TOYLCG 20 🍒

Chapter — 20. 

The Boy Who Guards the Green Barley Field
020

The Demetra Count’s territory was famous for its wide plains. Wheat was its main crop, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that it held the largest share of the Empire’s wheat supply.

Of course, it did not provide one hundred percent of the wheat, but it was true that its share was very large.

Even so, because agriculture was its main industry, the territory’s standing among the nobles was rather low.

“They don’t even think about what goes into their own mouths, yet they look down on farming. That’s ridiculous.”

“Hm?”

“No, think about it. Apples are fruit, so fine, maybe they can look down on that. But flour is something everyone eats. Why do they look down on it?”

Rosabel was this angry because of something she had heard at an inn they stopped by on the way.

Ordinary commoners were worried because it had rained a lot in the Count’s territory. That was only natural. If something went wrong, their precious food supply would be affected.

But some foolish-looking low-ranking nobles had mocked farming, saying it was work for people who couldn’t learn anything else.

“It’s not that they’re looking down on it. They’re just used to it,” Aren said.

“Used to looking down on others?”

“You can’t say that’s wrong. They’re nobles. Even if they’re low-ranking, they’re still nobles.”

Sadly, the Empire Rosabel lived in was a society where the single status of ‘noble’ excused many things.

“I guess you’re right… I didn’t think far enough….”

“You’re the strange one.”

“What?”

Rosabel frowned at Aren’s words.

Because she was sure this was something she didn’t understand, Aren chuckled softly.

Her behavior—treating everyone equally regardless of status—was not very noble-like. On top of that, she wasn’t skilled at commanding people beneath her.

Rather, she seemed to feel uncomfortable treating anyone as a subordinate.

“You treat everyone equally. That’s rare among nobles.”

“Status exists, sure, but in the end, this Empire only works because people are here, right?”

“Exactly. That’s why it’s hard to find a noble who thinks like that.”

Rosabel couldn’t argue with that.

The carriage continued to run steadily. During the journey, Aren had learned to write at a basic level.

“You really are impressive,” Rosabel said.

“Out of nowhere?”

“If I teach you one thing, you understand ten. What a waste that you let that brain rot.”

“Is that so?”

Aren smiled at her words. She had praised him, after all. That alone felt like enough.

“Work harder from now on.”

“That sounds like you’ll teach me even harder.”

“That too. I actually like studying more than I thought.”

She really did seem to enjoy learning. From the way she spoke, it was clear.

She had deep knowledge about things others didn’t know. More importantly, she wasn’t learning because someone forced her to.

“That sounds right. Teach me everything you know. I’ll work hard to learn.”

“Really? Then this time, learn properly about wheat cultivation.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

For a moment, flower-patterned pants flashed through Aren’s mind. He wondered if she had really brought them—but she was more than capable of doing that.

“You… please…….”

“I already packed them! You have to work comfortably, right? I’m not planning to go there and just act refined.”

From the start, Rosabel had no plan to make a purely social visit. Of course, the Duke didn’t expect that either. The real question was whether the Count would allow it.

“Please, don’t cause trouble. Just observe quietly and come back. I’m begging you…….”

“What did you say to Father at the end?”

“What?”

Aren avoided her eyes. But Rosabel, quick-witted as ever, was certain it had something to do with her.

“Seriously… you two are too much!”

“The one who’s too much is you. We’ll arrive soon, so watch your tone and behavior. You said it yourself—you can’t damage Father’s reputation.”

“If only I couldn’t talk!”

Feeling the carriage slow down, Rosabel took a deep breath in and let it out.

From now on, she wasn’t Rosabel who ran around orchards. She had to act as the young lady of the Efrien Ducal House.

Count Demetra was nervous about the young lady of Efrien visiting his territory. Not because of her—but because of his son.

Since his wife passed away, his son’s personality had changed a lot. And even before that, he had always been shy.

What surprised him was that the Duke of Efrien felt the same. He had sent word asking the Count to teach his daughter many things, saying she was studying to become an heir.

Everyone knew how much the Duke loved his daughter. And there were many rumors that a young lady raised with such love was willful and unruly.

“I heard she was injured… but can a person really change overnight? If that’s true, then maybe if our son got injured too—no, what am I even thinking.”

The Count had a lot on his mind. At this rate, it felt like he would only take care of the territory while Daniel grew old and died alone.

“Father, the young lady has arrived.”

“Ah, yes. Come with me and greet her.”

“…Yes.”

Seeing his reluctant son, the Count sighed. If this continued, there would definitely be talk once he met the young lady.

“Daniel, no matter how uncomfortable other people make you feel, a person can’t live alone.”

“I know. But……”

“Let’s greet the young lady with a bright face.”

“…Yes.”

The four of them exchanged awkward smiles as they looked at one another. Even at a glance, the Count looked older than the Duke of Efrien.

“Welcome to the Demetra territory, Young Lady of Efrien. This is my son, Daniel.”

“Greetings. I am Daniel Roy de Demetra.”

His stiff expression and slightly trembling voice made it obvious how nervous he was.

Because she had dealt with people before, Rosabel could roughly grasp someone’s condition just by observing them a little.

“Thank you for welcoming us despite the sudden visit. This is Maria, who attends me.”

“And the gentleman beside you is……?”

“He is someone who protects me.”

She didn’t explain further, because Daniel’s face was already turning pale.

“Since the young lord seems quite uncomfortable, if you show us where we’ll be staying, we’ll unpack first.”

Only then did the Count properly look at Daniel’s face. With an awkward smile, he called a servant and ordered them to guide the guests to their rooms.

Rosabel knew that every territory had its own characteristics. But this place felt special.

“The paintings all feel so warm.”

“Yes. Just looking at them makes you smile,” Maria replied, sounding a little excited. She seemed to like the atmosphere here.

“This might sound strange, but… would it be rude to ask to see the fields as soon as we arrive?”

“Pardon?”

“Excuse me?”

Both of them echoed her words in surprise. Since the purpose of coming here was clear, Rosabel had no intention of relaxing leisurely.

And in her opinion, staying too long in someone else’s house was never a good thing.

The two of them suggested she endure just for today, but she had no intention of doing so.

The room felt overly glittering. She couldn’t tell whether it was decorated like this because she was coming, or if it was the Count’s usual taste.

But judging from the overall atmosphere of the mansion, it was clearly prepared on purpose.

“This is uncomfortable.”

“Yes?”

“It’s a guest-tailored room.”

“Well, of course. When guests come, we prepare according to their tastes,” Maria said.

Rosabel was shocked. But had guests ever really visited the mansion?

“Other than His Highness the Crown Prince, hasn’t no one else visited the mansion?”

“Ah… when the madam was still alive……”

“Oh, really? Then I get it.”

Without thinking much more, Rosabel sighed as she looked at the bed covered in excessive frills.

She wanted to quickly escape the uncomfortable dress and the corset that felt like it might break her ribs.

“Young Lady.”

Maria approached with a cold expression.

Was it just her imagination, or had the air suddenly turned chilly? Rosabel rubbed her arm and turned her head.

“What?”

“Why did you bring this?”

Laser beams were shooting from Maria’s eyes. Rosabel had been so focused on hiding it well that she hadn’t thought about what would happen if it was discovered.

“I have to wear it when I work!”

“That’s exactly it! You’re saying you’ll wear this here?”

“I brought several sets, just in case.”

“Why would you do that?!”

“To share them? Good things should be shared!”

At Rosabel’s confidence, Maria’s head started to ache. She couldn’t imagine what the Duke would say if he found out.

“Does Aren know about this?”

“He doesn’t. I packed it secretly. How would he know?”

After finally wearing proper clothes again, Aren was now destined to wear flower-patterned pants.

Of course, they had talked about it in the carriage—but he probably never imagined he would be the one wearing them.