Chapter 445

Lily’s Compensation Claim
First of all, I shook off the stares aimed at me.
No way am I ever becoming a noble!
As for the issue of who will govern the now-vacant territory, I’ll leave that to Duke Plafard to sort out.

After escaping that pursuit, we finally moved on to the negotiation for reparations.
This was about demanding compensation for when Corinius and his faction attacked Vardmoi.
Duke Plafard didn’t object to that, but it seemed he wanted me to wait a little.
Did something happen?

“The magic metals, you see, aren't stored in this city. They’re kept in another town. Fortunately, that town isn’t under Corinius’s faction, so if I give the order, they’ll bring it here—but even then, it will take a few days. I apologize, but I’d like you to stay at the mansion until then.”

“If that’s the case, then it can’t be helped. Lily, what exactly is your compensation request?”

“Let’s see... then please introduce me to someone who can work as a teacher.”

“A teacher? Why is that?”

“There’s a place within Marquis Vardmoi’s faction where I’d like to teach a somewhat unusual method of calculation. But we’ve been having trouble finding a teacher willing to go there.”

“Hmm... a teacher, is it... Hey, call for Haniela.”

Duke Plafard summoned someone.
Who could it be?
Maybe the Plafard family’s private tutor?

“Father, you called for me?”

“Yes. Lady Lily here is looking for a teacher. I’m sorry, but would you be willing to go?”

“Is that truly acceptable? If I do, then my marriage...”

“We’re canceling the engagement with the duke’s family from the Third Prince’s faction. There’s no chance of reconciliation no matter how things turn out. At your age, it’ll be difficult to find a new fiancé. What do you say? Would you go with Lady Lily as a teacher?”

“Understood. I, Haniela, shall devote the rest of my life to teaching.”

“Good. I’m counting on you.”

It seemed they reached some sort of agreement over there.
I asked what had happened in the end, and it turned out this woman named Haniela would be coming with us.
But... is that really okay?

“Miss Haniela, are you truly alright with this? From what I’ve heard, you appear to be a relative of Duke Plafard.”

“Yes. I’m his eldest daughter. But because my fiancé was from a ducal house aligned with the Third Prince’s faction, our marriage fell through and I ended up in a sort of limbo. I’d be lying if I said I have no lingering feelings for him, but if he can’t even admonish a prince who’s neglecting the people and engrossed in civil war... there’s no hope for him. …Though I suppose I wasn’t much better myself.”

“Hmm, but you know the ones you’ll be teaching are orphans, right? We’ll start with simple reading and writing, but eventually I want you to teach them how to do bookkeeping.”

“Wait, bookkeeping!? For orphans!?”

“Yes. I’m thinking of teaching them a slightly unusual way of keeping books. But we haven’t been able to find a teacher who can do it. It’s not in Vardmoi proper either—we’ll need to go a bit into the countryside.”

“Teaching orphans how to keep books... Are you sure about this?”

Sure about it?
About what?
When I asked more, it turned out the concern was about whether it was okay to teach important financial management skills to children with unknown backgrounds from an orphanage.
Ah, so that’s what it was.

“Well, you never know until you try. At first, we’ll test it out in my shop. If it works out, I’ll ask the Trade Guild to consider hiring them. From there, I hope to gradually expand the system.”

“But... bookkeeping means handling all the money—it’s essentially being the treasurer! Letting orphans take on such a crucial role is...”

“You never know until you try. If it doesn’t work, then we’ll come up with a new educational plan. So, will you come with us?”

“Y-Yes. I don’t mind. In fact, if all that’s required is myself alone, then it’s a small price to pay.”

It’s not like I’m trying to deal in human trafficking or anything.
But since she’s willing to come, I’ll just clear up that misunderstanding later.
Anyway, I’ve secured a teacher to teach double-entry bookkeeping—what a relief!

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