Turning to the leather artisan, Rumji, Russell spoke.

“Distribute it all.”

“Yes, Milord. Alright, everyone! Have you decided what you’ll make? Choose your section of the pelt and place your orders today only,” Rumji announced.

The crowd surged forward, gathering around the pelts. People touched the hides and murmured to one another.

“Distribute the pelts?” Cecilia asked, puzzled.

Russell replied, “Mutant wolf pelts are too heavy to use whole. But for making gloves, shoes, or sleeves, they’re perfect.”

They’re cutting up those pelts? Just to make gloves for the servants?

On the continent, such a trophy would be displayed whole as a testament to the hunter’s prowess, never to be touched.

A line began forming in front of Rumji, including several people from the grand duchy.

Cecilia watched closely, noticing that no one from Lagos Castle gave them unfriendly looks.

She felt a tug on her hand and turned to see Russell signaling with a slight tilt of his chin.

Understanding that he wanted her to follow, she left the hall with him, walking toward the west wing.

Most of the rooms on the first floor of the west wing were used as storage. Cecilia had only visited them once under Helen’s guidance.

The storage rooms often carried stale smells, depending on what was kept inside, and she hadn’t found the scent pleasant.

‘Hmm? This room…’

Russell stopped in front of a door to a room Cecilia hadn’t visited before.

Some of the storage rooms had locked doors, and Helen had explained that unlocking them required the lord’s permission. Cecilia had seen no reason to request access.

Russell produced a large key and inserted it into the lock. Without even turning it, the lock clicked open.

As the couple entered, Benjamine and two maids followed them inside.

The dimly lit room suddenly brightened.

Cecilia looked up at the ceiling, surprised to see bright light emanating from it.

“What is that? It looks like a lamp—how does it work?”

“It’s an old device, a relic of the ancient empire.”

‘How fascinating.’

Cecilia found herself reflecting on what she might have missed during her previous life in Lagos Castle.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sharp smell of leather mixed with chemicals stinging her nose.

“This smell… is this a storage room for leather?”

To her question, Russell nodded.

“It won’t take long.”

He already knew where to find what he was looking for.

Without hesitation, he walked to a shelf, retrieved a wooden box, and brought it to Cecilia.

Opening the lid, he revealed its contents.

“Wool.”

From the moment the box opened, Cecilia couldn’t take her eyes off the sparkling, snow-white fibers inside.

“This is wool?”

“They call it golden wool. It’s lightweight and excellent at retaining body heat. A cloak made from it will make your stay here much more comfortable, especially since winters get even colder.”

Golden wool is harvested during the molting season of mutant sheep. While these sheep were not as aggressive as other mutants, they became fiercely protective when with their lambs.

The people of Lagos planted burrgrass along the paths frequented by the sheep. The wool that snagged on the burrgrass during molting season was collected, yielding no more than a small basketful each year.

Golden wool was a rare treasure.

As a token of gratitude for clearing out the wolf pack, the village of Big Rock had offered the golden wool.

When Russell saw it, he immediately thought of Cecilia.

It seemed perfect for her first winter in Lagos Castle.

Cecilia reached into the box and touched the wool with both hands.

“How… incredible…”

She marveled at it.

On the continent, where winters weren’t severe, fur was considered a luxury item, often fashioned into short cloaks for noblewomen.

In her past life, Cecilia had owned hundreds of expensive fur cloaks, befitting her status as one of the wealthiest ladies.

But this golden wool was entirely different from any fur she had known.

It was astonishingly light, soft, and warm. True to its name, the wool reflected light, shimmering beautifully.

‘This is a treasure unlike anything ever seen on the continent.’

She had never heard of or seen anything like it.

“I love it,” she said, reluctant to let go as she withdrew her hands.

She wanted to keep touching it.