Chapter 17
That day, the scribe of Roetingen was ordered to write a detailed report on the damage and enemy deaths. The Margrave, who had seemed to do nothing upon arriving in Roetingen, finally sat in his seat and began to move the entire city into action.
“Fix everything that was exposed as weak during this incident. Start with that. Don’t worry about the cost — use the funds from the castle.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“And renovate the port extensively. Check customs and trade routes again. Tell the customs chief to come here, and bring all inspection logs and shipping records from the last five years.”
That was just the beginning. Akelans began giving out orders rapidly, and Colonel Hunts and the scribe, who were nodding and responding with “yes, yes,” soon looked completely dazed.
“Your Excellency,” Colonel Hunts stammered.
“That’s… even the inspections and repairs alone are overwhelming right now. The cost is a problem too, and if you also want to go through all the records from the Northern Command… that’s impossible.”
He normally never said things like “impossible,” but he couldn’t help it this time.
“Why not?”
Akelans seemed genuinely confused by this resistance.
“The NeMental tribe was nearly wiped out. Only three survived and returned — the rest were killed. So there won’t be another invasion anytime soon. And now that rumors have spread, other tribes will stay quiet too.”
Akelans quickly and analyzed the situation.
“In that case, Roetingen has gained time. So shouldn’t we use it to inspect facilities, train soldiers, and secure safe trade routes? We have time and things to do — why is it impossible?”
He looked sincerely puzzled.
“I’ll… I’ll try,” said the colonel.
“Not ‘try.’ Do it.”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
Even with a proper military salute, Colonel Hunts felt it was utterly impossible. The moment he delivered Akelans’ orders to the Northern Command, chaos would erupt.
‘Is this even a workload a human can handle?’
He didn’t think so.
Hasollan guessed what was happening when she saw the scribes in the Roetingen castle running around in a frenzy.
‘He’s finally getting serious.’
Now, everyone in the castle would become extremely busy. It had already begun. She was the only one with free time. Even Sir Gidmong was rotating guard duty outside her room with other knights. Akelans couldn’t stand seeing idle officials.
“Where are you going, milady?”
“Into town.”
“In that outfit?”
Her maid looked shocked, but Hasollan said no more. She had a job but hadn’t gone due to the recent trouble. She needed to go to the shop and apologize or at least explain.
She changed her shoes and left, ignoring the maid’s protests.
“Milady!”
The castle was still chaotic after the invasion. Damaged areas were being repaired. Supplies were finally being distributed generously where needed. The dead were cleared and the blood washed away. Amid all this busyness, Hasollan quietly walked out. People who saw her gave polite bows. It was all so strange.
‘None of this makes sense.’
“You can’t go like that, milady!”
The maid was right, and Hasollan knew it. She had become a known figure due to the invasion. She wasn’t supposed to act like this. But even before she died, she had always clearly separated what she must and mustn’t do. Did she still have to live like that?
“Don’t follow me. I’ll be fine on my own.”
Though she agreed inwardly, Hasollan did the opposite of what she knew was right. She left the castle. Near the gates, soldiers and nobles were rushing into the castle. One person was even pushing a cart full of documents — probably summoned by Akelans.
“Out of the way!”
The maid’s voice faded. Maybe she gave up or went to tell Akelans. Hasollan didn’t care either way. Roetingen was cold, with long winters and short warm seasons. She pulled her coat tighter and kept walking.
“They’re fixing the walls?”
“All the stonemasons were called early this morning.”
“Since the Margrave arrived, everything’s changed.”
“Philip died yesterday.”
“That guy?”
People chatted as they went to work. Hasollan took a deep breath of cold air and walked toward the market. The shop she worked at sold yarn, lace, and mainly fabrics.
“Welcome.”
The shop owner, speaking out of habit, straightened her back when she saw Hasollan.
“I’m sorry. There was an attack yesterday, and I couldn’t come to work.”
She worried she might be fired.
“Are you hurt?”
The owner, a woman in her mid-30s, asked calmly.
“No, I’m fine. The shop wasn’t damaged?”
“Thankfully, no.”
“That’s good. Come in, we have a lot to do.”
“Yes.”
“You’re alone today?”
“Yes.”
Hasollan took off her coat and got to work. The owner was Lisa Taylor — simple, calm, and uninterested in anything unnecessary.
“Just call me Lisa. Only customers use formal titles.”
“Okay.”
“How much do you know about fabrics?”
Hasollan blinked. Her mind flashed to the fine fabrics she had seen while working in the Imperial Palace. Beautiful materials were used for the emperor’s robes.
‘Of course, Solaris made use of them — all for free.’
She clenched her teeth at the memory.
“I know just the basics.”
“Then I’ll show you our most popular products first.”
Hasollan learned for two hours: how to cut fabric, store it safely, identify threads, and keep records.
“Business won’t be great today,” Lisa said, bringing out account books and receipts.
“We’ll organize paperwork instead. You said you can do accounting?”
“Of course.”
“It’s hard to find people who can read and write here. Thanks to the port, there are a few.”
Lisa handed her a pencil.
“You said you were once a government worker. Why’d you quit?”
“It didn’t suit me.”
They worked quietly, sorting documents. Outside, no customers passed by — just people carrying building materials. After yesterday’s brutal attack, it was to be expected.
“So quiet,” Hasollan muttered.
“People will be back soon. We all need to make a living.”
“Are attacks frequent?”
“Four or five times a year.”
“That’s a lot.”
“Usually the harbor takes the hit, but this time it was the castle. This area stayed mostly quiet, though a mill caught fire.”
Hasollan remembered the black smoke. She thought of the terrifying NeMantel attackers.
“But people are working hard,” Lisa murmured, looking outside.
“They never moved this quickly before.”
“Really?”
“We used to do it ourselves. Seeing large-scale repairs like this only happened after reports reached Impel.”
Hasollan recalled previous damage reports. Once or twice, Akelans had gotten fed up and personally came north. She had gone with him.
‘Such a temper…’
She shook her head slightly. Just then, the door opened. Both women looked up.
“Solan.”
How did he know she had just cursed him? Akelans’ handsome face appeared. Seeing her frown, he thought:
‘She hates me.’
Still, he spoke cheerfully.
“Why did you come alone? It’s dangerous.”
“If you’re not buying anything, leave. I’m working.”
“I’ll buy. Something that suits you.”
Though she didn’t want his gift, the sale was still good. She glanced at Lisa, who waved her off to help him.
“What should I show you?”
He stared at her. Normally those kinds of clothes were made of fur. Did they sell fur here? She started pulling out thick fabric, but Lisa was quicker, laying out winter materials.
“I’ve given orders for restoration,” he said casually while browsing.
“But everyone complains. They say it’s impossible…”
This color didn’t suit her. Maybe that one?
“I didn’t expect this from Roetingen’s people. You weren’t like that.”
She returned the fabrics he set aside.
“No, I wasn’t.”
Her tone was indifferent. She kept Lisa in the corner of her eye, but the shop owner didn’t seem interested.
“You were really capable.”
“Was I?”
Her voice turned cold.
“I always thought I was incompetent. You never praised me — only asked why I couldn’t do more.”
She laid out the most expensive fabrics.
“I gave everything to meet your expectations, but you never expected anything. I was so stupid.”
She added fur fabric.
“Total is 280 florins.”
Lisa looked up in shock at the high price. Hasollan looked at Akelans, indifferent.
‘I should’ve squeezed more out of him.’
She had been loyal enough to deserve more than a duchy. She’d earned the title of empress. She gave him her heart too — far more than he deserved.
“If you want to buy, do. If not, leave. And don’t expect me to work for you again. I have no desire to.”
He had used her cheaply. One compliment, one smile, and she worked harder. Akelans knew it — and used her for 14 years. What a bastard.
“I should at least know what you like.”
“No need. Do you even know what I like?”
He didn’t. All he knew was that she always dressed elegantly.
She gave a thin smile.
“You never cared. But now you should start. Normal people aren’t like me. The people of Roetingen are very capable — stop complaining. If you’re not buying, leave.”
She no longer held back her words or thoughts. Push a bit more, and she’d curse out loud.
“I’ll find out what you like about myself,” he said, regaining his usual tone at the end.
