“Staying here for a while is advantageous, knowing it’s a situation where I can’t go back even if I want to. No guilt, and it’s so simple. If it weren’t for that, many people would have gone back and lived ordinary lives. Isn’t it noticeable that a woman is staying here alone, playing the role of a master for her own gain? Do you understand what I mean?”

As Brody nodded, Conny laughed heartily, meaning ‘as expected.’

Now they passed the warehouse and started walking around the potato fields.
“Our lives are destined to be manipulated by others anyway. There were quite a few who couldn’t protect their parents’ lives while serving as servants to the lord. Some mistresses disliked it if we showed signs of sadness. The suffering is similar, but being able to earn a lot of money? Moreover, being able to choose a husband with my own hands? When did anyone ever imagine such a life?”

“A husband? What are you talking about?”

“Oh, that’s just talk. You see, there are about 60 women here, and the number of men is less than that.”

“Oh, didn’t the Grand Duke leave a similar number when you left here?”

“He did. Ha! Because of someone who did something bad and got expelled. Well, you know, it’s quite nice. Normally, women avoid or suffer because of a man who did something bad, right? But here, isn’t it our bottom? We’re the ones people should protect, and since we can’t leave anyway, we gather and expel the one who did something bad. As a result, only good men remain, well, sort of.”

“I see…”

Such a positive cycle! It might not have been intentional, but it was undoubtedly a good phenomenon for the village and the women.

“Anyway, there are also people who don’t match in age. Haha, and if you don’t force yourself to marry someone you don’t like, it’s even better.”

“Well, not all the remaining men get married just because there are few of them.”

“That’s right, that’s right. We’ve experienced being captives. Therefore, we were a bit skeptical. Moreover, now that we have the opportunity to think and choose whether to get married or not, it’s different. If restrictions on actions are lifted, some want to find a good husband and bring him here, or some want to continue doing this without getting married. It’s amusing to see this for the first time.”

Indeed. In this era, it is a very innovative community. Brody, too, listened eagerly to Conny’s words with interest.

“Well, what about you, Conny?”

“Well, I’m too busy to even think about such things. Well, when I was a servant, many men offered to take me when they liked me. So, if I decide to do it, I suppose I can, haha.”

“Hoho, you’ve already become a grown tree. You seem prepared to become the village chief, Conny.”

“Oh my, that’s an exaggeration. It’s not that easy when you try.”

Conny shook her head. Whether it was humility or sincerity. Then, in a suddenly deep, low voice, she asked quietly.

“By any chance… if the madam returns, I’m willing to yield anytime.”

Unexpected attitude and an unforeseen statement made Brody feel bewildered.

However, without a moment’s hesitation, Brody gave an answer. An answer came out! She was proud of her quick-wittedness.

Hesitating here would not be courteous to Conny and the women here.

“Oh, what would I entrust to someone who left, saying it’s too difficult. I won’t do it~. Can’t do it~.”
Observing Brody’s immediate rejection, Conny widened her eyes and then lightly tapped her forehead.

“Oh, right, snap out of it. You’re not the village chief, nor a lord or lady. It’s inappropriate for you to be here, and I shouldn’t have urged you.”

Conny laughed heartily, tossing a clump of dirt as she let the potato field go.

Her laughter made Brody, too, burst into a bright smile.

With a tingling sensation in her heart, Brody felt an oddly strange feeling. Until now, she didn’t know what this feeling was or why she felt this way.

“Did something good happen?”

Idan hesitated, glancing around for a moment before finally speaking up.

“Huh? Me?”

She pointed at herself with her index finger in response.

While Brody finished wiping her hair with a towel soaked in water, Idan nodded, and Brody grinned in return.

It wasn’t because Idan, who had been somewhat reserved, suddenly struck up a conversation.

Why would she ask such a question? Did I seem happy? Brody wondered.

“Does it look like something good happened?”

Brody asked with pure curiosity, but Idan, realizing her question might sound odd, turned around and answered.

“No, uh, yeah. The woman who came earlier was laughing loudly. I’ve never seen her like that before, so I asked.”

Ah, that’s why she asked.

Upon reflection, Brody felt that her mood wasn’t bad at the moment.

No, it even felt good.

So, Brody nodded her head.

“It seems like it. I think I’m in a good mood.”

After Conny and Brody, the two reunited women, circled the small village and returned, Idan began talking with Conny.

More precisely, she had been waiting to talk to Conny.

She had reported and requested guidance from the men who usually came out to greet guests, but their explanations had loopholes.

And the common phrase they all used was, ‘You should ask Lady Conny about that.’

Idan naturally found out that Conny was the person in charge of this village.

The unexpected but important reports and guidance were being exchanged between Brody and Conny.

It wasn’t because of the formal report, but because of a headache the intimidation of the waxwork Grand Duke made Conny nervous, but she managed to finish the report well.

Because of Brody’s smiling face looking at her, somehow, she felt empowered.

After completing the report, Conny guided Brody and Idan to their accommodations.

It was a building that Conny proudly mentioned was prepared to welcome esteemed guests.

Although it was a small two-story building, it had everything, and it was a clean, tidy, and excellent lodging.

On the first floor, there was a reception room, a dining room that doubled as a banquet hall, and a kitchen. On the second floor, there were two rooms for distinguished guests.

Above all, the most attractive feature was that it had a roof and walls to block the wind, and there was a lively blazing fireplace.
A bed filled with soft straw is indeed a splendid bonus. Brody combed her freshly washed hair with her fingers and waited for the night to come, knowing that tonight would be a special one for her.