CH 48

T/N: There’s a new character who speaks in the Kansai dialect, but I have no intention of trying to make her dialog some English equivalent like “casual, Southern Belle”. It would make her stand out too much in this Germanic world.

Development is progressing smoothly. The water supply and sewage run from east to west. The main street is north to south.

The river that flows to the west of Carruzan eventually flows southeastward to bypass Carruzan and eventually joins a large river. The large river bends northeastward and flows out to the Northern Sea. Since there is a mountainous area on the north side of Carruzan, it flows and detours in the northeast direction and then flows out into the sea.

Therefore, I decided to take the water source of this pioneering village from the river in the west, drain it to the east, and join it to the river flowing to the northeast. Sewage goes through a septic tank and a filtration system, so there shouldn’t be much of a problem even if it flows into the northeastern river where there is a lot of water flow.

The main street will run north to south, and the road that extends south will continue to lead to Carruzan. Heading north from Carruzan leads to the main street of my pioneering village. This makes it easier to create a flow of people.

Next time, go down the river in the northeast, or cross the mountains in the north and go to the sea. It’s supposed that if you go north, you’ll find the sea, but I’ve never seen the sea in my life. If you connect the road from the pioneer village to the sea and build a port town, it will be easier to get seafood delivered here.

“… Floto! … -loto! Sir Floto!”

“What’s wrong? Helmut. Calm down a little,” I said.

And while I was inspecting the forest, Helmut ran over shouting.

“Sir Floto! Isn’t your face so pale!? You’ve been working too hard lately, haven’t you?! Are you sleeping properly? Let’s go home and rest for today!” Helmut said.

“What are you talking about?” I said. “I’m well-rested and feel fine… huh…?”

When I tried to brute force my way toward Helmut, my feet wobbled. This is dangerous. I’m in a forest with bad footing, so I seem to have tripped.

“Sir Floto! You’re staggering! Let’s hurry back!”

“I just tripped a little… this much… is nothing… better than that… let’s pioneer…”

That’s the way. If I don’t open things up… I have a lot of other work to do. I just tripped a little… he’s exaggerating… I’m rested…

“Sir Floto! Sir Floto…?!”

“… Uh… Alex… xan… dra.”

Nikolaus was annoyed. Even though he was able to get rid of the annoying bugs that were attacking House Lingerburg, Alexandra was still not invited anywhere, nor did she invite others.

“Why?! Why is Alexandra so useless?! If only Alexandra could socialize well with other noble families, House Lingerburg would rise back to power!”

He should have educated Alexandra perfectly. And yet, it must be because Alexandra is not able to make the best use of her education. Unable to contain his frustration, he slams his fist into his desk, DOHN.

“Dear? What’s wrong? What was that sound?”

Then, his wife Gabriella happened to be passing by the room, was startled by the sound, and entered Nikolaus’ office.

“It’s nothing!” Nikolaus yelled.

“… Is it really?” Gabriella asked, looking apologetic and trying to leave the room.

“No, wait a minute! What happened to Alexandra? How is she lately?” Nikolaus cried.

“… Huh? Dear… are you serious?” Gabriella said, looking at him in disbelief.

“I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking!” Nikolaus yelled, frustrated.

Gabriella’s face turned to pity and she shook her head. “Alexandra hasn’t been eating properly for more than a week, hasn’t she? Dear… did you not realize how important that was for your daughter?”

“She’s sleeping!? At such an important time!? What is… what is with this daughter of ours!?” Nikolaus yelled. “It’s the time to write and visit! It’s been a little over a week ago, right around the time I got rid of those annoying scammers! How dare she do this to me, after I went through all the trouble and effort to get rid of those pesky insects?!”

Nikolaus threw himself violently into his chair and started pulling out his hair. Why is this not working anymore? Even though he was working so hard for House Lingerburg, even his family didn’t cooperate with him. On the contrary, he was frustrated because they were only dragging him down.

“Wait… Dear? What happened then?” Gabriella said.

Despite pulling out his hair and looking down, Nikolaus did not miss the drastic change in his wife’s face.

“I couldn’t help it!” Nikolaus yelled. “When our foolish daughter Alexandra went to visit another house, it turns out she was meeting with scammers who claimed to be a self-proclaimed knighthood living in a shack in the woods! I told her not to come near her, and I chased them away, but after that, Alexandra said that she was sick and started sleeping! Was she sleeping without knowing what trouble I went through? At Alexandra’s age, I was working hard every day for House Lingerburg!”

Of course, Nikolaus had his debut in society when he was 10. No matter how many times he was refused, Nikolaus sent letters here and there, showed up at parties here and there, and marketed his face and name here and there. All for House Lingerburg. Even if I was in pain or uncomfortable, he endured everything and went out to social gatherings with a smile on his face.

And yet Alexandra has been sleeping for over a week because she’s feeling a little sick? He cannot allow such a thing. It’s just that she’s weak as a person. If she trains both physically and mentally as he did, she can overcome any number of poor physical conditions.

“Nikolaus! Tell me more about what you just said!” Gabriella yelled.

Suddenly, DAN! The desk was slammed. Startled, Nikolaus looked up and saw a demonic face on Gabriella, one he had never seen before.

I can hear someone talking quietly… when I opened my eyes slightly, it was a familiar canopy.

“… Tired… rest…”

“… Under-…”

When I moved my gaze, I saw Father and the Chief Physician of House Carruthers both standing near the bed. When I look around absentmindedly, Isabella is standing near the door. Helmut isn’t there because it’s my bedroom. He is probably standing outside the door.

“Oh, dear? Are you awake?” the doctor said as soon as he noticed.

He’s been the Chief Physician of House Carruthers for a long time, and he’s named Johann and was also the doctor who saw Katharina.

“How did I…” I started.

“Ah, please don’t force yourself to move and keep yourself calm,” Johann said. “Apparently you haven’t had much rest lately, have you? Please rest and recuperate for a while.”

Apparently… I fell down. Johann again told me and Father that I should take it easy, rest slowly, and then he left.

“I’m very sorry…” I said out of reflex.

“What are you apologizing for?” Father said. It’s as if he didn’t even know what there was to be sorry about.

“I caused trouble because I wasn’t able to manage and understand my physical condition…” I said.

For the time being, if I apologized, now would be the time, so I apologized. My collapse must have affected my father’s work. When something unexpected happens, all plans are ruined. For someone as busy as Father, if his schedule goes awry, he will suffer a great deal.

If it was just because I couldn’t manage my own physical condition and collapsed because I wasn’t responsible enough, then I should apologize for causing trouble to my father.

“…………”

“-!”

When I apologized, Father put his hand on me as I lay there, I unconsciously closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Or rather, without realizing it, I was clenching my teeth. I’m surprised at my body which naturally behaves when I’m hit. It makes me laugh a little at my reflex that reduces the damage when I’m struck without expecting it, reflexively bracing for my safety.

“…… Huh?”

But a different shock hit me than I thought. I thought I was going to be slapped by Father after I caused him trouble, but instead of hitting my cheek, he placed his hand on my head.

“I made you manage a vast territory without thinking about your physical condition after you just turned 10. I’m sorry…” Father said.

“Father… it’s not your fault. I was a fool who couldn’t even manage my body,” I said.

My father probably thought that I had collapsed from trying too hard to develop the territory. It was the first time in my life that Father apologized to me like this. I’m honestly happy about that. But it’s also painful. I’m not a fine person like my father thinks, nor did I try my best.

I was just having a hard time with Alexandra… and then collapsed from my recklessness, because I felt like I had to do something to forget about Alexandra.

But… why? A few tears fell from my eyes. My father’s large, calloused, warm hand soothes my heart. Just by putting his hand on my head like this, my heart is healed.

I think it was stupid of me to push myself so stupidly that I collapsed… but maybe it was unexpectedly good that I was able to get to know Father a little better like this. At least I’m loved enough by my family to have them worry about me.

“Get some rest,” Father said.

“Yes… Thank you, Father…” I said.

“…………”

After that, I seemed to have fallen asleep again.

After taking a good rest for a day, I think my physical condition has almost recovered. I’ve been told not to overdo it just yet, but I can’t just sleep. While I was wondering if I should go to the shack or not, I could do paperwork in my office in Manor Carruthers, so I was doing some light document work there when Isabella came in with a pale face. In her hands was…

“I’m so sorry, Miss Flora…”

“Why are you apologizing, Isabella?” I asked.

Isabella gently handed me a letter. I guess she’s worried that I’ll be shocked when I read the letter again. The fact that a letter addressed to me arrives at Isabella’s family home means it’s almost definitely about House Lingerburg. To be honest, I don’t really want to see that letter.

But that doesn’t mean Isabella is at fault. If I don’t read the letter here, Isabella will think she’s in the wrong. So I have to read it with a smile. If I don’t do that, even Isabella will have a hard time because of me.

I may be forcing myself a bit, but I receive the letter with a smile and look at the sender.

“Gabriella von Lingerburg?”

The name written there was different from either of the two Lingerburgs I expected. Judging from her name, she might be Alexandra’s mother or sister. At least I was relieved to find out that it wasn’t a threatening letter from Nikolaus or resentment from Alexandra.

Well, Alexandra is a very good girl. She wouldn’t say a single grudge even to me who treated her so badly. Rather, it’s still more calming to be verbally abused and air out a grudge or two. It’s probably because I’d feel like I’ve gotten what I deserved by being abused for my sins. But Alexandra doesn’t do that. She knows that, and that’s why my heart is so heavy.

I can’t help thinking about it, so I open the seal and read the letter…

“…………”

I see…

“Isabella, please prepare my knight’s formal attire,” I said. “I’ll be heading out in a moment.”

“…Huh? Ah, yes. Right away,” Isabella said.

After seeing Isabella leave in a hurry, I put the papers away and slowly stood up. I just need to move slowly while Isabella is getting ready for me. But my heart was in a panic, and I couldn’t stop myself from walking too fast.

Since it was a waste of time to go to Kruck Trading Firm to rent a carriage, I headed out in a carriage I already had at home and hurried to Manor Lingerburg. I hurriedly entered inside even though I didn’t even say my greetings at the entrance. And then, there was…

“Alexandra! I’m sorry! Truly, I’m so sorry!”

“No! No! Floto! I’m sorry, as well!”

I leaped at Alexandra who was waiting for me, we hugged each other and said words of apology. But Alexandra has nothing to apologize for. I learned a lot thanks to Gabriella’s letter.

Nikolaus kept us away because he was worried about Alexandra and House Lingerburg. As a result, Alexandra seems to have been bedridden. Because I betrayed Alexandra.

“Even though I said we were friends… I’m really sorry.”

So if I don’t apologize… Gabriella’s letter said that I had to make peace with her in order for Alexandra to get better. And Nikolaus isn’t against my and Alexandra interacting now… it seems that Gabriella persuaded him.

In the end, I was saved by Gabriella and was able to meet Alexandra again. I still wouldn’t have been able to meet Alexandra on my own.

“I’m truly sorry for all the trouble my family has caused for you, Sir,” a woman said.

“Are you… are you Lady Gabriella? There is no trouble at all,” I said. “I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused your family. I betrayed Alexandra which is why all this came to pass…”

The woman I assumed to be Gabriella stopped me.

“Nonsense! Not your fault at all! It’s this person who’s to blame, yes? I wrote it all in my letter, didn’t I?” Gabriella said, a scary smile on her face as she pulls Nikolaus’s ear tightly.

“Lord Nikolaus here was worried about Alexandra and House Lingerburg,” I said. “That would be natural. But I wish I had chosen a different path than betraying Alexandra. I am so sorry, Lord Nikolaus and Lady Gabriella… for everything that happened after I cut ties with Alexandra.”

I leave Alexandra’s side and bow my head toward them both.

“Honestly, this girl…” Gabriella said. “I wonder if you’re like Alexandra in that way, too? … Will you continue to take care of her?”

“Yes! I swear on my honor as a knight!” I said to Gabriella with a knight’s bow.

“Fufu…” I burst out laughing.

“Aha…!” Alexandra snorted, smiling.

Oh, what a relief. I can’t believe a day where I can laugh with Alexandra again would have ever come… and on that day, I had a tea party with everyone at Manor Lingerburg.

T/N: It’s a double update today because I’m not going to subject you to even a full day of Lesbian Suffering. I have the advantage of reading ahead in the raws, I can’t give you the whole story in the time it took me to read and re-read it, but I can try to spare you the worst (as in, most emotionally devastating) of the relationship drama this story has.