Chapter 67
After breakfast at the Radick mansion, I borrowed a room and held a meeting. Seated across the large table from me was Babo-san, a slender man with slightly drooping eyes.
As Captain Maurice's adopted son, he spread several documents across the table, picked one up, and began to speak.
"Romelia-sama. At present, 129 men and 88 women are hoping to work as migrant laborers."
Babo-san handed me the list of people who wished to work away from home.
I read through the list once and nodded.
Five days earlier, after securing Captain Maurice's cooperation, we had arranged another meeting with the people of Merka Island. The islanders had initially been opposed to us, but Captain Maurice's persistent persuasion had gradually softened their attitudes.
"These are the terms we are offering."
Babo-san handed me another document. In addition to guaranteeing a minimum wage, it stated that we would cover part of the medical expenses of anyone who became injured or ill.
The terms were as previously discussed, with no major changes. The document contained no errors, and the terms were reasonable, so I nodded.
"Then please write your name here."
Prompted to do so, I wrote my name.
"So this means the contract is concluded for the time being, correct?"
Babo-san sighed, as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Thank you for organizing and persuading the migrant workers."
"No, Romelia-sama. I didn't do anything important."
Babo-san shook his head as though I had said something absurd. But that was merely modesty.
"That's not true. We were able to work out such favorable terms thanks to you."
Ultimately, more than two hundred migrant workers had agreed to come to the port under construction. But the final deciding factor had actually been Babo-san. He had volunteered to negotiate the working conditions so the islanders would not be disadvantaged. He had then spoken with them persistently and drawn out their requests. Many of the migrant workers had agreed because they trusted Babo-san.
"I believe Captain Maurice made the right decision in adopting you."
"Do you really think so?"
Babo-san gave a bashful smile.
When we first met, Babo-san had appeared as Captain Maurice's stand-in. He had been unable to hide his nervousness while playing a role he was unaccustomed to. Even his adoptive father, Captain Maurice, had described him as timid. In reality, however, he was quite a capable man.
In Captain Maurice's absence, Babo-san apparently took charge of Merka Island. He had every piece of information about the island in his head. When we were finalizing the working conditions, I had been astounded to see him discuss not only the islanders' names, but also their financial situations and family circumstances, without looking at a single document.
Babo-san loved Merka Island and knew it better than anyone. It was no wonder the islanders trusted him so deeply. He also had excellent administrative skills and was gifted at negotiation. We had been able to finalize the working conditions entirely because of his abilities.
Captain Maurice had taken Babo-san in as his adopted son. He must have intended to entrust the island to him eventually. His only flaw was that he was somewhat reserved, but once he gained confidence, he would surely become an excellent leader.
"By the way, Romelia-sama, are you returning to the kingdom tomorrow?"
"Yes, that's what I intend—"
As I was about to nod, I heard heavy footsteps outside the room. They approached, and the door swung open without so much as a knock.
"Hey, how's work going?"
The man who opened the door was Captain Maurice, red-haired and bearded. With a booming laugh, he lumbered into the room like a bear.
"Father."
Babo-san stood and looked toward Captain Maurice. His gaze held a hint of hesitation, as though he was unsure whether he should admonish him for failing to knock.
"You! At least knock! It's rude to Romelia-sama!"
A sharp voice came from outside the room. It belonged to Rebecca-san, who had let down her long black hair. She had changed from her servant's clothes into a long black dress. When she entered the room, her intimidating eyes glinted as she glared at her husband, Captain Maurice. Then she turned toward me.
"I'm terribly sorry, Romelia-sama."
Rebecca-san bowed her head, her long lashes sweeping down with it. I answered with a small bow to indicate that I didn't mind, but when Rebecca-san raised her head, her anger had not abated. She turned her knife-sharp gaze toward Babo-san.
"Babo! If you intend to inherit this house, then scold him properly!"
At Rebecca-san's sharp voice, Captain Maurice hunched his shoulders, and Babo-san lowered his head like a wilted flower.
Captain Maurice and Babo-san were completely powerless before Rebecca-san. Although the two of them effectively ruled Merka Island, there was no doubt that Rebecca-san ruled them.
"I'm sorry, Romelia-sama. Actually, there are about three more women who wish to work away from home besides those on the list. One of them has a child with her, though..."
Rebecca-san approached me and bowed her head again.
"Yes, that's perfectly fine. There are already people with children who wish to work away from home, so let's add them to the list."
I nodded with a smile. It would have been a problem if the number of migrant workers decreased, but there was no issue with it increasing.
"Thank you."
Rebecca-san bowed her head again. The men of Merka Island trusted Captain Maurice and Babo-san. The women, however, seemed to trust Rebecca-san more than either of them. Since Rebecca-san never hesitated to stand up to men, perhaps the women found her attitude refreshing. Thanks to Rebecca-san, the number of female migrant workers had increased as well. I was deeply grateful.