The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 236

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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, Episode 41
After sending Lea back to Johnston County Territory, a letter arrived almost at once—a courteously worded invitation from Johnston Count.
Yet despite the polite tone, there was no warmth in it, no hint of genuine welcome.
‘Of course. He doesn’t want to discuss his family’s secrets.’
That was only natural—a matter of honor for any noble.
I suspected that even Lea, in the end, hadn’t actually sold that secret to Leopold. She’d simply been suffocating over her future with Petro and had sold her soul to impulse for a moment.
“You’re curious about our story? Then let’s talk all you want in Johnston Territory!”
“I’m not curious.”
In any case, we left the seaweed cultivation in Marcel’s hands, assigned Marcel’s supervision to Jerdian, and set out for Johnston Territory.
* * *
The moment we stepped out of the Warp, a blast of hot wind swept over us.
Alpheus rolled his eyes and undid one button of his shirt.
“Isn’t it too hot here?”
“Button it back up.”
I advised coolly.
“Johnston’s is a distinguished house. You need to conduct yourself properly.”
“But it’s so hot. The humidity is terrible—I’m sweating buckets.”
Alpheus fanned himself with his hand fan as he spoke.
“It’s still the Eastern Region, after all!”
“Much further south than most. It’s actually the far edge of the east, but hotter than most of the Southern Region. There’s no winter here at all.”
The path from the Warp to Johnston’s estate was treacherous. Humid winds rising from the sea crashed against the mountain ranges, creating thick fog and lush forest.
“Oh! A monkey! Brisa, there’s a monkey!”
“Why? Finally found a friend at your own level?”
We were distracted by the unfamiliar vegetation the whole way, but eventually Johnston Count’s estate appeared in view.
Lea was waiting at the main gate, and the moment she spotted our carriage, she came bounding toward us.
“Briiiiisaaa!”
Her face looked as if she’d been waiting for a friend, not a lottery ticket. I’d have to settle that one with her later.
“Father is waiting.”
The instant I stepped down from the carriage, Lea linked her arm through mine and started chattering.
“I’m not sure if anything will come of it. But the retainers are already incredibly excited—they keep saying the Farming Genius Siblings are coming. They’re all crowding around wanting to see the Marquis Sears and his sister.”
Despite all the difficulties, the house clearly still commanded a number of vassal families, as befitted a lineage of such prestige.
I followed Lea into the meeting hall with Alpheus, and indeed there sat an aged Johnston Count and several other nobles.
Immediately, everyone’s eyes fixed on Alpheus’s prosthetic arm.
‘Ah.’
I realized this was the first time he’d stood before a gathering of unfamiliar nobles.
Eyes encountering something unfamiliar always carried the stain of fear and contempt.
The memory of that imperial reception came back to me, standing in this conference hall full of strangers.
Ethan had picked a quarrel with him for no reason, and the Empress Dowager had treated Alpheus as if he were invisible. Just as I was about to open my mouth slowly to deflect attention from his prosthetic arm—
“We welcome our honored guest.”
Johnston Count walked out himself and shook Alpheus’s hand without hesitation.
“Marquis Sears, better late than never—I congratulate you on your recovery.”
“Johnston Count, it is an honor to meet you.”
Alpheus bowed exactly as I’d taught him. I was about to follow the same protocol when—
“The entire continent is indebted to House of Sears.”
Johnston Count looked directly at Alpheus, still gripping his prosthetic hand firmly.
“Any in this Empire who have received the Defense Scroll must forever be grateful to the Marquis and honor his name.”
Something swelled up inside me.
It was the first time.
The first time someone I didn’t know had taken care of Alpheus’s honor.
Six years ago, Alpheus had sacrificed himself to capture the Empress Dowager alive. After that, all the Empire’s people had reaped the benefits.
‘But what was left for Alpheus?’
I’d had no choice but to think that way because I knew people were selfish and calculating.
While Alpheus lay armless and unconscious, the world had forgotten him as if it were nothing.
I understood that was how the world worked.
I understood everyone was busy with their own lives.
I understood Alpheus had acted not for the Empire but for me.
But it wasn’t truly only for me.
Had Alpheus been more selfish, he would have locked the doors of Sears with me and shut us away.
He alone could have protected me from the Dark Mages. Let the continent become a field of vampires—he had the strength to guard at least himself and his people.
But that he didn’t make that choice was because, after all, he possessed a righteous heart.
In truth, the Emperor himself should have praised that righteousness. Bestowing a medal and elevating the Sears title would have been more than enough recompense for such sacrifice.
Yet the Emperor remained silent. Even now that Alpheus had awakened, he hadn’t sent so much as a letter of congratulation.
Of course I’d expected it—that’s the sort of man the Emperor was. He’d shown no particular gratitude even to the Magic Tower that had created the Defense Scroll.
Not even the Crown Prince, but Maximus had gone about promoting the mass production of Defense Scrolls, only to hear whispers that he was “blinded by imperial ambition.”
So I wasn’t surprised, and I’d thought it enough that Alpheus simply lived and stood beside me—but…
“I have always wished to express my gratitude. What an honor for this old man to meet the Marquis in person and convey my thanks.”
Suddenly I realized I had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
For someone—anyone—to acknowledge Alpheus’s sacrifice.
To treat him as a true hero, to recognize his achievements.
Especially from those “distinguished nobles” who had looked down on him.
“That is why, though modest, I have gathered all those connected to Johnston’s name.”
At the same time, the retainers quietly rose and bowed in unison to Alpheus.
“Once more, we thank you, Marquis.”
Even Lea and her brothers joined them.
Alpheus looked utterly bewildered. And well he might—he was a hero who had ended the Northern War, yet no one had ever arranged such a moment for him before.
“Um, what?”
The hero, confronted with the unexpected, had malfunctioned.
“I merely… did what was necessary?”
It was a tragic fact that I hadn’t managed to train him for this either.
I was about to hastily explain that his brain too had been partially replaced with machinery and was still undergoing rehabilitation when—
“For a hero of such turbulent times to possess the virtue of humility as well—the Beviano Imperial House is truly blessed. It seems the Empire’s fortune has not yet exhausted itself.”
Alpheus didn’t understand, but I was inwardly alarmed.
‘In these difficult times, because the strongest one among you has no greed, the Beviano Imperial House continues to rule the Empire.’ That’s what it meant.
Taken to its furthest interpretation, it even carried the implication of treason. It was a measure of how loyal these gathered retainers were to Johnston House.
‘They have no trust in the Imperial Family at all.’
I held my breath, eyes only moving.
“We are also grateful for the Young Lady’s contributions.”
His gaze turned to me.
“We have heard that the prices of Northern cheese and Western wheat have not risen thanks entirely to the Young Lady’s efforts.”
“I bow before the Tiger of the East, Johnston Count.”
I answered according to proper etiquette.
“I have accomplished little. The credit belongs to the craftsmen and farmers who listened to my words and worked so diligently.”
“Hehe…”
Johnston Count studied me quietly. As if I were truly the interesting subject, his eyes gleamed with quiet light. Then he spoke low.
“I have heard certain matters from Lea. But I think it would be good to discuss them first.”
At a subtle signal from him, the retainers all rose and quietly left the meeting hall.

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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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