Chapter 52

...And finally, I arrived at the territory. Of course, I felt nostalgic, but the biggest feeling was the relief of finally making it safely.

"Welcome back, Miss."

Sebastian and Say, along with the other servants who had remained in the territory, welcomed me in a group.

"I’ve heard about your journey. Please, take your time to rest."

"Thank you, Sebastian. Everyone, thank you for the warm welcome."

Sebastian’s offer was genuinely appreciated. I had been tense throughout the journey, and I was very tired. The relief must have made it all come out at once.

Led by Sebastian, I headed to my room. Once inside, I took a shower and changed into comfortable clothes. I sat in a chair to catch my breath and drank the herbal tea Tanya had prepared.

"Tanya, you must be tired too. Please take a good rest today. I’m going to sleep as well."

"Yes, Miss."

Tanya, clearly exhausted, accepted and left.

I sighed and hugged my trembling body with my arms. ...It was really scary. Thanks to everyone, I didn’t have to face the enemy directly, but the fact that my life was targeted still sends shivers down my spine even now.

However, I can’t just stop because I’m scared, and running away is out of the question. I need to find out where the bandits came from, and there’s a lot to consider from there.

But... I really need to rest today. ...So, I lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, I woke up at my usual time. I had gone to bed quite early last night, so I thought I would wake up early this morning... but maybe I was just that tired. Thanks to that, I feel very refreshed.

After doing yoga, taking a shower, and changing, it was a completely normal morning. I had breakfast in the dining room, the first meal in the territory in a long time.

"...Miss Iris!"

As I was having tea after breakfast, Remy came in. She had welcomed me yesterday, but we didn’t have a chance to talk. It felt like a long time since I last saw her, and it was nostalgic.

"Oh, Remy. What’s wrong?"

"It’s not ‘what’s wrong’! I was really worried. I’m so glad you’re safe."

"Thank you for worrying. Look, Remy, I’m fine, so please don’t cry so much."

"But..."

She sobbed and continued to cry. It felt like I had gone back in time... but then I remembered that Remy had cried like this when I returned after Lord Ed broke off our engagement.

"I’m really sorry for worrying you, Remy. Look, stop crying... and when you’ve calmed down, let’s talk later, okay?"

"Yes..."

...When you’ve calmed down... It’s not just Remy’s emotions.

"Miss?"

"Yes, Sebastian. I’ll start my duties today. I’ve received some reports by letter, but please bring me the reports from each department. If necessary, I need to talk to the responsible parties as well."

I need to process the accumulated documents and understand the current situation while I’m here. When I reached my study, the desk was piled high with organized documents.

"First, I’ll read through the documents. Call me when I do."

"Understood."

"Also, please call Lyle and Dida."

I need to have them investigate the bandits from yesterday. It will take time, so I’ll give them the instructions now.

After Sebastian left, I started my battle with the documents. ...I wonder when I’ll finish checking these documents... I was looking a bit distant when I heard a knock.

"Come in."

I thought it would be Lyle and Dida, but it was Dean who entered.

"Dean!"

I was a bit surprised by the unexpected visitor.

"It’s been a while, Miss."

"Yes, it really has. ...I heard you occasionally came to the manor while I was in the capital. Thank you, Dean."

"No, it’s nothing. More importantly, I heard that you were attacked on your way back."

"...Yes. But how did you...?"

I probed to see if it was already a topic of discussion in the territory.

"It was a topic of conversation in the manor. I’m glad you’re safe, Miss."

That made me feel a bit more at ease.

"Thanks to the guards, we managed... Dean, I have a few questions..."

"Yes. I also have a few things to report, so I came here as soon as possible."

After a brief greeting, I asked Dean about the unclear points I had read so far. It seemed that Dean and Sebastian had been handling the duties in my absence, and his visit at this time was very helpful.

"...So, the zoning of the capital is complete. The household registers have been created for all areas within the territory, and the only thing left is to organize the land ownership outside the capital."

I was checking the progress of the measures that had been implemented before I went to the capital. The capital has a lot of residential areas, so the land ownership is clear. Most of the time, a basic contract is signed during transactions. However, as you move away from the capital, the rules change. In rural areas, it’s often unclear who owns what land.

"Yes. To add, the eastern region is almost complete. In the southern region, especially in the village that produces cacao, the land ownership was organized when the contract with the Azuta Trading Company was signed, so it’s almost done... The problem is the western and northern regions."

"Hmm... For this, we need to listen to the residents of the nearby areas carefully."

"Yes. The Civil Affairs Department is currently prioritizing this task. Additionally, they are working on creating the resident registration cards in the capital as you suggested before."

"Good. Let’s continue with this approach in the future."

As we were repeating the confirmation, I heard another knock.

"Excuse me."

This time, it was Lyle and Dida who entered.

"I’m sorry for the delay."

"Don’t worry about it. ...Lyle, I’m sorry, but could Dean step out for a moment?"

Given the nature of the upcoming conversation, even Dean couldn’t be present.

"Yes. I’ll go over what you’ve told me in the meantime."

Dean left the room without hesitation.

---

(To be continued)