the news!"

As soon as I sat down, my grandfather spoke.

He even got up and came over to sit next to me.

No, Grandfather, why are you like this?

"You caused a stir at the Lemut territory, I hear?"

"Pardon? A stir?"

"I mean it in a very good way!"

I inwardly tilted my head. What has him in such a good mood?

"Just as expected of my granddaughter. I never thought you would exploit the flood damage there like this!"

I decided to just listen quietly, though the words were hard to follow.

"Yes, I received the full report. You called workers to repair the road, ordered building repairs and construction, and additionally ordered food and water."

"Ah... That was."

"You must have taken their land deeds in return."

I paused. Pardon? What? What is this old man saying now?

So he believes that I helped people who lost their homes and got injured, then took their land in return?

I was dumbfounded. The problem is that I failed to control my expression and showed a flustered face.

Seeing my face, Grandfather stopped.

"Why that face? Could it be... you received something else? Well, it's fine if you got money instead."

"...No, Grandfather. I don't know what you're talking about."

The smile disappeared from Grandfather's face.

"Heh, are you saying... you went and helped without receiving anything in return?"

"..."

"You threw money into the void?"

No, 'throwing it away'? It seemed the word 'saving people' meant nothing to my grandfather. When I couldn't answer his unexpected words, he seemed to get angrier.

"You don't know yet because you're young, but if you help those little ones for free, they'll cling to you the moment things get even a little tough! It's better to be extravagant than waste money!"

He stood up in anger. I didn't completely disagree with my grandfather's feelings, but I thought he was being too harsh.

No, wasn't I helping my fiance's territory?

Even setting aside morality or affection, given that my grandfather also seems to need that man, wouldn't helping him be beneficial in the long run?

"Ha, I thought you had become somewhat mature since returning from abroad... but it was my huge mistake. This won't do. I can't leave my foolish granddaughter attached to that bastard."

While I was speechless, my grandfather, after anger and nagging, now brought out the nuclear option.

"Maybe it's better to break the engagement, as that bastard says."

"Grandfather."

"This is not right. I need to send you somewhere where the concept of money is properly ingrained. Since the Child family is the most decent among those who have sent marriage proposals, go there instead."

I was flustered.

No, did this grandfather just decide his granddaughter's fate in 3 seconds?

Panicking over his decision to send me to my death? I can't let this happen.

'No, the dream of a wealthy unemployed person...! I can't let my dream disappear and die!'

"Grandfather, please calm down and listen to me for a moment, won't you?"

"Heh? What more is there to hear?"

"I just said I didn't understand because you seemed to think receiving money was everything."

My mind raced quickly. This grandfather is a man who goes crazy for money.

"Free? What nonsense are you talking about? What use would land be? It's barren there. Instead of land, I lent them money including future interest, covering the repair costs, construction costs, and the cost of water and food."

"Did they willingly agree to pay interest?"

"Are they in a position to be scared of interest right now? They could die any moment."

My grandfather's sharp gaze turned to me. It wasn't scarier than my fiance's angry gaze, nor scarier than the tyrant brother's glare.

"...Is that true?"

"Why would I lie? Don't you say that only those lacking something need to lie?"