The maids were astounded.

“Not 10 sets, but 50?”

“Do you not know that this amount is barely enough to make a dress? The mistress isn’t wearing the same uniform as us.”

The maids exchanged glances and nodded.

“Exactly, uniforms. She ordered us to make 50 sets of uniforms.”

“Is the mistress really going to wear a uniform? Are you joking?”

“No, the mistress said she’s concerned our clothes are too thin and told us to make new ones.”

“She told us to… make clothes?”

“Do I need to say it twice?”

When Bonisa took a large step forward, the maids retreated hesitantly.

“Since you didn’t seem to understand, let me repeat: The mistress you complain about told us to make clothes for you first.”

“When did we ever complain…”

Clearly disconcerted this time, they seemed to have understood.

‘Why would the mistress make clothes for us?’

‘Clothes for the maids out of this thick, goodquality fabric?’

Bonisa picked up the fallen fabric with a relieved expression.

The maids stood frozen as she walked away.

It was truly shameless.

Openly criticizing the selfish mistress and yet shamelessly ready to accept the clothes.

Their eyes were drawn to the pile of thick, tightlywoven fabric. If clothes were made from this, the harsh life in the duchy would certainly become more comfortable.

But if this continues…

Then Bonisa’s clear voice came from outside the door.

“If you don’t come now, I’ll have yours excluded.”

Finally, the maids reluctantly picked up the bundles of fabric.

“How can you make all that by yourself!”

“Let’s go together!”

(This is a time marker.)

The promised day arrived. I headed toward the border town with a cart full of tapestries.

As the cart noise rang out, an old lady who was carrying firewood from the yard approached.

“My, what is all this?”

The same old woman with whom I had conversed warmly with the soldiers on my first day here. As the outside became noisy, one or two townspeople came out to look at the cart.

“Each household should take one.”

“My goodness, I’ve never seen tapestries this thick before.”

The old woman touched the tapestry, her face filled with emotion.

“Thank you for saying I’m the blacksmith’s daughter. Thanks to that, I think the trade will go smoothly.”

“Thank you? You’re a duke, so naturally, I should help you.”

I had revealed my identity to them. No strangers come to a village like this, so they would naturally be wary. Concern was brief; they were overjoyed at the arrival of a duke in their otherwise uninteresting village.

“Besides, you’re going through this trouble to save our families, how could we just stand by?”

“That’s right. If only my daughter returns, I could even offer her as a wife.”

Most people in this village had family members who were taken to Kursia. They settled here to await the return of their families who crossed the border once a year. At first hostile towards Kursians, they were now living in a symbiotic relationship.

I benefited greatly from this too.

“Never mind the house, take it quickly.”

“Thank you, Your Grace!”

“Shh, the soldiers will hear.”

I could easily do this much.

(This is a time marker.)

Next was the barracks beyond the fence.

“Have you checked well? Commander.”

Upon my entry, the commander gestured toward the seat opposite him.

I placed the prepared contract on the table.

That impassive face.

It convinced me he had gathered proper information.

As expected.

His tightly closed mouth opened.

“I will trade.”

Nice.

I slid the document across the table with a thin smile.

“It states we will trade 100 pounds of herbs for 2 billion. Just stamp your seal at the bottom.”

Given the large amount of money involved, he read the contract carefully.
He pulled out the seal without hesitation. Once the seal was stamped, 2 billion would be in my hand. I could soon repair the castle. I swallowed hard at the realization. Did he hear that? He looked at me intently.

“Do you have any questions about the contract?”

Then he scrutinized me and asked.

“Who are you?”

The question was expected.

Because I had information even a native of Kurushia wouldn’t know.

He must have suspected I was more than just the daughter of a blacksmith from a small village.

“Stamp the seal first, then I’ll tell you why I know this information.”

I had to get what I wanted before giving him the answer he wanted.

A few seconds of a staring match ensued. I wasn’t the one who gave in. He stamped the contract and handed it over. Now it was my turn.

“I was sent by the landlady of Blandiche.”

I had no intention of revealing my identity.

Because the Duchess dealing directly with a Kurushian meant a potential weakness.

“The Duchess requested this transaction beforehand.”

I posed as the Duchess’ representative and explained the whole story. From my first arrival here to the reason for the transaction. Having heard all this, he let out a frustrated sigh.

“So the lord returns and quickly manages the estate. No wonder you married so fast.”

“He’s a wise person.”