Chapter 139: Chapter 1 “Do reconsider. The clerics are too busy attending to the dead. They will no longer have the time to look after you and the other noblewomen. If you come to Aren Castle, I will make sure that you have everything you need.” Despite Duke Aren’s persistence, Maxi firmly shook her head. “I... truly am content to remain here. I have grown quite accustomed to life here... B-besides, no matter where I am... I-I could never be at ease.” The duke opened his mouth to reply but let out a sigh of resignation when he saw Maxi’s determined expression. “If that is your decision, then I cannot force you. But if you ever change your mind, ask the clerics to send word to me.” After imploring her to let him honor his promise to Riftan, the duke left the monastery. Just as the duke had warned, the basilica was too busy to look after the women staying at the monastery. Of the three maidservants that had been assigned to serve Maxi, only one remained, and even she could only be spared to collect the laundry and bring a basin of water in the morning and evening. Everything else, Maxi had to do by herself. She was not alone in this situation; some of the noblewomen gathered at the basilica to voice their complaints. Had Maxi not experienced traveling during the campaign, she would have undoubtedly felt uncomfortable as well. Having already grown used to doing things on her own, however, Maxi quickly adapted to the new conditions. Every morning, she would personally clean her room and make her bed, then dress herself to attend the service in the prayer hall. If her laundry was late in returning, she washed her own undergarments and socks. Though she had never had to clean or do laundry in her life, she was less averse to the work than she thought. It was comforting having something to do. All she had ever done at the monastery was eat, sleep, and attend prayers twice a day. Such a monotonous routine only filled her head with worries. Maxi had desperately needed a distraction from her thoughts. She even went as far as committing herself to grooming Rem at the stables. She spent so much time brushing the mare that her wiry, white mane turned sleek silver. Maxi was stepping out of the stables when she heard Idsilla’s voice behind her. “Lady Calypse! There you are. We were just thinking about visiting you in your room.” It was Idsilla, Alyssa, and three other noblewomen whom Maxi sometimes exchanged nods with in the prayer hall. They were all dressed for an outing. When Maxi gave them an inquiring look, Alyssa offered a faint smile and said, “The ladies and I are on our way to the shelter. Would you like to come with us?” “Do you mean... right now?” Maxi asked after a pause, her eyes growing round at the unexpected invitation. Smiling politely, Alyssa cautiously added, “Please feel free to refuse if you are busy.” “N-Not at all. I was merely... dropping by the stables... and was about to return to my room,” said Maxi, lightly shaking her skirt in an attempt to rid the smell of horse from her clothes. Ignoring the stench, Idsilla genially pulled Maxi by her arm. “Then you must come with us. Being trapped inside a monastery listening to requiems all day will stifle us all to death.” Although she frowned on her cousin’s ill-mannered remarks, Alyssa agreed. “We were talking about doing something meaningful. We have heard that many of the bereaved families are going through hard times and are staying at the shelter. I know that the shelter is sorely lacking in supplies, so we’ve collected donations from the ladies to help in any way we can.” Alyssa proudly held up a large leather bag. From the shape of it, Maxi surmised that they had collected jewelry. She tried to recall if she had anything valuable in her possession. Since she had packed as lightly as possible to avoid weighing down the campaign party, she did not think she would find anything worth donating. Maxi looked embarrassed. “I’m afraid... I won’t be of much help. I-I did not bring much from Anatol.” “Goodness, please do not worry about that. Having Sir Riftan’s wife visit them would offer many of them much solace, I’m sure. No matter what anyone says, Sir Riftan is the greatest hero of the Western Continent after all.” Maxi was quite delighted by the woman’s praise of Riftan. “V-Very well. I shall come with you.” She mused that it would be a hundred times better for her to accompany them on their excursion than to languish away in her room, sighing the day away. After excusing herself, Maxi hastened to her chambers and changed into the cleanest clothes she had. Afterward, she scoured through her belongings to see if there was anything worth selling. She thought the dagger Riftan had given her would sell for a hefty sum, but she could not bear to part with it. The same went for the shekel coin. After much thought, Maxi took out the palm-sized mirror from her pocket. Apparently, mirrors were quite expensive, so it would have to do. She placed the mirror back in her pocket and headed back. When she arrived at the entrance of the basilica, she saw three carriages and six guards waiting in the square. Maxi tentatively walked over to them. Idsilla, who was already seated in one of the carriages, waved at her. “Come, sit with me. We have asked the clerics for permission in advance, and they said that we only needed to return before the evening service.” When Maxi climbed into the carriage and sat beside Idsilla, the carriage slowly made its way down the road. Maxi watched the exotic roads of Levan pass by through the coach window. Under the blazing summer sun, the light gray buildings glimmered like ivory, and the leaves of the laurel trees were a deep green. It was such a peaceful scene that it was almost difficult to believe the tragedy raging outside the city walls. Maxi was wallowing in the paradox when Idsilla spoke. “We thought we would drop by the merchant guild first to purchase aid supplies. Some of the women donated gold coins, but most offered jewelry like bracelets or rings. It might take some time for us to reach a bargain with the merchants.” “I-I also found something to help the cause,” Maxi said, hastily pulling out the hand mirror from her pocket. Idsilla shook her hands, frowning. “That really isn’t necessary. It is more than enough that you have agreed to come with us.” “P-Please accept it. I am also... relying on the kindness of Levan’s monastery, so I would like to help as well.” When Maxi’s adamant expression did not budge, Idsilla resignedly took the mirror and placed it inside the bag along with the other ornaments. Soon, the carriage passed through the city square and stopped in front of a large building belonging to the merchant guild. There, the women sold the ornaments they had collected and purchased an ample supply of food, oil, and clean linen. Since the valuables had fetched quite a sum, they had thirty derham coins to spare even after filling three carriages with aid supplies. The women decided to donate the remainder to the monastery and climbed back inside the carriage. When they had ridden for a further ten minutes, Idsilla pointed to a building outside the window. “That is the shelter.” It was a wooden, two-story structure that looked as though it had been built a century ago. “It used to be a church but now serves as a refuge for orphans and vagrants who have nowhere else to go. According to the clerics, many of the families who lost their breadwinner in the war are currently staying there.” Maxi furrowed her brows. The shelter looked as though it could collapse at any moment. The boards covering the roof rattled each time the wind blew, and vagrants in tattered garbs formed a long line in front of its doors. The soldiers who were escorting the ladies spotted the crowd and quickly locked the doors of the carriage. “Please remain seated. We will go in and speak with the clerics first.” Idsilla nodded curtly, and Maxi stared out the window to study the faces of the vagrants. Most were young women carrying children on their backs. Were they widows who could no longer make ends meet? Looking at their dirty, grief-stricken faces made Maxi’s stomach twist in knots. Although she did not wish to even think about it, Maxi could not help but imagine what would happen to her if she were to lose Riftan. She, at least, would not have to beg like these women. Instead, she would probably be subjected to harsh abuse at the hands of her father until she died. Maxi bit her lip. If her father wished it, she could be married off again. Maxi could not decide which fate was worse. Even supposing that the heavens would be on her side and she could enter a convent, she would most likely spend the rest of her life missing Riftan. ... Maxi touched the shekel coin inside her pocket. Running her finger over its rough, copper surface seemed to calm her nerves a little. When about five minutes had passed, the soldiers returned and opened the carriage door for them. “My lady, we have brought the clerics. You may step out now.” The women tentatively exited the carriage and were greeted by clerics in worn, monastic habits. “We thank you for coming to such a humble place.” “We have heard that you are going through some hardship, so we brought food and necessities with us.” The clerics glanced at the carriages behind the women and gave them a grateful smile. “Thank you. It so happens that we were about to request royal aid.” “Is the situation that bad?” “Yes. With so many people requiring assistance, it has become impossible for us to manage the facility with only the funds from the church,” a cleric admitted with a sigh. “I am sure you are aware that the refugees alone are too many to count. Together with the widows and orphans, we are barely able to provide everyone with a meal each day. Would you like a tour of the facility?” 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢 Looking unsure, Alyssa glanced at the other noblewomen. Before any of them could come to a decision, Idsilla bravely stepped forward. ... “Yes, of course. We should take a look around so we know what to bring next time.” Idsilla took the lead and followed the clerics to the shelter, and the rest of the noblewomen reluctantly trailed behind her. Maxi cautiously followed the group. The shelter was no different from a barn. Even though the closely-packed wooden tables were crammed with scrawny children slurping watery soup, still more children were slumped on the floor, gnawing on pieces of bread. On one side were the elderly lying on makeshift beds made of stacked wooden planks, while on the other were the women. They were dressed in frayed garments and sat on grimy blankets, some with babies clutched at their breasts. Contrary to Alyssa’s expectations, none of the people inside paid any attention to the women who had come in the name of charity. Their anguish was so all-encompassing that they seemed to have lost interest in their surroundings. The atmosphere was bleaker than any of them had expected. Even Idsilla, who had stepped into the facility in high spirits, looked disconcerted. They eventually slipped outside looking rattled without venturing to the second floor. Alyssa heaved a heavy sigh. “I did not think the conditions here would be so poor. I will try to collect more donations when we return to the monastery.” “Please do, my lady,” the clerics implored in earnest, clutching her hands. From then on, the noblewomen of Livadon started visiting the shelter regularly to offer donations. They even helped hand out meals on occasion or made new clothes for the children. While some were repulsed by the decrepit building and the vagrants dressed in rags, most seemed happy to have something to occupy themselves. Maxi was no different, and she always went along with the others whenever they visited.