Chapter 15

Evans drove the open carriage, and Bertine, Dorothe, and Evans' mother Cassandra chatted inside.

"We, the Evans family, were crying, thinking you must have collapsed somewhere. We never imagined you were being helped by a young lady like you."

"No, I wouldn't say I helped him. Evans was more like a bodyguard for me. It was a mutual arrangement."

"Mom, I intend to succeed as an architect and repay you, Bell."

Cassandra, with a troubled look, spoke to her son.

"An architect? Do you really have no intention of becoming the next clan leader?"

"No. Just because I was born first, it doesn't mean I'm the right person. Camilo, my younger brother, is much more suited to be the clan leader. I've said this many times. It's better for the people of the Bilba district if Camilo becomes the leader. I will work hard in the outside world."

Cassandra looked as if she might cry.

"Evans, what if you get sick again?"

"Um, the clan leader mentioned that I was sickly, right?"

"Yeah, actually, I was sickly until I was about fifteen. I was so skinny."

Bertine found it hard to believe given his current physique.

"You might find it hard to believe, but it's true. Around the age of seventeen or eighteen, I suddenly became very strong, but my parents can't forget the times I nearly died every year."

"Of course. 'Please exchange my life for his.' 'Don't take this child away!' I've prayed to God so many times."

Listening to this conversation between mother and son, Bertine thought of her deceased mother. Her mother was often bedridden due to poor health, and Bertine loved to crawl into her bed and have her mother stroke her head.

"Evans, I lost my mother early, so I envy you for having parents who worry about you so much. Why don't you at least write letters to them?"

"Ah, yeah. That's a good idea. I'll do that."

As they talked, they could see what looked like an orchard ahead.

"We grow not only wheat but also fruit trees. There are many varieties, so feel free to eat as much as you like."

"Sure! I won't hold back."

Saying this, they got off the carriage and were first surprised by the 'fruit trees.' These were green plants about two meters tall with thick, long leaves. On the leaves were bumpy, green, egg-like fruits.

"What is this?"

"These are called dragon eggs. You cut them in half and scoop out the inside with a spoon."

Cassandra took a small knife from her pocket and neatly split the green, round fruit in half. Inside was a bright red flesh with many small black seeds. She skillfully scooped out the inside with the knife and offered it to Bertine. Bertine was surprised when she put it in her mouth.

"What is this? It melts in your mouth. It has a refreshing sweetness and a pleasant floral aroma. Plus, the small black seeds are crunchy. It's both fun and delicious."

"Right? The soil here seems to suit them, and they grow well with little effort. However, they spoil easily, so they are mostly eaten locally."

"I see. That's why I've never seen them before."

She kept eating the dragon eggs placed in her palm. The taste was refreshing, and she could eat them endlessly.

"This one is the star fruit."

"An interesting shape."

The yellow-green fruit, with deep grooves, cut into slices revealed yellow star-shaped flesh.

"It's sweet and tangy. It has a smooth texture and a refreshing aftertaste."

"This one is also popular. You can make alcohol from it."

"Good alcohol that doesn't cause hangovers, Bell. Let's drink some of the wine made from this tonight."

"Sounds good, Evans."

There were also fruits with furry skins that, when peeled, revealed white, jelly-like flesh with a pleasant aroma, and fruits that looked like grapes but could be eaten with the skin and were red all the way through. Bertine enjoyed many fruits she had never seen or tasted before.

"Can't these be transported to the empire?"

"None of them are ripe enough to be transported. If they ripen, they spoil quickly and don't last long."

"Oh, what a shame. If we could sell these, we could earn a lot of foreign currency."

Evans and Cassandra looked at each other and laughed.

"What? Did I say something strange?"

"Bel, you're really thinking from the perspective of the people of this country."

"I thought the same thing, Bertine. Even though you were born and raised in a foreign country, you're thinking so hard about the welfare of the United Nations."

Bertine couldn't help but laugh.

"I was born in a wealthy country and raised in a privileged environment, and I always thought I was happy. But when I first came to this country, even though I knew that 'moving according to the family and country's needs is the duty of a noblewoman,' I sometimes thought, 'Maybe it would be easier to die.' It feels like a long time ago, but it actually happened recently."

"Bel, is that true?"

Evans looked shocked.

"Yes. There were times when I felt I had no place to belong, that no one needed me, and that I was just a hindrance. At those times, I wanted to escape from life."

"Oh..."

Cassandra looked pained.

"But this country is full of kind people, and everything tastes delicious. Today, I learned about these delicious fruits. I'm glad I didn't die back then. Now, I deeply feel that it was the right decision."

Cassandra gently approached and hugged Bertine, then reached up to stroke her head. The petite Cassandra only reached Bertine's nose. Bertine leaned her cheek against Cassandra's hair while being hugged.

"My mother used to stroke my head like that."

"If you ever have a hard time, even in the middle of the night, come to our house. You're not a stranger anymore. You're a benefactor who helped Evans, and I will always welcome you. My husband will protect you too."

"Thank you, Cassandra."

The sun began to set, and from a distance, loud and boisterous animal sounds like "Gweh! Gweh!" and "Gya! Gya!" approached. Bertine looked around to see what was making the noise, and a large group of animals approached from the orchard.

"Oh, they're emus. Bel, have you ever seen an emu?"

"Emus? No."

These were large, two-legged animals, taller than the tall Evans. They were large birds. A flock of about thirty birds had their necks tied with ropes and were being guided home by an old man. They had deep red feathers and white tail feathers, and strong, thick legs. The emus occasionally spread their wings as they approached with the old man.

"They're big..."

"Bel, emu meat is lean and delicious. It goes well with strong flavors and pairs well with alcohol."

"Delicious? I knew the name but had only seen them in encyclopedias."

"Light people can even ride them for transportation."

"Wow!"

A rustling sound came from the orchard, and a plump, brown creature was walking through it. It was about the size of a cat, with round ears and a tail, and a ball-like, well-built body. It moved quickly on its short legs.

"Evans, what's that?"

"It's a tamauri. Don't you know?"

"Tamauri... I didn't know. They look like rolling balls."

"They eat ripe fruit and leaves, so they have a mild, delicious flavor."

"Can you eat them?"

"Of course. They are fatty and delicious. You can stew them with spicy flavors or grill them on skewers to remove the fat, and they are still delicious."

"Oh, just hearing you describe them makes me think of delicious meat."

Several plans began to form in Bertine's mind. She thought this country had many unused cards buried within it.

"First, we need to taste the delicious things to understand the charm of this country, Evans."

"Right, Bel. Let's put the difficult things aside for tomorrow and enjoy good food and good drinks tonight."

"Agreed. Difficult things tomorrow!"

"Then, shall I make Evans' favorite emu dish and tamauri dish for tonight?"

Bertine, who was eager to start planning her work, decided to put it aside for now and look forward to the menu for tonight's banquet. She found herself smiling at how her mind was gradually adapting to this country.

"Cassandra, can I watch you cook from the corner?"

"Of course. I'd be even happier if you helped."

As they rode in the carriage toward Evans' family home, a large flock of green wild birds flew overhead, their long tails trailing behind them as they called out, "Kie! Kie!" heading for their roosts. They quickly disappeared into the sunset sky.

"This is a paradise..."

"Miss, I was just thinking the same thing."

"I'm really regretful that I didn't know this country for twenty-four years, Dorothe."

"I feel the same. I want to bring my parents here."

Cassandra listened to their conversation with a smile, and Evans, sitting in the driver's seat, listened happily.