Chapter 63

As Opal ascended the main entrance steps with Najja and another maid, a middle-aged man who was standing at the front stepped forward.

Then he bowed deeply.

"Welcome, Duchess Bottselli. I am the steward, Konari."

"...Konari, I look forward to working with you. I'm delighted to be greeted like this despite not giving prior notice."

While Opal answered amiably, she secretly observed Konari, who had introduced himself as the steward.

On the other hand, she could tell that she was also being secretly observed by the servants.

"It's a great pleasure for all of us to welcome the Duchess, the mistress of this palace, after such a long time."

"Yes, thank you. You seem very perceptive. I feel at ease."

"I am honored by your kind words."

By referring to this manor as a "palace," Konari's high pride was evident.

Even though Opal had lightly praised Konari, there was no particular reaction from the surroundings, so the relationship between Konari and the other servants seemed to be fine. Opal, with a slightly more arrogant attitude than usual, received introductions to the other main servants from Konari. After introducing Najja and the others, she was promptly led to the lady's room.

The interior of the manor was as grand and beautiful as its exterior. However, some of the newly placed decorations were overly assertive, giving an impression of being too ornate. Although the journey from the entrance to the room took longer due to occasional questions to Konari, it was still quite a distance. Even after finally entering the room, Opal had no time to rest as her luggage was being brought in one after another. She might have been able to relax if she ignored it, but she couldn't relax while watching people work for her. Still, there was nothing Opal could do to help, so she pretended to be calm and drank tea.

It seemed that here, Opal Holloway was still perceived as "licentious." During her journey from the capital, she had noticed that as soon as she entered the northern mountainous region, the information and lifestyle had changed dramatically. Of course, she believed that traditions should be cherished and preserved. However, if new methods were not adopted, they might eventually become isolated from the rest of the world.

(Well, this might be a bit arrogant, but I also feel that it's somewhat intentional.)

Indeed, transporting heavy materials like stones might be difficult, but transporting information to the extent that people gossiped about it should be easy. Moreover, since there were several ports in this region where imports and exports took place, more new things should have been possible.

For example, farm equipment.

At first, she thought that the lack of new, convenient farm equipment was due to a lack of funds, but it was unnatural that even large sickles were not being used.

(This region seems to have been largely unaffected by the epidemic...)

That's why it had been a base for the anti-prince faction. However, this might have delayed the modernization of agriculture. But why hadn't more been done in the four years since Alessandro's victory?

(No matter how closed-off they are, couldn't they have done something to improve things?)

Opal realized she was becoming somewhat complaining. The person Alessandro chose must have been an excellent representative. There must be some reason, but Opal was tired.

(No, this won't do. I can't draw conclusions without properly observing everything.)

Just as her cup was empty, Najja informed her that the bath was ready, and she stood up. The maids and maidservants of this manor still seemed tense, with stiff expressions, but they would likely warm up over time. Opal stopped thinking about everything and took a bath, had a light meal in her room, and went to bed a bit early.

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The next morning, Opal woke up at her usual time, surprising the manor's servants. Apparently, it was rare for a noble to wake up early. She had breakfast in her room and informed them that she would have breakfast in the dining room from the next day. After finishing breakfast, she called for the steward Konari and informed him of her plans.

"The land manager, you say..."

"Yes, that's right. There is someone managing this estate, isn't there? It's too vast for you to manage alone."

"...May I ask why you wish to meet him?"

"Of course, to discuss the land in this area."

"You, my lady?"

"I will. My schedule is flexible, so we can arrange it. Also, I want to greet the neighbors, so could you prepare a list for me?"

"...Understood."

Although Konari seemed quite dissatisfied, he had no choice but to reluctantly agree and left. Opal hesitated, wondering if she had rushed things, but quickly reconsidered. Considering the harvest season, time was limited. Opal intended to introduce large sickles and threshing machines here, just as she had done eight years ago in the MacLeod duchy.

To this end, she had already arranged with Omar to purchase used threshing machines—those introduced in the MacLeod duchy eight years ago—at a second-hand price and had them transported from the port. While the latest models might have been preferable, she decided to use second-hand machines due to the unfamiliarity and the number required. She had ordered new large sickles from the blacksmiths in her own territory and the MacLeod duchy, with the remaining to be ordered from the blacksmiths in the Bottselli duchy.

Later, Opal went to the study before noon and was introduced to the land manager, Duncan, by Konari. When Opal extended her hand with a friendly smile, Duncan frowned, not hiding his displeasure. Opal had intended to shake hands, but it seemed Duncan had expected a different form of greeting. Opal thought he would be quite a tough opponent, but her expectations were even more negatively confirmed.