I went to bed late last night after partying, but I woke up early this morning.
'I couldn't sleep well again today.'
I got out of bed shivering from the cold and went to warm myself up in front of the fireplace.
I must have been up all night, so Callius must have left the fire burning.
'Yesterday feels like a dream.'
I had trouble sleeping, but I felt good.
I combed my hair and changed my clothes by myself and waited for Lamia.
“You’re up early, ma’am.”
After a while, Lamia appeared with a sleepy expression. It seemed she had overslept.
“Did you sleep well, Lamia?”
"You're already ready. Sorry, I'm so late. I must have had too much to drink last night. I'll get you some water to wash up."
She lightly slapped my cheek, shook her head, and opened her eyes wide.
Lamia is mischievous, but hard-working and smart.
She immediately brought me water to wash my face and raked the ashes from the fireplace while I washed.
I opened the window and looked outside while Lamia made the bed.
People were seen crowding at the castle entrance.
“We were supposed to distribute food today, right?”
While I was busily changing the pillowcase with my hands, Lamia poked her head next to me.
“There are already people lining up.”
“It seems like rumors really spread quickly in Ronheim.”
“Are you going to go see it?”
It seemed that Lamia had heard that I had asked Mainz yesterday if I could go out for a bit and help distribute food.
Mainz seemed to welcome my going out and meeting the people, even though he said there wouldn't be much for me to do.
'Because I've never gone on an inspection tour of the territory with Callius or wandered outside the castle.'
I was so busy just looking around the castle and adjusting to my new life that I didn't have the energy to worry about that.
“Yeah, I want to go.”
Lamia looked at me and then outside, thinking about something, and then made a suggestion.
“Then go to the chef and ask him to bake you a bunch of cookies.”
"Cookie?"
Lamia pointed her finger somewhere outside the window.
Looking down, I saw children following the adults, huddled together on one side.
“It’s a great opportunity to win the hearts and minds of the growing future public.”
When I heard that the wind was cold, I put a hood on my head, put gloves on my hands, and went outside.
I wasn't afraid of the wind because I wore two layers of socks and tight underwear.
As I went out to the castle's front yard, Hawick and the knights, who were carrying sacks of wheat on their shoulders, saw me and bowed to me.
Unlike me, who was heavily armed, they were working, sweating, wearing only a thin, short-sleeved T-shirt.
“Are you out?”
Some of them ran away immediately after greeting me, perhaps because they felt awkward facing me because of yesterday's events.
I greeted the knights who didn't know what to do as if nothing had happened.
“I know it’s hard for everyone, but please work hard for Ronheim.”
As Mainz said, there didn't seem to be anything I could do to help.
I had to move a large sack of wheat, but I didn't feel like I could do it.
I held the basket of cookies carefully in my arms.
Freshly baked cookies, just pulled out of the oven by the chef, were steaming.
The mouthwatering, fragrant smell of sugar and butter lingered in my nostrils.
'I'm glad I brought this out.'
As I left the gates, secretly thanking Lamia, Hawick guided me through the knights.
He shouted at the top of his lungs at the gathered people.
"This form is being distributed by the Marchioness here! There's enough for one for each household, so don't be impatient. Be grateful for the Marchioness's kindness and receive it in an orderly manner!"
The people of the territory murmured at Hawick's shout.
Most of the voices were mixed together, so I couldn't hear what they were saying properly, but some voices stood out, and their words pierced my ears.
“Is this something the Princess of Arrental gave me?”
“Why is the Princess of Arrental giving us food?”
Although Hawick had introduced me as the Marchioness, the people of the estate were more accustomed to calling me the Princess of Arrental than the Marchioness.
In my experience, that's never a good thing.
'There's still a long way to go.'
But I had decided not to be impatient just yesterday, so instead of feeling sad, I smiled and waved to the people of the territory.
It wasn't an action that was done with the expectation of a big response.
I just did it because I thought people would think worse of me if I just stood there expressionless.
But then, unexpectedly, someone shouted.
“Long live the Marchioness!”
It was in the direction where the knights were.
I opened my eyes wide and looked at the gathered knights.
The knights looked around among themselves, not knowing who had shouted.
I thought that was where the timid cry would end.
But then, Hawick, who was standing next to me, shouted loudly.
“Long live the Marchioness!”
Alex, who had been looking around, wondering who had first shouted "Long live," also belatedly joined in.
"Long Live!"
Three shouts. It was enough to move the public's mind.
Anyway, people who were grateful for the food they were given shouted "hurrah" one by one.
“Long live the Marchioness!”
Because only a few people joined in, the cry did not fill the square and did not last long.
But that alone was satisfying enough to make me laugh.
I smiled brightly and shouted to the people of the territory.
“Everyone, please wait in line to receive your forms.”
But the people of the territory were more agitated than before.
"Ah..."
“It was dazzling, just now...”
Here and there, I could hear sighs or exclamations.
'What?'
Suddenly, everyone turned their heads and looked at me, closing the distance between us, so I hesitated and took a step back.
Hawick blocked the lords' path and lined them up in an orderly manner, pushing me between the knights.
He singled out Alex and ordered him to do something.
“Take good care of the Marchioness.”
“Yes, I understand!”
The knights began to distribute sacks of wheat and barley to the people.
Then, the people became so absorbed in it that they didn't come closer to me anymore.
I stood next to the knights handing out sacks, and when I saw children, I quietly waved to them.
At first, the kids were hesitant and didn't come near, but when I showed them the basket full of cookies, they came running.
“Take them one by one.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yes. Bring your friends too.”
"Ah!"
Very young children, around three or four years old, were excited to receive cookies.
In Ronheim, where grains are scarce, making snacks like cookies from wheat flour is considered a luxury, so children grow up without ever having to eat such things.
The kids who took cookies from me without even knowing what cookies were would take a bite of a cookie from a distance with their front teeth, and when they tasted it, their eyes would widen.
The children ran straight to me and dragged their brothers to stand in front of me.
“Please give my brother some too!”
“My sister too!”
The children who were brought by their younger siblings looked to be around thirteen or fourteen years old, judging by their round, youthful faces.
It's a little confusing because he's not that tall compared to me.
'They say that northerners have big children too.'
Anyway, except for their height, they looked like children to anyone.
But the kids acted proudly as if they were already grown up and refused the cookies.
“Please give some to the kids. We’re good to go.”
It seemed like he was keeping an eye out for a cookie shortage.
I put a few cookies in each of the kids' hands and told them not to refuse.
“Take them home and share them with your other siblings. Share them with the neighbors, too.”
"...Thank you."
Only then did the children accept the cookies. Unlike when they had refused, they couldn't hide their delighted expressions.
It was at that time that I was feeling proud while handing out cookies to the children.
I opened my eyes in surprise when I spotted a blonde woman with a familiar hairstyle among the crowd.
'Did I see something wrong?'
A blonde woman who had been out of sight in the crowd appeared again.
She was talking to someone, but the crowd was so thick that only her profile was visible for a moment before disappearing repeatedly.
'I must have seen it wrong...'
I hoped I was seeing things wrong.
‘There’s no way Kavala's close maid would be here...!’
I wanted to get a good look at the woman's face.
I approached her, hoping she was just another person, but a hand reached out from the crowd and grabbed me roughly.
“This bitch!”
'I couldn't sleep well again today.'
I got out of bed shivering from the cold and went to warm myself up in front of the fireplace.
I must have been up all night, so Callius must have left the fire burning.
'Yesterday feels like a dream.'
I had trouble sleeping, but I felt good.
I combed my hair and changed my clothes by myself and waited for Lamia.
“You’re up early, ma’am.”
After a while, Lamia appeared with a sleepy expression. It seemed she had overslept.
“Did you sleep well, Lamia?”
"You're already ready. Sorry, I'm so late. I must have had too much to drink last night. I'll get you some water to wash up."
She lightly slapped my cheek, shook her head, and opened her eyes wide.
Lamia is mischievous, but hard-working and smart.
She immediately brought me water to wash my face and raked the ashes from the fireplace while I washed.
I opened the window and looked outside while Lamia made the bed.
People were seen crowding at the castle entrance.
“We were supposed to distribute food today, right?”
While I was busily changing the pillowcase with my hands, Lamia poked her head next to me.
“There are already people lining up.”
“It seems like rumors really spread quickly in Ronheim.”
“Are you going to go see it?”
It seemed that Lamia had heard that I had asked Mainz yesterday if I could go out for a bit and help distribute food.
Mainz seemed to welcome my going out and meeting the people, even though he said there wouldn't be much for me to do.
'Because I've never gone on an inspection tour of the territory with Callius or wandered outside the castle.'
I was so busy just looking around the castle and adjusting to my new life that I didn't have the energy to worry about that.
“Yeah, I want to go.”
Lamia looked at me and then outside, thinking about something, and then made a suggestion.
“Then go to the chef and ask him to bake you a bunch of cookies.”
"Cookie?"
Lamia pointed her finger somewhere outside the window.
Looking down, I saw children following the adults, huddled together on one side.
“It’s a great opportunity to win the hearts and minds of the growing future public.”
***
When I heard that the wind was cold, I put a hood on my head, put gloves on my hands, and went outside.
I wasn't afraid of the wind because I wore two layers of socks and tight underwear.
As I went out to the castle's front yard, Hawick and the knights, who were carrying sacks of wheat on their shoulders, saw me and bowed to me.
Unlike me, who was heavily armed, they were working, sweating, wearing only a thin, short-sleeved T-shirt.
“Are you out?”
Some of them ran away immediately after greeting me, perhaps because they felt awkward facing me because of yesterday's events.
I greeted the knights who didn't know what to do as if nothing had happened.
“I know it’s hard for everyone, but please work hard for Ronheim.”
As Mainz said, there didn't seem to be anything I could do to help.
I had to move a large sack of wheat, but I didn't feel like I could do it.
I held the basket of cookies carefully in my arms.
Freshly baked cookies, just pulled out of the oven by the chef, were steaming.
The mouthwatering, fragrant smell of sugar and butter lingered in my nostrils.
'I'm glad I brought this out.'
As I left the gates, secretly thanking Lamia, Hawick guided me through the knights.
He shouted at the top of his lungs at the gathered people.
"This form is being distributed by the Marchioness here! There's enough for one for each household, so don't be impatient. Be grateful for the Marchioness's kindness and receive it in an orderly manner!"
The people of the territory murmured at Hawick's shout.
Most of the voices were mixed together, so I couldn't hear what they were saying properly, but some voices stood out, and their words pierced my ears.
“Is this something the Princess of Arrental gave me?”
“Why is the Princess of Arrental giving us food?”
Although Hawick had introduced me as the Marchioness, the people of the estate were more accustomed to calling me the Princess of Arrental than the Marchioness.
In my experience, that's never a good thing.
'There's still a long way to go.'
But I had decided not to be impatient just yesterday, so instead of feeling sad, I smiled and waved to the people of the territory.
It wasn't an action that was done with the expectation of a big response.
I just did it because I thought people would think worse of me if I just stood there expressionless.
But then, unexpectedly, someone shouted.
“Long live the Marchioness!”
It was in the direction where the knights were.
I opened my eyes wide and looked at the gathered knights.
The knights looked around among themselves, not knowing who had shouted.
I thought that was where the timid cry would end.
But then, Hawick, who was standing next to me, shouted loudly.
“Long live the Marchioness!”
Alex, who had been looking around, wondering who had first shouted "Long live," also belatedly joined in.
"Long Live!"
Three shouts. It was enough to move the public's mind.
Anyway, people who were grateful for the food they were given shouted "hurrah" one by one.
“Long live the Marchioness!”
Because only a few people joined in, the cry did not fill the square and did not last long.
But that alone was satisfying enough to make me laugh.
I smiled brightly and shouted to the people of the territory.
“Everyone, please wait in line to receive your forms.”
But the people of the territory were more agitated than before.
"Ah..."
“It was dazzling, just now...”
Here and there, I could hear sighs or exclamations.
'What?'
Suddenly, everyone turned their heads and looked at me, closing the distance between us, so I hesitated and took a step back.
Hawick blocked the lords' path and lined them up in an orderly manner, pushing me between the knights.
He singled out Alex and ordered him to do something.
“Take good care of the Marchioness.”
“Yes, I understand!”
The knights began to distribute sacks of wheat and barley to the people.
Then, the people became so absorbed in it that they didn't come closer to me anymore.
I stood next to the knights handing out sacks, and when I saw children, I quietly waved to them.
At first, the kids were hesitant and didn't come near, but when I showed them the basket full of cookies, they came running.
“Take them one by one.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yes. Bring your friends too.”
"Ah!"
Very young children, around three or four years old, were excited to receive cookies.
In Ronheim, where grains are scarce, making snacks like cookies from wheat flour is considered a luxury, so children grow up without ever having to eat such things.
The kids who took cookies from me without even knowing what cookies were would take a bite of a cookie from a distance with their front teeth, and when they tasted it, their eyes would widen.
The children ran straight to me and dragged their brothers to stand in front of me.
“Please give my brother some too!”
“My sister too!”
The children who were brought by their younger siblings looked to be around thirteen or fourteen years old, judging by their round, youthful faces.
It's a little confusing because he's not that tall compared to me.
'They say that northerners have big children too.'
Anyway, except for their height, they looked like children to anyone.
But the kids acted proudly as if they were already grown up and refused the cookies.
“Please give some to the kids. We’re good to go.”
It seemed like he was keeping an eye out for a cookie shortage.
I put a few cookies in each of the kids' hands and told them not to refuse.
“Take them home and share them with your other siblings. Share them with the neighbors, too.”
"...Thank you."
Only then did the children accept the cookies. Unlike when they had refused, they couldn't hide their delighted expressions.
It was at that time that I was feeling proud while handing out cookies to the children.
I opened my eyes in surprise when I spotted a blonde woman with a familiar hairstyle among the crowd.
'Did I see something wrong?'
A blonde woman who had been out of sight in the crowd appeared again.
She was talking to someone, but the crowd was so thick that only her profile was visible for a moment before disappearing repeatedly.
'I must have seen it wrong...'
I hoped I was seeing things wrong.
‘There’s no way Kavala's close maid would be here...!’
I wanted to get a good look at the woman's face.
I approached her, hoping she was just another person, but a hand reached out from the crowd and grabbed me roughly.
“This bitch!”
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