Another day (2/2)

After spending some more time with her, offering quiet company, Rafael left the room to meet Eruin again. He found him in his study.

The room, though simple, was large enough to avoid feeling cramped. Eruin sat behind a sturdy wooden table, a few sheets of paper and a book scattered across its surface.

"Come in," Eruin said, after hearing the knock on the door.

"Nice place," Rafael remarked as he stepped in, his eyes scanning the room. "Just needs a few more books on that shelf." His gaze lingered on the lone, small shelf with only three books resting on it.

"We only brought the essentials," Eruin replied with a small shrug, "and we even had to sell two of them. But yes, more books wouldn't hurt." In those days, books were a symbol of status due to their value. The more you owned, the wealthier you appeared.

Rafael glanced at the papers on the table. "Hey, did we make that paper ourselves?"

"Yes. I was actually about to write down what you told me earlier, so I don't forget."

"That's good." A brief silence followed, a comfortable one.

"So, how can I help you?" Eruin asked, taking the initiative.

"I've been thinking about a new type of clothing," Rafael began, diving into his ideas about buttons, underwear, bras, and socks, much like he had explained to Maxis.

"I promise you, once people start using them, they'll never go back. But we can't make these out of just any scraps; the fabric needs to be of decent quality."

Eruin raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Are you sure these things are really going to change anything? I mean, I can't see how they're that useful."

Rafael crossed his arms. "People are more worried about whether they'll have food tomorrow. New clothes are the last thing on their minds."

"That's true, but we need to start making these as soon as possible." Rafael paused, waiting for Eruin's agreement. Once he nodded, Rafael continued, "I have another idea, but first, do we own any land for crops around here?"

Eruin sighed, shaking his head. "Of course not. We barely had enough money to feed ourselves when we arrived."

"I figured," Rafael muttered, more to himself than to Eruin. "We'll need to make deals with the others or maybe even the royals..."

Eruin leaned forward. "What's this other idea of yours?"

Rafael's eyes lit up. "I'm designing new equipment for the fields, something to prepare the soil more efficiently and faster than how it's done today."

Eruin's expression became more serious. "You speak with a lot of confidence, but are you sure these ideas are as revolutionary as you say? Farmers have perfected the art of planting. You think you can improve on that?"

Rafael's certainty was unwavering. "Absolutely. Give me some paper, and I'll draw it out for you."

"Please, take these." Eruin handed over the paper with eagerness, his earlier doubt overshadowed by curiosity.

"Thanks. But there's one problem," Rafael added. "As you said, we don't own any land. Even if we build the equipment, we can't use it ourselves. However, we could approach the King and strike a deal with him."

Eruin frowned slightly, thinking it over. "I understand, but hear me out. I could try to buy a plot of land outside the capital. With your equipment, we'd produce more than anyone else and make a lot of money."

"It's not a bad idea," Rafael admitted. "But I don't think this equipment should only benefit us. What I had in mind was to offer it to the royals and improve production for everyone."

Eruin's eyes widened. "For everyone?"

"Think about it," Rafael continued. "If food production increases, we'll end the food shortages we're facing. People won't have to worry about whether they'll eat tomorrow."

Rafael's enthusiasm was contagious, but Eruin couldn't help but feel cautious. "And then?"

"With more stable lives, people will have more children and create a larger workforce. The results will be so obvious that even the royals will turn their attention to us."

"They'll owe us," Rafael added, smiling. "And with more people, we could direct them into industries like papermaking or clothing production."

Eruin stared at Rafael in disbelief. He's thought this far ahead? He's planned everything out already... How does he do this? Where do all these ideas come from?

"... You... I approve of your plan," Eruin said after a long pause. "Draw everything on those sheets, and once I see how it works, we'll talk about the best way to approach the King." For the first time in a long while, Eruin felt lighter, as though the burden of their uncertain future had been lifted.

They had lost their city, their lands, and with them, most of their income. But this... this could change everything.

"By the way," Rafael interrupted Eruin's thoughts, "where are the kids? Ella wants to see them."

"They've been in their rooms all day. Neither of them will come out, not even to eat. They're struggling with the loss of our mother."

"I understand. I'll see if I can get them to stay with Ella." With that, Rafael excused himself and followed a servant to where the children were staying. He spoke first with Adelaide, the youngest, then with Willian.

After much effort, he finally convinced both children to go to Ella's room. There, they felt more at ease, distracted from the painful absence of their parents.

Rafael sat by a nearby table and began sketching out the moldboard plow, the seed drill, clothing designs, and a special harness for horses and cattle. He planned to explain to Eruin later why horses were more efficient than oxen for farmwork.

Hours passed, and the sky had turned to night.

"Hey, let's go to the dining room. Your brother is waiting for us," Rafael called out.

"No! I won't leave!" Adelaide protested, clinging to her corner.

"Come on, little flower, you can't stay in your room forever. You need some fresh air. You too, Ella," Rafael added gently.

Ella, sensing Adelaide's hesitance, smiled softly. "Don't worry, I'll go with you. Let's go eat something."

"N-no! I don't want to go!" The little girl's voice trembled.

"What about you, Will?" Ella asked, turning to her younger brother.

Willian looked down, silent for a moment before speaking. "I... I'll go."

Seeing that everyone else was going, Adelaide finally gave in, though her reluctance was clear. Together, they made their way to the dining hall.

Eruin sat alone at the large table, the room spacious and brightly lit. The table was filled with food, including slices of pizza and a few burgers, though they paled in comparison to the ones Rafael knew from the future.

If this plan works... the payoff will be unimaginable, Eruin thought. Our standing with the crown and the rest of the kingdom will rise sharply.

We won't have to worry about money anymore, he reflected. And maybe... maybe we'll never have to force a marriage to secure anything again. He glanced at the empty chair to his right, where no plate had been set.

It's hard. A wave of sadness washed over him, exhaustion pulling at his spirit.

I used to despise your way of doing things. Godwin made me think a man should only focus on what's practical, not on trivial things like books and reading. He chuckled bitterly to himself. But now, look at me—our primary income is going to come from making paper for books.

Eruin's gaze shifted to the empty chair at the other end of the table.

I should've listened to you and learned more about noble customs. Maybe I wouldn't have embarrassed myself during that meeting. He sighed deeply. You were right. Family should come first, above everything else. You accepted him so easily, while I... I was too blind to see.

"There's still so much I don't know," he whispered aloud, voice shaky. "But I'm going to do my best to make you both proud. I just... I just wish you were still here." He held back the tears threatening to spill and forced himself to start eating.

The clinking of his cutlery echoed through the empty, desolate dining room. Just as he reached for a piece of meat, the double doors swung open with a loud creak, startling him.

Before he could reprimand the servant for entering without knocking, he froze in surprise. Four figures stood in the doorway.

"Mind if we join you?" Rafael asked, gesturing to the chairs. It took Eruin a moment to find his voice and nod.

The children sat beside Eruin, while Rafael and Ella took seats across from them.

"Hey! There's pizza! Come on, kids, I know you love pizza," Rafael said, trying to lighten the mood.

Despite their sorrow, the kids moved to grab some food, their spirits slightly lifted by the familiar comfort. Rafael helped Ella fill her plate, making sure she had enough.

They all began eating in a quiet, somber peace.

Ella looked across the table, noticing that Eruin hadn't touched his food. "What's wrong?" she asked softly.

Eruin offered a faint smile, "nothing. Now, let's enjoy this incredible meal."