I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 285

Two days had passed since I received good news from Minette.

“It’s an honor that you both came here for an inspection…”

“There’s no need to be so tense. We just came to take a look around.”

“Ed, let’s start over there first.”

Ariel and I briefly set foot in the outskirts of Hespania for the purpose of inspection.

Like most cities, the farther you go to the outskirts, the worse the security becomes, the shabbier the residents’ clothing, and the smaller the buildings get. Even Hespania, the northernmost metropolis, is no exception to this rule.

In a way, the state of the outskirts has worsened compared to other cities because of the influence of the Symbol of Dominion.

That’s why, ideally, it’s better for so-called high-ranking individuals to avoid stepping foot here, but since we were here, the attitude of the security personnel naturally had to be more respectful.

“Sure seems better than before, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, at this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if the whole of Hespania fell under the influence of the Symbol of Dominion again.”

As Ariel said, the cold outskirts of Hespania, which had to endure bitter chill, termed ‘the frozen land,’ was now surprisingly filled with relatively warm air.

Perhaps the once-shrinking reach of the Symbol of Dominion had once again extended this far. At this point, it should be livable enough for people.

“If it could cover all the northern lands, that would be ideal, but it’s a shame it can’t.”

Yet, is human greed boundless?

I was already pleased that things had recovered this much, but in my heart, I wished even more for all of the northern lands to become a gentle and warm space like Hespania.

“I’ll have to work for that. Although it may be impossible to turn it into a land of abundance, I can make it a place where people won’t have to worry about starving.”

As Ariel looked on with hope, she cutely clenched her little fists in determination.

Who would look at this adorable woman and think she ruled over the cold northern land?

“You’re wrong. It’s not ‘I’ but ‘we.’”

“Eek, you’re right. That was an uncharacteristic slip.”

In the midst of this, I playfully caught onto her small mistake and laid my hand over hers. She stuck out her tongue and smiled, leaning her head on my shoulder.

I thought that the reason for the warm air wasn’t just the influence of the Symbol of Dominion, and we decided to continue our inspection.

***

The inspection didn’t wrap up until quite late. I had intended to return as early as possible, but there were so many things to look into that it took longer than expected.

“Son-in-law, is it true? The Symbol of Dominion has returned to its original state?”

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry for the late report, Father-in-law.”

Since I had confirmed it with my own eyes, I began to inform those around me about the Symbol of Dominion, and sure enough, during dinner, my father-in-law asked incredulously about it.

I heard he had been studying the restoration of the Symbol of Dominion as meticulously as Ariel had.

So, it seemed, his expression was one filled with joy at the achievement of what had once seemed impossible.

“It’s still not completely restored, Father. But Minette said that at this rate, it won’t be long.”

“Ha ha, what does it matter? I can wait as long as it takes with a joyful heart.”

Seeing how eagerly my father-in-law awaited this news, Ariel subtly tried to temper his excitement but it was in vain.

In fact, my father-in-law’s beaming smile seemed to confirm his delight, making him feel almost like a youthful boy in his prime.

“What kind of magic did you use, Ariel?”

Meanwhile, my mother-in-law also seemed curious about the details, putting down her knife and fork as she pressed Ariel seated next to her. It seemed like an old memory since the last time I had seen her so animated was after Serina and Evan were born.

“It’s not me. It’s all thanks to Ed.”

“Oh my! Our son-in-law?”

“…Huh?”

As I listened to the warm conversation between mother and daughter, Ariel suddenly pointed her finger toward me with an indifferent gaze, continuing her meal.

My mother-in-law’s sparkling eyes turned toward me, and I found myself blinking in surprise while silently cutting my meat.

Wink.

At that moment, Ariel closed one eye and winked at me as if to say, “Now explain yourself.” But I quickly realized it was meant to shift the credit to me.

Oh dear, how am I ever going to get out of this one?

“Ah, um, no. I didn’t do anything special. Just lucky, I suppose…”

“Hmm? That’s strange. Minette said that if it weren’t for Ed’s magical power, this wouldn’t have happened at all?”

“……”

As I tried to come up with excuses, Ariel spoke up as if she knew all my escape routes and turned back to her meal.

At that moment, my mother-in-law’s attention fully shifted from Ariel to me.

We’ll talk later, Ariel.

“Can you explain what happened, son? We’re all quite curious.”

“Yeah, for the sake of Madame Helene’s curiosity, do tell briefly.”

“I will. There’s nothing particularly special about it…”

Eventually, with my parents’ persistence, I had no choice but to explain the situation in my own words.

I felt exhausted trying to omit parts that might be misconstrued to mean I had accomplished something based on Minette’s words.

“How wonderful! As Ariel said, Ed, you did it!”

The issue was that even after saying that, my mother-in-law seemed uninterested in hearing any explanation, immediately deciding it was an achievement of mine and cheerfully addressing me with a warm nickname.

She had always called me “son-in-law” since our marriage, so it looked like she was really pleased.

“So, does that mean thanks to you, the people living there won’t have to suffer from the cold anymore?”

“Well… it’s not entirely thanks to me, but anyway, that’s the deal. Now they can farm normally and play around.”

“Wow!”

Sonia, who was covered in steak sauce, raised her hands in excitement.

Being the kind-hearted girl she was, whenever she had the chance to pass by that place in a carriage, she often expressed her sympathy for the people living there.

Seeing children of her age bundled up in clothes and sitting on the street without being able to play properly must have tugged at her heartstrings.

But now, they wouldn’t have to witness such scenes anymore.

That news alone seemed enough to make Sonia’s heart flutter.

“Still, I wonder if there will be new residents wanting to settle in those outskirts. Most people were moved to the inner regions before…”

“Yeah, it’s curious. No matter how much things have improved, would anyone want to return to land they abandoned once?”

While Sonia, being a child, might think all was resolved now, it seemed my father-in-law and mother-in-law were worried.

Who would willingly go back to live in what had become a dead land, known as the frozen land, where the city’s residents had fled? They’d have to start building homes from scratch.

“I actually have a plan regarding that matter.”

“A plan? What is it?”

As my father-in-law let out a heavy sigh, I boldly raised my hand and began to speak.

At that moment, when my gaze met Ariel’s, she seemed to wink at me as if to say, “You explain.”

In response, I cautiously brought up the content we had discussed in front of both sets of parents.

***

Two weeks had passed, and in the scenery of Hespania.

Before two people heading back to the outskirts, countless laborers could be seen lined up, moving various materials for construction, from wood to bricks.

“Move it over here! His Majesty the Grand Duke has ordered us to finish quickly!”

“If we’re being paid double, we should move twice as fast! What are you doing!”

Among the laborers sweating in the sun, a few who appeared to be managers shouted commands at them.

As I watched the scene with satisfaction, a big man in the distance walked toward us, mixing in among the other groups.

None other than Kelrag, the leader of the Carvita Tribe.

“This is quite a burden for us. I’m not worth it.”

Without the usual formalities, he scratched his cheek with a wry smile, and we exchanged glances and a smile in unison.

His comment had its meaning. Today, the residents who would now be living in the outskirts of Hespania were none other than the Carvita people.

“Why think too hard? We’re all residents of the north now.”

“Exactly, it’s embarrassing for us that we can’t fully embrace the Carvita tribe.”

It has been over four years since the Carvita Tribe began to integrate well with the northern residents. This was before Serina and Evan were born.

However, even so, not all northern residents had grown familiar with them. The residents of Hespania, especially, still harbored some wariness about them.

Thus, the plan Ariel and I devised was to embrace them in the now once again livable outskirts of Hespania to promote genuine integration between the two communities.

Though it could be considered a somewhat firm approach, thankfully, it could be attributed to Ariel’s influence.

Since she took over as the head of the Robeheim family, she hadn’t committed a single act that would negatively impact Hespania. Rather, she received commendations for being more reliable than any of her predecessors.

As a result, most residents willingly agreed to accept the Carvita Tribe, trusting in Ariel rather than the tribe itself, allowing the current scene to unfold.

“No, we’re not so shameless. Compared to the past, where we couldn’t even farm properly, this is truly paradise.”

As Ariel said, while it might be difficult for all the Carvita Tribe to come here due to space limitations, even this number was enough for Kelrag to be grateful.

But we didn’t think this was the end.

I was determined that if it ever truly became feasible, I wanted to embrace the entire Carvita Tribe in Hespania. After all, that was Ariel’s wish.

“Anyway, it’ll be fun. The two groups from the north, who haven’t met much, mixing together.”

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it too. If my fellow tribesmen act recklessly, let me know right away. I’ll have them thrown out immediately.”

“Well, as long as it’s not a major incident, I’m willing to overlook it. They’ll need time to adjust.”

With that said, I gave a rather mischievous grin, and Kelrag nodded as if he couldn’t bear it.

Seizing this opportunity of inattentiveness, I decided to toss in a topic I had been patiently waiting to bring up.

“So, when is the wedding ceremony with Minette? Everyone’s been eagerly waiting for that.”

“Yeah, at this point, why not hold it soon? I can help any way you need.”

“Ahem. I’ll consider it after discussing it with Minette.”

As Ariel joined in my words, Kelrag coughed awkwardly, avoiding our gazes and blended back among the workers, saying he had nothing better to do than simply help.

A clear attempt to change the subject.

But since he had said he would consider it, I thought it wouldn’t be long now, and a satisfied smile crept across my face.

Minette must be worried sick by now, so I only hoped for a good outcome.