Chapter 29

About a year has passed since the commotion over the revival of the Demon King, and I have graduated from the Royal Academy, allowing me to focus entirely on my duties as a lord.

Even while I was still a student, the reforms that required the lord's approval were progressing, mostly thanks to Daimon. We have started working on road improvements and other tasks that had been neglected until now.

However, these are things that any other domain does as a matter of course. If we don't highlight the unique features of the Dorkness domain, it will only gradually decline.

"Most of the land is used for growing wheat, right? What about switching to cash crops like cotton?"

"Cotton is a specialty of the neighboring Cottonness domain. Other crops like tea leaves or fruits would take a long time to stabilize."

"It's not that I need immediate results, but..."

I am discussing the future direction of the domain with Daimon, face to face.

The Dorkness domain has no notable specialties, and there are no resources that can be effectively utilized. It's just a plain and ordinary plain and mountains.

"Even if we try, we might not be able to compete with existing suppliers."

"That's true. It's hard to compete with long-standing local specialties, especially high-end products, which gain value from the land they are grown in."

It's about the lack of brand power. We don't have the expertise to grow crops, and starting from scratch will be a tough journey.

I thought my knowledge from my previous life might help, but it's not that easy. This world is only styled after medieval Europe, and the standard of living is quite high. Sugar and spices are steadily supplied, and the culinary culture is advanced.

"I wish there was something that no other domain is doing..."

"Given your innovative thinking, Lady Yumiera, I believe you will come up with a good idea."

Daimon looks at me with hopeful eyes, but I can't think of anything. I also feel like I'm being called unconventional. Is it just my paranoia?

Hmm. My special skills, something only I can do... I can only think of combat-related things.

"Like Varias, who brings people into the dungeon?"

"Dungeons... I'm not an expert, but dark attribute dungeons are generally considered dangerous."

"Yeah, that's right. Most people are at a disadvantage with that attribute."

Dungeons are out. Other special skills... level-up?

"Raise the soldiers' levels and turn them into a mercenary group? Oh, that won't work either."

"Is that so? I think it would go well if Lady Yumiera were to lead them."

It would go too well. With our already excessive military power, it would only increase suspicion if we had an army.

"Hmm, I'll ask Patrick."

"Patrick, who comes from a border baron family, might have a good idea. By the way, should I call Patrick 'husband' or 'fiancé'—"

The conversation was taking a strange turn, so I hurriedly left the office. I'm not either yet!

◆

Patrick hasn't returned home even once since graduating from the academy. I told him to go back, but he refused, saying he was concerned about the Dorkness domain. It's fortunate that we still exchange letters.

I wandered around the mansion to find Patrick. Usually, he helps with paperwork and is often in the office with me...

As I walked down the corridor, I found Patrick chatting with the servants.

"Patrick, I need to talk to you..."

The servants, noticing me, hurriedly bowed and returned to their work. They didn't have to run away so obviously... It's a bit hurtful.

"Well, we can take our time to get along with them."

I'm not happy to be consoled by him for being close to the servants.

"This is my house, right? It feels like Patrick is more at home."

"Eventually, it will be my house too. It's not a bad thing."

"U-um, yeah."

I said it half-jokingly, but he countered unexpectedly. I can't tell if he's being natural or if he anticipated that I would become quiet.

"So, what's the talk about? Should we go to the office?"

"Um... not the office, my room."

Daimon should still be in the office. I can't handle it if the topic of husband or fiancé comes up again.

"Got it, that kind of talk. I've been thinking we should discuss it too."

Oh, Patrick seems to have some ideas for domain reform.

Once we moved to my room, I got straight to the point.

"So, about the future..."

"Right, we should discuss the future. You've been dodging the topic whenever I brought it up."

Is that so? I did leave everything to Daimon, but it was hard to do much while I was still a student. I don't think he ever talked to me about domain management.

"I've thought about it, but I haven't come up with a good plan. Does Patrick have any ideas?"

"The noble's matter is between families, so we need to visit my family first."

"Am I going too?"

"Of course. You are the main person involved and the head of the family."

Are we going to form an alliance with the Ashbaton family? Since they are far from Dorkness, there's not much we can do together.

"What about after that?"

"Then we need to set a date for the ceremony and make a list of guests..."

"Ceremony? Guests?"

"You might not be enthusiastic, but we need to have a ceremony. Oh, we need to make a dress too. Do you have any preferences for the design?"

Dress? I don't like dresses because they are hard to move in. Since I can no longer wear the all-purpose school uniform, I'm still wearing something similar.

It's a mix of the school uniform and the knight's uniform. It's custom-made but cheaper than most dresses.

"Do we need a dress? I was thinking about cotton or mercenaries."

"Huh?"

"We were talking about cash crops not being a good idea, and I don't plan to form a mercenary group."

"Huh?"

Patrick looks confused. I also don't understand his domain reform plan, so I want him to explain it in detail.

"...What are you talking about, Yumiera?"

"What, the future of the domain, right?"

"The future of the domain, huh."

Patrick emphasized the "future" part.

"Right, so what are we going to do in Ashbaton?"

"Before that, why did you bring me to this room instead of the office?"

That's because... Daimon was calling Patrick "husband" or "fiancé." It's been over a year since we confessed, but our relationship hasn't really progressed.

Or, have I ever said I like him out loud?

"Well, you know, we are... so it's normal to invite you to my private room."

I'm embarrassed to say it outright, so I mumble. What do you mean by "we are"?

"Are?"

Couple... it feels strange. Is it because we are nobles? A noble way to say it... fiancé? Which one is less embarrassing to say, lover or fiancé?

"Fiancé?"

My voice became very small. But he seemed to understand.

"Fiancé? We aren't fiancés yet."

"..."

What does that mean? Am I being rejected? Does he not want to get married?

"Fiancés are a matter between families. It requires communication between the heads of the families."

"Oh, then we should go and greet them soon."

I had completely forgotten. Patrick should have mentioned it earlier.

"...I was talking about that."

"What if Patrick's father is angry about the delayed greeting?"

What should I say? "Father, please give me your son..." No, that's not right.

"It should be fine. I've told him in letters that I just inherited the domain and there have been some issues."

I'm relieved, but I blurted out "fiancé."

"Hey, being fiancés means we will get married in the future, right?"

I'm saying something obvious.

"What obvious thing are you saying?"

"Are you okay with that, Patrick?"

I haven't proposed marriage, nor has he. I've been dodging the topic out of embarrassment.

"Really, you... close your eyes."

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't want to be pushed away like last time."

He put his hand on my shoulder, and I closed my eyes.

"Like last time?" I remember pushing him away during our second date. I was in shock when he tried to kiss me and pushed him away.

I realized that I'm fine as long as I can't see his face. Thinking back, the first time was in a dark place.

"I'm going to check the garden!"

I jumped out of the window into the garden, my face turning red. I couldn't handle it. How do other couples manage?

"Don't jump from the second floor! And get used to it!"

I decided to go to Patrick's family home first. Domain reform can wait. If things get really bad, I'll create the world's strongest army or something.