Letter
The department store plan was a great success.
We targeted people who did not come to the department store with café, takeouts and delivery services.
We also provided a place to look after small children while shopping.
All employees were women, and the meticulous service unique to women was appreciated by many customers.
The company also donated more than half of the proceeds to the government, and was able to send necessary supplies in addition to money to the territory where it grew food, tea, and coffee beans.
There are very few places for women to work in the across the territories to the high male-dominated society.
Although they have great skills, the disparity is still an important issue.
Older women who cannot find work are especially troubled.
However, older women who have finished raising their children have various experiences and abundant knowledge, so they were able to become specialized advisers at the department store.
“The revenue is also doing well.”
“Yes, and the labor costs are lower than I expected.”
“We can use that money to increase wages.”
We can keep employees for as long a period as possible.
At the Poulette Company, we also created a work-friendly system for women, which led to an increase in the number of people who wanted to work, instead of quitting to work.
“So, I’m okay now.”
“Hm?”
“Henry, I’m okay now.”
I had been worrying Henry for a long time.
But now, I have to be able to support Henry.
“You have had the servants investigate something for the past few days, haven’t you? Mother was also concerned about the mail, right?”
“You knew?”
“Even so, I am your wife.”
I’m still far from reliable, but I know that Henry was doing everything to protect me.
Even in the recent incident, he acted proactively.
“Marie, I don’t want you to be hurt anymore.”
“I won’t get hurt anymore.”
“But they will try to block your path. That’s why I stayed silent… But it doesn’t mean I don’t trust you.”
“I understand.”
Reprimanding Mother is also to protect her from factions that oppose her in high society.
I’ve come to understand that now.
Going too far ahead, like Mother, can be dangerous.
But it’s different now.
“This is…”
“It’s a letter from the Ranford family.”
“I’ve been receiving them frequently for the past two weeks.”
Handwritten letters.
You can tell they were written hastily in messy handwriting.
“The Ranford had their titles, estates, and possessions confiscated after your aunt took over.”
“Huh?”
“Mrs. Dania and Shepherd caused a problem. They never had any right of succession to begin with.”
I don’t know what happened after we left the territory.
But we had a distant relationship with Auntie, and things soured after Grandfather passed away.
“It’s going to be a long story… Is that okay?”
“Yes.”
I need to know as well.