Chapter 86
Anyone who knew Cayente would certainly know his wife, Yulia. When Yulia appeared in front of the office, people clung to her, asking her to listen to their stories. If it hadn’t stopped at mere complaints, if they had grabbed her clothes or arms to harass her…
“What happened outside?”
When he asked just in case, tears immediately welled up in Yulia’s large eyes. Cayente ground his teeth and stood up.
“This is not something we can just leave be.”
Cayente, furious to the point that his neck stiffened, walked straight toward the door. Yulia, sensing his intent, slowly shook her head as if to say it wasn’t necessary, and Lucy explained what had happened before they came in.
When they had taken the back road, a group of vagrants had gathered. They took various things, but Yulia seemed more shocked by the sight of the vagrants than by the missing items.
“What?”
Cayente felt deflated—not because something bad had happened to Yulia, but because she was shocked at seeing the poor people.
“What’s the problem? What’s gone wrong for these people to multiply like this? It wasn’t like this before.”
He wanted to scold her for being surprised by such things, but seeing Yulia’s tearful eyes, he couldn’t say a word.
To some extent, he was responsible.
There had always been poor people struggling to find food, but the situation worsened recently due to rapid industrialization across the continent. The Duchy of Esacudia, without mineral-rich nations like Casad or major ports like the Rhesican Empire, industrialized faster than any other country—and suffered the consequences first.
The problem arose when farmland was converted into sheep pastures. People who had survived by farming could barely get by once their lands disappeared.
As a result, more people moved to the capital seeking jobs, and those who couldn’t find work increased. There was no hope left in their hometowns, and if they wanted even a day’s work, they had to stay in the city—becoming urban vagrants in the process.
Similar events started occurring in the empire, and the Klue Textile Company had been at the forefront of this societal change.
“I feel sorry for saying ‘pitiful.’ I wish I could have shared more, but I didn’t have much in my hands, so I couldn’t give more.”
Even something so small made Yulia frown. Cayente realized just how much he had done to make her upset. The burden accumulating in his heart now felt unbearably heavy.
“Miss Yulia! It’s been a long time!”
“Hey, you! I’m no longer a ‘miss,’ but the Countess of Klue now!”
“Oh, right?”
After more than two hours of travel, the carriage arrived, and nearby workers approached, greeting Yulia as she stepped down and shook Cayente’s hand. While Cayente was around, the workers had been too shy to speak freely, but with him away meeting with the managers, they joked lightly, asking if she had come to help with the work again today.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“As always, really. After the land and farm were sold to Count Klue, our working style changed and it was tough, but now that Yulia has become the Countess, maybe things will get a little better?”
Although they were happy to see Yulia, their expressions were darker than before. The situation had not improved, but their working hours had increased. Yulia felt frustrated at having nothing to do to help, especially after being outright rejected when she previously offered.
“It may be difficult immediately… but I’m thinking about ways to improve your lives. Is there anything you need right now? If there’s even something small that could help, I want to send it to you.”
“Thank you for thinking of us so much…”
“Something helpful?”
“What would be good? Gloves?”
“Oh yes! Gloves would be perfect.”
Fortunately, many people knew Yulia, so the atmosphere remained positive. The farm workers were grateful for her kindness, mentioning they needed thin leather gloves for picking cotton.
“Thin leather gloves are surprisingly expensive, and picking with bare hands often leaves injuries.”
“A large straw hat to block the summer sun would be great too.”
Yulia promised to send the items back to the capital as soon as possible. She turned toward Cayente, who was speaking with the farm manager—but someone approached her at that moment.
“Fancy seeing you here again.”
“Hello… what brings you here?”
“I have ties with Marquis Ber. You two know each other, right?”
It was Cain. Beside him was Marquis Ber, who had come to keep watch upon hearing Cayente was visiting the farm. Ber scrutinized Yulia from head to toe, muttering something under his breath.
“The daughter of Baron Ruper, who used to ask for cheaper cotton, has become Countess Klue, now owning my pasture.”
Previously, he had been the one receiving favors, and now he had to request them himself—he was displeased. Seeing the once “lesser” Klue daughter in far pricier clothes must have annoyed him.
Yulia’s white dress from head to toe made her wealth obvious, prone to showing dirt or wear.
“You have no permission to let outsiders in—how are you here?”
While Yulia smiled awkwardly, Cayente suddenly approached them from behind. Marquis Ber was immediately agitated.
“Outsider? This is my land!”
“This is outside, but the land Didingo stands on is mine.”
“You’re being rude! Did you forget that the road here belongs to my land? I could charge a toll!”
“If you wish, you may. How far is it from the checkpoint to here by carriage? What’s the toll worth for such a short distance?”
Cayente replied without blinking and looked at Cain with more displeasure than at Ber, whose words were irritating.
“Lord Dains always looks so carefree. Is it because the mines provide gems effortlessly?”
“You say I look carefree—how is your business going? Don’t you see the sample box in my hands?”
Both Cayente and Cain were formidable. Yulia tensed at Cayente’s icy glare, but Cain cheerfully responded, escalating the tension between them. Yulia smiled and said:
“So you came here for work too?”
“Yes. The Countess here has great interest in the new pieces from Dains Jewelry. We made a bird-shaped hair ornament with pink diamonds—would you like to see it?”
Yulia showed interest, and Cayente, stepping between Ber and Cain, snatched the box from Cain’s hands.
“I didn’t know you were interested in hair ornaments.”
“I’m curious about the bird design.”
Cayente opened the box himself and presented it to Yulia. She admired the long-tailed ornament resembling a magpie.
“I like the tail decoration.”
“Since it’s just a sample, if you like it, it’s yours as a gift.”
“That’s unnecessary. I can pay whatever it costs.”
Cayente, displeased that Yulia liked the ornament Cain brought, snapped the box shut and insisted on payment despite being offered it for free. Ber laughed at the strange dynamic between the two men.
“Someone would think these two are rivals.”
Yulia laughed at the absurdity and looked at Cayente—but he didn’t deny it.
Cain also didn’t deny Ber’s remark. While Cayente awkwardly avoided Yulia’s gaze, Cain looked at her directly, speaking in a voice full of longing.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone so beautiful.”
Although Cain spoke lightly, his eyes were serious. Yulia was slightly embarrassed. Cayente couldn’t even bear this conversation, glaring at Cain, who was slightly shorter.
“Which country allows speaking of a married woman’s beauty in front of her husband?”
“Just because she’s married doesn’t make her beauty vanish. And among the continent’s counts, you’re hardly one to lecture on manners.”
Cain brushed off Cayente’s remark with a smile again. Yulia realized Cain truly didn’t see her with ulterior motives.
“Shouldn’t you be happy? You’ve married someone so beautiful.”
Cain was seeing her as a woman.
