The platinum carriage with the Cajarte crest symbol plastered right before of the naked sight to the people as we pass by. Enough to gain numerous attentions that I obviously didn't want to happen. We entered a path, with no soldier leaving to guard. Yet, there was an old carved signboard that caught my eyes.

Welcome to Persian. And so, it says.

As I look around, comparing the venue to Celtic. There are a lot of malnourish children laying down in a dark street. That results to stealing food from a store, such a young age dares to have mischievous hands. Houses that was made of woods were completely destroyed, no hope of fixing it once again. The compiling of dried leaves that fell from the trees didn't help to soothe the problem of the townspeople.

I sighed. What a devastating scene.

The usual, when I travel. I brought Celine with me and some few knights along the visit. It feels like just before I came to Celtic. Whereas, the difference between the reason why my heart is thumping faster was being anxious meeting those Vassals.

Expectedly, the butlers and maids were already line up to welcome my presence when the carriage cease in front of the mansion. Jackson informed me, that there was no need for me to sleep in the inn during my stay. He was quite prepared and immediately send a letter to the servants of the manor that the Grand Duke bought in Persian. Though, the Head Butler this time, was a young fine man with a gentle smile. He offered his hand to assist me getting down.

"Greetings Your Excellency!"

"Ah, yes. Madam is fine."

It never really occurs to me how I am still embarrassed with this kind of situation. Yet, not once I showed it to my face. I remain my cold reaction, exhibiting my authority to them.

However, in reality. I was just doing the things I learned from my teacher and currently want to cover my flushing cheeks with my hands to hide the attempt of being red. The tone of my voice, kind of slip and I just want to impose a good image of me to their minds. Wondering if I really did well.

The butler guides me to where my room that I will be staying for the meantime. Celine was headed to the maid's quarter. My eyes roamed around the area; it didn't disappoint me that the palace was shining clean.

Grand Duke Alcide, what a lucky man. Having a huge house yet rarely come in this place. Such, a waste. Well then, my jobs start here.

As I pass by to some maids who do their chores, leaving no trails of dirt. They will instantly bow their heads cheerfully to greet me. Noticing that it always applies as well to the others. Their delighted eyes were just full of overflowing happiness. Perhaps, there are expectations that formed in their minds that I have to meet.

"Is this palace usually lively?" I ask the butler curiously.

"No, Madam. Since, this is the first time that our master will visit the mansion. We decided to warmly greet them," he chuckled full of imagination flowers surrounding him. quite different from Jackson who is firm.

We arrive at the front door of my room. The butler bid goodbye respectfully at me to let me rest but I made him not to leave yet. Though, there is actually something I really want to do when I came to this place than to lay down on bed.

"I will take a tour on the outside."

"Then, we shall call a knight that will guard you. It's quite chaotic these days. So, please be careful."

"Alright. I'll take that offer."

The first thing that I visit was the market. Walking down on the road with the two knights besides me. Looking around and enjoying the busy people. Voices that came from different places, promoting their products with at their best.

"This is hopeless," a heavy exhale from the vendor who sells apples as I approach his stall full of healthy crops.

"The Grand Duke is at war and perhaps the Grand Duchess doesn't even know that this land exists," commented perhaps by his wife. Assisting the other customers.

"I heard that she likes to spend money in some extravagant flowers. Laying down in golds."

I can't help but to wince from the rumors that circulate around this area as what the vendor stated. I look down, avoiding to reveal my features even I know that they never saw my appearance but I still need to be cautious. I keep busying myself in choosing what I should purchase.

"How much is this?" I pointed the shiny fruit.

"It's ten bronze, Young Lady," the old man answered with his gloomy tone.

"Oh?"

"Expensive, right? Since the Lord of the Persian raised the tax, we also have to add the amount of prices. Customers are hardly buying these unlike before."

"Tax?" Although I knew the details, but I learned that a good leader shall listen from the side of the people of their land. "Please, wrap ten of those."

"Very well My Lady. You must be new here." He's busy packing the apples while gossiping the current situation and suggesting his own perspective saying out loud.

"They should not have imposed that rule between the crisis! Goodness, just what is happening."

I paid attention closely to his demands. Making me list his complains inside my mind. This will be my basis on how I will change the lives of these people. Somewhat, I rather see them happily chatting than noticing the wrinkles that shape on their forehead.

With the apples that I shared to my knights; I wander around the location a bit more. Not being contented of what I've been hearing coming from the mouths of the commoners. Until my feet stops at the scene where my heart could literally shatter.

This time, was the area of the cultivation. Farmers with their dripping sweat, trying their hard to mend the plants that were ruined by the storm. Persian was on the verge of destruction than I thought.

"I don't think we have much to harvest again," a fellowman had spoken, stretching his back that was bend from a long time. Fixing his hat to shield his head from the sunlight, ironically, it was full of holes.

"We can't even sow precisely." Might be his friend that answered, carrying the tools with him. Perhaps, they woke up at dawn and stayed until afternoon that their skin was darker than the average. Or it was just because the huge difference between nobles who been taking care their needs by the attendants.

"My wife will get mad if I don't have a food to bring home."

"Agreed. Even hot potatoes that always serve for the children, will be impossible now."

He breath out the cool breeze from his lungs. "Lucky for those people with money. They will only have to chew the meal that was prepared. A mere peasant like us, have to diligently do their job."

"Right. I wonder, what does it feel to be wealthy? Though, I don't like to become a person who waste the rice that we work hard."

"We can't dream like those, man." They both chuckled as they went back plowing the soil. Supplying water to the dry vegetables and fruits. Giving the seeds what they deserve.

It was a picture that made me realize, that it was the time to return the manor. I clench my jaw as I take the hallway with a blue carpet. Long before when I was a Count daughter, being powerless made me frustrated as all I do was watch those poor suffer.

"How was the tour..." The butler paused, giving me a concern look. "Madam?"

"May I know, how much was the budget given here?" It was different now. I have the authority, whoever defies me shall be punish.

"Around 350,000 golds. Including the servant's salaries." He guided me to the office room made for the Grand Duke that was never used. I sat down on the chair that not even one has touched.

"That will be enough," I stated, looking on the documents immediately.

"Forgive me for being rude, what will you use it for?" He might be thinking that I will buy a whole flower shop as I was said to be addicted to those where in fact, I'm allergic to it. I smiled at him, assuring him that I will not waste the money by making it as my bed.

"I would like to purchase some canned foods from Celtic and distribute them to our people. Something being along a relief goods."

He tilts his head, showing me that it was hard to process of what I'm saying. "Pardon me, my mind seem can't match up to your understanding."

I carefully explain it to him until his eyes filled with gleam of pleased with my intention. Analyzing the possibility, we can buy the meat here as fresh like the daylight. However, it's way expensive now. I'm afraid that it will limit the people who will be receiving. As much as possible, I would love for everyone to able accept our help.

"That's a wonderful idea!" he exclaims, clapping slowly his hands with wide eyes.

If we bought it from different place, it will be better if it was Celtic. Although, meats were easy to spoil. Counting the days needing to travel from there. The concept of canned foods was not really my original idea, just a suggestion. We still have to purchased it, even if it was our business.

Summing up the cost of raw materials and such. The advantage of this, of course. They will assist us first, becoming their top priorities in production. I laugh, never thought that it will be useful for me.

"Right. I also want to discuss something."

"Yes. What could it be?"

"When is the crops usually being ripe here?"

"Likely to be in autumn season. This time." His eyebrows raised, wondering why did I ask such peculiar question.

I nodded, agreeing with him. "Then, estimation how plenty they can harvest."

"As far as I know, Madam. It's not much nor too few."

This was perhaps the soil doesn't have enough nutrients. Realizing the situation as I took a walk earlier. Those farmers might don't know what was the reason for their crops to not grow abundantly. It was just as I expected. Since commoners doesn't have the money to learn.

"If I suggest that we can utilize the dried leaves that we can find around the corner as a fertilizer for the farm, would you agree?"

There was a couple seconds of silence between us before he can even react to my words. As if, it was too good to be true.

"Really? Is it possible?!" his voice squeaked as rush of excitement overwhelm him. Then, he cleared his throat. Returning his gentle young smile. "Forgive me, I may not know what fertilizer means but I was just carried away of being thrilled. Since the season has changed, leaves were piling up everywhere and it was a hassle for us to clean it without knowing where to dump.

"Oh. If you're reaction means you agreed. Shall we do it?"

"Yes. I didn't expect that Madam was a brilliant lady."

"You flatter me so much," I meekly stated, feeling the warm blood running through the veins of my cheeks.

By then, I explained to him what should I intend to do with those leaves aside making him think of disposing them. His reaction, mouth wide open was enough for me to have the confidence to proceed with the plan inside of my head. I guess, I'll have to stay for months in Persian to retrieve its peacefulness. I just hope that nothing would happen in Celtic while I'm away.

"Then, I will inform everyone as well as Sir Jackson to help us with the canned foods to supply us."

I took another paper from the stacks to divert my attention and read the content, giving a serious observation in each word. Before we end our conversation, I ordered him for the last time. "Also, kindly send a gathering letter to those impudent Vassals."

He gave me a soft look in return and bowed his half body. "As you wish."

Now...

What will be their next move?