Ch#107
While leaving the music classroom and Arcel continued introducing Ibi to various parts of the mansion, the duchess kept pondering.
'How can I win Ibi's heart?'
Listening to their chatter (which was surprising in itself—Arcel was chatty?), the people around Ibi were no ordinary folks.
“Then should I ask His Majesty?”
“Dean Seraphina said to bring a gift when she comes....”
“What about Knight Hilde of the Imperial Knight Order....”
“Professor Males invited me to join him once at a God's Natural Numbers gathering during break.”
Ibi said it casually, but every name mentioned belonged to someone of immense prestige.
Regardless of what they did, the moment the emperor was mentioned, the winner was already decided, wasn't it?
She had never felt overshadowed by others as the duchess and owner of this music classroom, but right now, she felt defeated.
How could she become an adult whom Ibi trusted and followed more than those powerhouses?
The duchess brilliantly found the answer.
'By giving the child exactly what she wants most.'
Asking other children her age what they wanted usually got dolls, toys, clothes, or candy, but Ibi wanted to earn money.
So the duchess decided to give her that.
Of course, not for free.
“Then, about two hours each morning should suffice. Our music classroom has summer break like Yeongjae Academy. While the students are away, I'd like to sort the sheet music and other books that have piled up.”
“I'm good at that too! I handled all the finished exam papers, books, and documents at the upper school!”
At Ibi's enthusiastic reply, the duchess's eyes narrowed slightly.
She had visited the upper school in the territory before.
The main age group attending was over fifteen, and with 'upper' in the name, they studied multiple subjects.
Thus, the books they carried were quite heavy.
'They left that to such a young child?'
How heartless.
“Good. As payment for helping me, I'll give you 1 gold per day. Is that alright?”
“One gold... per day?”
Ibi gaped in shock.
At her extreme reaction, the duchess recalled the average wage in the capital lately.
She was the duchess.
People might think she lived like Cinderella, luckily snagging a duke and idling away, but she directly managed much of the classroom, mansion, and territory income.
She thought she knew worldly affairs well, but had she offered too little?
Just as she began doubting if she'd been stingy with her territory folk, Ibi spoke.
“Th-that much?”
Guessing from Ibi's stunned expression, she asked back.
“Ibi, how much and when did you get paid at Elam City's upper school?”
“Until coming to Yeongjae Academy, it was 10 silver per month.”
The duchess noticed Arcel's eyes narrowing behind Ibi.
'10 silver a month.'
Anyone could tell that was meager pay.
Sensing their hardened expressions, Ibi hurriedly explained as if defending herself.
“I know it was little. The orphanage director tried to stop me because of that. But it was cheap, and in return, I could listen to the school lessons for free!”
As if insisting it wasn't a total loss, Ibi clenched her small fists and answered bravely, saying not to worry.
Her response left the duchess conflicted.
She wanted to rush to Elam City, grab the upper school principal by the collar, and shake them while yelling, 'How can you call yourself human?!'
The director must have known better too, hence trying to stop her.
But swayed by the chance to study for free, she had allowed it in the end.
'A rural orphanage can't be well-off....'
At least capital orphanages got frequent noble donations for show.
That rarely happened in provincial territories.
At least the emperor cared about orphanage and hospital budgets, ensuring no one starved through winter.
“Yes. Anyway, 1 gold a day in the capital—and in my classroom—is average pay.”
At the duchess's words, Ibi unwittingly clasped her hands tightly.
Buy one thing, get another free.
Work one day, earn 1 gold!
'The capital is amazing...!'
Her now plump, round cheeks flushed with joy.
Seeing the smile spread across her face, the duchess smiled unwittingly too.
“Our classroom break is short, so just this week. What do you think? Is that okay?”
“Yes! I'll work hard. Thank you.”
As if pleading not to change her mind, Ibi bowed deeply to her waist.
Behind her, Arcel eyed his mother with a dissatisfied face.
She was his guest. Moreover....
'Airin must have treated her like a princess.'
Ibi didn't know, but before break started at Yeongjae Academy, the three excluding her had discussed what to do with Ibi.
Officially, to avoid boring her with the same things, they debated activities.
It turned into bragging: I'll do this with Ibi!
Then Airin smirked and said to Arcel and Ruska,
“I can turn Ibi into a princess? I'll dress her in pretty clothes and feed her the best southern foods. Ah, desserts incomparable to Yeongjae Academy's—diverse and a feast for the eyes! And we'll wear matching outfits... Oh, you two can't do that. Hohoho!”
Then Arcel first understood why Ruska snapped at Airin.
Anyway, Airin must have showered Ibi with the best, as promised.
Yet here, she'd be working?
He worried Ibi might think Airin's house far more fun.
Then the duchess winked at Arcel and said to Ibi,
“If you're okay with it, come during weekend outings and keep helping. Winter break too. It takes more hands than you'd think. Would that be alright?”
“Really? I can keep coming?”
Her voice brimmed with joy.
At Ibi's tone, Arcel's expression softened, his lips curving up.
Arcel looked at his mother with deep respect.
Not stopping at winning her over, but making her want to come back for the rest of the schedule.
As expected of the duchess and his mother.
'And teach her lessons bit by bit.'
Sylvia planned custom lessons for Ibi starting tonight.
* * *
“Then let's start tomorrow morning. It might be tricky at first, so if it's okay, have Arcel help? I'd appreciate his explanations too.”
“Of course.”
As if who else could help, Arcel replied promptly.
At his quicker-than-usual response, the duchess smiled inwardly. Her son was indeed antsy.
“But isn't Arcel busy?”
“It's fine. And I've helped Mother before, so I can show you well.”
Revealing himself as her part-time senior, Arcel eased Ibi's tension further.
As the three excitedly discussed tomorrow's work, a maid arrived.
“Dinner is ready. His Grace the Duke is already there waiting.”
“Oh, he's already back?”
Normally she'd have noticed, but with Ibi, she hadn't spared a thought.
Thinking of her subtly sulking husband, the duchess took Ibi's hand.
“Ibi, hungry?”
“Ibi, let's go eat.”
Then Arcel took her other hand, as if waiting.
“...?”
She rarely walked holding hands with two people.
Still, being between them felt nice somehow.
Approaching the dining room, Ibi suddenly recalled who awaited beyond the door.
'Duke Kailun.'
Yeongjae Academy students hovered around Arcel warily because he was Duke Kailun's son.
The emperor's confidant. During the succession war, he served as Clois's strategist, perfectly controlling rear positions and supplies.
One reason people cited for Clois's victory.
Thus, all expected him to wield immense power after Clois ascended.
But he owned no capital townhouse like other nobles, living far from the palace.
He delegated much governance to the prime minister and stepped back.
“But Duke Kailun still monitors ministers and provincial lords. They say he misses no disloyalty. He's the scariest in the palace.”
She'd heard that.
'Plus, a duke is second only to His Majesty the Emperor.'
As her thoughts reached there, Ibi recalled Clois.
'I miss His Majesty.'
At Airin's, she always activated the Mana Stone before bed.
Thus, she thought of Clois nightly.
'He's super busy.'
She considered writing but gave up. No time for her letter amid his duties.
'He's doing well, right?'
Gazing at the sunset outside, Ibi thought of faraway Clois.
'What if he forgets me before break ends?'
She worried.
* * *
At the same time.
“...No letter.”
Clois sat at his desk, muttering in a voice full of disappointment.
“Is playing with friends outside the palace that fun?”
He'd seen her excited before break. It made him uneasy.
'Those three will play with her nonstop.'
She might find returning to him tedious. Or forget him before even coming back.
Thus, both pondered the same worry that evening.
