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“Did you enjoy shopping today, madam?”
“Of course. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful time.”
Finley laughed heartily, even at Regina’s polite response.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it! I may not match up to the Count in looks, but a man isn’t just about appearances, is he?”
Finley winked playfully, his round face making an exaggerated attempt at looking charming. Regina laughed out loud for the first time in a while.
Beyond the pier, the sun, red as an overheated iron ball, was dipping its feet into the horizon. She wondered if the foam rising from the sea below was as hot as boiling tea water or as cold and fleeting as waves that had lost their warmth.
Suddenly, in the darkened sea, she saw a hue reminiscent of Gray’s eyes. The land around Capton Port had originally been granted to Gray as a title meant to mock his rise in status, but ironically, it suited him well.
Regina admired how Gray had managed to transform this rural fishing village into a thriving trade port, yet she also felt a distance growing between them.
It was such a strange thing. She had loved this incredible man so deeply—so why did she feel like she was becoming more and more insignificant?
“It’s getting chilly with the sea breeze, madam. Shall we head to the carriage?”
Just as she was about to step into the carriage at his urging, shadows loomed around them. Tanned fishermen, their faces weathered by the sea, surrounded them.
“Who are you people?”
The fishermen’s expressions were as emotionless as rocks worn smooth by years of salty wind, sending a chill down her spine.
Animals were more sensitive to malice than humans. The agitated horses pranced and stamped their feet, causing the carriage to sway like a ship in rough seas. Regina, weakened as she was, couldn’t leap onto the carriage.
Noticing this, some of the fishermen stepped directly in front of the horses, blocking their path.
“Move out of the way! How dare you threaten—”
The coachman raised his whip menacingly but couldn’t bring himself to strike. If the startled horses bolted before Regina was safely aboard, it would be catastrophic.
“Madam, hide behind me.”
Finley, usually so expressive, whispered with an uncharacteristically icy tone. Regina obediently hid behind him and asked,
“Who are these people?”
“I recognize their faces. They’re native fishermen who opposed the development of Capton Port.”
“Then why are they targeting me…?”
“Because you’re the Countess.”
Even with such a brief explanation, Regina understood the situation. Gray was entirely profit-driven when it came to his ventures. He would never have considered the opinions of the native fishermen.
He doesn’t even value my opinions.
So, the fishermen would have felt the need to take drastic measures. They might kidnap her as leverage for negotiation—or, in the worst-case scenario, kill her to set an example.
A chill ran down her spine as she grasped the situation.
“They’re dangerous. Don’t talk to them, don’t make eye contact. When I create an opening, climb onto the carriage and escape immediately.”
Finley spoke carefully, barely moving his lips.
A burly middle-aged fisherman with a white scar near one eye stepped forward and asked,
“Are you by chance the Countess Cavill?”
“……”
“We mean no harm. Please, just hear us out for a moment.”
The middle-aged man frowned when Regina remained silent. Turning to his companions, he muttered loudly,
“What should we do? She doesn’t seem to be able to speak.”
“I heard rumors she was unwell.”
“This is a mess. Does anyone here know sign language?”
“Sign language? Are you kidding me? Most of us can’t even read.”
The fishermen seriously put their heads together, deliberating, while Regina grew increasingly bewildered.
“This could be part of their plan.”
Finley’s quiet warning snapped her momentary lapse in vigilance back into place.
There’s always a genius in every group, and one of the fishermen slapped his palm as if struck by inspiration.
“You fools! The Countess might not be able to speak, but she can hear just fine! What’s this nonsense about sign language?”
“Ah, you’re right!”
“We only called her over to listen to us, so we might as well just talk!”
“Then you do it. I’m no good with words.”
Having finally reached a consensus, another fisherman stepped forward. Clearing his throat, he began with a solemn face,
“Madam, do you perhaps know that there are… other living creatures in this world?”
What on earth is he talking about?
“You see, the world is made of nature, isn’t it? If there are sea creatures, then there are seagulls that feed on them. And then there’s my wife, who insists on frying up those birds. It’s all part of the circle of life, isn’t it?”
Regina’s head spun. The more incomprehensible the man’s words became, the more she focused. Successfully capturing her attention, the fisherman raised his voice.
“But you see? If you tear down the port, the seagulls will die, the sea creatures will die… and, well, my wife will probably survive just fine, but what about the rest of us? Sure, making money from development is great and all! But as you go through life, you realize money isn’t everything.”
“What on earth is he rambling about?”
“At this rate, summer will come and go before he’s done.”
The fishermen dragged their rambling companion to the back and shoved him in. Eventually, the scar-faced fisherman from the beginning stepped forward again. With an expression of utter embarrassment, he got straight to the point.
“Because of the port development, the surrounding waters have died. The stench of dead fish and rotting seaweed drifting to the shores every day is unbearable.”
This would indeed be a grave issue for the fishermen, as it threatened their livelihood. Regina’s heart began leaning toward sympathy.
“Isn’t that why we’re providing livelihood subsidies for the fishermen?”
Finley responded without even raising an eyebrow.
“Typically, fishing in waters near a developed port is hindered for about five years. Wasn’t this notified and agreed upon in advance? If you sail further out into deeper waters, you’ll be able to catch enough to sustain your livelihoods. That’s why our Cavill family shipyard lends boats to you almost for free.”
Honestly, the fishermen could survive for five years just by living off the subsidies. Where else in the world could they find a lord this generous? They say too much kindness makes one underestimated, but after receiving all sorts of subsidies and support, what else could they possibly be dissatisfied with?
Still, the fishermen seemed to have plenty to say for themselves.
“We’ve spent our whole lives eating saltwater, so we’ll find a way to make a living. The problem isn’t us; it’s the fish! Aren’t they living creatures too?”
“Well, that’s something. Coming from people who’ve lived their whole lives killing fish to survive.”
“What we catch is just a small fraction! The pollution from the port kills all the fish in the surrounding area.”
“That’s why I’m telling you to do offshore fishing. Take your boats and go further out.”
The fishermen couldn’t possibly win an argument against Finley, who had topped the ranks at the best educational institution. Perhaps they could in an arm-wrestling match. Frustrated, they resorted to pounding their thick chests with their fists in anguish.
“See? It’s impossible to reason with that carrot-head. Just give up.”
“Countess! Please listen to us. We beg of you.”
In the end, the fishermen decided to pretend Finley didn’t exist and gathered around, looking earnestly at Regina. Of course, their collective gaze was more intimidating than endearing.
“Madam, this is the hometown where we and our ancestors were born and raised. It’s the water and soil that gave us life, and it will be our final resting place. Please, don’t destroy our home.”
“What is it you want me to do?”
Their coarse but earnest plea moved Regina’s heart. Although she felt sorry for Finley, it didn’t seem like the fishermen intended to harm her.
“Ah! The madam spoke!”
“Who said she was mute?”
Look at those innocent reactions. Regina had to steel herself to keep her expression from softening.
“The port expansion is already complete. It took years of enormous funds and manpower. Reversing it now is impossible.”
Wasn’t this the achievement Gray had pursued relentlessly, even turning away from his comatose wife? However, the fishermen shook their heads, saying that wasn’t what they wanted.
***
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