The meeting lasted some time. Frederic chose a spot near the city, close to the river, to start constructing the cement production site. His wife informed him that she would look for a blacksmith to create the printing press.
She also explained that their eldest son's absence was due to his pursuit of another blacksmith to discuss the construction of a distillation apparatus.
Afterward, they discussed various important matters, including the city's needs, the crops, and other issues. "That will be all for now. You're dismissed," Frederic said. They all stood and made their way to the door.
Ella remained behind. "Father, I have something to ask." Her mother glanced at her before leaving, and just as she was about to reprimand Ella and drag her out, Frederic motioned for her to go.
"What's the matter? Let's go to my office." He opened a door in the wall leading to his office. "Sit."
She walked in and sat across from him, while he took his usual seat behind the desk.
"I heard the criminal who caused so much fear in the city was caught. Is that true?"
"Yes, he won't be a problem anymore."
"I heard he was convicted of numerous crimes, but are those accusations true?"
"Maybe yes, maybe no, but it doesn't matter. He's mine now," Frederic replied, fiddling with the scrolls on his desk. With all the inventions he'd obtained from the man, Frederic was certain he could elevate his noble status.
"But why is he walking free inside our house?" Frederic looked up at his daughter. "You don't need to be afraid. He's under constant surveillance by a soldier, and I've ordered more guards to be stationed inside the mansion as well. Now, please leave. I have important matters to attend to."
Ella opened her mouth to speak but thought better of it. She still had questions but knew her father well enough to give up. Rising from her seat, she left the room with a mix of anger and determination. He wore a cleric's robe, so maybe...
She headed toward the cleric's room at the back of the mansion but was stopped by a servant along the way. "Milady, you have your dance class now. We must hurry, or you'll be late."
She hesitated for a moment but eventually followed the servant to her class, knowing there would be no end to her parents' scolding if she didn't learn how to dance properly.
Rafael lay on his bed all morning. What can I do to change this? I should be living like a king right now, not like this! The room was so dark that he could barely see anything.
That bastard tricked me. I agreed to his deal because I thought I'd live in better conditions and be free. He spent hours thinking of ways to improve his situation.
... No, no, no... Well, it's not a bad idea... It could get me killed, but I hope it doesn't come to that... He wouldn't go that far, right? A bold idea crossed his mind. Okay, let's leave that for later; it's too risky. He left his room and began wandering leisurely through the mansion. After some time, he went outside to get some fresh air.
With this war going on, maybe the best course of action is to give Frederic new weapons...
After her dance class, the servants were changing Ella back into her daily clothes while she spoke with her teacher. "You're almost proficient, milady. I think just two more classes, and you'll be done. Now you won't bring shame to yourself or Baron Frederic."
Ella knew what that meant. In just a month, she would be married to Count Cuthred's son due to a political arrangement. She had received the news three months ago when her father called a family meeting to inform them about their future.
*Sigh*
She wasn't happy about it. "Have any of you seen a cleric walking through the mansion recently?"
"No, I haven't," her teacher and one of the servants replied.
"I did see a cleric in the mansion. I saw him twice in the kitchen; he seems to be a friend of the head chef," one of the female servants said to Ella.
"The kitchen? Do you know anything else about him? Is he really a cleric?" Ella looked to her, despite the servant being her inferior.
"By his brown robe, he does seem to be a cleric, milady."
"And why is there always a soldier following him?"
"A soldier? I'm sorry, but I don't know," the servant replied, unaware that Rafael was now under guard after his deal with Frederic.
"Forget it. Thanks, Bella."
How could a cleric be a criminal? Ella wondered. The kitchen... It's almost lunchtime, so the head chef should be working right now. Should I go there now or later? In the end, she decided to visit the kitchen in the afternoon.
It was in the afternoon when Ella finally had some free time to do what she wanted. Walking cautiously through her own home, following the directions she had been given, she saw an open door leading into a large kitchen filled with pots, pans, utensils, jars, and other things. It was the first time she had ever seen where the food she ate came from.
The place was quiet. "Hello?"
"Yes?" A rotund man appeared from behind a wall that divided the kitchen in two. "Oh! Milady, what brings you here? Perhaps you're hungry? Just tell me what you'd like, and I'll make it for you."
He was surprised to see her there, assuming she must be hungry despite having had lunch just a few hours ago. He clasped his hands in front of his belly, waiting for her to speak.
"N-no, that's not why I'm here. I want to ask you something. Have you seen a cleric around here recently?"