Chapter 13
The Harvest Festival (2)
Autumn was the time when Wibin was at its most beautiful.
In fact, it was the only time it was beautiful.
It was a remote estate even by the standards of the small countries tucked away in the corners of the East. Its only boasts were flat terrain and a mild climate, making it a rural backwater where almost every resident was engaged in farming.
Since that was the essence of Wibin, it stood to reason that there was nothing to show off besides the golden waves of the wheat fields.
The world was in the midst of upheaval, with steam engines and pure magical science clashing, but staying here made such matters feel like events from a very distant realm.
It would take a long time for the changing eras to reach this place.
That was perfectly fine.
Elric looked out the window at the fields in the middle of the wheat harvest.
Despite the cool weather, beads of sweat clung to the farmers’ cheeks.
Working with their backs bent looked truly grueling.
And yet, the reason it didn’t seem entirely pitiable was,
“It looks like a bumper crop indeed.”
Because he could see the joy blooming on their faces.
“Yes, this year’s yield is exceptionally high. It is the second best in the last ten years; it must be the first time you have seen such a sight in your life, Young Master.”
Elric nodded at Aldio’s words.
Certainly, in Elric’s memory, there had never been a time when Wibin was so densely packed with wheat.
It was beautiful.
The scenery of the wheat fields, glowing red and brilliant as the sun began to set, belonged to a completely different world than the desolate battlefields.
As his mind found peace, Elric’s expression softened considerably.
It was then.
“Hmm?”
Elric spotted Tiria near the entrance of the mansion.
As if she had spotted him too, her gaze moved precisely toward the window, and she gave a short bow.
Elric smiled and waved his hand.
Seeing her reminded him of something.
‘The Harvest Festival is coming up.’
This would be the second time he had participated in a proper festival since his childhood.
The first had been an Imperial banquet he attended following Elbus Graham.
Recalling that day made his breath tighten for a moment, but Elric felt the tension and soon shook his head.
‘…No, comparing a festival in Wibin to a banquet for Imperial nobles is nonsensical.’
Wasn’t this the very festival grounds where he used to run and play?
There was no way this festival would be like a battlefield of nobles wielding blades of words.
It would be enough if he simply helped Tiria finish her speech well.
“Aldio.”
“Yes.”
“How… are the preparations for her speech going?”
“She is writing the manuscript herself. Just as the previous Head of the family used to do.”
“I suppose so. Since she knows the etiquette of the nobility, she must have a talent for writing as well.”
“Actually, last year’s speech was quite excellent. It played a major role in calming the public sentiment amidst the chaos following the previous Head’s passing.”
“Ah, come to think of it, the timing overlapped.”
He found himself feeling curious about that speech.
If he asked, would she tell him? She probably would, but asking now felt a bit awkward.
’Never mind. Why pry into every little detail?’
Elric brushed the thought aside.
“Let’s have dinner soon. She has just returned from work as well.”
“Yes.”
Leaving the window for the dining room, Elric went downstairs for dinner with Tiria.
The two had now become a couple who shared their evening meals.
A few days later, during breakfast, Tiria spoke.
“Would it be possible for you to go out with me today?”
“Pfft!”
At the sudden request, Elric committed the unrefined act of spraying the water he was drinking.
Startled, he hurriedly wiped his mouth and looked at Tiria.
She appeared not to mind much, but…
“It is… for work.”
…For some reason, she answered with a hurried air of excuse.
“The residents are decorating the plaza for the Harvest Festival. Since it’s something they do every year, there won’t be much to fix, but I thought we could do a safety inspection just in case. I thought it was time you started learning these things…”
As she spoke, Tiria’s gaze momentarily went to Elric’s leg.
“…If it is difficult, I will go alone.”
“No. I’ll go with you.”
It would be ridiculous to reject an invitation she had extended first.
Though he had shown a pathetic side by choking on his drink, honestly, it wasn’t that hard.
Wouldn’t it just be a matter of being there and watching her work?
As for standing, he could manage well enough with the strength of one leg.
“Will you be alright?”
“There’s no reason I wouldn’t be.”
At that moment, the space between Tiria’s eyebrows widened slightly.
It was a very subtle difference, and the fact that Elric noticed it was the result of observing her with his superhuman eyesight.
She seemed pleased.
“I am glad. Among the duties of the Head of the family, there are several things that are difficult to learn if not during this season.”
So that was the reason.
Elric chuckled and replied.
“Mmm, thank you for being so considerate.”
It was a vague response, as he didn’t want to spoil the mood by saying something like, ‘Since you’ll be doing it again starting next year anyway…’
“Then let us depart around lunch.”
“Not right away?”
“…I need time to prepare.”
“Ah.”
Right, come to think of it, he had heard that a lady’s preparations for going out took much longer than a man’s.
Elric nodded, chiding himself.
“I understand. Then call for me whenever your preparations are finished.”
“Yes.”
Tiria replied and rose from her seat.
Some of her food was still left.
‘Does she have no appetite?’
Elric had no way of knowing that she had forgotten her meal and rushed off to prepare out of sheer anticipation.
Elric was a man very far removed from the concept of dressing up.
He was a man who believed the role of clothing was sufficient if it covered important body parts and lessened the chill of war in winter; therefore, his fashion sense had reached a disastrous level.
The catastrophe was predictable.
“Young Master, what on earth is that look?”
“Hmm? I tried to dress up in my own way since I’m heading out to the estate on official business.”
“The concept of ‘dressing up’ must have changed while I wasn’t looking.”
Aldio’s sigh was only natural.
Elric’s appearance was that eyesore-inducing.
In the middle of autumn, he wore a sleeveless shirt with a necktie and a brown vest over it. His trousers fluttered at the hems like flags, and his shoes were white and pointed enough to look like they could kill someone.
It was a horrific sight that made one wonder where he had even found such clothes, but since he alone looked proud of himself, it was enough to give anyone a headache.
Aldio pressed his temples and said,
“…I think it would be best to change.”
“Hmm? Is it not good? From what I heard while wandering the world, this attire brings out one’s manliness.”
“Which bastard told you that?”
The mercenaries.
Elric swallowed those words.
It was an outfit inspired by a story told by a very womanizing mercenary to a group of soldiers while he was roughing it in the West.
It was something from when he was fifteen, but he remembered it clearly because the man was actually quite handsome.
A man like that wouldn’t have spoken lightly about fashion.
’Of course, that fashion sense didn’t save his life.’
His head had been lopped off, if he recalled correctly.
It was while Elric was lost in these memories.
“Please change immediately. If the Madam saw you like this…”
“May I come in?”
Tiria’s voice echoed from outside the door.
Aldio felt a chill run down his spine.
It was before he could even offer a word of restraint.
“Ah, come in.”
“Yes.”
Creak—
The door opened.
Aldio squeezed his eyes shut, while Elric gave a bright smile.
“You’re her—”
The greeting died in Elric’s mouth.
His gaze followed her blankly.
She wore clothes that weren’t too thick, emphasizing convenience, but they provided Elric with a jolt of unfamiliarity.
A white one-piece dress that ran straight from her neck to above her ankles, paired with a navy shawl draped over her shoulders, created elegant lines. What stood out even more were her thin ankles and the nape of her neck, revealed by her hair being tied up.
Since she was already elegant with a small face, the proportions of her clothes and body were admirable, and her drooping eyes and long eyelashes deepened her mysterious, unrealistic atmosphere.
“Tha—”
The moment he tried to say something, Elric felt her gaze land on his outfit.
He looked down.
In that instant, Elric felt his mind turn cold.
‘Why am I wearing these clothes?’
It felt as if he had just woken up from a nightmare.
The thought of walking beside her in this attire made his skin crawl.
Now that he had a point of comparison, he finally came to his senses.
Raising his head, Elric saw it.
“…”
Tiria’s pupils were trembling as if an earthquake had struck.
It was definitely the first time she had shown such intense emotion.
Tiria’s mouth opened.
“Perhaps you did not wish to go out…”
“No. I just put this on for a moment to tease Aldio. I’ll change immediately. I’m sorry for being late.”
The lie tumbled out fluently.
Aldio’s face was briefly colored with confusion, but it soon turned into a smile.
“It was quite entertaining.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Elric sent a silent thank you to Aldio with his eyes.
Meanwhile, he could only hope in his heart.
That she wouldn’t despise him after seeing him like this.
The Wife Waited in the Wheat Field (Serial)
