episode_0097
by fnovelpia
97. Day 1 Starts Today!
Early morning.
After spending a joyful night with Luna.
I hugged her tenderly from behind.
“Ready for work?”
“Yeah.”
Now that we’d decided to date, I spoke casually without honorifics.
Luna, nestled in my arms, gently squeezed my hand in response.
Though only the back of her head was visible, I could tell she was smiling.
Resting my face against the top of her head, I asked:
“How’s your condition?”
“Best mood ever…”
Her voice was shy, trailing off.
It was hard to believe this cuteness came from Luna, the usually sharp-tongued tomboy.
I’m so happy to have a girlfriend like this.
Breakfast time arrived.
After washing thoroughly to rid ourselves of any lingering scent, Luna and I headed to the Grace estate.
Though we ended up showering together again along the way…
Anyway, as we entered the dining hall together, Brooke and Aiter greeted me.
“Good morning, genius! You weren’t in your room—where’d you go?”
“Yeah… I went to wake you up.”
For a moment, I almost blurted out the happy news…
But I barely managed to zip my excited mouth shut.
Luna is the acting commander of the entire Grace army, leading a million soldiers.
On top of that, though not a titled noble, she’s undeniably the daughter of the former duke. Blabbing about us would do more harm than good.
“I was checking out the taverns.”
“Oh? You drinking now?”
“Not really.”
Brooke clicked his tongue in disappointment.
For some reason, he seemed eager to drink with me.
Regardless, I took my usual seat at the head of the table, and Erica entered the dining hall.
“Good morning.”
As always, Erica greeted everyone with her usual morning salutation.
Then, the moment she sat beside me, she glanced slyly at my face.
“Something good happen, my dear fox?”
She must have mind-reading powers or something.
Just one look at my face and Erica nailed it instantly.
I scratched my head and dodged the question.
“Just… had a great idea, haha…”
“What kind of idea?”
Erica’s intrigued response was instant.
Even Luna, who had entered with her usual icy demeanor, perked up her ears.
“The piano was designed as a perfect instrument, right?”
“Indeed.”
“But… something feels missing with just the piano alone.”
Luna stiffened slightly at my words.
Though her worried gaze stabbed into me…
Erica showed no sign of anger. Instead, she stroked my head eagerly, urging me to continue.
“So, you’ve thought of a way to supplement it?”
“Of course! Music that harmonizes with other instruments!”
“Does that mean you’ll create more instruments?”
I nodded, and Erica smirked.
Seeing her favorable reaction, Luna discreetly sighed in relief.
I picked up my fork and knife like drumsticks and mimed a drumbeat.
“First, a percussive instrument—strong, stabilizing the rhythm and setting the mood.”
Then I air-guitared.
“Two modified lutes—one for serene background music, the other for powerful melodies.”
Finally, I pantomimed playing the piano.
“And tying it all together: the piano. Plus, a bard to sing along.”
“Hoh… So, a bard supported by multiple instruments?”
“Exactly!”
I beamed as if declaring victory.
Suddenly, Erica clutched her chest as if her heart ached.
No clue why, but it was one heck of a reaction.
Seriously, what’s up? Does she have a heart condition or something?
Just as worry crept in, Erica, still gripping her chest, spoke—barely catching her breath.
“Not bad. Once this war ends, it wouldn’t hurt to make them.”
Eventually, she relented reluctantly.
Normally averse to work, it seemed my enthusiastic pitch swayed her.
See? Being earnest pays off.
But then Alice chimed in, reinforcing my idea.
“On the contrary, it’s perfect. War is agony for the people—they rarely grasp its stakes.”
“True. Whether I win or that old fool Baldouin of Ternova does, the people won’t feel the difference.”
“But what if we used music to spread your name, Erica Grace?”
“Hoh…”
It felt like Erica had initially humored me as a whimsical request, but Alice’s argument sealed the deal.
After downing a glass of juice in one gulp, Erica set it down and summed it up:
“Propaganda-friendly, you mean.”
“The most efficient way to reach the masses.”
“Whatever. I like it.”
Then Erica locked me in a headlock.
Trapping my head under her arm, she ruffled my hair wildly—enough to make it whip around like a towel being snapped.
“My precious little fox! Always finding ways to delight me!”
“Uwaaaah…!”
Genuinely pleased, Erica showered me with affection.
Alice, meanwhile, had a look that screamed, *Leave the diplomacy to me! The people’s needs come first!*
Feels like a massive misunderstanding, but…
Luna watched me with moved eyes.
I’d even pulled childish stunts to persuade Erica—all for my girlfriend’s sake.
I discreetly winked at Luna.
—Whoosh
Her face flushed slightly as she averted her gaze.
So shy. Adorable.
Wait, why do Vivian and Adel look like that?
────────────────────
From morning onward, Erica smothered me with affection.
And she hadn’t even been drinking…
*‘How would I live without my darling fox?! Come here!’*
She bombarded me with kisses.
Luna briefly flared with jealousy before bowing her head to her liege.
Well, that’s just how it is—Luna, like Vivian and Adel, is a loyal retainer of the Grace household.
Even if her liege smooches someone, she’d accept it.
I felt a twinge of discontent, but I understood her stance perfectly.
Anyway, Erica had approved making drums—Luna’s instrument.
Humming cheerfully, I was about to set off when…
“Malang, a word.”
“Come here for a sec.”
Wild Vivian and Adel appeared behind me.
Come to think of it, I’d been so overjoyed about my girlfriend that I’d forgotten them entirely.
I turned and bowed politely.
“Good day, Lady Vivian, Lady Adel Grace.”
“Huh? Uh…”
“Bokdeong-ah, why the stiff formalities between us?”
Between *us*?
Sorry, but our fling’s over.
You might’ve had me first, but now that I have a girlfriend, I can’t keep this up.
Still bowing, I addressed them with noble courtesy.
“I think it’s best we end that relationship now.”
“Wha…?”
Vivian stiffened, visibly shocked.
Adel, comparatively composed, clenched her hidden fists tightly—clearly anxious.
“Bokdeong-ah, may I ask what brought this on?”
Adel’s question hung in the air.
Vivian, tense, watched for cues.
Normally, I’d never explain, but these two are Luna’s relatives.
Plus, given our history—and the need to close that chapter—I decided to come clean.
Glancing around to ensure no eavesdroppers, I spoke up.
They’re close to me—more than friends, less than lovers—so they’d congratulate me, right?
Grinning, I delivered the news.
“Ehehe… Luna and I are dating now…”
I scratched my head, my voice trailing off sheepishly.
When Luna confessed, she’d spoken softly.
Back then, I found it cute yet slightly frustrating—couldn’t grasp *why* she was so shy.
Now, I fully understood why she’d been so embarrassed.
Turns out admitting this stuff is way more awkward than I thought…
“But… I was first…”
“…So that’s how it is?”
“Yeah!”
I answered with a sunny smile.
Huh. Not as congratulatory as I expected…
Still, work beckoned, so I bowed again.
Time to draw the line and treat them strictly as superiors.
“I’ll take my leave now! Lady Graces!”
Both women stood frozen like statues.
No clue why, but isn’t this how flings usually end?
With quick steps, I headed off to work.
My first stop was a farmhouse in Presia.
Mid-September.
Harvest season approached, so I needed to check the guano fertilizer’s progress.
Especially since the all-out war in two weeks meant feeding a staggering 2.22 million troops.
Food supplies demanded meticulous attention.
Arriving at the largest local farm, the farmer’s daughter bowed deeply.
“Welcome!! At least have a meal…!!”
She treated me like visiting royalty, fussing over hospitality.
But I scratched my head and reassured her:
“Already ate. And I’m a commoner too—no need for formalities.”
“But…”
“Really, it’s fine! I’m Cain. And you?”
“D… Dana.”
We shook hands, breaking the ice.
Guided around the farm, I surveyed the yields…
“Sir Cain, may I—”
“Just speak casually, Dana.”
“O-okay! As I said, we planted even the fallow fields—everything’s thriving.”
Fallow fields are rested to restore fertility—normally rotated yearly in quarters.
Thankfully, they’d trusted my guano fertilizer enough to plant everywhere.
Dana’s eyes sparkled as she continued:
“And the crops are sturdy too…”
“Sturdy how?”
“Well… roughly double the yield.”
“Whoa!”
Jackpot.
Guano fertilizer can double or even triple harvests.
Factor in utilizing all fallow fields, and…
Theoretically, an 8x boost in yield.
Of course, it’s not sustainable forever, but…
A bumper crop right before war? Divine fortune.
“Really, if you won’t eat… Do you not accept bribes?”
“Hah, no need, Dana! I’ll visit again!”
“So merciful…”
Wait, what?
Inspectors take bribes here?
Gotta report this to Erica later.
After touring several large farms, solid data emerged:
Compared to last year, food production had surged roughly 7.6-fold.
I’d also compiled a list of corrupt inspectors shaking down farmers.
Erica will love this.
With happy stats in hand, I headed toward Luna’s barracks.
Partly to share the good news, partly just to see her.
“Oh, right—still need to recruit balloon troops and artillery…”
Eh, whatever.
Work or not, seeing her face makes me happy.
Humming, I reached the barracks—where Luna stood waiting, arms crossed.
I enthusiastically waved.
“…Cain.”
“Luna, miss me?”
Confirming no one was around, I rushed to hug her.
Her slight frown worried me.
Sincerely, I asked:
“Everything okay? You seem upset.”
“…A little.”
“Really?! What’s wrong? I’ll fix it.”
Luna answered plainly.
I puffed up, eager to help.
Her lips curled briefly before she frowned again, brows knitting sorrowfully…
Then she looked at me with resigned sadness.
“Let’s break up.”
…But today’s *Day 1*?
0 Comments