Chapter 34

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"Despite using the power of the Third Knights, we couldn't find out what happened to Elmar Archibald's descendants. The person who published his novel seventy years ago wasn't his child, but someone who was entrusted with the disposal of the house he lived in after his death."

Later, Mike reported with a regretful look.

"Even by tracing identity documents, Elmar's son couldn't be found. After leaving the settlement, it's unknown where he went. Not all territory managers verify and record the identities of those who enter, so it's not uncommon for them to just check the identities of those who enter and leave it at that. They are strict with those who leave but lenient with those who enter."

"But from the royal family's perspective, it might be for the best that the descendants of a child born from a foreign spy aren't found."

Mike nodded with a complex expression.

"The royal family will not make the matter of Princess Carolina public and will manage the hill with the two graves as their private property."

"That's good. As long as Princess Carolina and Elmar's graves are protected, that's enough for me."

"Yes, I agree."

◇◇◇

Jeffrey suggested a way to use the large sum of money.

"Anna, I have a suggestion for how to use the gold coins as a reward. How about owning a sheep farm? Buying land, raising sheep, and spinning wool? You've always said you wanted a life like that. It's been a long detour, but I thought it was finally time to realize your wish."

"A sheep farm! My dream is coming true."

I imagined myself standing in the middle of a sheep farm, momentarily stunned and then completely entranced.

"I never thought I'd have a place to live until I was old, from the day I left Haggle and changed my name to Victoria. Even when I told Jeff I wanted to live by raising sheep before crossing into the Shen Kingdom, I thought it was an impossible dream in my heart."

"I never forgot it."

"I'm surprised you remembered, Jeff. It's like a dream. Thank you. And actually, I have a proposal too."

I suggested the renovation of the convent.

"Since I, who threw away my past, received a large sum of money thanks to Elmar, who also threw away his past, I think it would be a good use of the reward money to help women who are currently forced to throw away their pasts."

Jeffrey agreed with a smile. I had always thought he wasn't attached to money, but he immediately agreed to my proposal, which required a considerable amount, saying, "If that's what you want."

From the next day, he energetically started making arrangements for the renovation of the convent.

◇◇◇

"Lord Asher, I am grateful for all you have done. We have fixed the leaks, repaired the walls, replaced the beds with better ones, bought a large amount of firewood to prepare for the winter, and built a shed to store the firewood. Now everyone can face the winter with peace of mind."

"This was my wife's suggestion."

"No, my husband enthusiastically agreed to it."

The abbess smiled, squinting her eyes as if looking at something bright.

"I feel the divine blessing from a couple as harmonious as the Ashers."

"Thank you."

We both said in unison, and then we both chuckled.

"Also, I have a proposal. The women who live and sleep at the convent, would they be willing to work if I set up a workshop to make ointments? Of course, I will pay them a wage."

"Oh!"

The abbess was surprised when she heard the wage I offered.

"It's much more than what they currently earn at any workplace."

"Is that so? There must still be many women who need a place to live. If the women currently at the convent can become independent and rent their own rooms, other women can come here. I think it would be good if they can gradually become independent."

The abbess clasped her hands and offered a short prayer.

"Thank you, Mrs. Asher."

"And I have another proposal. My husband bought a large piece of land outside the city walls. It's just a wasteland now, but we plan to start by digging a well and planting grass for grazing, and eventually turn it into a sheep farm. We will raise sheep, shear them, dye the wool, and set up a workshop to spin it. This will be a long-term project as we start by growing the grass."

"Will you spin the wool, Mrs. Asher?"

"Yes, I have some experience."

Jeffrey continued the conversation.

"It's my wife's dream. She was supposed to be living like that by now. But due to various circumstances, that dream was put on hold. Finally, we can make it a reality."

"It would be good if there are people interested in such work. Running a farm requires physical strength."

"There are many. Many of the women who come here have become so disillusioned with people that they wish to live without seeing anyone."

I had expected as much.

If they had thrown everything away to seek refuge in the convent and gain a brief respite, they must have had pasts they wanted to forget.

After that, the conversation shifted to practical matters, and Jeff took the lead in discussing the plans. When we returned home in the evening, Bersa greeted us with a smile, saying, "Lord Clark is here."

The door to Nonna's room on the second floor was wide open because of the presence of young, unmarried men and women. It was probably Bersa's consideration.

"Lord Clark, welcome."

"I'm sorry to visit while you're out."

"Mom, Ash and Berry have taken a liking to Lord Clark."

"Really? That's good. It must be because Nonna has opened her heart to Lord Clark, and the cats can sense it."

"Ah, I see," Nonna said, nodding in understanding. Clark, holding a cat, suddenly blushed.

I left the room without quite understanding how Clark viewed Nonna. I had been thinking (do you really need to worry about that?) when Bersa said, "I'll go in and out of the room frequently."

As I was preparing to have tea with Nonna, she started talking as if she had just thought of something.

"Back when I was studying Randal language at Lord Clark's house."

"Yes?"

"Lord Clark once said, 'Will you marry me when you grow up?'"

"..."

"Mom? Mom! The tea is spilling on the table!"

"Ah! Nonna, get something to wipe it up!"

I had been trying to pour tea into the cup, but while looking at Nonna, I had poured it into nothing, creating a pool of tea on the table.