Volume 1 Chapter 50 The Margrave Has Arrived ~
Finally, the day had come ── the day Margrave Shield was to arrive.
Over the past month, Cain had eaten so many dishes in preparation for his visit.
Everyone, except him, was absolutely thrilled.
But with them being served every 3 days, it was getting rough for Cain, who'd grown accustomed to the food.
He think it's finally getting really delicious though.
Maybe all those meals paid off.
The entire family went out to greet Margrave Shield at the entrance.
Two carriages rolled down the cobblestone road in front of the mansion, accompanied by 20 guards.
The carriages came to a stop right in front of the entrance, and the coachman opened the door.
A robust elderly man in his 6ties, with white hair, stepped out.
"Sir Margrave Shield, thank you so much for traveling such a long way today."
Luke bowed deeply and greeted him.
Everyone who had come to greet him also bowed in unison.
"You've done well to greet me. Luke, haven't you lost some weight?"
The Margrave Shield casually spoke, giving Luke's body a few hearty pats.
"I'm in perfect health. Thank you for your concern. Please, come right in."
With a simple nod, Margrave Shield began to walk forward as Luke led the way.
They were guided to the guest room, where maids served them fragrant tea.
Luke and Lydia sat on the sofa, with Alice and Cain standing beside them.
Margrave Shield took a sip of his tea before he began speaking.
"Luke, I hope I haven't been a burden with this sudden visit. The merchants passing through this town keep talking about the 'wonderful road' around here."
Luke shook his head, humbly replying, "It's nothing much."
He then turned to Lydia, offering a soft smile.
"Lydia, how are you? You're starting to resemble your mother, Aisha, more and more. If possible, could you visit her sometime soon?"
"Father, it's been so long! How is Mother? I was hoping you'd bring her with you today."
"Well, she was supposed to come with me at first, but she injured her foot a little while ago. She had to regretfully cancel."
"Is Mother okay? What happened to her?"
Lydia asked, visibly surprised.
"Oh, it's nothing much. Just took a tumble in the mansion's garden. No need to worry."
"I will make sure to visit again soon."
Lydia sighed in relief, a gentle smile on her face.
Now, looking over at Alice and Cain, he spoke with a hint of pride in her voice.
"Alice, you've grown so much. About to enter the academy, perhaps? A proper young lady now, and Cain, you've become a proper young man."
"Grandfather, it has been a while. I was looking forward to meeting you again."
She beamed with joy, clearly happy to be recognized and praised for her age.
"Sir Margrave Shield, it has been a while. I am now 6 years old."
Cain meeting the Margrave Shield?
At 3 years old, he naturally had no memory of it, so he greeted him awkwardly.
"Cain, won't you call me 'grandfather' like Alice does? It's lonely..."
Suddenly, the Margrave Shield put on an act of a frail old man, muttering to himself.
"Father, please don't joke. It's embarrassing for Cain."
Lydia joined in, and with that, the Margrave Shield burst into laughter, followed by everyone else.
"Now, to the main topic ── the road from the town to the mansion is truly something else. I was reminded that seeing and hearing about it are 2 very different things. Once it turned to 'cobblestones,' the bumps lessened, and the speed picked up. Plus, the different colors make it look like it'd be easier for carriages to navigate. But most of all, the streets are so clean."
Leaning on his chin, he began to talk about the "cobblestones" they had passed.
"'The cobblestone' design was thought up by Lydia and Alice. The different colors helped define the pathways, reducing carriage accidents. And since we paved it with cobblestones, the townsfolk have started cleaning it daily on their own, making it more hygienic."
Luke explained the benefits of the cobblestone paving.
"Is that so? Hm, I'd very much like to have our town streets 'cobblestoned' as well."
The Margrave Shield said just as expected.
'I knew it... he came all the way here just to say that, huh? Does he think Father will be able to handle the negotiation properly?'
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