Chapter 32

The celebratory banquet began, and the villagers drank, feasted on luxurious dishes, and conversed as they pleased.

While watching them, Noein was alone, basking in a sense of fulfillment. Then he was called out.

"You're still grinning as usual."

Turning to the voice, he saw Yurii, Anna, and Edgar standing there, cups in hand.

"Calling it a grin is a bit harsh. I was just smiling with benevolence as a lord, looking at my beloved people."

"Haha, you really know how to talk."

Seeing Noein and Yurii bantering, Anna and Edgar also chuckled. Noein, who usually maintains a composed face in front of outsiders, has long been known to them for his true expressions.

"That speech just now was really wonderful, Lord Noein."

"I even cried, remembering the day you picked me up when I was a refugee."

"Thank you both. I thought I did a pretty good job myself."

Praised by Anna and Edgar, Noein responded with a grin, a bit of embarrassment hidden in it.

"Even when I look at it again, it's become quite a village, hasn't it?"

Looking at the rows of houses and the farmland surrounding them, Noein said.

Until now, the Arquvist demesne, which was considered a poor territory by anyone, had been left untouched by his father, who deemed it "just a wasteful, unprofitable forest."

Noein had resolved to develop it, and with a bit of wisdom, the talent for puppet magic, the luck of discovering a vein of ore, and the help of slaves, vassals, and the people, he had built this village.

"To create such a village in the forest in less than a year is quite an achievement. You should be proud."

"You're being unusually sincere. It's a bit scary."

"Hey, I do appreciate you as a lord. As a person, I just think you're a clever little brat."

"Ahaha, you know me well."

Noein laughed.

...

"May, congratulations on your marriage again."

"Oh, thank you, Matilda."

May, heading to the table with drinks, was greeted by Matilda, who was pouring wine into a cup, presumably Noein's.

Since the early days of the development, when May suggested to Matilda to "talk to more people," the two have become friends.

"I couldn't get married when I was a mercenary. He was busy as a senior member of the group, and eventually became the leader. Now we can finally live a peaceful life together."

"I'm sure Lord Noein is happy that you two have found happiness."

As usual, Matilda often talks about Noein, mentioning him in every other sentence.

"Hey, aren't you going to marry Lord Noein? If you want, you could be freed from slavery..."

Taking this opportunity, May asked Matilda about something that had been on her mind.

It was clear to everyone that Matilda adored Noein almost to the point of worship, and Noein also doted on her. If she wished, Noein would free her from slavery immediately.

"Lord Noein offered to free me when he bought me from the Count of Kivireft and left his family. But I asked to remain his slave."

"Why?"

"I have a slave mark on my neck that will never disappear. If I, a former slave and a beastman, were to become Lord Noein's wife, I would surely become a burden to him as he strives to be a successful lord."

May was unsure how to respond to Matilda's words.

Indeed, she was right. While the kingdom's northern region is more tolerant than the south, there is still discrimination against beastmen, especially among the nobility.

There are apparently some beastmen who have been ennobled as war heroes or have become court scholars due to their exceptional intelligence, but these are rare exceptions that become topics of conversation throughout the kingdom.

For Noein, a mere baron with only a small village, to marry a former slave beastman would likely result in him having no allies and many enemies in the noble society. Even May could imagine this.

"But that's just a superficial reason. The truth is, I want to feel secure by being Lord Noein's property."

Matilda, unusually, showed a small smile.

"I was sold into slavery as a child. I can hardly remember my parents' faces now. All the happy memories of my life are from the time I spent with Lord Noein. I take pride in being his slave and find immense comfort in the fact that I am his slave."

May listened quietly as Matilda, who rarely spoke about herself, shared more than usual.

"Lord Noein allowed me to remain a slave after I told him this. He promised that he would always own me and continue to favor me, even if he eventually marries a noble lady as part of his duties. He said he would only marry a woman who understands and accepts this."

Matilda's expression was one of clarity.

"This way, I won't be a burden to Lord Noein, and I can serve and be favored by him for the rest of my life. For me, there is no greater happiness in this world."

"...I see. It's a wonderful relationship. I like that."

As she responded, May thought about her own past.

Raised as an orphan in a city in the eastern part of the kingdom, May was picked up by Yurii and became his errand girl. As she grew, she was taught swordsmanship and became a mercenary like him.

Yurii, who was like a brother to her, eventually became more than that as she grew up.

Picked up and protected by him, she never knew any other men and ended up with him. There were no other life choices, but May was deeply satisfied with this path.

May thought she and Matilda were similar. Matilda had met Noein, known only him, and found the happiness of spending her life by his side.

"Let's both continue to live happily by the side of the men we love."

"Yes."

...

As winter deepened, the number of people traveling on the roads dwindled. Each town and village became isolated like islands, and the residents waited for spring within them.

The Arquvist demesne, Noeina, became one of these isolated islands.

Before winter, they had stockpiled enough wheat, dried meat, pickled vegetables, and other food supplies, and had stored a large amount of firewood. Mining operations in the Ristio Mountains had temporarily stopped (they had already mined enough to sell during the winter), and the scale of development work outside the village had been significantly reduced.

People spent more time indoors, and Noein was no exception. He spent his days working on paperwork in the manor and planning for the development after winter. He only worked outdoors on sunny days during the daytime.

"Lord Noein, please have some tea."

"Ah, thank you, Matilda."

In the living room with a fireplace, rather than the cold study, Matilda offered Noein a warm cup of tea. Although there were now maids in the manor to handle cooking and housework, Noein preferred the tea made by Matilda.

"Come sit beside me, Matilda."

"Yes, Lord Noein."

Sitting beside him, Noein held her hand, and she gently leaned into his arm.

The first winter of development. Noein was happy.

This concludes the first chapter. Thank you for reading!

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