To the Ainsworth County ①

 
 
 ☆
 
 
 Three days after departing from the Old Owleyes Territory.
 
 Our carriages had entered the former Eastern Gracimento Royal Territory given to me by His Majesty… what is now 『The Ainsworth County』.
 
 “『Pass the Riine River border, is a vast land of abundance』”
 
 While I looked out at the vast plains spreading outside the window, Anna nodded at my murmuring.
 
 “Ojou-sama. What is that?”
 
 “I forgot the title, but it was written in a book I read a long time ago. Don’t you think this scene is exactly just like that?”
 
 “Certainly, it’s got an 『abundant』 feeling, huh!”
 
 Anna nodded in agreement.
 
 And then, having silently been thinking about things up till now, Sofia raised her head.
 
 “Yusnarl Karbater’s 『Land of Abundance』, the opening paragraph. A novel written about 30 years ago. It’s a story about a main character who, tired of living in the capital, comes to the countryside as if escaping, interacts with the people, and eventually goes and returns to the royal capital, it writes in detail the history and culture of the Gracimento region and the people’s livelihoods, and is an extremely informative book.”
 
 “Yeah, yeah. It’s that story.”
 
 Hearing me say that, Sofia squinted her eyes in suspicion.
 
 “Ojou-sama is rather knowledgeable, huh. That book is recognised by some nobles for its high-quality literature, and was originally a popular novel for fellow fiancees for its theme of 『Forbidden Love』.”
 
 “Guh”
 
 I was at a loss for words.
 
 Certainly, now that she mentioned it, I remember borrowing it from the royal capital’s library out of curiosity.
 
 “I-, it had that kind of content?”
 
 “Yes. It was composed of very lyrical and beautiful sentences.”
 
 Sofia nodded without a change in expression.
 
 “I, I only remember that the scene description was stunning.”
 
 “… if you read it once more after growing up, maybe you’ll get a different impression.”
 
 Sofia’s follow-up was cruel.
 
 “Y-, yeah.”
 
 Saying that while averting my eyes, I once again gazed out the window.
 
 “——— Ah, I can see the town.”
 
 Not long after, we arrived in Prigracim, the territory capital.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 “Welcome to Prigracim. Your Excellency Count Ainsworth, thank you for making the long journey here!”
 
 Without the exaggerated welcome when arriving at the town of Owlforest, we were greeted by the lively guards at the gates, and our carriage entered the town.
 
 “It somehow feels like a cosy town, doesn’t it?”
 
 I replied 『Yeah』 to Anna, who let slip her impressions as she looked at the cityscape outside the window.
 
 Just as she said, the town of Prigracim is one size smaller than Owlforest, and has a leisurely atmosphere flowing about it.
 
 “But well, I don’t hate it.”
 
 I murmured that.
 Then Sofia opened her mouth.
 
 “Up till now the territory has been directly controlled by the royal family, the public order is stable, and as long as there aren’t any disasters, then everything’s fine. I looked at the past 5 years income and expenditure reports, but it seems the budget was allocated to flood control and monster subjugation, and not much investment was put into commerce and industries. Also, since agriculture is the core industry, 『Ainsworth territory』 is characterised by small-scale villages scattered around in order to maintain the vast farmlands.”
 
 “I see. It’s really easy to understand. As expected of you, Sofia.”
 
 When I said that and grinned, she slightly averted her gaze and murmured 『No…』.
 
 At a glance, those gestures may seem unsociable, but I know that it’s actually her trying to hide her embarrassment.
 
 Seeing that, I grinned, and then she softly cleared her throat.
 
 “Be that as it may, there’s a big gap in what you see in the ledgers and reports and what you actually see. The inspection this time is probably going to be difficult, but will it really not be a problem to go to every village and do an inspection?”
 
 “Of course. From now on, I’ll be living together with everyone, so I thought I’d properly see how they live their lives.”
 
 When I replied as such, Sofia’s eyes widened just slightly.
 
 “Ojou-sama will be accompanying us?”
 
 “Naturally. If the territory lord doesn’t go with, then doesn’t it no longer have any meaning?”
 
 “——— that’s right. Originally, that’s how it’s supposed to be.”
 
 Saying so and lowering her gaze, Sofia tightly gripped her fists.
 
 “?”
 
 Tilting my head, this time it was Anna who put on a proud expression for some reason.
 
 “Sofia-san. Don’t you think we’re blessed?”
 
 In response, she spoke briefly, just saying
 “Yes,”
 looking delighted in some way.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 “Thank you for waiting, Your Excellency Count Ainsworth.”
 
 Arriving at the not-so-big but elegantly styled mansion, we were greeted by a middle-aged man that I recognised.
 
 “Good work on the long journey.”
 
 “Thank you very much for your greetings, Viscount Miodyne. I believe we last saw each other in the royal capital.”
 
 When the viscount gave a courteous standing bow, I curtsied in return.
 
 The viscount is the representative dispatched by His Majesty to manage the Eastern Gracimento royal territory.
 
 After my conferage, he said 『I’ll stay here till she takes over』 and expressly too the trouble to come to the mansion and greet me.
 Well, I guess he’s a respectable person.
 
 He himself is a noble of the robe without any territory, and in the fifth year of his five year term, so even if I hadn’t come, it seems he would’ve returned to the royal capital in a few months.
 
 “To His Excellency Marquis Owleyes, I apologise for not having contacted in a while.”
 
 The viscount then similarly greeted Otou-sama, who disembarked from the carriage which followed after us, and said 『You must be tired』, before immediately guiding us to our rooms.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 With Viscount Miodyne and my family after dinner.
 
 We were in the lounge, talking lightly about what would happen from here on.
 
 “Then, are you sure it’s fine to do the hand-over after a month’s work is complete?”
 
 “Yes. For your kids too, the sooner the better, no?”
 
 “Oh my… Thank you for your concern. It is as you say, if I can return to the royal capital sooner, I’d be able to prepare them better to that extent for admission to the academy. ——— However, although there is a good amount of hand-over data…”
 
 Seeing the viscount’s worried expression, I turned my head to my proud administrative official, who was seated upright next to me.
 
 “Sofia. How is it from your opinion?”
 
 “I have scanned over all the data that could be confirmed in the royal capital. One month later, when Ojou-sama returns here, we shall complete the hand-over.”
 
 Sofia decisively declared as such.
 
 “——— and so it seems, Sir Miodyne.”
 
 I smiled wryly, and for a moment, His Majesty’s representative looked at Sofia with his eyes wide, before giving me a similarly wry smile.
 
 “As expected of the young lady of Viscount Westford I’ve heard rumours of… Understood. Then I’ll get fired up and give my all for the hand-over as well!”
 
 Thus, we decided on a schedule for the hand-over.