Chapter 41
The land Dorian had mentioned wasn’t as high as the Marquis’s estate, but it was still considerably elevated. Thanks to that, the sea breeze came rushing in directly.
It had all the features I was looking for. Being on high ground meant plenty of sunlight and plenty of wind.
“Perfect.”
I murmured softly. Beyond the horizon, the deep blue sea stretched out. The path from the land down to the sea wasn’t a cliff but a steep slope, and they were still digging up the earth there.
I just hope the soil doesn’t blow away. I looked at the damp, dark brown earth exposed under the sun and asked Dorian,
“Is this under construction?”
Whether we could use this land depended on what kind of work was being done. Dorian replied casually.
“No. They’re planting a windbreak forest.”
He walked toward the edge of the slope. The wind tossed his hair around. It felt as if, even in the middle of the day, only the area where he stood was under a night sky. He added,
“In fifteen years, this will be a residential area. We need to plant it in advance so that once the construction is done, residents can move in immediately.”
“Will the trees be tall enough to block the sea breeze in fifteen years?”
“No, they’ll still be small then. But the construction of the residential area will take a long time.”
He smiled faintly as he spoke. I reflected on his words and realized what he meant.
By that time, magic tools would have almost vanished, so the construction would take a long time.
I crossed my arms and nodded. That meant when the land was handed over again, the trees would still be small and wouldn’t completely block the sea breeze.
It seemed the seafood drying business would go smoothly until the very end. The land, being designated for residential use, was flat and quite spacious.
I pictured the layout of the drying facilities in my mind. I’d place the drying trays over here, and line the drying racks over there. I’d need to make a few in advance to test the most efficient spacing.
‘It’d be better to go back to the mansion and draw up the layout.’
I felt eager to return to the mansion. It was satisfying to find a good location right away. Thanks to Dorian, a lot of time had been saved. I nodded in pleasure.
“Alright. We’ll go with this place.”
“Are you sure? Without inspecting further?”
“I think I’ve seen enough. This will do.”
I shrugged. Then I turned to look at Lewin, who had been quietly enjoying the breeze. The child seemed a bit drained, probably from feeling nauseous in the carriage.
“Shall we head back?”
I approached the tired-looking child, took his hand, and asked. He nodded slowly. Maybe it wasn’t just motion sickness but also the hot weather.
The back of his neck, exposed to the scorching sun, was warm. We headed back to the carriage.
On the way back, the carriage windows were opened wide. Dorian and I had reached our limit, and there was nothing left to hide in conversation. Leaning lazily against the carriage, we each stared out a different window.
Lewin had fallen asleep with his head resting on my thigh. The warmth of his small body was comforting rather than annoying. Dorian and I had let him sleep as soon as we put him in the carriage to help ease his motion sickness.
Lewin wouldn’t sleep unless he was in contact with one of us. Since Dorian had kept him on his lap for the whole ride, I now offered him mine.
Despite the heat, the child’s warm body had a strangely calming effect. I leaned more against the window frame.
I could feel his chest rising and falling with every breath, my hand on his back sensing the rhythm. Dorian glanced at me and asked softly,
“What will you do when we return?”
“I’ll draw up the layout.”
I replied casually.
Dorian’s eyes widened in surprise. Nobles usually hire architects and simply pay, so someone like me must seem unusual.
Sure enough, he asked again in a slightly raised voice,
“You mean you’ll design it yourself?”
“Yes. I designed the academy too.”
“Oh.”
Dorian murmured in admiration. Although the building itself was already constructed, I had designed the interior. Thinking of the house we had left behind made my chest tighten.
I wondered how the kids at the academy were doing.
Once I became the marquis’s daughter, I could expand the academy and improve it. I could even write recommendation letters myself.
I shifted slightly away from the window and wiggled my feet.
“So, about that…”
I met Dorian’s gaze. While we had secured the land, there was still work to do. And I was personally curious about something.
“Could you find out why the prices at the mobile magic tool shops went up?”
Pure personal curiosity, unrelated to my assignment. I blinked. His crimson eyes quickly read my intention.
“…The reason?”
I tried to look innocent, but he was too perceptive. I admitted my purpose honestly.
“It seemed strange. I thought the price increase was because the Algoi rock deposits were dwindling, but when I checked other magic tools in the market, their prices hadn’t changed much.”
From buying ice cream to visiting a café and then a toy store, we passed many shops, some selling or renting magic tools.
Most of their prices remained the same.
But strangely, only the mobile magic tools were abnormally expensive—almost double the city price.
Unless someone had a monopoly or a cartel, the price was inexplicably high.
Dorian, perhaps thinking the same thing, pinpointed it exactly.
“You want to find out who’s behind it.”
“Exactly.”
“But this isn’t related to the assignment the Marquis gave you. Even if you identify the culprit and the mobile magic tool prices drop, magic tools don’t last forever. You’ll still need a backup plan.”
I stroked Lewin’s back as I listened to him. Then I looked Dorian straight in the eye.
“The backup plan is already in place. What I’m curious about is that whoever can manipulate the prices isn’t an ordinary person.”
A gust of wind blew through the window. The brown curtain flapped violently. Dorian’s face disappeared behind it, then reappeared. His gaze was as intense as the midsummer sun. I held his stare without flinching.
“Mobile magic tools are crucial in the Marquisate. Raising their prices can immediately affect the entire local economy.”
Even though it was still summer, the Marquis must have been concerned about winter for this reason. Preparations needed to be made in advance to survive safely.
Such an important matter—could someone do this solely for money?
“They’re not after money. They likely aim to destabilize the Marquisate and negotiate with the Marquis—or maybe just to destroy it.”
Dorian nodded at my words. He asked,
“What would you do if you find out who’s behind it?”
“Not much, really.”
“Huh?”
Dorian asked in surprise. His voice cracked slightly, and Lewin furrowed his brow in sleep. I gently smoothed the child’s brow with my thumb and replied nonchalantly.
“What could I do? I’d just have to make sure we’re prepared and don’t fall into their schemes.”
This was someone targeting the Marquis. At least equal in rank to the Marquis, possibly the Emperor, judging by the circumstances.
I knew my place well.
Dorian gazed at me quietly, then moved his lips before speaking firmly:
“I’ll help you.”
“Of course. You already are.”
He chuckled lightly, easing the heavy atmosphere. His gaze lowered, and he spoke in a soft, sweet voice:
“I’ll always be by your side when you need help.”
He seemed to sparkle as he said it. In reality, the early summer sunlight streamed through the window and scattered over him. I deliberately looked out the window.
“…Alright.”
The blue sky above and the bright green leaves swaying below caught my eyes. The sunlight was harsh, so I blinked.
The rattling of the carriage, the driver’s shouts, the hooves hitting the ground, the child’s gentle breathing against me.
Dorian didn’t speak to me anymore. His normally colorless eyes shone in the sunlight, so bright I eventually closed my eyes.
I hadn’t intended to fall asleep, but despite the heat, I somehow did.
Half-asleep, when Dorian helped me out of the carriage, I nearly fell forward. He caught my shoulder.
“Are you alright?”
Even though I hadn’t changed out of my training clothes and must have smelled of sweat, he still smelled pleasant.
I relaxed completely, realizing he was supporting me, and quickly straightened up.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
My cheeks burned. I stepped back two paces from him. The driver received payment from the servant who had come out to the mansion.
The sun, which had seemed high in the sky all day, had now slanted westward, glowing golden. I stretched my arms up.
Dorian immediately came close to me. Lewin hurried to our side.
“Dinner is in two hours, so we have some time. Since you must be tired, why not take a short nap?”
Dorian asked. Perhaps a brief rest would indeed be better. While I pondered, Lewin looked up at me quietly.
He tugged at my dress.
