Chapter 14: Adaptation

I see Lucy as someone who's exerting all their strength to hold back. The sound of music and singing was still faintly audible, the yellow light from the lamps making his silver eyes sparkle. It's crazy that others can't see the gleam from his hair and eyes. There's only one answer that could make others see Lucy differently from what I see.

"Lucy. Is there something you want to explain to me?" I probe. Lucy tilts his head like a puppy. Confused.

"We haven't seen each other in 2 weeks, Celine. I hoped you'd respond to my longing, but you seem to be someone who likes to get straight to the point." He chuckles. His eyes warm as they look back at me. I don't reply. Lucy's peculiarity is starting to make me scared now. If I think about it, everything about this man doesn't make sense.

I don't respond. Instead, I watch as fireworks emerge and explode in the night sky. The fireworks form various colorful flower shapes. The cheers of the people accompany the sounds of the fireworks. Without realizing it, Lucy is behind me, resting his face on my shoulder.

I'm startled and instinctively push his face away.

"Lucy!" I exclaim.

"Celine... Didn't we already sleep together? Why do you treat me like a stranger?" 

"That was when you were still a child!"

"Not even a year after that." He smiles.

"That's what I want to ask. How could you grow up so fast? And why do others see you with a different appearance?" I'm emotional, but his face still shows the same smile as before.

He leans towards me and whispers, "I'll tell you later." His answer doesn't satisfy me at all. If he can use magic that powerfully, why did he say he couldn't help me teleport to Illuxar when I asked? If only he'd help me with that one thing, maybe I wouldn't have to live as a Marchioness.

.

The welcoming ceremony to welcome Celine as Marchioness Brown in the western region ends with colorful fireworks decorating the night sky, blending beautifully with the stars. Unfortunately, after that night, Caspiel and his aide have to return to Evington to manage administrative matters as the Count's head and some affairs there. Celine, assisted by her secretary, starts to learn a lot about Craenitus. Starting from the history of the kingdom's establishment, the history of each noble family, and lessons in politics.

"Vasili, how are our troops at the borders?" Celine sets down her pen. It's been a week since she's been engrossed in work.

"The casualties have decreased from last month, my lady. Thank you for your wisdom in changing the war strategy," her secretary replies. Vasili offers tea to Celine, and she accepts it.

"That's good." Celine suggests the military force make shifts and reduce their fatigue during battles. Barbarian tribes are known for their physical strength and larger physical size compared to their troops. If they lack stamina too, they will surely lose.

Celine looks out the window. The chirping of sparrows starts to be heard, and the sun begins to feel warm again. It seems like spring is about to begin, bidding farewell to winter. The following weeks she spends with the same routine. Managing work every day. Walking around the city every week to strengthen the bond between herself and her people. Often, she sees soldiers training and doesn't find Lucy among them. Celine has given up on returning to Illuxar, which means there's no reason for her to learn magic with Lucy.

One year later, Celine suddenly asks Vasili about a magician who can teach her magic.

"There's one person in the magic tower that I think is competent enough to be your magic teacher." Concealing his surprise, Vasili calls for a servant.

"Bring a piece of paper and writing utensils; I want to write a letter to the magic tower," Vasili orders the servant. She didn't expect her mistress to also be able to use magic besides having a sharp mind.

"Thank you, Vasili." Celine smiles. Vasili is reliable indeed.

"My lady, the farmers report that the hydroponic farming method is very effective. Their first harvest will be tomorrow, and they invite us all to their feast tomorrow night."

Because their land is infertile, food in the West relies solely on thinly sliced smoked meat. They have to walk for days to buy wheat from the south, which is only enough for a week. Fortunately, the people in the West have very high solidarity, so even with the limited food source, no one dies of hunger. Celine teaches them to grow some vegetables using hydroponic techniques. A technique very common to her but still new to the people there. Nevertheless, the only successful source of carbohydrates they manage to grow is corn, so if they want to eat wheat, they still have to walk far to the south.

"Alright, we will donate 10% of the meat from the mansion's stock. Is the renovation of the hall completed?"

"It's been done since two days ago, my lady."

"Offer them to hold the feast inside the hall."

"Understood, my lady."

Truly, their leader is very kind. Donating food and offering her residence directly to be used as a feast venue for ordinary people. Is her mistress an angel? That's Vasili's admiration for Celine.

"Has the mechanic you mentioned last week arrived yet?" Celine plans to make something that helps the people in the West with their food travel. So last week she asked Vasili to find the best mechanic in Craenitus to collaborate with.

"He said he would arrive the day after tomorrow morning."

"Alright, you may leave."

"Thank you, my lady."

After Vasili departed, Celine reached into her desk drawer for some brown paper. She intended to write a letter to Arthur. Initially, she had contemplated seeking out another alchemist, but the thought of Arthur's expertise in chemistry crossed her mind. During her time in Illuxar, Celine had developed a keen interest in perfumery. Despite her modest income, she always made a point to visit perfume shops to explore the latest releases. Her passion for fragrance even led her to enroll in a week-long course in perfume making. However, she soon realized that extracting oils from various flowers required an abundance of blooms, causing her to abandon her aspiration of becoming a perfumer.

"This time, your dream will become a reality, Celine!" she exclaimed with a smile.

Living in Craenitus for two years, Celine had observed a notable absence of strong scents. Only the nobility had the privilege of bathing with fragrant spices or floral waters, although even those aromas faded quickly. Celine was surprised when she encountered soap in Craenitus for the first time—it lacked any scent at all.

"I assumed they'd have a pleasant aroma from bathing with floral water, but evidently not," Celine mused, leaning back in her chair. Her eyes shifted to the completed letter before her. Opting for carrier pigeons seemed the most efficient method, ensuring swift delivery. Celine rang her bell, and a servant promptly entered.

"Please dispatch this via carrier pigeon," she instructed, handing over the letter, now sealed with a dark brown seal.

"Of course, my lady." The servant took the letter and left the room. Celine retrieved her pen, ready to resume her work. Alongside the alchemy book she had been studying for weeks, she placed a new sheet of paper labeled 'Perfume and Aromatherapy Liquid Soap Formulation'. The Brown Estate's revenue stream had dwindled due to Celine's reduction of taxes for the western populace and her lack of business ventures over the past year. Income primarily consisted of incentives from the Royal Family, serving as compensation for her direct involvement in the border war. Celine pondered strategies for initiating her inaugural business endeavor.

Meanwhile in Illuxar, buildings that once towered high now lay flattened to the ground. The cries of children and women echoed everywhere. Even though the war had only been raging for 5 months, Illuxar had already lost much. The only place standing firm was the presidential palace. It had been turned into a prison for captives.

The sky darkened due to the smoke from enemy bombs. The lands in the forest were ravaged by digging at various points. It seemed the enemy was searching for something buried in the forest. Perhaps that's why they had requested permission to hunt in the forest for the past 4 years.

"Has the president given any information about where they've hidden the artifact?" A man with full military attire asked his subordinate. A sword at his waist indicated he was from the opposing side.

"Not yet, sir. He's staying tight-lipped even after being tortured," the young man replied, furrowing the man's brows.

"In that case, just kill him."

"Understood, sir!" After saluting, the young man left.

"Caspiel! Unit 02 reports they've found a chest in the western part of Illuxar." Another man entered, with similar military attributes to the one called Caspiel.

"Your Highness." Caspiel bowed respectfully.

"No formalities here; we're comrades on the battlefield," asserted the Crown Prince, his crimson gaze fixed upon Caspiel.

"Direct all troops to head towards the west of Illuxar, and leave some to guard here," advised the Crown Prince.

"Unnecessary, Your Highness. I believe our presence will suffice," interjected Caspiel. Having fought alongside one another for five months, their once-strained relationship had evolved.

"You underestimate the danger, Caspiel. That crate could be yet another trap," cautioned the Crown Prince.

"In that case, let us verify it. Come, Azoth. We must hasten, Celine awaits my return, and I yearn for home."