[Chapter 106] Culture of Maindland

"Oh, the Eastern Palace's garden looks unrecognizable. It was dull last year, but this year, with the hanging lanterns, it has become dazzlingly beautiful."

"My goodness! Our family crest is engraved on the soup tureen. Does it mean the soup made with carrots from our estate? How thoughtful."

"Advisor, come this way. Let me introduce Lady Roder. Lady Roder, the Advisor here is a graduate of the Southern Academy! Impressive, isn't it?"

The White Swan Castle quickly filled up every day with new guests arriving.

Neris, who was in charge of overseeing the harvest festival, was extremely busy, but she made sure not to neglect the guests' hospitality. The guests gathered and praised her hospitality.

***

"In fact, if she hadn't been so busy, they would have chattered in her ear all day long. How refreshing this combined Southern and Central style hospitality is. How much their delicate care is appreciated by them.

Neris thought they wouldn't be as happy as they seemed. After all, she wasn't one of the locals here, so she couldn't follow all their implicit rules.

However, it was a fact that they were showing an unusual amount of kindness towards her. The genuine expressions of joy and admiration that momentarily appeared could only be described as sincere.

'Why?'

Neris found them strange. A random group of people, with no apparent reason to impress her... In places where such people gathered, she had always been excluded and rejected.

So she naturally expected the same this time, but why?

'Is it because of the rumors?'

The rumor that she was directly related to the hero Elendria?

But what benefit could an ancient lineage like that bring to them now?

Regardless of the reason, they seemed pleased. And they were taking the harvest festival more seriously than any participant Neris had seen so far.

"This time, our region's apples will win, mark my words!"

"When it comes to apples, it's our Rodelen! Let's see who will have the last laugh!"

A competition to select the finest apple among those submitted from each region of Maindland.

"We need to make a strong impression at the first day's ball. I can't stand seeing my fiancé daring to dance with another woman!"

"Our child is turning sixteen this year and attending the evening ball for the first time. If it's alright with you, would your lord and partner...?"

A ball held every few days to entertain the guests.

"If we catch a deer this time, I'll definitely make a winter coat for the lady."

"I'm so obsessed with rare animals that I haven't caught a single one. Let's see if I can this year."

Even hunting, which was popular here combining the necessity of life, was quite popular.

All the guests were participating in at least one event, and there didn't seem to be anyone lacking enthusiasm. This led to some competitive spirits igniting and fights breaking out among them, but it wasn't at an unbearable level.

However, to ease the guests' spirits, Neris occasionally divided them into groups for card games or tea time.

And when the entertainment ran out, Neris called for Ellen and made a suggestion.

"Ellen, it might be a good idea to tidy up the Eastern Palace garden. Is that possible?"

Since the Eastern Palace garden was a small courtyard, it could quickly become a pleasant space if a professional took care of it.

There were no safety issues in just touring the garden, as it was a small area, and it was a bit of an eyesore as it was visible from the main hall.

So it was a casual suggestion, but surprisingly, Ellen looked unsure of what to do.

"What should I do, Miss? It might be best to ask His Grace about tidying up the Eastern Palace garden."

Cledwyn had never commented on how Neris decorated the castle. He had simply said, 'Do as you wish' to all her suggestions, whether it was about hanging lanterns in the serene Eastern Palace garden, bringing out different tapestries for the Main Hall, or replacing the runner on the dining table.

The Eastern Palace garden didn't need major changes, just a little grooming. But since it was Cledwyn's palace, there was no harm in asking him.

"Really? Okay, then."

"Leave the Eastern Palace garden alone."

In Cledwyn's office, where reports were made several times a day, he said that to Neris.

It was unexpected. Neris raised an eyebrow.

"Is there a special reason? The other gardens are all groomed, and there's enough manpower."

"It's better to just leave it be."

Now Neris could distinguish between Cledwyn's expressions of 'absolutely not,' 'ready to approve,' and 'currently negative but persuadable,' thanks to the hundreds of times she had exchanged opinions in his office.

And her accuracy in distinguishing them was so high that other managers subtly asked her about the lord's mood.

'It's not that hard to distinguish.'

Looking at Cledwyn now, Neris didn't think he would oppose her touching it to the end if she insisted. However, there was no need to necessarily meddle with the Eastern Palace garden, so Neris acquiesced and withdrew.

"Understood."

"Anything else?"

"The number of tournament applicants has exceeded 400. It's within the expected range given participants coming from all over Maindland, but there are more troublemakers causing a ruckus in the city than expected."

"For the common folk? Among themselves?"

"Both, but there have only been two reported incidents involving the common folk so far. One was a fight between people from regions traditionally at odds with each other."

"Tenfold."

"It will likely go higher. If common folk are harmed, they'll immediately inform the guards, but in cases where they fight among themselves, they might agree to keep it hidden."

Neris had only seen a life-threatening duel once before. While there were often disputes among knights in the South, most issues were resolved discreetly, and open displays of animosity were rare.

But the people here were so hot-blooded that if members of rival families clashed, they would jump in first. Stabbings were not uncommon.

"While it's free for blood to boil and hasten one's own demise, causing harm to the community or disturbing the peace will result in disqualification from the tournament. Intentionally causing harm to participants from other regions to disrupt the matches is considered a grave offense."

"Understood."

"Anything else?"

"No. Are you busy? Shall we go?"

"No, let's take a short break."

If Neris hadn't known that Cledwyn handled more work than her every day, it would have been an annoying remark.

"If you want to rest, you can do it alone."

"Can't we rest together? Is there a reason why not?"

Well, there was no reason why two people couldn't rest together... It was a moment to catch their breath anyway.

It was time for tea. Neris glanced at the teapot.

"Dora, bring some tea."

"No, not tea."

As Dora was about to leave upon hearing Neris's instructions, Cledwyn stopped her. Sitting at his desk, he chuckled and looked intently at Neris.

"Let's go get some fresh air."

"The balcony? Sure."

Cledwyn made an expression of amazement for the first time today.

For Neris, 'taking a breather' meant a short break within the time to have a cup of tea. 'Drinking' meant pouring tea from the teapot into the cup and drinking it all in one go.

Although she had many tasks to accomplish from her past life, she had naturally acquired this skill despite being relatively inexperienced.

If she went out of the room, it would be a waste of time. Since Cledwyn was also very busy, she thought they should save time, right? Neris blinked, not understanding the English.

"Go out to the balcony to catch your breath."

"Go out to the balcony to catch your breath? Really, just take a breath and come back?"

"Don't people usually do that?"

"No one does that."

Well, I did that... Nellucian and Camille said it seemed appropriate when they saw me taking a break.

Neris was in a dilemma. She was worried if she had said something 'strange' compared to others.

However, Cledwyn didn't look at her as if she was 'strange.' He just smiled and got up from his seat.

"Let's take a walk. You've been working since morning, right?"

"I did take a walk with the Posever couple in the morning."

"Besides that. That was work."

"A walk is a walk."

"Well, if you don't want to walk with me, you can keep saying so."

It wasn't that. She was just a bit embarrassed.

Neris replied with a puzzled expression.

"I don't mind. I just suddenly don't understand why we're walking."

"People need rest, and since there are two people here who need rest, and taking a short walk outside is a good break. Can't we do that?"

"There's no reason why not. Okay, let's go."

Neris turned and left without hesitation. Cledwyn quickly approached her and started walking beside her.

As they left Cledwyn's office and went out to the main palace courtyard, they saw guests enjoying the sunshine. Hilbrin, who was walking with his wife and now eight-year-old daughter, recognized them and greeted them.

"Your Grace. Advisor."

"Lady, Miss Gebertha, Lord Hilbrin."

Cledwyn nodded slightly to them, and Neris greeted each of them. Hilbrin's eyes sparkled as if he was very pleased with the fact.

"Are you two out for a walk together?"

"Yes, we are."

And what does that look like? Neris replied nonchalantly. Hilbrin's wife nudged him with her elbow.

"This is nice to see. Why is that?"

Hilbrin, who had been annoyed, finally closed his mouth after his wife nudged him twice on the side. Their daughter, Gebertha, looked at her father with a fresh face.

Neris couldn't quite understand the whole situation. Perhaps there was some interesting context within their family that she didn't grasp.

"Well then, enjoy your walk."

Hilbrin's wife was a very kind person. After warmly looking at both Cledwyn and Neris, she led her husband and daughter in another direction to continue their walk.

However, those pretending to know the two realized that Hilbrin wasn't done. The nobles who saw the most powerful man in the land and his right-hand man greeted them with shining eyes, and immediately after, they either nudged their sides, grabbed their ears, or stepped on their feet.

"The weather is lovely, Your Grace. Ugh!"

"Who do you think will win this tournament, huh?"

"If you have a moment, aaah!"

Is this the culture of Maindland? Is it considered impolite to talk to others during a walk? Is that why they are being nudged?

Neris continued to puzzle over this, but Cledwyn just chuckled without explaining.

Until they each returned to their respective offices after the walk, she couldn't understand anything, but well.

She didn't feel bad about it.