Baroness Ariana Parmis was a noble of the Romanovia Kingdom from a foreign country. Ariana would have never thought that in her lifetime she would be given a noble title. Ariana thought that the new world they were in was a blessing for her.

“Lady Ariana, we have arrived,” said Sally. She was waking up the sleeping Ariana.

“Huh…” Ariana was still sleepy, she had a hard time opening her eyes.

After Ariana was given a noble title and mansion in the Royal Capital she needed people to help her manage her mansion and one of them was Sally. Sally became Ariana’s personal maid. Sally carried daggers inside her skirt to be used when needed.

Ariana was sent by Bianca to a village called Castusia, near the forest of Elsewen, according to the report from Ars Goetia the village produced a lot of agricultural products for the Kingdom and their farming method used the Four-Crop Rotation farming even before the agricultural reform introduced by Lucas and Bianca. Bianca was suspicious of this and sent Ariana to investigate the real reason and at the same time made contact with the habitants of Elsewen forest.

Anastasia explained to Bianca about Elsewen forest and its inhabitants. Elsewen forest was populated by elves that secluded themselves inside the forest. They guarded the forest against outsiders; when someone went too deep, a group of rangers from the elves would warn them and ask them to turn around. If they refuse, they will be killed.

The village near the forest, Castusia, was the only place the elves visited outside the forest and the village had a great relationship with them. The name Elsewen Forest was taken from the Kingdom of Elsewen, the nation of the elves. It was said that the elves' kingdom and the village existed long before the foundation of the Kingdom of Romanovia.

Ariana looked outside through the carriage’s window, she saw large fields of crops growing fruitfully. It was a sight to behold because this was the first time Ariana saw huge crops growing fruitfully in this world; It seemed the information Bianca got was true.

“Wow, I have never seen this many crops,” said Sally.

“Yes, I didn’t expect this many crops from this place.”

“Is this what will be the result of the new agricultural reform?”

“Yes.”

Ariana was amazed by the Loriens; Lucas and Bianca's plans had been set in motion as soon as they had their grasp firmly on the Kingdom’s throne. They left no time spent idling away. Anastasia had been captivated by Bianca and Anastasia trusted her blindly. The Loriens could do everything they wanted for the Crown and this kingdom.

With Bianca being a duchess of the Kingdom’s territory, her bloodline would be strong and firmly planted in the kingdom’s politics. If the Galactic Imperium had expanded far to this planet, Loriens bloodline would be able to return back to the Empire and reunite with the main house in the Empire, and the story and fate of HMGS Falcon 1 would be known to the Empire.

Ariana daydreamed of her future in this world. She was dreaming of cradling a baby she had with Lucas. She sat in the garden with her baby in her hand, and she was watching her child and Bianca’s children playing around in the garden, with Bianca sitting with her and watching her children play. They were having a tea time and let their children play together. What a bliss is the dream she had.

“Lady Ariana.”

“Huh.” Sally’s voice woke her up from her daydreaming. “What is it, Sally?”

“Were you daydreaming something? You smiled and giggled like a crazy person, just now.”

Ariana blushed, she was embarrassed. “Wh-what, did I do that?” Ariana touched her face.

“Yes, it was clear as day. So, what was it?”

“Nothing,” said Ariana, averting her gaze.

“Let me guess, Lord Lucas, right?”

“N–no.”

“If you want to lie, make sure to not show it, My Lady. Your face is as red as it can be.”

“Ughh… I mean, I was just dreaming, you know… I don't know if it will become a reality.”

“I’m sure it will, My Lady.”

“B-but, why didn't he take me with him when he went to Petersburg? I-i mean, I’m his aide back in our country, so isn’t it normal for me to be with him all the time?”

“Probably he wants you to help Lady Bianca.”

“Aghh… I haven’t spoken much with him since he scolded me… I-i want to make up with him,” said Ariana frustrated.

“Well, he was busy all the time, so… you know, My Lady, you can just take him somewhere when he comes back.”

“That’s rude!”

“That’s the only way though. You have to be a bit harsh. Well, how about asking Lady Bianca to help you?”

Ariana pondered for a while. “Right, she said she wanted to help me… uhm… I guess I will ask her to send me to Petersburg.”

Shortly after, the carriage stopped and a guard that accompanied Ariana knocked on the door.

“My Lady, we have arrived.”

Sally opened the door of the carriage first and went out, Ariana followed her shortly after. After she got out, she could see Castusia in her own eyes, the village was a rather quiet village in her eyes; Ariana expected the village to be much more crowded due to the massive production of agricultural products. Ariana walked through the village, she could see merchants traded with the villagers. Children running around and people doing their daily work, since they arrived around noon, not everyone was in the village. Some of them still worked in the fields.

A couple of men approached Ariana, they had swords sheathed on their hips.

“Greetings, My Lady. Welcome to the village, what brought you here?” said one of the men, bowing at Ariana.

“Hello, I’m Baroness Ariana Parmis. I want to look around the village, and do you know if I can meet with the village head?”

“Yes, of course, we can escort you there. I’m Eric and this man here is my friend, Clark.”

“Thank you.”

Eric and Clark escorted Ariana and her entourage to the home of the village head, when they arrived there, the village head was in front of his house.

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“Chief, a noble wanted to meet you,” said Eric. The chief was tending plants he grew in front of his house, one of those plants was lilies.

“Ah..” The village head stood up and greeted Ariana. “Welcome to this humble village, My Lady. Come in, let’s talk inside.”

The village head, Eric, Clark, Ariana and Sally went inside the house. The village head let Ariana sit down while he went inside together with Eric and Clark. Soon after they came back bringing refreshments.

“I apologise, My Lady. This isn’t much compared to what you usually have, but please enjoy it.”

“Thank you, Chief…?”

“My name is Roberto, My Lady.”

“Thank you, Chief Roberto.”

“So, My Lady, what brought you here? Do you perhaps want to buy our products?”

“Right, I was sent here by the Duchess of Novgorod, she wanted to know about how you grow this many crops every year.”

“Of course, we are more than welcome to help the Duchess. But, My Lady, this knowledge has been passed down by our ancestors for generations, so… sharing it with others is a little bit…”

“We will pay you, as much as you want.”

“It is not like that, My Lady. This knowledge is a secret that we kept… for ourselves. As much as we wanted to help you and your liege, we can’t share the knowledge. But, if the Duchess wants, we can sell our products for cheap as a token of our friendship,” said Roberto with a hesitant and apologetic voice.

“Why?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Why do you keep the four-field rotation a secret?”

“Wh– how do–”

“Duchess of Novgorod isn’t your typical ruler. She is smart and a genius, even though she is a woman, doesn’t mean she isn't capable.”

“Ah… I-i didn’t mean to insult the Duchess, however– yes, fine, we will share the process we do for growing our crops to you. But, since you know the name, does that mean you already know?.”

“Yes, the Duchess knows how to do it, she wanted to know how you do it compared to her.”

“I-i see. I will help the Duchess.”

“Thank you. Also, the Duchess wants to meet with the Elven Kingdom, can you help her?”

“My apologies, Baroness, but the elves never went outside their forest, how are we able to help you?”

“I hear they frequently make contact with this village, or are you trying to hide the fact that you are conspiring with them?”

“No-no, it’s not like that. It’s true the elves made contact with us, but we only do trade and nothing else, we wouldn’t dare betray this kingdom, Baroness.”

“That’s great, your loyalty is well worth noting. So, can you help her?”

“I ap–”

“ahem…” Eric coughed and everyone's attention turned to him. “If I may ask Baroness.”

“Go ahead.”

“I heard the new Queen was crowned recently.”

“That’s correct, the Kingdom of Romanovia is now under the rule of Queen Anastasia Romanovia.”

“Yes, Long Live Her Majesty. But, if I may, who is this Duchess you mentioned? Of course, it is the Duchess of Novgorod, but who is her name?”

“She is Bianca Lorien from the House of Lorien.”

“Wh–” Eric, Roberto and Clark could be seen visibly surprised.

“Is there something wrong?” asked Ariana with a confused look.

“Ah, apologise, Baroness, there is nothi–,” said Roberto, “about the meeting with the Elven Kingdom, I guess we can help arrange it.”

“Great, that’s amazing. That would be all for me. Thank you.”

“Baroness, where will you be staying, at the inn?”

“Yes, I don’t want to burden you by staying at your house.”

“How could I? I would be glad if you want to stay.”

“I’m sorry, I’ve sent my men to book rooms in the inn.”

“I’ll let the owner know about you staying there.”

“Thank you.”

Ariana and Sally left Roberto’s house and walked to the inn. Ariana felt something was odd, when she mentioned Bianca's name their attitude changed. Their expression too was odd, why would they be surprised by her name? Do they know her or what? However, Ariana was able to get what she was sent here for.

While she was walking, she felt as if someone was watching her. She decided to be more careful during her stay in this place. Before she went to the inn, she went to the outskirts of the village and looked at the Elsewen Forest.

“So, that’s the rumoured forest,” said Sally.

“Yes, it’s a dense forest.”

The Elsewen Forest was a huge and dense forest, it spanned from outside Castusia to the mountains on the other side. Ariana saw there was an opening between mountains and she believed the forest spanned on the other side of the mountains as well.

“My Lady, should we try to go inside the forest?”

“What? no.”

“Eh… no fun!”

“Are you crazy, Sally, we might get shot by the elves!”

“Tch… you’re right. Honestly, I wanted to see whether elves were true or not.”

“Me too, Sally.”

Bianca and Ariana were surprised when they learned about the existence of Elves. Because for them that would mean another intelligent civilization was found by the Galactic Imperium–if the humans in this world indeed originated from the Duchy of Lorien’s lost expedition. If Falcon 1’s record were to be found, all of their names would be left in the mark of history of Galactic Imperium because they found a new intelligent civilization.

The night fell on the Castusia, after dinner, Ariana went to her room, she refused to drink with Sally and the others since she didn’t want to be wasted. Ariana changed her clothing to her night clothing and she sat down on the bed with her back leaning on the wall. She immediately called Bianca to report her findings in the village. However, Bianca was busy when she called her, so Bianca told her to report tomorrow.

Alone in her room and could not sleep, Ariana had thought of calling Lucas, but why would she call him? She didn’t have to report to him. However, she gathered up the courage and called him. After waiting, and waiting, and waiting, finally, the call was picked up by him.

“Hello, Ariana?” said Lucas on the other end of the call.

“Hewo.” Ariana tripped on her words because she was nervous.

“Hewo? Ah, are we doing some sort of impersonation?”

“No! I-i bit my tongue there... Sorry.”

“Haha, that’s fine. So, what do you want to talk about?”

“...” Ariana didn’t know what she wanted to say.

“Hello, Ariana?... Helloooo.... I heard you were sent by Bianca to a village… um… what was it, Casu…Caustia?”

“Castusia.”

“Right, that’s it. So how was it?”

Ariana told him about her meeting with Roberto, the village head. She told Lucas about the village keeping the knowledge secret to the world and about the Elven Kingdom. Lucas was surprised about that, and told Ariana he had never heard about the elves from anyone.

“Wait, did Bianca not tell you?” said Ariana.

“No, whenever she called me she didn’t mention anything about elves. Wtf, Bianca!” Lucas could be heard annoyed.

“There must be a reason for that.”

“Yeah, keeping a secret from and working me to death in here. I wish I didn’t agree to her offer at that time.”

Ariana could smell the chance to go to Petersburg. “W-well, i-if you want, I can go there and help.”

“No need, Bianca needs you there.”

Ariana felt disappointed. “Ah… you know, I can help you. Is it...”

“There is no need, really. I–” Lucas thought there was a misunderstanding between her and him. So he wanted to made up with her. “Ariana, I’m sorry, for lashing out at you back then.”

“Huh… No, that was my fault really.”

“No, that was my fault. I just wanted to reprimand you back then. I know you had a friend in the regiment you led, but my anger made me take that decision. To relieve you from your post.”

“It’s nothing really, I, too, know my mistake. I didn’t have any plans when I ordered them to retreat. So… Commodore, I apologise for my disobedience and for being childish and mentioning your late sister.”

“Yes, my sister… Ariana, you must have not known about her, but when we meet again, I will tell you, about the woman that spent her life together with me… until death part us. The woman that used to wear the hair clip I gave you.”

“Yes… I will patiently wait for us to meet again.”

“It’s gotten late, Ariana. I’m tired because of the work I did today, so I'm going to end it here.”

“Ah yes, h-have a good night, Lucas.”

“You too, Ariana. Have a good night.”

After Ariana ended her call with Lucas, she immediately fell down to the bed and hugged the pillow and buried her face on it. She was glad that Lucas was no longer mad to her and he wanted to open himself more to her. That night was the best night Ariana ever had until now, her reconciliation with Lucas was done and Ariana was sure a new page for their relationship would begin. She pledged to herself that she would not let this chance go away. After daydreaming of her future together with Lucas, she fell asleep.