Chapter 56

[To my dearest Riz,

Hey, Riz. How’s Ferrisher? Did you arrive safely? Is the Viscountess treating you well?

I had no idea it took so long to travel from school to our estate. Maybe it felt shorter last time because you were with me.

I was bored out of my mind during the trip, so Betty handed me a book and told me to read—but can you believe it? I’ve been reading all semester, and now I’m supposed to read in the carriage too?

I told her only someone like you, who actually enjoys books, could do that. Betty reluctantly agreed.

I asked my brother, and it looks like our family might visit Ferrisher this summer.

By the time this letter reaches you, the Viscountess will probably have read the letter my mother sent. I’ve always wanted to visit Ferrisher, so this worked out perfectly!

Honestly, my parents were hoping you’d come with us again this year. But of course, you have your own family, and it’s only natural for you to spend summer break with them.

So wouldn’t it be perfect if both of our families met up? It was my idea, but I have to say, it’s kind of genius.

You know what? Something big happened in Kinia, where Betty’s younger brother was staying.

The wedge pouches have gotten sick or something, and they’re withering.

They used to have more than they could ever harvest, but now the mountains are drying up one by one. The villagers are really worried.

Even so, the people in Kinia seem to think, It’ll get better soon, but Betty’s brother didn’t even get paid for his work, so he had to return home. It’s exactly the kind of situation you were worried about!

Betty’s really struggling. She earns a good wage since she’s been working for us for a long time, but now she has to support her entire family on her own.

And now there’s one more mouth to feed.

I convinced my brother to send some financial aid, but you know what? There’s a word you always use for this—oh, right! A short-term solution.

I thought it’d be fine as long as the wedge pouches started growing again, but Peony says it won’t be that easy. Even if they recover, Kinia’s villagers will be too cautious to hire outside workers for a while.

Apparently, something similar happened in Peony’s hometown, and the local economy stayed frozen for a long time. Is that the right term? Frozen economy?

Anyway, people there stopped hiring workers altogether. Families handled labor themselves, and only brought in temporary workers when absolutely necessary.

I’m sure you’ve already figured out why I’m saying all this. Betty asked me to write to you. Before summer break, she said you asked her if she knew anyone skilled in cultivating medicinal herbs.

She said the wage doesn’t have to be high—just food, shelter, and a little pay would be enough. She trusts that any job you recommend will be safe.

I don’t know where this job is, but if the employer is still looking for workers, let Betty know. She’ll send her brother immediately.

It’d be best if he could find work within Retorn, but apparently, after what happened in Kinia, other villages have also stopped hiring.

I have so much I want to tell you. You were only at my house last break, but now that you’re not here, it feels strangely empty.

Betty feels the same way. We saw each other at school every day, but now we don’t.

Guess what news I heard as soon as I got home?

That exiled uncle of mine, Shivna, snuck back into the estate.

He stole a horse from our lands and fled, but he was riding one of our estate’s branded horses, so of course, people noticed. He even went to another territory, used my father’s name, and gambled at an illegal den!

Someone got suspicious and reported him, so he got caught.

The lord of the land where the gambling den was contacted my father, saying they wouldn’t release him unless someone verified his identity. But my father just said, I don’t know that man. So he’ll probably stay in jail.

You’d think that his son, Nualan, would vouch for him, right? But do you know where Nualan is?

This isn’t confirmed yet, but rumor has it that not long after they were exiled, he got dragged into an illegal mine.

You know what they say about those places—once you go in, you never come out.

Honestly, more people in the estate know Nualan’s face than Shivna’s.

People used to say, Shivna’s only virtue is that he’s kind, but turns out he wasn’t even that.

Nualan was the one always dealing with guests and managing their trade business, but apparently, he borrowed a ton of money from some shady people.

Even people came to my father, demanding repayment!

They all claimed they lent money based on my father’s reputation. My father and brother had to bring in a lawyer to sort it out—pay back the legitimate debts, and figure out what to do with the rest.

They’re absolutely done with the whole family loyalty thing. No more pretending to care about distant relatives.

Oh, and did you know? Turns out the pharmaceutical division Shivna was in charge of was in an even worse state than we thought. It was drowning in debt, barely making any profit, and half the staff were suspicious characters.

So do you know who my brother hired to replace him?

Actually, you probably do. Joan Morier.

My brother says she’s incredibly smart. She and Betty get along well since they both have lots of younger siblings and send money home.

Oh, and guess what one of our guests told me?

In the capital, Marquis Lykeandros and Marquis Kendall had a huge argument. You can probably guess why.

Since I’m an academy first-year, the guest even said, Oh, then you must be in the same year as their daughters!

I’m so curious about how you’re doing, Riz. Do you like your room? Do you have friends there?

Knowing you, you’re probably studying something again, aren’t you?

I really want to visit Ferrisher before your reply arrives, but my mother won’t allow it. She says we have to arrange a proper visit with the Viscountess first. Otherwise, it would be rude to just barge in.

But I really, really want to see you soon.

Just in case you’re too busy to buy stationery, I’ve included extra writing paper in the envelope with this letter.

Make sure to reply in detail and quickly!

Actually, never mind. If that’s too much trouble, just keep it short. Just send a reply no matter what. It’s better than waiting forever because you took too long trying to write everything out.

Stay safe and healthy. Let’s see each other as soon as possible!

With all my love,
Diane]

(T/N: Awww. I love Diane. I’m glad she is a true friend of Nerys.)
—

[Diane,

Your letter was already thick, but with the extra stationery, the courier mistook it for a package.

The Viscountess was with me when I received it, and she said she had never seen such a bulky letter before.

When she asked what it was about, I just said it was an update on recent events. She laughed and asked if I was writing about a household of twelve people.

She wasn’t entirely wrong. You did include updates on several people. I simply told her it wasn’t quite that many.

Thank you for worrying about me. Honestly, I’ve been living quite leisurely here.

Yes, I am reading books, but that’s only because the Viscountess was kind enough to grant me access to the castle’s library.

Of course, when she gives guests a tour of the library, I make myself scarce. During those times, I take walks in the surrounding forest.

Visiting Ferrisher for the summer was the right choice. This place is truly beautiful.

I used to think the lake at school was stunning, but the lake here is so clear it’s like a mirror—you can see all the way to the bottom.

And it’s not even shallow. If you wade in just a little, they say it’s so deep you’d need to stack ten grown men on top of each other to reach the surface.

Apparently, some people get tempted to reach out and touch the bottom while boating, only to fall in. I was warned to be careful.

The Viscountess likes my mother, so I’ve been invited on a boat ride twice. Even though I know the water is deep, I can understand why people feel the urge to reach out.

In the shallower areas, you can see each grain of sand on the bottom.

Beyond the lake, there’s a forest perfect for strolling, and behind that, gentle hills curve along the horizon. The scenery is magnificent.

Even in summer, it’s not too hot. Maybe that’s why so many noble families are here for the season.

The guests the Viscountess entertains are mostly those escaping the heat.

Speaking of which, I should tell you something first—one of the guests at the estate this summer is someone we met at your family’s house during the last festival.

You remember, right? Those three elderly ladies who seemed especially close.

Apparently, they decided to tour Ferrisher together this year.

I don’t know what kind of rumors about me have been circulating, but some noblewomen have started giving me sweets.

Which story do you think they’ve heard more—about me getting hit by Nualan, or about me being your friend?

If it’s the first, they’d probably just avoid me. So I’m guessing it’s the latter.

The Viscountess seems like a good person. Despite my mother’s lack of experience as a lady’s maid, she’s taken great care of her and given us a comfortable place to stay.

When I thanked her, she just laughed and said, “You’re from the Elandria family, of course I should take good care of you.”

I think she was just saying that to put us at ease. She knows perfectly well that we’re only distantly related through a branch family.

The Viscount and Viscountess don’t have children yet. Maybe that’s why she looks fondly at her guests’ children—and even at me.

The other day, she gave me a picture book as a gift. It wasn’t even a special occasion.

I don’t think she knows what kind of books people our age usually read.

When I opened it, I realized it was meant for young children.

But the illustrations are beautiful, so I appreciate it. I’ll show it to you when you visit.

Tell Betty that my previous offer is still available.

I don’t know the exact details of the job, but I do know that the wage is separate from food expenses, and lodging is provided.

However, the worker needs to be capable of handling everything independently.

If Betty’s brother is diligent, it should be a worthwhile opportunity.

Tell her I’ll find out more and let her know.

I really enjoyed your letter. I’m afraid mine won’t be as entertaining.

My life here is fairly uneventful, and I doubt you’d be interested in the local gossip.

I’m glad to hear Joan Morier has settled in well.

I appreciate that your family thinks of me so kindly. Please send them my regards.

The castle’s housekeeper is calling for me. If I want to send this letter, I have to do it now—someone is heading out of Ferrisher.

That’s the only downside here. News doesn’t come in often, and it doesn’t leave easily either.

Once someone arrives, they usually stay the whole summer. And once they leave, they rarely return until the next year.

If I miss this chance, I’ll have to wait another week to send my letter, so I’ll end it here.

See you soon.

Nerys]

(T/N: This is such a refreshing and wholesome chapter. I’m glad, the author did this. )