I'm too BUSY for the last few days, as my countries money devaluated up to 34% in a matter of 10 minutes. I'm not on the losing end though it affects my business too.

Sorry for late chapter.

Chapter 41 - To Sleep

We avoided direct route to the Wallington house, instead visited as much as we could. People will get to know and appreciate their new Duchess more if Luna listened to them and solved out their problems.

Discussions of regular paid army weren’t a success yet but we had agreed with her on few fundamental points and Luna was going to address counts and earls under her rule regarding building and training army.

I was out of place. I could not adapt. Even though there was no one who was waiting for me back in my world, I was missing it. Have you ever heard of spring rain? Rain goes on for few minutes but it pours down hard. As it stops, you step out outside and close your eyes and begin smelling earth’s aroma. Smell of Marlings Kingdom didn’t feel as nostalgic as back from my world.

I had short and long term plans but I was never a dedicated person to my goals (except training), as time passed I changed. Refining my magic, war and social skills had transformed me too. My perception changed faster than I could keep up with it. Something which was an absolute truth to me when I was 17 was not so by 18 years of age.

I will find that mythical portal because I can’t have Gorn send me back. I have to avenge my family’s death. God damn it, I was feeling homesick.

On daily basis as Luna was meeting people as we went through village to village, city to city I was roaming around to get more reliable information on social and economic state of the duchy.

People are earning from each other and there is a small amount of tax for establishing any kind of business. People are well socially protected and there are affordable prices for locals.

Of course, it is hard to be a woman in Marlings Kingdom. Mostly, they are considered as a property of men. People are cute, sincere, shy and sweet. Theft and fraud are considered as big crimes. People mostly refrain from such things.

Marlingsian kitchen is very sweet, fatty with lots of carbs and unhealthy. Sport is only for military and rich people. So, most sportsmen come from the military. There are amazing silk carpets, but very expensive. Most funny thing was that municipalities wrap pine trees to protect them from the cold in winters.

We reached Wallington House sick and tired of information gathering. Overall everything was fine and Luna had to decide on her future plans by focusing on king’s possible war message. In less than a week a war council was established.

Counts and Earls had to send donations in different forms to support an army of 4000 soldiers. The soldiers are going to be paid on monthly terms. They will go through harsh trainings, which will decrease the number of casualties in times of war.

The reality was a bit difficult in comparison to how it was planned out. Luna had to push counts and earl more than usual for the their continuous support of the plan. Everybody knew that it was done for the best of people and kingdom but human nature showed itself. I warned her that there might be one or more subjects who acted alone or in alliance with intention to throw her up.

[Luna]: I wanted to talk to you about that.

[Me]: About rebellion?

[Luna]: People are well off so there can't be a rebellion; nevertheless I want you to check Marquis Selinah Lucchi.

[Me]: Isn’t she the one who…

[Luna]: Yes, she is the one who was with Count Philistos Jülicher who were besides me in my uncle and counsin’s punishment.

[Me]: Aren’t they loyal?

[Luna]: I keep my enemies close to me.

She wasn’t as dumb as I thought she is. Same night I left to Eikinen province to check out Marquis Selinah Lucchi. Ulfberht was in his ring form. I didn’t wear wolf’s skin and went with usual Marlingsian clothing. I had flip-flops instead of shoes, normal pants and long-sleeve shirts on me. I bought a horse from the closest village to travel easily and a bag full of expensive jewelry to sell in Eikinen province.

Eikenen province was known all around the Marlings Kingdom as the best province for agriculture products. Their climate was dry and hot in summers, cool and wet in winters. The first village within Eikinen province that I visited was called Baha. Its main production was fruits of different kinds and I stayed overnight in an inn to gather information about where I should head over.

[InnKeeper]: You do not seem to be from Marlings.

[Me]: I’m from Artarian Kingdom and travelling all around Marlings Kingdom trading jewelry.

[InnKeeper]: You will not find any customers here.

[Me]: I know, I was told that, the best place to sell off the rest of my jewelry is Melkin city in Eikenen province.

[InnKeeper]: Marquis Lucchi loves balls and parties. Rich people of Eikenen love to show off their wealth while attending parties held by her. You should go there for sure!

[Me]: How much it will cost me to stay overnight?

[InnKeeper]: 2 silvers. Breakfast is included in the price.

I paid for my room and went to sleep.

Next: Chapter 42 - On House