Sara paced anxiously, awaiting news about her husband and daughter's return. Nathan, who was in the midst of aura training, hastily came back upon hearing of Caerina’s fall from the cliff.
“How is my daughter? Did she make it?”
Sara paced before the mansion's porch, hoping to soon hear good news of Caerina. Meanwhile, Nathan sat lost in contemplation, pondering his sister’s fate.
"Madam, it would be best to go inside now as the sky darkens. It's not good for your health to be exposed to the night air for too long," a servant advised.
"I can't. I must wait here. I can't calm down inside," Sara insisted.
Soon after, the sound of horse hooves approached from the distance. Immediately, Sara and Nathan ran towards the main gate. It was Kledson's horse returning, bringing their daughter back safely.
Caerina dismounted the horse. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Sara and Nathan enveloped her in embrace.
"My God, my child... I nearly died when I heard about you." Sara’s body shook violently, tears unstoppable upon finding Caerina unharmed.
"Are you hurt? How did you survive that fall?" Nathan asked, his voice tinged with worry.
"It was sheer luck. I'm fine and not hurt at all."
Caerina smiled brightly. Though she had narrowly escaped death again, she remained nonchalant, having died once before and thus not fearing a second death.
"Both of you, relax. Caerina is clever, she knows how to save herself. Don't dwell in panic."
Kledson soothed them both, although he himself had been overwhelmed with anxiety earlier when he heard about his daughter.
"Mother and Brother can see for themselves that I am unharmed." Caerina turned around, showing that she indeed had no injuries.
Despite a few scratches from thorny plants, she managed to withstand the sting.
"Thank goodness you're alright. Let's go inside. You must be hungry after a whole day out. It’s best to eat first, then bathe. Later, I will call the Doctor to examine you."
"Mother, you're overreacting. I'm not that hurt. I'm sorry for making you, Father, and Brother worry."
Kledson stroked Caerina's head.
"Worrying for a child is natural for any parent."
Caerina momentarily revealed a wistful smile. Deep longing mixed with a sensation she hadn't felt in a long time.
'For a moment I am grateful the Gods placed me within this sincere family. In my first life, not a single family welcomed my return or even worried about me,' Caerina reflected on the harsh loneliness that had once afflicted her.
After eating and cleansing herself, Caerina retrieved a letter given to her by Joubert. The letter detailed the transfer of the Theressum domain to her ownership.
"The Theressum region... after I sort the salt mine permits, I must inspect this area. Conveniently, I need a place to establish my business center. Tomorrow I’ll inform Father, Mother, and also Brother."
Caerina stepped out onto her room's balcony. Her mind spun relentlessly, making sleep elusive.
"My aspiration is to become a wealthy young widow! I don't care about love; as long as I have money, I can have everything," she resolved fiercely.
The next day, Caerina and Kledson ventured to the salt mine in the forest. Honestly, Kledson had not expected such a hidden mine in his jurisdiction.
"So, Father? It's quite extensive, isn’t it? We could employ the Navre region's people here," said Caerina.
"Yes, it's larger than I imagined. Okay, I will arrange the permits with the palace right away. Now you just need to gather some workers to collect spices from this forest."
Caerina nodded. "Very well, Father. Leave the rest to me."
That same day, Kledson rode towards the imperial palace, while Caerina and Letta scouted Navre's periphery for potential hirees.
"Miss, are you sure about heading to this place?"
Letta looked apprehensively at the remote areas of Navre, teeming with vagrants. Caerina deliberately chose this target for her labor needs based on her own reasons.
"If you want to prosper the Navre region, let's start with the worst conditions. Essentially, these vagrants are the ones most in need of work to survive," Caerina explained.
Along the way, Caerina somberly observed how hard life was for the people. There were underfed children and elderly suffering from severe ailments.
"Miss, are you a noblewoman?" Three children approached Caerina. Their gazes were forlorn, their expressions gloomy.
"Yes, I am a noblewoman. Haven't you eaten?" Caerina inquired.
They shook their heads together. "We haven't eaten for two days."
Caerina’s heart ached at their plight.
“Would you like some food?”
The children eagerly nodded at Caerina's question. She then instructed her accompanying knights to distribute the food prepared by the Marquess Navre's household.
One by one, people gathered around Caerina, their delight immense at receiving delicious food they had never sampled before.
For the elderly, Caerina provided special meals and drinks to warm them. She also offered baby food and candies that children favored.
"Wow, this is so tasty. I've never eaten anything this good in my life."
"This is better than the leftovers we find on the streets. Who is that lady? Why is she so kind to those lowly like us?"
"Hey, try this. It's so sweet! Is this what nobles always eat?"
Tears glistened in Caerina's eyes as she watched the people eat their fill. She felt guilty for their enduring hardship.
"Miss, who are you? Are you an angel?"
"No, I am not an angel. I'm just an ordinary person who happened to come here."
Caerina worked to calm her emotions briefly. Then she stood amidst the gathering.
"Can you hear me for a moment? I am Caerina Navre, daughter of the Marquess Navre. I am here to apologize for the lack of regional funds leaving you in the streets. I am truly sorry."
They were stunned as Caerina bowed to apologize. Yet they harbored no anger towards their regional leader.
"Please stand up, Miss. We never blamed Marquess Navre for our plight. He's a good leader. We understand the Marquess residence often lacks food, so we comprehend the financial situation of the Navre region."
Caerina lifted her head, deeply moved by the understanding of Navre's citizens.
"Very well, then. I am here to offer you a job," Caerina announced confidently.
"A job?" The crowd began to buzz with whispers and noise.
"Yes, a job that can change your lives. In our region, a salt mine has just been discovered. My father and I wish to manage it, hence I am here—"
"I'll do it, Miss!"
"Me too! No matter the job, I'll do anything as long as my family can eat."
Their enthusiasm cut through Caerina’s words. She just smiled, satisfied at their zeal.
"Good. Tomorrow come to the forest near the Navre residence. I will explain the details of your work then."
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