Just as Russell had said, the engineering corps arrived in Blissbury the next day.

They set up their tents in front of Blissbury, prepared their equipment, and immediately headed for Feltham.

Although the villagers had tried hard to restore things, the damage was so widespread that there were no visible changes.

Even with everyone in the village working together, it was barely enough. So people wondered how much the engineering corps, which was only about half that number, could really accomplish.

Still, everyone was grateful for their help.

“Pull! One! Two! Three!”

“Heave!”

As soon as the engineering corps arrived in Feltham, they began searching for nearby trees and, using the timber they brought, started building a new bridge right away.

The villagers hadn’t even dared to attempt such repairs and were still crossing the stream using ropes, but in just three days, a temporary bridge was completed.

That wasn’t all. After a week, stone arrived from the capital, along with another team from the engineering corps.

The newcomers pitched their tents right next to Feltham, eating and sleeping there as they assisted with the restoration.

Where the bridge had collapsed, a stone bridge was built. The piled-up mud was hauled out of the village by busy wagons.

The old roads reappeared, and some of the damaged homes were repaired, allowing their families to return from Blissbury to Feltham.

At night, the village, which had been left in darkness and ruin, was once again inhabited and lit up, bringing life back to the area.

Even those whose homes weren’t fully restored packed up and returned.

As Blissbury grew quieter, Feltham became more lively. Thanks to this, the people of Blissbury quickly regained stability.

Although everyone wanted to help the flood victims, even Mrs. Parker and Mr. Palmer had become exhausted and irritable from overwork.

But as the manor quieted down and the workload lessened, smiles returned to their faces.

While Blissbury’s entrance, once filled with mud, was cleaned up, the roads in Feltham were also fully restored.

Feltham was recovering quickly.

“The Luson family has come back.”

Julia excitedly shared the news she’d just heard at breakfast.

The Lusons had left Feltham early on because their house had been completely swept away. They said they were going to stay with distant relatives, but now they’d returned.

“They heard Feltham’s restoration is almost complete. The news must have spread to other areas too.”

Eloise, listening to Julia, tilted her head and asked,

“But… haven’t the other areas received aid as well?”

Julia replied, eager to show what she knew.

“The aid did reach other villages, but it seems ours received the most. The engineering corps arrived here first, too. I asked the engineers, and they said they’ll finish restoring Feltham this week and then move on to other places.”

“That’s not so strange.”

Mrs. Ogilvy joined the conversation.

“Feltham suffered the most damage, after all. His Majesty the King must have considered that and sent people accordingly.”

But Eloise found it hard to agree with Mrs. Ogilvy.

Would the king really know about the damage to this tiny village, one that sometimes didn’t even appear on maps? Surely someone must have actively reported Feltham’s situation.

Eloise glanced at the three sergeants, who were eating diligently.

Ryan, Richard, and Philip were helping with the restoration even more energetically than the engineering corps.

Because of this, even in the chilly autumn, their faces were deeply tanned.

Richard grumbled that it was unfair and kept his hat pressed down, but that didn’t stop him from getting sunburned.

Just then, Mrs. Parker arrived carrying a basket full of freshly baked bread.

“Today, everyone should return to Feltham.”

At her words, Julia looked crestfallen. Today was the day the last two families remaining in Blissbury would return to Feltham.

Originally, both families had planned to return earlier, especially the Surberton family, whose house was intact.

But when Ryan asked Eloise to handle the distribution and management of the aid, she stayed a bit longer.

The Ogilvy family also remained because Abigail’s health had worsened with the cooler weather.

Their house was the last to be restored.

“We’re truly grateful for everything, Mrs. Parker. I don’t know how we’ll ever repay you.”

Mr. Ogilvy sincerely thanked Mrs. Parker as she handed out bread.

“I should be the one thanking you. Especially Andrew—thanks to him, I’ve had so much fun lately. Of course, he kept coming down to the kitchen insisting he wanted to bake bread himself…”

As Mrs. Parker spoke, Andrew, with bread in his mouth, slid under the table, making everyone laugh.

“Anyway, it really is time to go back. It feels… like a very long banquet has ended. Not that what we went through was enjoyable like a banquet, of course.”

Everyone nodded in understanding at Eloise’s words, sharing a bittersweet smile.

No one had ever experienced such chaos before. But by enduring and overcoming hardship together, a unique sense of camaraderie had developed.

As a result, the people of Feltham, who had always been close, became even more tightly knit.

They had accomplished something together.

Maybe that’s why it felt like the end of a long feast.

After the meal, everyone went to their rooms to pack their last belongings.

“Miss Eloise.”

Ryan called Eloise then.

“There are some leftover supplies I’d like to discuss. Could you spare a moment?”

“Of course.”

Eloise told Emily to start getting ready, then followed Ryan to the study.

As soon as she entered, Ryan took her hand. Eloise, as if expecting it, naturally leaned into his arms and kissed the corner of his mouth.

“The door is still open, Miss Eloise.”

“If someone comes, you’ll let me know, Sergeant Thornton.”

Addressing each other formally, the two soon burst out laughing.

Since returning from their isolation in Feltham, they’d shared these brief secret moments in Blissbury.

Not that anything scandalous happened—just holding hands and exchanging a few light kisses.

Eloise held his hand, which was stroking her cheek, and spoke.

“I received a letter from my father this morning. His godmother passed away, and he’s already attended the funeral. Judging by when he sent the letter, he should be back in Feltham by the day after tomorrow at the latest.”

After news of the flood that had devastated the area, Mr. Surberton had sent word several times.

But Camborne’s post office had also been damaged by the flood, so communication had been difficult.

Mr. Surberton wanted to return immediately, but his godmother’s health had suddenly worsened, and he had to stay for the funeral.

Now, at last, contact had been reestablished.

“He’s finally coming back. I’m worried about how he’ll react to Feltham’s changed appearance.”

“Yes. He’ll be heartbroken to see that all his favorite walking paths are gone.”

“But he’ll be even more grateful that his wife and daughter survived.”

With those words, Ryan lightly kissed her cheek.

It wasn’t anything dramatic—just the kind of affectionate gesture close friends might share.

Whenever he touched Eloise, Ryan felt as if he’d become butter melting in an oven.

His strength faded, his mind went blank, and he liked the tingling, melting feeling down to his fingertips.

So whenever he had a moment, he’d hold her hand and steal a kiss away from prying eyes.

But today would be the last. Eloise had to return to Feltham. So—

“I hope Mr. Surberton returns soon.”

He kissed each of Eloise’s fingers as he spoke.

“If your father formally approves our relationship, I won’t have to sneak around to see you anymore. And if possible…”

Ryan smiled.

“I’d be even happier if I were invited by Mr. Surberton for the Festival Day.”

At his words, Eloise smiled brightly.

Festival Day was the last day of the year, when all families gathered together.

He was saying that he wanted to stay here—not just through autumn, but into winter as well.