How to Tame That Gentle Male Lead - Chapter 4.8
“Then, I’ll depart right after meeting His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Yes. Do that. Plan to stay for about a week and track them. If the farmers mistook regular mages for dark mages, that would be fortunate, but if dark mages really did show up in the territory… We need to find out what they’re planning.”
Resena nodded and sipped the coffee that came as dessert. The smooth beverage slid down her throat. After finishing the warm Americano, Resena stood up.
“Then I’ll do some reading until His Highness arrives. And before I leave for the territory, could you bring me any documents I need to read? I’ll familiarize myself with them in advance.”
“Of course. As expected of our daughter. You’re amazing. We’re counting on you.”
“Yes. That’s right. Our daughter. We’re proud. So proud.”
Seeing the affectionate Duke and Duchess, Resena smiled brightly. Spending time in the warm embrace of such a family was always a happy experience. After going through multiple regressions and interacting more with her family, and with them treating her so kindly, they had already become true family in Resena’s heart.
“Then I’ll send a letter declining Marchioness Andaril’s tea party. Focus only on tracking the dark mages when you go down to the territory.”
“Yes. I understand. Then have a good afternoon, Mother. Father.”
“You too, Resena. Have a good time. We’ll see you in a week.”
“Yes.”
After leaving the dining room and stopping by her room, Resena chose a book to read under the garden gazebo until the Crown Prince arrived. Then, telling the maid who brought the documents to follow her, she headed towards the gazebo.
She settled under the blue-cloth gazebo installed in the middle of the garden, where the scent of hydrangeas wafted all around. While the blazing sun poured down from the sky, it was cool under the gazebo thanks to the installed cooling magic stones.
“Is this all the documents?”
If dark mages had appeared and the territory was in chaos, there should have been a lot of documents… But the documents on the table didn’t exceed 10 pages at most.
Resena flipped through the papers, scanning them with her eyes.
“Yes, Miss. There were no more related documents.”
“I see. You can go back. Oh, and since I’m planning to take the train in the evening, please prepare clothes for two weeks.”
“Yes, I understand.”
From what she briefly scanned, most of the reports were about dark mages appearing, burning fields, and breaking all the flowers in the floral farmlands, ruining a year’s worth of hard work. Resena quietly looked at the documents and then raised her head to look at the sky.
The sun was shining brightly in the clear sky. As if to reveal that it was mid-July, the sunlight was scorching.
The Crevasta Empire belonged to a typical temperate climate. Generally, the sunlight becomes stronger in spring, summer, and autumn. However, there’s a rainy season, so it rains continuously in mid-August, which is why most summer harvests are done at the end of July.
‘That’s why I understand why the farmers are upset. They worked hard in spring to harvest in late July, which is summer, but now when all the fruits are ripe, some madman appears to burn the fields and ruin the flower gardens.’
Moreover, the Arnasus territory was structured with small and large estates packed tightly together, with the small estates used as farmland and the large estates as flower gardens.
But fortunately, judging by the small number of documents, it seems the damage hasn’t spread exponentially yet. With only ten pages of documents, it’s probably only about five or six people who have been affected.
‘But it’s definitely a report we can’t ignore. If it’s dark mages who ruined the farmland… People will soon be sacrificed terribly.’
Resena closed the last page. Then she leaned back on the sofa and waited for a moment.
When the maid came and set up the tea set, she took a sip of the black tea placed in front of her. As the crimson wave gently moistened her throat, she felt her mind working a bit better.
“I should explain this to Renard too. But.”
Resena tried to recall the novel’s content related to dark mages in her mind, searching for anything that might have caused this situation. However, most of the dark mage activities were limited to the capital, with almost no mention in the provincial territories, so unfortunately, there was practically nothing she could remember.
‘Does it not have a big impact on the novel’s plot?’
It hadn’t been long since she read the diary, so she had no trouble recalling the contents, and she could be certain that there was no description related to the Arnasus territory in the novel. Because of this, she thought that this investigation might end up simply uncovering a case of arson or trespassing and property damage.
“Miss.”
As Resena was lost in these thoughts, Del approached her. She had seemed a bit shocked after the explanation this morning, but fortunately, Del’s complexion looked good.
Resena smiled and answered.
“Why, Del? Is it almost 12 o’clock already?”
“Yes, that’s right, Miss. As you said earlier that you’d send someone 30 minutes before noon to Young Master Renard, I’ve already sent a servant.”
“Mmm. Thank you, Del. Good job. But to think it’s almost noon already… It’s a shame I barely got to read the book.”
Then Del smiled brightly and said.
“In that case, I’ll pack that book in your luggage. There’s still time until you board the train, so it’ll be enough to prepare your clothes and belongings. If there are any other books you’d like to read, please tell me now. I’ll pack them right away.”
Resena’s eyes curved happily at Del’s kind words. She stood up and shook her head.
“No, it’s fine. Anyway, once we go down to the territory, I’ll have to check if the proxy is doing things properly, so I won’t have time. I can’t just play around after going all the way to the territory. Anyway, just this book will do. Thanks, Del.”
“It’s nothing. Oh, I’ve told Young Master Renard to come to the front entrance, so you should go there too, Miss. You’ll need to go out to greet His Highness the Crown Prince’s carriage.”
“Okay. Got it.”
Resena stood up, leaving the book and documents behind. After checking once to see if there were any wrinkled parts, she grasped her dress and walked gracefully.
As she did so, she thought the sunlight was a bit harsh. But at that moment, Del opened a parasol and held it over her head. She was truly competent and quick-witted, which was why Resena was planning to take her along when they left by train.
“Sis. You’re here?”
Renard, looking much better than when she saw him in the morning, greeted Resena. Our house’s sleepyhead looks fine now that he’s had some sleep. Resena chuckled and narrowed her eyes.
“Renard. Did you sleep well?”
“Yeah… I feel like I can live now. I think at this rate, there’s no need to say I have business when His Highness the Crown Prince arrives.”
Resena’s eyes curved into a smile at those words.
“That’s good. But if it seems like the Crown Prince wants to talk to me alone, you can go to your room and sleep after leaving the drawing room. You slept much less than you usually do. I know you’ll be nodding off all day if you don’t get enough sleep, so don’t hold back.”
“Okay… Got it. Thanks, sis.”
