"Hey! We made eye contact! I found you!"
"Wow, she's really pretty!"
"Shh! You can't say that!"
"Why? She really, really, really is pretty!"
The children weren't in good shape. This was a flood zone, after all. Some were covered in bandages, while others were so caked in mud they were almost unrecognizable.
"Hey."
I called out to the nearest knight—the one who had carried me through the mud earlier. I looked at his olive-colored hair and realized I had no idea who he was.
"What is your name?" I asked.
He paused, a strange expression crossing his face. "It's Jet, Princess."
The Duke of Altsbeit had hand-picked this elite escort corps for Charlize, but the original Charlize hadn't even bothered to learn their names.
"Right, Jet. Is the entire territory in this condition?"
"As far as I know, yes, Princess."
"Then there’s no point in going back just yet."
I looked around. I had been so focused on the road earlier that I hadn't really taken in the devastation. It wasn't just the town; there were people groaning in pain everywhere I looked. Families were sitting in front of collapsed homes with looks of total despair.
Askin Remut wasn't the type of man to ignore his people. If it was this bad, it meant the disaster was simply beyond his limited resources.
"This is... bothersome," I muttered, mostly to myself.
"Pardon, Princess?"
I turned back to the children who were still staring at me. They flinched when I looked their way, but they didn't run.
"You really are prettier than the prettiest girl in my village!" one of them chirped.
"But won't we get in trouble? That knight looks scary!"
I couldn't help but laugh. It was the first real laugh I’d had since arriving here. "Am I punishing you?" I teased.
The kids made me smile, which was a feat in itself. I turned to my staff. "Call the head of the servants."
"Princess?"
"Bring food and water for the flood victims. Distribute it immediately."
Jet blinked, looking completely lost. When I frowned, he quickly bowed his head in apology and went to find the others. Soon, the head servant and the captain of the knights were standing before me.
"Distribute food and water to the people here," I ordered.
"I... I’m sorry, Princess, but why?"
"Can't you see them?" I pointed to the people huddled in the mud. "What if I catch some contagious disease from this filth? I have to keep coming back here until my fiancé sees reason. If these people are fed and clean, there’s less chance of me getting sick. Do you understand?"
It was a perfect excuse. I couldn't exactly say I was doing it out of the goodness of my heart—not as Charlize.
"I understand, Princess!"
"And tell the workers to start fixing these houses once the road is clear. I don't want to have to look at this mess every time I visit."
"...Yes, Princess."
I spent the rest of the day overseeing the start of the cleanup, giving orders and ensuring the supplies were on their way. It was going to take a long time to fix the road, so I decided to head back and return early the next morning.
* * *
When I got home, the maids whisked away my muddy clothes and brought me tea as I settled into the sofa. My body was finally comfortable, but my mind was racing.
'The state of that territory is even worse than I thought.'
Askin had talked about breaking the engagement as if he could pay me back any day now. But where was that money coming from? He certainly wasn't getting it from his own lands. Someone was helping him—someone powerful enough to risk the Altsbeits' wrath.
'Who could it be?'
I was still thinking about it when my grandfather summoned me. I walked into his office to find him smiling—a rare, satisfied smile that usually meant someone was about to lose a lot of money.
"Charlize! I heard the news!" He stood up and actually sat down next to me. "I heard you caused quite a stir at the Lemut estate."
"An accident? I—"
"A brilliant accident!" He beamed at me. "I never expected you to take advantage of the flood damage like that. You really are my granddaughter."
I tilted my head, genuinely confused. "What do you mean?"
"I’ve seen the reports. You hired workers to clear the roads, ordered the repair of the buildings, and even provided food and water. I assume you collected the land deeds as collateral?"
I froze. 'What? Land deeds? Collateral?'
My face must have betrayed me, because my grandfather’s smile faltered.
"Why that look? Don't tell me you... you took payment in cash instead?"
"...No, Grandfather. I don't know what you're talking about."
The smile vanished instantly. "Wait... are you saying you did all that for *nothing*?"
"..."
"You just threw my money away?!" He stood up, his face turning red with anger. "You have no idea how parasitic people are! You help them once, and they’ll never stop asking for more! I’d rather you spent that money on jewelry or dresses! At least then I’d have something to show for it!"
I understood why he was angry from a business perspective, but it was still chilling. He saw helping people as a complete waste of resources unless there was a direct, immediate profit.
"I thought you’d matured after your travels," he spat. "But I was wrong. I can't let you stay with that man if you're going to be this reckless with our fortune."
He paced the room, his anger rising. "He’s right. We should break the engagement. This can't go on."
"Grandfather—"
"I’ll send you somewhere where they’ll teach you the value of money. The Child family is looking for a bride—you'll go there."
My heart skipped a beat. 'The Child family? No way!' I couldn't let him ship me off to some random family. My dream of being a wealthy, unemployed person was on the line!
"Grandfather, please. Just listen to me for a second."
"What? What could you possibly say to justify this?!"
"I wasn't doing it for free," I said, my mind racing to find a lie he would believe. "When I said I didn't know what you meant about the deeds, it was because I have a different plan. The land there is barren anyway; what good would deeds do us? Instead, I’m charging them interest. Huge interest. On the construction, the food, the water—everything. It’s a long-term investment."
He stopped pacing and narrowed his eyes. "You’re charging them interest?"
"Of course. Do you think they can afford to pay us back right now? They’re desperate. Desperate people agree to any interest rate you give them. I have them exactly where I want them."
Grandfather stared at me, his gaze sharp and piercing. It was almost as intimidating as Askin’s glare, but I didn't flinch.
"...Is that the truth?"
"Why would I lie? Lies are for people who lack resources. I have everything I need."