“I want to revive the festivals like the one you were all just discussing. A lively festival, bursting with energy, where not only locals come but faraway guests visit to sightsee as well.”
“Erm...”
“It’s so sudden. What would we do?”
“All we can do is grow vegetables.”
Despite my optimistic attitude, the women’s responses were lackluster, as expected. They wore the same confused expressions as the farmers who had attended the harvest festival meeting. What was clear was that they weren’t hostile toward me, just uneasy.
The farmers in Prelier raised crops for local consumption, and many were barely scraping by. Thanks to the favorable climate and rich soil, there was little worry of starvation as long as you didn’t live extravagantly.
I can understand why they wouldn’t want to make a risky decision when they’re content with the status quo. However, I’ll shoulder all the risk, so won’t you all work hard together with me?
“Being able to grow vegetables is a wonderful thing!” I said loudly and firmly.
The women looked taken aback.
“I was surprised by how delicious the vegetables and fruit in Prelier are. They’re tastier and have a much nicer sheen than the ones you can buy in the capital.”
“R-Really?”
“The tomatoes have a mild earthy smell and are easy to eat. The pumpkins are soft and fluffy, and they’re delicious whether you mix them into pies or cookies.”
“My, I’m thrilled to hear that.” A woman who happened to be polishing a pumpkin broke out into a bright smile.
“Pumpkin cookies? That sounds interesting. I think the children would enjoy those.”
“Putting it in soup all the time gets stale, after all.”
“We’ve been kneading it into bread dough lately.”
“What? You have my attention.”
Now that the topic had turned to cooking, I pushed onward. “I’m thinking about holding a cooking contest where contestants bring a dish they made from produce grown in their hometown. Or we could cook something in a big pot and distribute it to festivalgoers.”
“A contest? Would our rustic dishes really be all right?”
I nodded emphatically. “Yes. In fact, I think local dishes would be very welcome.”
The women began to talk about their best dishes. They chattered about whose pie was tastiest or how they wouldn’t lose when it came to fish dishes—they seemed more optimistic about the notion.
“I’d like it if those who remember the songs and dances could teach those who don’t know them, so we can reproduce the entertainment as faithfully as possible. I want the traditions to persist.” Everyone’s attention was on me. The confusion had disappeared from their eyes, and I could feel their alacrity on my skin. “I love this land. I love the food, the air, and the peaceful nature of its residents. I’m sure it must sound empty coming from a newcomer like me, but I want more people to learn about what a wonderful place Prelier is. Reviving the harvest festival is one method I’m considering.”
I gulped audibly. I was so nervous that my palms were slick with sweat.
“The main stars of the harvest festival are all the people in agriculture. If you think a festival is unnecessary, then there’s no point in holding one...but if you’d like to give it a try, if you want to have one, then I’ll do everything I can as your feudal lord to help. I will support you with all my power.”
A bird warbled nearby. A black kite deftly circled the blue sky. Silence lingered for seconds.
“Um...” A reserved voice broke the tranquil stillness. “I’d like to give it a try.”
The young woman had been the one to speak up. “I’d like to try having a festival,” she repeated as she stared at her mother sitting beside her. This time, her voice was firmer, and I could feel a strong determination radiating from her.
“Zaara.”
“I think Heino and Effa from our neighborhood would agree too. Big Sis Ulla from next door just returned from the capital, and she said she wants to let down her hair. Making preparations will be fun if we all do it together.” The young girl, Zaara, looked at the others with twinkling eyes. Her words weren’t out of deference or consideration for me as the feudal lord—I could tell that much at a glance.
“True... There are more young’uns now, and we aren’t lacking in manpower.”
“My daughter will be returning with her husband soon, and I reckon she’ll be eager to participate.”
The mothers who had been exchanging hesitant glances were now also becoming more optimistic.
“Gerda, did your grandchild decide to work here?”
“Yes.” Gerda’s hands stopped weaving, and her eyes narrowed into thin, mirthful crescents. “He said if there are jobs here, then he’ll stay in the village. He’s also worried about me and his parents, and his friends are here too.”
For the past few decades, Prelier’s population had been slowly declining. The main reason was the lack of employment opportunities. It wasn’t a region known for any particular industry, and it had shown no sign of developing, so the young had gone to the capital for work.
They had to live apart from their families because of this, but fortunately, Prelier was close to the capital. It wasn’t close enough to commute from, but it was a manageable distance to travel on short notice in the case of an emergency at home. Hence, every year more and more of the young folk had been choosing to get jobs in the capital.
However, recently, the outflow of the population had stopped. I believed it was because the construction of the medical facility and the revitalization of the business district had created more job opportunities. Although the rural areas weren’t experiencing the same population spike as the city center, people were still moving in. No, it would be more accurate to say that people were returning, not moving.
I could truly feel the impact of that effect from listening to these women chat. And it brought about a joy that I would never have experienced from simply reading numbers on a document.
“Duchess,” Gerda said.
“Yes?” I replied, snapping out of absentmindedly gazing at the women.
She stared at me intently with her gentle eyes and then bowed. “Thank you very much.”
“Huh?” Surprised by the sudden show of gratitude, my eyes widened. Thinking back on the conversation, I didn’t say anything that should receive any thanks. I sat there baffled, unable to grasp her intentions.
Gerda’s eyes narrowed happily. “Our village doesn’t have anything, but I like it here. Perhaps it’s because I know nothing of the world outside our village, but I’ve never thought about leaving, not once... But, that isn’t to say I don’t understand why the young’uns have been leaving.” She smiled sadly. “There’s nothing in this village, after all.”