CH 44

Chapter 44: Dragon flight│

After returning to Bourg, Angelique and Serge discussed the lands their fathers would give them.

“Oto-sama told me that if it was near the capital, I could choose one estate, and two if it was in the countryside and crossed several other estates.”

“I was told to take Voltaire’s former Count’s estate as is. The Voltaire borders Escola and Ribeau, two doors down from the capital, as well as my grandfather’s castle on the capital’s outskirts.”

On a desk in the library is a map of the entire kingdom of Alkan.

Angelique placed a pebble on top of each of the Duke of Montan’s various territories and wonders,

“Is the castle big?”

“Around half the size of the Barnier castle.”

“That’s enough. We don’t need an estate close to the capital. We’ll take Lufall along the coast and Warokie to the west.”

She moves the other stones to Lufall, Warokie, Voltaire, Ribeau, and Bourg, as well as the capital.

east, west, north, south, and near the country’s center

Serge nods his head as he surveys the distant lands.

‘It would be easier to manage the adjacent territories if we had a choice.’

“What are you going to do with all these outlying areas?”

“In order to transport goods.”

“What…?”

“The Montan family’s owl service is useful for people who need to deliver urgent letters and other items, but because they are owls, they cannot carry large packages—however, dragons can.”

“How about with a dragon?”

“They can carry things that need to be delivered quickly, as well as things that are too large for wagons, and they can do so much faster than wagons.”

For a brief moment, she considered war, but the area surrounding the Alkan Kingdom is currently peaceful.

There is no need to consider weapon transportation.

‘I only want the dragons to bring something more peaceful, something that everyone will enjoy.’

“They could transport flowers, a specialty of the Dukes of Almgard, or seafood from the seaside at Lufall to the capital on a regular basis, or they could carry whatever cargo they are asked to carry and be paid for it—that is, if the dragons don’t mind.”

“Dragons enjoy flying. I’m sure they’d be delighted to fly.”

For the time being, the dragons will only fly around Bourg Castle so as not to startle people or be targeted for extermination by startled humans.

Going to the royal capital is one of the exceptions.

‘If they could fly like that…’

“I hope that the world will become a place where people are no longer surprised to see dragons and are excited to see what cargo is on its way.”

“Angelique, you are truly…”

Serge hugged Angelique tightly and kissed her nose, cheeks, forehead, eyelids, and everywhere else as if he were a child.

Finally, a few long lips kisses.

“Angelique, I love you.”

‘I should be used to this because we’re a couple, but I was a little nervous.’

“T-There’s still a lot to figure out.”

To handle outside requests, the dragon service could be used in conjunction with the owl service.

“We require more dragons.”

“I agree.”

“However, not just anyone can control a dragon…”

Lasse and Sari, despite their experience and good nature, can easily kill people.

Only those who understand this, as well as those who are willing and determined to gain the trust of others, can become dragon wranglers.

You won’t be able to do it unless you like living things, have physical strength, and a strong heart.

“There is a candidate.”

“Do you know anyone?”

“Well, not exactly someone I know, but…”

Angelique accompanied Serge to a nearby field.

The fields are owned by John and his family and are used for farming. They’ve recently hired more men to work in the fields and let them help out as they’ve become more financially secure.

They went up to one of them.

“Edgar.”

Serge exclaimed, “Ah!” when he saw the man turn around.

“You’re…!”

“Yes, it’s Edgar Barthes. I have my reservations about him, but I’m confident he has a lot of heart and stamina.”

“When did you…”

“Fufu, it’s not like I’ve been doing nothing but shopping and having tea with my friends while you’ve been in Bourg.”

Angelique requested that her father extradite Barthes and signed a document stating “no charge of death penalty” and that she was authorized to supervise him on her father’s behalf.

When Barthes was released from Aguillon prison, she promised him to bring his daughter, Marie to Bourg when she was well, but for the time being, she left him to work at the chateau in Bourg.

“Won’t you become a dragon wrangler, Edgar?”

“I’ll be whoever and whatever you want me to be.”

“Then you should become a dragon wrangler.”

“That’s fine.”

She whispered to Serge, “It might be a little tricky,” and turned on her heel while Barthes shouted something behind her back.

“Thank you very much! I’ll be faithful to you for the rest of my life!”

“You’re overreacting,” Angelique burst out laughing as she turned around.

“I don’t know why I’m jealous.” Serge grumbled a little.

“Ara?”

Angelique came to a halt and placed her hand on her stomach.

She’d been thinking about it for a while, but now it was clear.

“What is it?”

Serge looks at her with concern.

“Fufu, It moved.”

Serge rushed to bend down and put his ear to Angelique’s  stomach, which was starting to bulge slightly.

“I think I hear something.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

‘I’ll see you in the summer.’

“Which one do you prefer?”

“Which do I prefer? Well, I want a girl who looks just like you.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Why not?”

Angelique’s mouth tightened and the corners of her mouth turned up. Then she slipped her arm through Serge’s.

‘I’ll only have him for a few more months. For the time being, I’ll let him spoil me rotten.’

The wheat harvest is almost here.

There has also been an increase in new fields.

They’ll be able to sow more wheat in the fall and sell it to Royal Capital when it’s harvested the following year, as well as sell and promote some of this year’s crop.

All of the new lands they receive are rich, so they don’t need to be concerned as long as they take good care of them.

‘And in the years to come…’

Angelique fantasizes about Serge’s dragons soaring majestically through the kingdom’s skies in the future.

“The flight of the dragons. We will succeed. I guarantee it.”