The Terminally Ill Stepmother Will Now Disappear

Chapter 17

The Countess of Enphirem turned out to be quite a helpful ally.

As the owner of a trading company, she became a great support for Helena, who was in search of a vast amount of cotton.

Most importantly, she played a decisive role in selling clothes made in Frantor.

“Madam, someone who isn’t part of the household staff has come forward, saying they want to help with making clothes.”

To Helena’s surprise, there were more people in the northern regions seeking outerwear filled with cotton than expected.

Animal hides were difficult to obtain, cumbersome to handle, heavy, and expensive.
In contrast, cotton was lighter, cheaper, and more affordable than hides and fur.

Though slightly less warm compared to fur or leather, its low cost was its greatest appeal.

Once cotton-filled clothes began to be supplied to the northern region, demand exploded to the point of reservations being necessary.

The response was so overwhelming that supply could not keep up with demand, leading to a need for more manpower to produce the garments.

This meant the business was growing unintentionally.

“I lost one of my legs in the last battle. Please, let me work so I can support my family.”

Alongside this, there were those who came forward, requesting to contribute to the production of clothes.

“You don’t even have to pay me! It’s something that can help others, so please let me be part of it!”

Some even declared they wouldn’t take any payment.

“But, Madam, we cannot let outsiders into the estate.”

Faced with the concerns of her staff, Helena fell into deep thought.

The expansion of the business was undoubtedly a good thing.

This kind of labor didn’t require age or strict time constraints, meaning many people could find employment.

If the people of Frantor could earn an income, tax revenue would naturally increase.
More tax revenue would mean more funds to allocate to welfare efforts such as orphanages, almshouses, and aid for the less fortunate.

However, accommodating such a large number of people within the Frantor estate was impossible.
There were not only security concerns but also a lack of space to house all those workers.

“Ah.”

At that moment, a good idea occurred to her.

“Kenderville Manor’s old salon—that would be perfect.”

“But that property belongs to you, Madam. Are you certain it’s alright to use it for this?”

One of the staff asked worriedly.

In truth, this business was less about the Duchess’s personal gain and more about benefiting Frantor as a whole.

Though she wished to provide jobs for the people, she knew the venture would require a massive investment, which made her hesitant to bring it up.

Yet, Helena nonchalantly proposed a solution, as if it was no big deal.

“What’s the problem? There’s a vacant property, and it happens to be mine.”

The onlookers’ eyes widened in surprise.

“And I’ll purchase all the vacant properties surrounding the salon as well.”

“But that will cost a considerable amount of money.”

“I don’t care.”

Helena replied coolly.

“After all, I have more money than I’ll ever know what to do with.”

“…Madam.”

“I have more money than I could spend in a lifetime. I was actually feeling troubled over how to use it, so this works out perfectly.”

To Helena, it wasn’t a significant issue, but it seemed to mean something entirely different to others.

“Order the necessary tools in addition to what we already have. And don’t limit the production to outerwear. Let people make hats, vests, and other accessories based on their skills.”

Helena was simply solving the problem in the most efficient and rapid way possible.

With money that was practically rotting away, I wanted to avoid any complex and headache-inducing problems as much as possible.

However, when I saw tears welling up in their eyes, I was taken aback.

“Sniff, Madam, we’ve misunderstood you all this time!”

“To think you’d go this far for us…”

“Why are you all getting emotional?” Helena asked nonchalantly.

“I just did what was obvious. The business has grown, the workforce has increased, so I made the necessary investment. Why…?”

No matter how much she tried to explain, it was no use.

“Isn’t it impossible to shut down a business that’s already running? It’s not even solely for your benefit, so why…?”

“Sniff, even so, you’re still the Madam we know.”

“And judging by the way you’re still making excuses, your attitude hasn’t changed a bit.”

“…What?”

Even when they blatantly said she had no tact, Helena stood there with a bewildered expression, unsure if she should be angry or not.

It was a situation that would normally infuriate someone, yet the Duchess stood there dazed, leaving the others laughing and snickering at her.

“I know you’re saying this with good intentions, but I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from using such expressions.”

“Sniff, I was prepared to risk my life. Thank you so much.”

“…Please refrain from making such risky statements as well.”

“Sniff, understood.”

It was clearly a moment where she should’ve gotten angry—where not getting angry would’ve made her look foolish—but Helena couldn’t seem to find the right words to say.

She couldn’t even tell if they were insulting her or not.
The situation was so absurd that her anger deflated, leaving her speechless.

Frantor’s people must naturally be tearful, affectionate, and rough-tongued.
She had thought they were cold and blunt like the harsh winters of the northern regions, but perhaps that wasn’t entirely true.

—

It wasn’t just the townsfolk whose attitudes toward Helena had shifted.

Apart from the time Joshua visited, Helena rarely went to the training grounds where the knights gathered.

However, knights often passed by the main building where Helena resided, and lately…

“We greet the Duchess!”

“Wishing you a pleasant day!”

More and more knights were greeting her as they passed.

For Helena, who was used to being criticized as “Eskel’s daughter,” these greetings were utterly shocking.

“Why… Why are they…?”

She began to doubt the current situation.

Did they want something from her? Or was this some elaborate scheme to deceive her?

The one who provided clarity to her confusion was Emma.

“Don’t you remember, Madam?”

“Remember what?”

“That medicine you sent through the Master last time.”

“The athlete’s foot ointment?”

“Yes. It seems the knights found it incredibly useful. Thanks to the Master telling them you made it yourself, this is likely the result.”

Athlete’s foot was practically a lifelong ailment for knights.

It caused itching severe enough to disrupt their sleep and was notorious for being highly contagious.

Yet, most people wouldn’t spend money on expensive treatments, let alone athlete’s foot ointments.

In times when there weren’t even enough medicines for the battlefield, spending money on such a remedy seemed absurd.
Most simply endured the discomfort, thinking it was something they just had to live with.

But Helena not only provided the ointment free of charge, it turned out to be highly effective, earning an overwhelmingly positive response from the knights.

Because of this, Helena’s workload increased significantly.

She had to assign managers specifically for the clothing business and, on top of that, manufacture more ointment for the knights.
Even with ten bodies, it wouldn’t have been enough to keep up.

Helena hurried toward the backyard with an apologetic heart, quickening her steps as much as possible.

Soon, she spotted Jeremy’s back.
Today, for some reason, the child’s figure looked particularly lonely.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t spend time with you today, could I?”

When they had first arrived in Frantor, Helena had spent most of her time with Jeremy.

But as her schedule became busier, it became impossible to devote her entire day to him. Still, Helena made an effort to ensure Jeremy and Joshua at least had proper meals.

Even if she couldn’t serve them directly, she made it a point to check on them and join them at the table.
She knew all too well that if left alone, Jeremy would likely skip meals.

Thankfully, Joshua was there to help. But even so, Helena couldn’t shake her guilt.

Jeremy, meanwhile, pursed his lips in a pout as he glanced at her.

“I’m not a little kid. Do you think I’d sulk just because you weren’t here?”

“Really? You’re so grown-up now.”

Taking the child’s words at face value, Helena felt relieved.

The problem was, Joshua could see right through his twin’s lie.

Though Jeremy tried hard not to show his disappointment, it was clear to Joshua that he was upset.

“Madam!”

Someone called for Helena urgently while she was in the middle of the meal.

“Alright, keep eating, okay?”

“I’ll eat even if you’re not here.”

“Alright, I’ll trust you.”

Helena briefly left the dining room.
Despite his earlier grumbling, Jeremy put down the fork he had been holding.

He made no attempt to chew or swallow the food in his mouth. Instead, he pouted, his lips protruding as his nostrils flared, letting out little bursts of frustrated air.

Watching his brother’s transparent emotions, Joshua asked nonchalantly,
“Are you upset?”

“No, I’m not!” Jeremy shouted indignantly.