MTD 14

Compensation for Dad and Mom’s death?

“They will be featured in the revised textbooks for Academy students as heroes of the empire. Having provided immense help in establishing the new empire with His Majesty, the compensation was a natural course. The preparations were just a bit delayed.”

Adam, who was Dad’s knight, was a man with great respect and pride for my father.

While I was just pulling sugar beets in Galnem, I didn’t know anything, but apparently, many people besides Adam respect my Mom and Dad.

Dad was an unparalleled Elementalist, and Mom was an extraordinary person who became an imperial knight solely based on her skills, despite not being from Albreon.

“Duke Siegfried proposed the pension plan, and all ministers except Duke Matzert voted in favor of the pension payment. Of course, His Majesty immediately approved it. Congratulations.”

Duke Siegfried submitted the proposal?

Is that scary person acquainted with my parents?

With a bewildered expression, I asked.

“Um, how much will we receive?”

“Fifty thousand Brin per month.”

“Gasp, really?!”

Although it’s sad to think about Dad and Mom who passed away…

‘With this money, we don’t have to worry about the basic expenses of the Marquis household.’

“I’m really, really relieved!”

As I put my hand on my chest and let out a sigh of relief, Adam smiled as if he found me cute and added.

“The finances of the Marquis household should be stable for a while, so don’t worry, young lady.”

‘Hmm, I should go thank Parmes soon.’

I should also express my gratitude to Duke Siegfried when I get the chance.

“But I don’t intend to rely solely on the pension. To truly rebuild the Marquis household, we need to create a revenue stream after all.”

Adam looked surprised at my words as if he didn’t expect me to say such things.

Well, although I’ve shown many mature sides so far, my outward appearance is still that of an eleven-year-old child.

“I’m going to kill two birds with one stone.”

I smiled, recalling my initial purpose of trying to become acquainted with Lady Alens.

***

“Arinel? A great famine in two years… saving people’s lives?”

In the lounge of the Research Institute, Amon Friedrich, a promising scholar, read the firmly written letter with his legs crossed askew.

Hamers Rohim, sitting across from him, also received a letter from a child he didn’t know.

“A great famine? That’s nonsense. Is there an empire more prosperous than Albreon?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Quite an imaginative little one, isn’t it?”

“Who’s this Amrus friend of the kid? There’s no one with that name among the new recruits…”

“Anyway, discipline has become lax, tsk.”

Amon crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it toward the trash can.

With work already overwhelming, such a prank-like letter is not at all pleasing.

“This is why children’s education is important. What kind of environment must they have grown up in to write such a prank letter to a research institute…”

Hamers muttered as he folded the child’s letter into a paper airplane and threw it.

But that plane didn’t even fly for a second before it was caught by someone’s hand.

Hamers looked up and stood up abruptly, gasping in surprise. Amon, who had been leaning back carelessly, did the same.

“Y-Your Grace.”

Both quickly lowered their gaze.

It was Duke Siegfried, one of the empire’s highest authorities, whose presence could make even birds fall from the sky.

He was also the master of the Academy as the minister managing the economic department.

The Duke of Hell… who was strict to the point of being terrifying, meticulously catching even the smallest mistake.

The Duke slowly unfolded the paper airplane and read the letter written inside with his eyes.

“……”

And his lips, slightly curved at the ends, moved faintly.

“They grew up in the best possible environment. And will continue to do so…”

The two scholars flinched and looked into each other’s eyes. They couldn’t understand what Duke Siegfried was saying at all.

“Their future is certainly brighter than that of you fools who treat such a precious letter so carelessly.”

As Duke Siegfried looked at them with cold eyes behind his glasses, the two men inhaled sharply.

Although they didn’t know what mistake they had made, it seemed their luck was quite bad today.

* * *

“Hold your head up higher, straighten your back, yes. Very good.”

Aunt Piolet, no, Lady Alens was focused on my education.

And every time I did well, she would praise me loudly with flushed cheeks.

“How can you be so flexible? Oh, I knew my eye for talent was right!”

Even as I kept receiving compliments, I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.

‘To be honest, I’m not sure if I’m that talented.’

“You’re truly graceful, Arinel. Yes. Try to stretch your neck a bit more.”

I might have better body awareness than the young ladies who sat quietly like dolls since I had been doing farm work since childhood, but…

“Think of becoming the flower of high society, now, your right foot. Tap tap.”

Clap clap clap-

As I tapped the floor with my short toes, I heard Lady Alens’ enthusiastic applause.

She looked at me with a very satisfied expression and praised me.

“From now on, walk like this at all social events.”

“What? You want me to walk with the steps of a crane dance?”

“You might be dancing like a crane inside your dress, but to others, you’ll look like an elegant swan. Everyone will have no choice but to admire the beautiful and cute Arinel.”

‘Hmm, is this really what’s popular in high society?’

I couldn’t understand the words of the lady who was rejoicing with her hands on her cheeks.

But as she’s the minister of the royal household who has mastered etiquette, if she says it’s right, it must be right.

* * *

“A great famine. It seems you’re still worried about that, Arinel.”

During a short break, Lady Alens said while massaging my small shoulders.

“You always said we should prepare for the future.”

In Galnem village, I used to give recipe lessons for sugar beets to the villagers, mainly teaching about foods that were easy to store and high in sugar content for sufficient calories.

Lady Alens, who loved sweet foods, was an enthusiastic student.

“I was sincere then, and I’m sincere now. I believe hard times will come.”

‘If only I could explain how terrible the great famine was in the original story.’

It was frustrating that I couldn’t.

At my words, Lady Alens briefly stopped massaging my shoulders.

And she let out a small sigh.

“Arinel, you’re truly a special child, and I believe your words. But if a severe famine really hits for four years, no matter what preparations we make, it won’t be enough.”

“Still, we can’t just sit idly by.”

I know it too. To prepare for a great famine, the entire two-year budget of the empire would have to be spent solely on stockpiling food.

That would inevitably create holes in other areas, and people would become dissatisfied.

“Yes. You’re right, Arinel. But we need solid evidence to support your claim. My field is also far from food or economics.”

We can’t execute a massive budget based on the excuse that a little kid named Arinel who came up from Galnem said so.

In fact, the only evidence I had was what I saw in the original story, which was problematic because it was so vague.

“I agree too. That’s why the area where I want your help right away isn’t the political aspect…”

Just as I was about to reveal the solution to my dilemma of killing two birds with one stone.

I saw Lady Alens’ eyes light up brightly as if she had caught an opportunity.

“You know, if Arinel could give me the confidence to risk my political life, I might be able to push for it.”

“What? Confidence?”

Lady Alens came in front of me, stood face to face, and placed her hands on my shoulders.

Her hands were big, filling my small shoulders completely.

What’s this? This feeling like her eyes are sparkling unusually? Somehow, her blush seems to have deepened too.

“I’m talking about career choices, for instance. I’ve always desperately wished for a successor with the qualities to follow in my footsteps.”

Suddenly, I had a sense of déjà vu.

“Cute Arinel is already this Lady Alens’ disciple. If you’re certain about setting your path in this direction, I want to pass on to you all my knowledge of etiquette and my social network in high society.”

It was probably when I was about to graduate from university and was contemplating my career path.

A professor who usually gave good answers to difficult questions quietly called me.

“The vast knowledge and connections needed in high society will be tremendously helpful in your life as the Crown Princess. Arinel, you’ll later rise to the highest position a woman can achieve and receive the utmost admiration. Whatever you want will become easier to obtain.”

And the sweet words that were entering my ears. I almost… I almost turned the steering wheel in the direction the professor was leading.

“I’m saying this because I see tremendous talent in you, Arinel.”

Towards the path of becoming a graduate student, that is.