The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 212

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Part 2, Chapter 17
“Of course.”
I carefully portioned out the cut seaweed and wrapped it before making my request.
“Once the children try it after you convince them, they’ll absolutely love it.”
In my previous life too, children generally enjoyed seaweed. Foreign children carried it around like a snack.
“There are plenty of salty, crispy snacks, but you don’t find healthy ones like this. It’s rich in minerals, and contains dietary fiber and protein as well.”
“……I’m sorry? That, what does that mean……?”
“It’s fine. I wasn’t saying it expecting you to understand. I just mean it’s good for you in general—but when people hear complicated terms, they find it more convincing, so I went ahead and said it even though I knew you wouldn’t grasp it.”
I set the price high.
Marcel had swept up every bit of seaweed from the Eastern Coast. So for the time being, supply was effectively controlled. Besides, my target was wealthy parents looking for healthy snacks anyway.
“Orders will flood in soon. The Count and Countess just need to handle the sales.”
It was convenient that they were people with experience running a trading company—they didn’t need advice on distribution methods.
“Sell it as quickly as you can.”
At my words, Gerdian raised an eyebrow and managed to get a word in.
“Are you saying that because you’re eager to leave our territory?”
“It’s true I want to get home quickly, but that’s not why. Seasoned seaweed is sensitive to humidity. It gets damp easily. So guide your customers to eat it as soon as possible.”
I added another tip: “Especially for children who don’t eat much—try wrapping the seaweed around rice and serving it to them.”
“It doesn’t feel like someone else’s problem…… Your territory’s difficulties.”
Delmia was remarkably cooperative.
“The Southern Region once fell into hardship because of me. So I understand the Count Russell Family’s situation well. I really want to help.”
And she glanced sideways at Alpheus, adding:
“A c-c-colleague of someone so p-p-precious to me is my ally too…….”
Alpheus simply enjoyed it whenever people gathered around. He spoke happily, waving his mechanical arm.
“For Lady Delmia to sell the seaweed I personally dried—isn’t that a truly beautiful collaboration?”
For a collaboration between two members of the First Five Families, it was remarkably basic.
“Y-yes! I’ll do my b-b-best! The Lord M-m-marquis also did his b-b-best drying the seaweed!”
I watched my brother’s obliviousness and Delmia’s unrequited love play out before my eyes as I ate the seaweed. It was salty and fragrant, the kind that disappeared endlessly.
“But Brisa, once all this seaweed sells out?”
Alpheus tilted his head.
“We’ve harvested every bit of seaweed, and it’ll take quite a while before it grows back. When do we harvest next?”
“Well, actually, seaweed farming would be easier and more productive…….”
Wild seaweed was difficult to harvest and time-consuming. Seaweed farming, on the other hand, was environmentally friendly, and after the initial setup, maintenance costs were relatively low—it had many advantages.
‘With farming, we can produce large quantities of consistent quality, making processing and distribution much easier too.’
While I was lost in thought, Alpheus rolled his shoulders a few times before speaking cheerfully.
“Then I’ll get back to work! Feel free to keep talking!”
With that, Alpheus waved his mechanical hand and left the reception room.
Delmia fidgeted, rolling her eyes before speaking.
“I, I should…… um, l-l-look at the s-s-seaweed…….”
Apparently a person couldn’t change entirely just by suddenly wearing black clothes and a wide-brimmed veiled hat.
‘If Alpheus’s attention naturally developed, farming wouldn’t be impossible. With that heavenly face, the efficiency would be tremendous.’
Before, I’d had no intention of interfering in Alpheus’s romantic life. I’d always avoided involving myself in things I wasn’t confident about.
* * *
Delmia hurried after Alpheus.
Aside from Alpheus, there were many workers in the middle of spreading seaweed widely.
Alpheus stopped in his tracks on the way to the work site.
“Ah, Young Lady.”
The War Hero easily noticed the footsteps of the woman following behind him.
When he turned around, Delmia stopped short and stepped backward.
“It’s f-f-fine to c-c-call me Delmia…….”
Alpheus nodded readily.
“Yes, Delmia! That’s fine! And please call me Alpheus.”
After that, he scratched the back of his head and continued.
“Actually, I’ve been wanting to ask you something.”
For Delmia, who’d come only to sneak a glimpse of Alpheus’s back, this was as shocking as a lightning strike.
“A-anything at all! O-o-o-oh, Alpheus!”
She hurriedly lifted her veil, only to notice the smile fade from Alpheus’s face.
‘……Huh?’
The evening glow, which had begun to fade, cast shadows across Alpheus’s face.
“Have you…… perhaps seen Brisa often? While I was out of my senses and bedridden.”
“Ah.”
Delmia blinked.
“I’ve been traveling across the continent, so I haven’t visited the Sears Territory much.”
It was because of Brisa’s request. Besides, the Sears Territory was always peaceful, so there was no particular reason to go.
“W-why?”
Delmia asked urgently.
“D-did something happen to the Master, I mean, to Brisa?”
“……On the surface, it doesn’t seem like anything happened…….”
Alpheus murmured slowly.
“I need to watch a bit longer. I’ve only just reunited with Brisa recently…….”
“W-what seems off?”
Delmia clenched her fists and asked.
Among those who had entrusted Brisa to Alpheus’s care, the Naisar House would certainly have been included. If something had happened to Brisa during all this time, Delmia truly had no face to show him.
“Is there something that’s not like before? It looked similar to me.”
In response to Delmia’s earnest question, Alpheus shook his head with a faint smile.
“We can’t be exactly the same as before. My sister and I went through something grave, and we were apart for six years.”
Suddenly Delmia noticed bitterness mixed into Alpheus’s smile.
“Truth is, I’m quite confused myself, and this mechanical arm is…… incredibly useful, and incomparable to having my arm cut off entirely, but the sword still feels unfamiliar—I’m uneasy. I’ve wielded a sword my whole life. Of course, training will help…….”
Delmia held her breath.
“I’m afraid I’ll grow weaker, and fail to protect Brisa again…….”
Truth be told, the mechanical arm had caught attention from the start. It was something that didn’t exist on the continent, after all.
But because Alpheus seemed so unbothered by it, she’d thought little of it.
‘Right. To wake up and find six years have passed, with an arm like that attached—of course he’d be confused.’
Rather, accepting it so nonchalantly was the strange part.
‘He’s just hiding it so he doesn’t worry her.’
Delmia gazed at his chiseled face and swallowed hard.
‘So Brisa won’t fret over it.’
Suddenly her chest felt tight.
When would the day come for these siblings to care for each other without worry?
She genuinely wanted to be their strength. She wanted to help these siblings so badly.
So Delmia gathered her courage and made a suggestion.
“C-can I help you d-d-dry the s-s-seaweed?”
Since Brisa wanted to go home, she wanted to lend a hand in finishing the work quickly.
Of course, Alpheus didn’t refuse.
“Then I’d truly be grateful!”
The effect was remarkable.
The moment Delmia awkwardly began handling the seaweed, the other workers, unwilling to let those delicate hands get soiled with black refuse, began moving at several times their usual pace.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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