As Russell had predicted, the Corps of Engineers arrived at Blissbury the next day.
Having pitched their tents before the mansion, they took up their tools and immediately headed for Feltham.
Though the villagers had tried to restore what they could, due to the extensive devastation, there were almost no visible changes.
All the villagers together could barely manage—so everyone thought: *Well, what can a group half our size accomplish?*
Still, since they had come to help, gratitude for that much... that was what everyone assumed.
"Pull! One! Two! Three!"
"Heave!"
Arriving at Feltham, the Corps of Engineers immediately identified suitable trees and—using the timber they had brought—began constructing a new bridge at once.
Where the villagers, hesitant to undertake restoration, were still crossing the river using ropes, a temporary bridge stood three days later.
And that wasn't all. A week later, stone materials arrived from the capital, along with a new detachment of the engineering corps.
The newcomers pitched tents near Feltham and—while living there—assisted with the reconstruction.
Where the bridge had collapsed, a stone one appeared. The accumulated mud was continuously hauled from the village by freight wagons.
The old roads re-emerged. Some of the damaged houses were rebuilt, and families began returning from Blissbury to Feltham.
The village—which at night had resembled dark ruins—came alive again as people returned and lights flickered on.
Even those whose homes had not yet been fully restored gathered their belongings and went back.
The quieter Blissbury became, the livelier Feltham grew. As a result, the people of Blissbury quickly regained their equilibrium.
Though it had been necessary to help the refugees, both Mrs. Parker and Mr. Palmer had been thoroughly worn down by overwork.
But when the mansion grew quiet again and the workload subsided, smiles appeared on their weary faces.
While the perpetually filthy halls of Blissbury were being cleaned anew, and the roads of Feltham were being fully restored, the village swiftly recovered.
---
"The Luzon family has returned," Julia announced over breakfast, as if she'd just heard the news.
The Luzon family had been among those who left Feltham immediately after their home was completely swept away. They had reportedly gone to stay with distant relatives—but now, it seemed, they were back.
"Have you heard that the restoration of Feltham is nearly complete? It seems the rumors have spread to other regions."
Listening to Julia, Eloise bowed her head and asked:
"And... didn't aid reach other areas as well?"
Then Julia opened her mouth again, pretending to know everything.
"It arrived in other villages too—but from what I've heard, our village received the most help. And the engineering corps arrived here first. I asked them, and they say they'll finish with Feltham this week and move on to other places."
"There's nothing strange about that," Mrs. Ogilvy interjected.
"After all, Feltham suffered the most. His Majesty must have taken this into account and dispatched assistance accordingly."
But Eloise could not agree with Mrs. Ogilvy's assessment.
*Was the king truly aware of the damage in this small, unmarked village?* More likely, someone had actively reported the destruction in Feltham.
Eloise's gaze settled on the three sergeants who were busily devouring their breakfast.
Ryan, Richard, and Philip had helped with the restoration as much—if not more—than the engineering corps themselves.
Because of this, even though it was a cool autumn, the faces of all three were darkened by the sun.
Richard, grumbling that this wouldn't do, desperately tugged on his hat—but he couldn't avoid the tan.
At this moment, Mrs. Parker—bringing a full basket of freshly baked bread—said:
"Is everyone returning to Feltham today?"
Julia's expression dimmed at Mrs. Parker's words. As Mrs. Parker had said, today the last two families remaining at Blissbury were returning to Feltham.
Initially, both families had planned to return earlier—especially the Severton family, whose house had survived intact.
But Ryan had asked Eloise to assist with the distribution and management of the aid, and she'd had to stay longer.
The Ogilvy family had been delayed because Abigail's health worsened again with the onset of cold weather.
Moreover, their house had been among the last to be rebuilt.
"We owe you so much, Mrs. Parker. I don't know how to thank you."
Mr. Ogilvy, accepting the bread from Mrs. Parker, thanked her earnestly.
"It's I who should be thanking you. Especially Andrew—that boy has brought me such joy lately. Even though he kept coming down to the kitchen asking me to let him bake bread too."
At Mrs. Parker's words, Andrew—who had been chewing bread—slowly slid beneath his chair, prompting laughter around the table.
"In any case, we truly are going back. It feels like... like a very long gathering has just ended. Though what we experienced wasn't exactly pleasant."
At Eloise's words, everyone smiled with bitter understanding.
Never before had such a disaster occurred. But having endured these hardships together, everyone felt something akin to fellowship.
This had brought the already close-knit residents of Feltham even closer.
Everyone had done something together.
That was probably why it felt as though a long occasion had just concluded.
Soon breakfast ended, and everyone went to their rooms to collect the last of their belongings.
"Miss Eloise."
At that moment, Ryan called out to Eloise.
"I would like to discuss something regarding the remaining aid. Could you spare me a little time?"
"Of course."
Eloise told Emily to prepare and followed him into the library.
As soon as she entered, Ryan took her hand. Eloise—as if it were the most natural thing—pressed herself against him and kissed the corner of his lips.
"The door is still open, Miss Eloise."
"If anyone comes, you'll warn me, Sergeant Thornton."
After addressing each other so formally, they giggled—then laughed aloud a moment later.
Since they'd returned from being trapped in Feltham, they had been having these small secret meetings at Blissbury.
The encounters, however, involved nothing improper. They simply held hands and exchanged a few light kisses.
Eloise, taking his hand that stroked her cheek, said:
"A letter from my father arrived this morning. His godmother has since passed, and the funeral has already taken place. Judging by when the letter was sent, he'll return to Feltham no later than the day after tomorrow."
When news of the great flood that had devastated everything here reached him, Mr. Severton had made several attempts to contact them.
But the post office in Cambon had been damaged by flooding, and communications had been severed for a long while.
Mr. Severton had wanted to return immediately—but just then his godmother's health had suddenly deteriorated. In the end, he'd had to remain there until the funeral.
And now, finally, contact had been restored.
"He's finally coming home. I'm worried he'll be shocked to see Feltham."
"Yes, indeed. If he discovered all his favorite walking trails were gone, he'd be truly upset."
"And yet, he'll be more grateful that his wife and daughter are alive and well."
Having said this, Ryan lightly kissed her cheek.
Nothing extraordinary. Sometimes even very close acquaintances did this.
But every time he touched Eloise, he felt as though he were turning to butter in an oven.
His body weakened. His mind went blank. The pleasant sensation of melting down to his fingertips was intoxicating.
Therefore, whenever time allowed, he—avoiding prying eyes—took her hands and kissed her.
But that was until today. Now Eloise had to return to Feltham. And that meant...
"I hope Mr. Severton returns soon."
He kissed each of her fingers and said:
"If I receive your father's official permission for our relationship, I won't have to hide so much to see you. And if it comes to it—" Ryan smiled. "I'll be even happier if I receive an invitation to the Great Feast from Mr. Severton."
Eloise beamed at his words.
The Great Feast was a day when the entire family gathered at year's end.
He was saying he would remain here—both in autumn and in winter.