Chapter 8

In the central city of Ibito, among the Southern Union, the atmosphere was particularly buoyant with the joy of victory.

The Union's army, a makeshift coalition, was thought by its own people to have no chance against the trained imperial forces. Yet, they won, and the joy of the people was immense. This was thanks to Cecil, who thoroughly investigated the imperial tactics, devised strategies, and positioned each tribe in suitable locations.

The praise from the people for Cecil has been growing day by day. At thirty-five years old and unmarried, with a handsome appearance, the number of women sending him admiring glances is increasing.

Today, the secretary Ignacio is troubled by this issue.

"Sir, regarding the banquet after the tribal council meeting, could you spare a bit more time?"

"The banquet will be more lively without the higher-ups."

"On the contrary, the daughters of the tribal chiefs are flooding us with requests to speak with you."

Cecil looked up from the documents with a puzzled expression.

"Isn't it your job, Ignacio, to skillfully decline such requests? I don't have time for women right now. You know I'm busy with the empire."

"But, sir, if the tribal chiefs are displeased, it could become a problem..."

Cecil's blue eyes fixed on Ignacio.

"Uniting the tribal chiefs is indeed my responsibility. However, I have no intention of pleasing their daughters. I will make it clear to the chiefs that they will suffer if they do not comply with me. I will show my face at the banquet, but after a brief greeting, I will return here to work."

Cecil ended the conversation as if to say, "You may leave now." He was troubled by the message that arrived last night.

It took about two months, but they finally found the young lady of the marquis. According to Jose,

"The location of the young lady has been confirmed. However, she does not require an apology from Sir Cecil and has no intention of meeting."

The young lady's residence was in a remote area from the center of the capital Ibito. She lived there with a maid, selling hand-embroidered handkerchiefs and small items.

"No apology or meeting needed, huh."

As long as she remains in this country, it is difficult to request additional compensation. The country needs funds to rebuild after years of exploitation. I thought she would return to her country quickly, but it seems she intends to stay here.

(However, people in the south dislike those from the empire. It's impossible for the daughter of the prime minister of Sanlouan to do business here. If she falls into dire straits and dies, it would be troublesome. I should meet her directly and persuade her to return to her country.)

Cecil, who had a bit more free time in his work ten days later, went to the store in the eastern part of the capital Ibito, where the common people live.

A hand-painted sign in the country's language read, "Embroidery and Accessories, Ursula's Flower," skillfully painted in the local script.

Ursula is a vine plant that grows everywhere in this country. During famines, people dig up and eat its roots. Despite its strong reproductive ability, its reddish-purple flower clusters are delicate.

In this country, signs are generally painted in primary colors to stand out, but this sign had the store name written in a refined, smaller font on an ivory background, matching the color of the Ursula flower. The script was flowing yet easy to read.

"I see, Ursula. It means to live a strong life, doesn't it?"

Today, Cecil was dressed casually in a black shirt, loose gray pants, and everyday leather boots. Ignacio offered to accompany him, but Cecil declined and came alone on horseback.

As he was about to enter the store, he noticed a board by the entrance that read, "Translation and language instruction in Imperial language available."

"Hmm."

Impressed, he opened the door. Inside the small store, about ten people were present, but not all were customers. Five men and women were practicing pronunciation at a table in the back, looking at notebooks.

The instructor was a woman with light brown hair tied back in a single braid, with the hair around her temples braided neatly, revealing her face clearly.

"Adan, don't pronounce that part to the end. It should fade away in your mouth. Try reading it again."

"Hena, you're doing very well. Keep it up."

"Oh, Myro, that would mean asking for a live chicken instead of chicken meat."

The woman teaching with a smile was the young lady of the marquis. She didn't seem like the sheltered young lady he had imagined. She was chatting with the locals with a smile, and her pronunciation was as good as the locals, without any imperial accent.

It seemed she had adapted to this place in a short time.

Not wanting to disturb her work, Cecil walked around the small store, focusing his ears on her. The store displayed a few embroidered handkerchiefs, fabric shoulder bags used daily by the women of this country, and shawls for sun protection, all adorned with sophisticated embroidery. The store had a more exhibition-like atmosphere due to the limited number of items.

Cards pinned around the store read, "Custom embroidery available." The patterns embroidered on the items were refined and elegant, typical of the imperial nobility.

After finishing the right side of the long, narrow store, Cecil moved to the left side and stopped. The left wall was neatly decorated with earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. What surprised Cecil was the unfamiliar design of these accessories.

In this country, both men and women have their ears pierced as infants, a traditional custom. Most wear small gold or silver ball-shaped earrings. As they grow older and develop a sense of fashion, many replace them with more decorative ones. Wealthy people add gems, colored stones, or metal plates, usually large and flashy.

However, the earrings in this store were made of many small crystals enclosed in fine wire, or a few mismatched crystals with holes drilled through them, creating dangle earrings. Some had a uniform color palette, while others combined dark stones with translucent ones. Each piece had a name tag nearby.

(These are names of people from this country. She isn't making them, then?)

As he stared, trying to understand, a woman who seemed to be Bertine stood nearby, smiling at him.

"Welcome. Are you looking for earrings?"

"Ah, yes, I am. I'm surprised by the unique designs."

Cecil hesitated to give his name, worried about discussing the compensation issue here.

"These earrings are all made by women who lost their husbands in the war. I provide the materials and design, and they make them. After deducting the cost of materials and 20% of the sales, the remaining money goes to the widows. If you find one you like, it would make a great gift for your wife or lover. Both the maker and the recipient will be happy."

"War widows made these..."

"Yes. War is a matter of life and death not only for soldiers but also for the families left behind. I wanted to help the women and children left behind in any way I could. When I opened this store, many people helped me."

Cecil was taken aback.

He never imagined that a noble from the empire could live so cheerfully in this country. Moreover, to have been helped by the people of this country was unexpected. He thought they would be persecuted, not helped.

"Sir, this young lady is quite brave. When she first moved here, she intervened in a domestic dispute, protecting the wife and scolding the husband. She said, 'Treating a woman badly or hitting her is the same as treating and hitting her mother! Have some shame!'"

"Such a dangerous thing to do?"

"Yes. The neighbors, who usually ignored such disputes, rushed to the house. The man was violent."

As Cecil was stunned, the young lady said calmly,

"I have nothing left to lose. A few slaps wouldn't matter much to me."

"Did you get hit?"

Bertine shook her head calmly.

"No. The neighbors rushed in and stopped the man. I spent a few days without water or food when I first came to this country. Compared to that, most things aren't scary. Thanks to that domestic dispute, I've become good friends with the neighbors."

She happily shared that the neighbors helped promote her store.

One of the people listening to the conversation was staring at Cecil. Midway through, he looked startled. Cecil subtly shook his head, signaling, "Don't reveal my identity."