"What happened, Rosie?"
Eloise, who had been downstairs preparing food for those heading out to do restoration work, heard the commotion and ascended to the first floor.
"Y-there, on the road! Horses! Sheep! C-cows too!"
"Calm down, Rosie. What did you see?"
Rosie wasn't one to make a fuss, but she had come running in, out of breath, causing such an uproar.
*Horses? Sheep? Cows?*
Eloise puzzled over these words. Like the surrounding fields, many animals had been swept away. Because of this, livestock prices had skyrocketed.
It was said that Mr. Caines's already precarious business had finally collapsed—as those in Cambon had reported.
And now—horses and sheep?
She wondered if the child had imagined it—but a moment later, the lowing of cattle sounded outside.
"What is that sound?"
The people in the mansion, bewildered, moved into the hall. They had heard correctly. Moreover, judging by the sounds, there were more than one or two head of cattle.
Everyone went outside. Everyone was curious about where these sounds were coming from.
As they emerged from the mansion, everyone stood frozen in place, mouths agape. Several carriages were approaching Blissbury.
"There are... more than twenty of them, I think? Except in the capital, I've never seen so many carts traveling together."
Julia, who had come out beside her, looked with disbelief at the approaching convoy.
These were mostly cargo wagons, and each carried a great deal of livestock.
A formal carriage drove at the head. It pulled up swiftly and stopped before Blissbury.
"Whose carriage is this? It looks very grand and expensive."
Julia asked in bewilderment. But no one could answer. The halted carriage was so large and luxurious that even in Cambon, nothing like it had been seen.
The carriage door opened, and a well-dressed, middle-aged man emerged. At first glance, it was clear he was a man of high standing, well-versed in etiquette. But no one in Cambon had ever seen him before.
The man approached and asked:
"Is this Blissbury, where the Feltham residents are sheltering?"
"Yes, but... pardon me, from where have you come?"
Eloise asked politely. The man, removing his hat, bowed slightly.
"I am Mark Russell from the Royal Office of Supply."
"Supply management?"
Eloise knew of this department. Though it was under royal control, it was essentially a military organization.
It had been created to supply the army more effectively during the protracted war.
But she had read in the newspaper that after the war's end, they were planning to gradually disband the supply office.
So why had a man from this department suddenly appeared at Blissbury? And with so much livestock, no less?
"Yes. Our supply department, by order of His Majesty the King, has received instructions to provide urgent aid to those affected by the Great Povent Flood. First and foremost, to stabilize the situation in the region, we will deliver a substantial supply of food and livestock from the royal family. And tomorrow, an engineering corps belonging to our department will arrive in Cambon."
"Engineering Corps! Truly!"
The people standing behind—hearing of the engineering corps—leaped in astonishment.
The Engineer Corps was a specialized unit within the army that constructed roads and bridges. Right now, they were needed more than anything to restore the mud-choked village.
"Oh God, thank you! God save the Queen!"
Upon hearing about the engineering corps, some Feltham residents even fell to their knees and began praying. Others were already weeping from overwhelming emotion.
"Chickens!"
"And so many sheep! Just like the ones we had!"
The children ran to the livestock carts, stamping their feet with joy. Even Mrs. Parker approached a cart and—as if finally saved—began counting the hens inside.
At that moment, Ryan emerged from the hall. Seeing him, Mark Russell bowed even more formally.
"You must be Sergeant Ryan Thornton?"
Ryan's face tensed slightly at the greeting. But it was only for an instant—no one noticed.
"I hear you're presently caring for the residents of Feltham. If you don't mind, I would like to discuss with you the distribution of the first batch of aid His Majesty has sent."
"Endless gratitude and respect to His Majesty. Please, come inside."
At Mr. Russell's words, Ryan performed a military salute and led him indoors.
Once they had entered, Eloise and the others began examining the goods that had been brought.
"There's so much flour here!"
"There's milk and butter—and sausages and vegetables in abundance!"
"And bedding! It had just grown cold, and the children needed new blankets!"
Besides these, the wagons contained clothing, shoes, shovels, and pickaxes. Everything the people needed so desperately at present.
The carters, along with the villagers, began swiftly unloading the carts. Someone, unable to contain his joy, asked Eloise:
"How could this have happened? Only the lands of a lord close to the royal family could receive such aid, surely? Did Baron Stanford truly request it?"
"I doubt it... I don't know. And truly, how could it be..." Eloise, equally uncertain, quickly began sorting the children's clothing.
With the onset of autumn winds, several children—wearing thin garments—had already caught cold.
The aid included many warm shirts and trousers in various sizes. This would be enough to get through winter without difficulty.
At this moment, one of the residents remarked:
"Perhaps it was Sergeant Thornton or the other gentlemen who arranged it?"
"Oh, come now."
At these words, Eloise shook her head with a smile.
Though the sergeant was a high-ranking officer respected in such a small village, in the capital there were a dozen men just like him.
Besides, it was impossible for the king to personally heed a sergeant's petition.
"Then how did they send us such enormous amounts of help so quickly?"
"I don't know."
Eloise glanced sideways toward the library and said:
"I don't know. Perhaps there's someone among us who accomplished a heroic deed and received a reward from His Majesty."
The others chuckled at Eloise's jest.
*And truly—what a blessing.*
---
Entering the library, Russell closed the door. Then, unlike moments earlier, he saluted Ryan with precision.
"Long time no see, Lieutenant Colonel Wilgrave."
"And I am glad to see you, Sergeant Mark Russell. I didn't expect you to come in person... By the way, what is all this? I requested far less. And what about the engineering corps?"
In response to Ryan's words, Russell said with a satisfied smile:
"If the Duke of Kent could see you now, Lieutenant Colonel... He always grumbles that you're perpetually indifferent to everything he gives you. But seeing how pleased you are now—he would be very proud."
Russell was genuinely surprised.
He was one of those who knew Ryan well. As an aide-de-camp to the Duke of Kent, he met him frequently.
So he knew how indifferently Ryan had reacted to the Duke's gifts until now.
Even when offered land so he could live like a lord, Ryan had immediately refused, saying he could not manage it.
Compared to what the Duke had offered then, today's cattle and provisions were a mere trifle.
And yet he was so pleased.
"The Engineering Corps isn't comprised of those who served directly on the battlefield, so there won't be anyone who knows you, Lieutenant Colonel. I've double-checked everything—so don't worry."
"Thank you."
"And among the supplies is also what the family of Viscount Cameron sent."
"From the Camerons?"
"Yes. The Viscount seemed quite moved by the news that his son, true to his duty as a soldier, was helping save people."
"And not because Richard has finally stopped causing problems with women?"
"That too, I suppose."
They both laughed, remembering Richard's escapades.
Outside, the sound of joyful voices drifted in. Ryan looked out the window with a satisfied expression.
His gaze fell on Eloise, who—holding the children's hands—was moved nearly to tears with happiness.
Watching her smile, he felt a satisfaction he had never experienced before.