Chapter 82

82. The Fruits of Hard Work (1)

Adelaide was seized by the Countess and dragged into the drawing room. The Countess, seated across from her, was furious.

‘What’s going on?’

Adelaide rolled her eyes and tried to guess.

The Countess began without hesitation. “I heard from Hayward yesterday about why you both are enduring this hardship here.”

“…….”

“He said the Duke is aiming for the throne.”

The directness of the question caught Adelaide off guard, her lips parting slightly before closing again. The lack of political finesse in the Countess’s inquiry made it even more challenging to answer.

If she already knew from Lord Changeling, there was no point in dragging out the conversation.

Based on her observations over the past few days, the Countess was straightforward and plain-spoken. Beating around the bush would be futile. After a moment of deliberation, Adelaide replied simply.

“Yes.”

“So you’re here to win Hayward and the South over to the Duke’s side?”

“Yes.”

“I reject.”

The Countess’s immediate response left no room for consideration. Before Adelaide could utter another word, the Countess continued.

“We want no part in these complicated affairs. Whoever becomes emperor, it’s always the same here. Everyone covets the South’s military power but ignores its circumstances.”

“Countess, this is not something that can be solved by turning a blind eye.”

“No, it won’t. The South won’t care what happens in the Empire, or who’s on the throne.”

“If there is no Empire, there is no South.”

“Hayward has devoted thirty years to the Imperial family, trying to save the South. Yet, all we have left are severe drought and famine.”

The Countess’s tone reflected the long-standing grudge the southerners held against the imperial family. Adelaide bit her dry lip.

“As of today, you are to stop searching for underground water.”

“Countess.”

“I told you before; it’s a pointless endeavor. If water could be found that easily, the Slani River wouldn’t have dried up.”

Adelaide sucked in her breath at the sarcasm in her tone, angry that all her hard work was being disparaged. But the Countess was unyielding.

“Do you even know how much water has been wasted because you’ve deployed soldiers to dig for water?”

“…….”

“Doing nothing is the best help you can offer. Do you understand what I mean?”

Adelaide said, looking the Countess straight in the eye.

“That’s a very irresponsible thing to say.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You said not to involve the South in the Empire’s affairs, but the South is part of the Empire. How can you suggest just standing by while Imperial citizens are dying?””

The Countess’s eyes narrowed. Adelaide continued.

“It’s only going to get worse at this rate, and the only way to fix it is to revive the Slani River.”

“Who doesn’t know that? It’s beyond our power, so we’re letting it go.”

“So you’ll continue to borrow water and food from other estates to supply your people?”

“The rains will come after the dry season, and we’ll be better off if we can hold out until then.”

“You’re just going to wait for the rains and do nothing? And leave the people sick?”

“The affairs of the South will be handled by Hayward and me, without your concern.”

Such obstinacy was exhausting.

Realizing that nothing she said would be heard, Adelaide softened her tone.

“I understand that our efforts may seem futile. But I don’t want to give up on even the slightest possibility.”

“Finding that possibility is the responsibility of the southerners, not yours.”

Countess Haywards said flatly. Adelaide, realizing there was no room for persuasion, finally raised her white flag.

“If that’s how you feel, I understand. Since people have already gathered outside, let us go for today.”

“Do as you wish.”

Adelaide left the parlor with a cold reply. As she headed out of the castle with a heavy heart, Callion approached as if he had been waiting for her.

“Adele, how did your talk with the Countess go?”

He seemed to already know that she had spoken to the Countess. She nodded wordlessly, and he helped her to her horse.

“I was also summoned by the Earl for a discussion. It seems the Countess was quite resolute.”

“Yes, they don’t want to involve the South in the Empire’s affairs and told us to stop searching for water after today.”

“Lord Changeling said the same thing.”

Despite his deep loyalty to the Imperial Family, Changeling’s priority was the South and his family. Without a guarantee that Callion would successfully claim the throne, his stance was understandable.

However, giving up on the South’s cooperation was still disappointing. Sensing her dismay, Callion whispered softly in her ear.

“We’ve done enough, let’s return to the capital.”

“Alright.”

Adelaide replied grimly.

Their journey to the South had not been in vain. Even if they hadn’t found water, Callion’s massive food aid had significantly helped the famine-stricken South.

Southerners are a loyal and forgiving people, and if the day comes when they are forced to make a choice about the throne, they will not turn their swords on Callion.

Should that be enough?

Adelaide buried the regret she could not shake.

While she was lost in thought, the group approached the supper stream

The soldiers raised their shovels with annoyed faces. Perhaps because they heard that today was the last day, everyone was half-hearted. Adelaide, who was watching the work, grabbed a shovel and ran into the hole.

“Adele, what are you doing? Come out!”

Callion tried to stop her, but she pretended not to hear him and continued digging. The shovel was heavy, and the ground was hard, making it grueling work even for men, but Adelaide didn’t care.

“Adele.”

Today is the last day.”

Callion’s jaw dropped at her answer. He thought that after this, she would be in pain for a few days, but at least she would be less troubled by her thoughts if her body ached.

The Duchess took up the shovel herself, and the men’s attitudes changed. The work went much faster.

Clang. As they were digging through the piled-up soil, the tip of the shovel caught on something solid. A large rock had taken root in the middle of the ground. It was big enough for two men to hug.

“This is going to be hard to dig out.”

Ahio shook his head, estimating the size of the rock. Stubbornly, Adelaide continued to scoop away the sand around the rock. Watching her, the soldiers helplessly picked up their shovels.

After about a dozen men worked together to dig out the sand, the rock barely moved. After tying the boulder to a string and carrying it out of the pit, the soldiers collapsed in exhaustion.

“What a waste of time.”

Despite the grumbling, Adelaide remained silent and stuck her shovel into the spot where the rock had been lifted.

In an instant, the sand turned black and wet.

“……Water.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

From deep beneath the ground, a stream of water sprang up and began to flow along the parched Slani River.

Changeling, who had rushed to the discovery, was amazed to see the water flowing along the dry riverbed.

“Thank you, Your Grace. How can we ever repay this favor…?”

“Favor? That’s not necessary.”

“You saved the South, and what greater favor could there be?”

Callion was helpless as the aged earl bowed his head, his eyes filled with tears.

The Countess of Changeling, who had been touching the water in disbelief, threw her arms around the distraught Adelaide.

“How can we ever thank you enough? How did such a miracle come to us?”

“Wait, my lady.”

“I don’t even know how to express my gratitude. I feel so sorry for all the harsh things I said to you earlier. Please don’t take it to heart, Your Grace.”

“I’m just glad I could help.”

Seeing the Countess’s demeanor completely change from that morning, Adelaide furrowed her brows.

People who had heard the news began to gather around the Slani River with water containers. Fearing chaos, Lord Changeling ordered the soldiers to control the area around the river.

Countess Changeling tugged on Adelaide’s hand.

“Let’s not stay here; let’s return to the castle. We have so much to talk about.”

“Yes.”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The groundwater rushed to the surface like a bursting levee, restoring the Slani River to its former glory within a day.

Thirsty Southerners rejoiced, and parched plants sprouted fresh leaves. People who hadn’t had enough water to drink, let alone wash, were greeted with fresh faces.

Lord Changeling chuckled, saying that it would take some time to return to their previous state, but since they were strong people, they would be able to recover quickly.

“The doctor is the most grateful of all of them, you’ve saved dozens of people from dying.”

“If there’s anything else you need, just let me know. Whether it’s medicine or food, I’ll do my best to help until the South can stand on its own two feet.”

“I have already received a favor from you that I cannot repay, so what more can I ask for?”

“Don’t think of it that way, I was only doing what I had to do.”

Changeling smirked at Callion’s reply. In those words, the old man read all of Callion’s aspirations and ideals.

He held out a seal bearing the Changeling family crest.

“It may be insignificant, but please accept it. It is my sincerity.”