Chapter 9: The servants inside the castle (II).

Chapter 9: The servants inside the castle (II).

Elizabeth's POV

To the library we went... the same routine from last time was done.

Hours I've decided to spend my time learning all that I can inside the library, while Victoria would teach me some etiquette in the middle of my reading.

"Which fork would you use for the salad?"

"The salad fork of course."

...

"When you greet the other nobles, what would you do?"

"I would curtsy first before addressing their title and their name. I make sure to address the head of the family before anyone else."

...

"When you're eating presents with many nobles? Who must eat first?"

"It should be the Emperor or the Empress but... since they are currently not inside the kingdom it would be me to carry on that rule."

...

Victoria pats my head and I feel satisfied with my answers.

The guards stood outside and I kept my privacy by using the library on my own. I wanted to conduct more valiant research on how I'll be able to improve the country's stability- not by bloodshed.

But by finding ways I could contribute like globalization, agriculture, and trading.

The land of snow was nothing short of its resources when it came to minerals, and that is what the empress used to its advantage making inventions consisting of them- this may help with my plans but I don't know how yet.

Slam!

"Humph! Another set of books at your disposal to read your highness." (Victoria) was at my side again, she sits beside me and stares at all the books she's picked that may be able to help with what I would need.

"Though is there any particular reason as to why it's all agricultural based?"

"Oh... I've wanted to learn and improve the country's food shortage, the crops in winter can't grow and we need another stable source of food instead of waiting and relying on the other kingdom's help." I tell her to check out the stacks of books she picked for me, ones that were outdated and would only help if there would be more shine than snow.

"What... a wonderful and considerate idea towards your subjects, your highness." my maid tells me as she joined me in my research.

This book called [Farming 101] tries to explain the importance of the usual fertilizer, sunlight, and what types of crops you should grow in the winter, usually those would be Rabi crops or rabi harvest, also known as winter crops, are crops that are sown in winter and harvested in the spring.

There would be the aid of magic needing the crops crow but the taste would be bitter, and making the ground have too much mana on it could make the harvest even worse-

"Victoria, what crops do we grow around here?"

"Wheat, potatoes, tomatoes, berries, beans, corn, wheat, lettuce, apples, ground beetroot..." (Victoria) listed some of the crops that weren't made for winter- she finished off what felt so long before telling me that she was done with all the list of her crops.

"That is all, milady."

I sigh, holding a hand to both of my temples, relaxing them.

"That... I won't argue with some of the crops that can survive light winter but- some of them are non frost-hardy vegetables. These vegetables will not last and will turn to mush, or be a wilted mess." I laid back on the chair and stared at the outdated books that were helping me with nothing.

"Who... Do you know anyone here that knows about our local crops?"

Victoria stares at me and blinks, "The servants. Almost all of them came from the countryside looking for work. If you need any experience or any questions- it may be best to ask them."

"Remember your highness, in agriculture, you are not limited to only crops but you also have to think about the kingdom's livestock. Without the right amount of crops, it can lead to famine, malnutrition, shortage, and inflation."

Famine...

I don't think... we're at the brink of that problem yet in any case. Yet I don't hear anyone talking about it inside the castle because whenever I would come over the conversation would just die, so I can't be too sure.

"What else should I take note of?" I asked, eager to learn and know what else can I do.

Victoria hums, taking a deep thought before answering my question.

"Livestock gives other materials needed too like wool, leather, horns, fats, milk, eggs and fur. We must make sure to occasionally breed and make sure we don't waste any of them." (Victoria)

...

"That's... a lot more than I thought."

She was right... not only do I have to think about solutions for the crops but maybe I would need to make better improvements on the livestock. I haven't even tended to what kind of livestock the snow kingdom has.

Victoria sees that I was taking my duties seriously and she pats my head gently looking over with a warm smile.

Pat... again.

"..." For some reason that makes me really... happy.

Is this why dogs and cats like getting their head a small pat or a stroke of their fur?

"Opinions on your servant's life and background may also give you a better understanding of how other people live outside the castle. If you would hold their hands, you would know the obstacles and tortures they had to face before they had to get here," she tells me holding out her hand to let me see what she's been through.

Calluses and scars at the palms of her hands. Whenever I had the chance to hold her I would always feel them so this was no stranger but-

Her nails were broken and almost gone...

I never noticed this part of Victoria before.

"There are some things a book can't teach you, milady." (Victoria) motions for me to follow her outside of the library keeping her hands steady on the door.

"!!!"

I quickly took off from the table and ran straight her way.

"Why don't we have lunch?" she tells me, opening the dark wooden door and letting out a little squeak.

Lunch at this time and this early?

"Lunch? I don't even think it's lunchtime yet Victoria-"

"I'm sure you're quite famished and you can take this chance to... do your research."

Victoria! You smart maid!

"Well then if that's the case! I'm hungry!" I held my chin up high and excited the library seeing the same guards that were taking a nap suddenly wake up hearing the door being opened.

"Hah! Gah! I'm awake!" They all stood up, armors clattering and I raised my eyebrows at them.

"W-We're awake." The guard captain repeated and I couldn't help but give him a break for his job of keeping a look on me when all I would do nowadays was just- go to the library and nothing else.

"Yes, good job on being awake." I faintly smiled feeling a bit thankful that they were willing to take their time watching over me worried for my safety. "Pssst... come down a bit."

"Y-Yes, your highness." The guard captain kneels where his head was at the same level as mine. Victoria watches over me curiously on what I'll do next.

I wanted to do the same thing she does when I... do a good job.

I held out my head, looking over the guard captain who was hiding his head over a helmet. "Pat... pat," I muttered while patting his helmet twice.

"Good job for today, thank you for keeping watch."

"Y-Your highness!" The guard captain sounded so shocked. The other guards around him cheered and sounded like they wanted a pat too- "Thank you, so much your highness. Please let us escort you and you may use our lives to whatever you may desire."

Their lives to what now-

Before I could even tell him that wasn't needed, the guard captain turns to his other soldiers chanting- "We will fight a dragon-! we will dance for you-! We will sing for you-! We will kill any of your enemies for you-! Isn't that right, comrades?!"

"YEAH!"

The other guards heard his morale speech in my honor and I suddenly felt so embarrassed. Victoria nods approvingly with my move and leans down in the direction of my ear to whisper. "Well done, your highness. If you will need you may also ask the guards about your research for agriculture. Many soldiers here also came from the countryside yet they are very trained and experienced for battle."

"Ahaha-" I laughed nervously, shaking my head, and pulled over his cape that was behind his back.

"No need for the chanting-" I tell him and immediately the guard captain follows my orders holding his sword by the waist.

"A-Apologies, milady. It seems I have gone overboard but- I am honored to have received a pat from the princess, I will treasure this moment for the rest of my life." He bows in my direction and Victoria giggles seeing how I've already had a bonding moment with the guard captain.

I sighed slightly but I'm rather enjoying all of these guards' company.

"Ahem... Why don't we all have a small break at the dinner table?" I told them and they all looked at one another looking unsure.

"I... want to know everyone's lives outside the castle. Where you've lived, how was your life- your experiences and hardships I want to know them all." I look up at the guards who stare at me in belief.

"I want to know them so I could make the next generation of people not suffer the same."

I want to be... a good Empress who values her people.