The Mansion Awaits Spring - Chapter 183

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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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Chapter 183
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“Have I always been this impatient……?”
April rested both elbows on the table and pressed her temples hard.
Many sailors had fallen ill from the long time adrift, so she’d sent them all to the hospital. Even those without obvious ailments were made to get checked.
The moment those sailors returned from the hospital and came back to the sailors’ quarters, they began pestering April relentlessly.
“We’re right here—why hire other sailors?”
“Early September still has half a month left. If we miss that ship, you’d have us sitting idle for six months, wouldn’t you, Head of House?”
It had been only days since their return, yet they were already clamoring for her to send them back out to sea.
April found it unbelievable that even sailors—people who loved the sea—would insist on returning after only two weeks, and that stopping them was the only way to prevent this situation.
At the center of the sailors’ quarters where they lodged was what was probably the longest table on Right Island.
April sat at the head of that table, sighing and ignoring the sailors’ pleas, when Irsa, seated to her immediate right, laughed warmly.
“Our Head of House’s patience is famous among everyone here. You even took in those criminals.”
At her words, April sighed and spoke.
“If my patience has no problems, then these sailors must be the problem, right?”
“Not quite. Right Island sailors are just like this naturally. So send us back out!”
“I’ve already said no.”
“But why!”
“You spent nearly a year at sea, and were adrift on top of that. You barely made it back alive, and you want me to send you out again after just two weeks?”
“Still, there’s no captain like me for this voyage! Did you make any contingency plans while I was away at sea?”
“Nothing like that. You’ll rest, and we depart in April next year.”
“After all the preparations for departure, you’re saying you’ll stop the trade I just started because of our health?”
“No one gets to live life exactly as they please or according to plan. The trade is my concern, and I’ve given all of you enough money to live on until April’s departure. Yet you’re insisting on going to sea anyway, right now.”
“There’s that, of course. But more than that……”
Irsa scratched her neck, looking somehow embarrassed, and continued.
“We’re preparing for war.”
April fell silent at her words.
Then one sailor with three children spoke up.
“If war comes, food supplies get cut off, and with just the potatoes grown here, I can’t survive such a long period. I realized this was war preparation when we came back. But the food supplies we brought this time will barely see us through winter.”
“……”
“That’s why I have to go back out, Head of House. My life can’t be more important than my children’s lives, right? Not to me.”
Whenever her emotions welled up, April had developed a habit of clenching her teeth without thinking.
As a child, she’d been quick to anger and quick to cry. As an adult burdened with responsibilities, she’d learned that a single outburst of anger or tears became her weakness.
Irsa spoke.
“And then there’s the liquor—this remarkable liquor we have. We’re going to sell it and come back. I know quality spirits, and that one will sell like nothing else. It’s the kind of drink that will sell anywhere in this world.”
April fell into thought.
It seemed impossible to stop these people. And truthfully, now wasn’t the time for leisure anyway.
She gazed quietly at the glass before her. This distilled spirit, shimmering with golden light, had been given a new name to match its new launch.
Since Left Island had to be its primary market, and the name Lunos carried poor associations there, they’d chosen “Knoke” instead—a word meaning hill.
To aesthetically suppress concerns about safety, they’d placed a simple white, thin label on a beautifully crafted bottle.
April had learned from Pejin that Left Island regarded white as more elegant and refined.
Upon that label, the spirit’s name was written in thin, graceful lettering.
Irsa lifted the bottle and held it up to the light of a gas lamp.
“I can’t wait to sell this spirit.”
Irsa had tasted it a few times back when it was illicit liquor, but it hadn’t moved her the way it did now.
April’s distillery had truly created something remarkable. And every sailor who disembarked was captivated by it.
Like any true spirit connoisseur, Irsa first drank with her eyes. She felt the aroma bloom across her palate.
She set the bottle down on the table with a sharp thunk. It didn’t break, even handled roughly by sailors.
Irsa continued.
“Now that we’ve learned the route, we’ll return much faster. And you can’t even imagine—”
“Imagine what?”
When April asked, Irsa pointed toward where the manor stood and spoke.
“How powerful the Lunos Family crest painted on our hull truly is. We were welcomed at every port. People traded with us in good faith and provided us lodging and provisions. They did all this hoping to look good to us, confident we’d bring even finer goods on our next voyage.”
“……”
“Once I crossed the sea and met people, I finally understood how vast the Lunos Family is. How widely it spreads. I promised them I’d return soon with fine goods. So I want to bring them this spirit quickly. I need to keep the promise made under the Lunos Family name.”
April exhaled a low sigh.
Even these sailors couldn’t afford to stay with their families for more than a few days before returning to sea.
Knowing that this voyage was the lifeblood of Right Island, they’d resolved to go to sea.
Yet they were persuading her by invoking the Lunos Family name.
Irsa clearly knew the best way to change her mind.
After much thought, April finally spoke.
“Come back safely.”
“I knew you’d say that.”
The Navigator spoke and grinned broadly.
April poured herself another glass of Knoke, drained it, and left the sailors’ quarters.
The Navigator watched her leave without even a goodbye, like the fishermen of September, and spoke to the captain.
“She’s a good woman. Always pretends otherwise, though.”
At this, the captain laughed heartily—a sound of agreement.
A few days later, bottles carefully secured one by one in wooden crates were divided between two merchant vessels and loaded aboard. They set out quietly from Right Island at dawn.
* * *
Word that the ships arriving at Lunos Port carried food supplies reached the Emperor’s ears through Empire sailors in Polana before the vessels even arrived.
Then came news that the ships had been adrift, and now news that the vessel had returned safely to Lunos Port.
An enormous quantity of food sacks had been unloaded at the dock. It was enough for every person on Right Island to survive the winter.
They’d managed to load such vast quantities onto a fast ship with limited cargo capacity and succeeded despite the perilous voyage.
Pejin set out for the Imperial Palace to meet with Emperor Augustus Lilihil.
Word that April had received her food-laden ship back reached the Emperor’s ears, so summoning her husband was only natural. Though this time, he’d actually come first himself.
Recently, various incidents had occurred throughout the Empire. Pejin had resolved each with extraordinary diligence, and as a result, his name value within the Empire had been soaring lately.
The Emperor well understood why such a busy man had come seeking him.
“I was about to call for you anyway. I wasn’t sure when to summon you without interfering—you’ve been so occupied.”
“You may call upon me at any time. Your Majesty’s orders take absolute priority.”
The Emperor observed Pejin’s perpetually impassive expression as always. It was no different than usual. Nothing could be discerned from his face.
The Emperor had no intention of engaging in meaningless verbal sparring with him.
Why bother with such things when his power could overwhelm anyway?
Augustus spoke.
“May I speak first?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“April’s ship has returned to Lunos Port with food supplies.”
“I was unaware.”
The Emperor’s anger flared at Pejin’s casual response.
The factory in the Lunos Fiefdom had already stopped operating, cutting off the fuel supply he’d been receiving indefinitely.
Moreover, the revenue from food exports to Right Island had been considerable. The thought of that revenue stream drying up made his head throb.
The Emperor spoke.
“Bring April to the capital. You should live together as a couple.”
“I’m afraid the resistance from the nobles here is still too strong.”
Pejin continued brazenly.
“You could have blamed my wife for the factory explosion instead. Please be patient a little longer……”
Where this anger came from, the Emperor couldn’t say.
A man who’d spent his entire life observing propriety struck Pejin’s face with his hand before he could stop himself.
Pejin seemed momentarily startled by the sudden blow, but his body didn’t even sway. He didn’t even sneer or let out a shallow sigh.
At that unflinching composure, the Emperor deeply regretted striking him.
It was he himself who appeared weak now.

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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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