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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The First Practical Task
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“And that’s just the errors. You’re making far fewer than before, and they aren’t critical mistakes, just simple miscalculations, right?”
From what I’d seen teaching the Duchess these past few days.
The Duchess had a bit of a scatterbrained streak…
She made no mistakes on the important parts, but she often got things wrong in minor areas, like item counts.
“Minor mistakes like these can be easily caught by the administrators, so it’s fine.”
“…”
“I wanted to teach you the overall flow of the budget, Duchess. And you’ve already mastered that part splendidly.”
Honestly, how often would the lady of the house, who oversees internal affairs, need to draft a budget herself?
Her main duty would be to review and approve the budget proposals submitted by the administrators.
This level of proficiency was more than enough.
I continued, speaking from the heart.
“You’ve achieved this much in such a short time since you started studying in earnest. It’s truly remarkable.”
“…”
The Duchess still had her head buried on the desk.
But her ears were a little more honest than their owner.
Every time I offered another word of praise, her ears would twitch.
*This will work if I just push a little more.*
I coaxed her again.
“With just a little more effort, you’ll be able to manage the internal affairs splendidly on your own, without my help.”
“…”
“You have a talent for this, Duchess. Truly.”
After a few more rounds of coaxing and soothing.
The Duchess slowly lifted her head.
Though her face was still set in a pout, she obediently extended her hand to me.
“Well, just give me the budget proposal for now.”
Thank goodness, she seems to be in a better mood.
I inwardly sighed in relief and quickly handed her the documents.
Her motivation restored, the Duchess began to correct the errors with a grunt of effort.
As I listened to the scratching of the pen on paper, I suddenly thought how comfortable this time was.
*When I was serving as Serapina’s lady-in-waiting, I was always on edge.*
But when I was with the Duchess, I felt myself grow calmer as well.
“Here.”
After a short wait, the Duchess abruptly held out the revised documents to me.
Then, with her characteristic prim expression, she whipped her head away.
“You know, when you said I was remarkable… did you mean it?”
The Duchess’s lips jutted out.
“You weren’t just saying nice things to placate me, were you?”
Ah, she saw through me.
But showing any sign of panic here would be an amateur move.
I smiled smoothly.
“Of course not!”
Well, there was some intention of comforting her.
But half of it was genuine.
The Duchess had never received this kind of education before.
Considering it had only been about a week since she’d started, she wasn't someone who lacked an aptitude for studying.
*Especially… that willingness to learn.*
Just look at Serapina and Gregory.
They had always passed off all the troublesome calculations and paperwork to me, claiming numbers gave them a headache.
But the Duchess, though she grumbled, was not someone who lacked the will to learn.
A moment later.
After reviewing all the documents, I praised the Duchess with exaggerated applause.
“My goodness, you got everything right this time!”
“…”
“It took me nearly five years of succession training before I could draft a budget without any calculation errors!”
“…”
“To be this perfect already… Duchess, you must be a genius!”
The Duchess kept her lips pressed firmly together, but I could still see it.
Her pouty expression was visibly softening by the second!
“But, Lady Ansi.”
As proof, her voice when she called my name was markedly softer than before.
“Why do you keep making me draft mock budget proposals?”
The Duchess propped her chin on her hands and grumbled.
“We’re going to be executing the actual budget anyway. In that case, I might as well start with practical experience…”
“No.”
I shook my head firmly and asked back.
“What did I tell you before we began our lessons?”
“…That the townhouse budget isn’t a one-time event like a salon, so I must discuss it with the Duchy’s butler and administrators.”
“And?”
“That outsiders should not be involved in the townhouse’s overall budget or personnel matters, like the servants and maids.”
“Good. You remember well.”
I replied, pleased.
“Honestly, Lady Ansi, you’re so strict. Well, still…”
The Duchess, who had become a little sullen, averted her gaze slightly and muttered.
“That’s what makes you more trustworthy.”
Hm?
I was organizing the documents and didn’t quite catch what she said last.
I tilted my head and asked again.
“Pardon? I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear you. What did you say?”
“It was nothing.”
With that, the Duchess turned her head away with a huff.
*Well, if it were important, she’d tell me again on her own.*
I simply shrugged.
But still…
*She’s done so well up to now.*
I thought it would be alright to offer her a little reward at this point.
“Duchess.”
With that thought, I began in a suggestive tone.
“You said you wanted to acquire a new teapot set for tea time, correct?”
“Wh-what did you just say?”
The Duchess’s head snapped around, her eyes sparkling.
“Am I, am I finally getting to do some practical work? Is that it?!”
Acquiring a teapot set for tea time wouldn’t be a major expense.
It seemed like something I could get involved in without causing any problems.
I gave a magnanimous nod.
“I’ll have them prepare catalogs from various brands. But what did I say you must do before that?”
“Compare prices!”
The Duchess exclaimed, pumping her fists.
“But you also said not to focus solely on the price and to consider the quality of the items. Rather than just checking the documents, I should get physical samples beforehand and meticulously inspect the condition of the items upon delivery.”
“Excellent.”
Listening to her rapid-fire answers, I nodded in satisfaction.
The way the Duchess absorbed my teachings so readily made her a joy to teach.
Meanwhile, the Duchess, who had been stealthily watching my expression, cautiously spoke up.
“Um, Lady Ansi.”
“Yes?”
“I, I want to buy five different kinds from various brands…”
Five different kinds from various brands?
Was she planning to buy teapot sets from every merchant in the capital?
My expression hardened before I knew it.
“No. You may have two.”
“Hmph.”
Looking thoroughly dejected, the Duchess’s shoulders slumped.
* * *
A few days later.
*Hm?*
For some reason, the townhouse felt a little noisy.
Dietrich, who had been cooped up in his office since morning, rose to his feet, bewildered.
Peeking out the window, he saw merchants bustling into the townhouse.
Each one was carefully carrying a box wrapped in cloth.
*What in the world is that?*
Unable to hide his puzzled expression, Dietrich pulled the servant’s cord.
The butler who entered the office bowed his head respectfully.
“You called for me, Your Grace.”
“I saw some merchants entering the townhouse earlier. What’s going on?”
“Ah, the Duchess mentioned she was acquiring a new teapot set for tea time.”
The butler smiled faintly.
“She requested some product samples, and today is the day she’s scheduled to review them.”
“…Samples?”
For a moment, Dietrich’s face went blank.
