Chapter 52

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In the carriage on the way back, Cain gave Arundilano the same explanation he had given Dianna before.

"Aristocrats and royalty live off the taxes of the common people. In return, aristocrats and royalty must protect the lives of the common people. The fact that there are children who lack food and clothing just because they don't have parents is solely due to the insufficient power of the aristocracy and royalty."

"Cain, that's an exaggeration. There are orphanages, and the fact that they can live under a roof and not go hungry is thanks to the king's authority."

Cain explained it more directly and in a more difficult way than he had to Dianna, but it was Fabian who responded and argued back.

Fabian said that since they had a place to shelter from the rain and wind and did not go hungry, the obligations of the nobility were being fulfilled. Perhaps he was considering Arundilano's feelings.

"It's a difference in the perception of what constitutes a healthy and culturally minimal standard of living."

Cain did not strongly argue back, avoiding the debate by calling it a difference in perception. He recognized that the question of how far one must go to be sufficient was a topic that could be debated for hours without reaching a conclusion.

"Prince Arundilano, did you have fun today?"

Smiling, Cain asked Arundilano, who was nodding with a smile, his cheeks flushed from all the physical activity.

"I had fun. I was disappointed that I couldn't win at musical chairs, so I want to get stronger and win next time! I want a strong stone!"

"That's great. Next time, when you come to play at the Elgrandark household, let's play musical chairs with Dianna and make it a four-person game. Practice and get stronger, then challenge again."

"Okay!"

During the game of musical chairs, Arundilano had a few times when he almost got a seat but was pushed away by a larger child. It was inevitable given the age difference of two years, but Arundilano seemed disappointed.

"Next week, when you visit another orphanage with Her Majesty the Queen, please play with the children there as you did today. I'm sure they would be delighted if you taught them games like musical chairs and tag."

"Me teach them?"

"Are these not games that common children often play?"

"Stone skipping is a game they used to play, but musical chairs, tag, and 'Kagome Kagome' are games I taught them, so I don't think the children at other orphanages know them. They're convenient for getting along because you can play them with a large group at once."

Cain answered Fabian and Arundilano's questions. Arundilano looked at him with admiration, while Fabian looked skeptical.

After escorting Cain and Ilvaleno home, Fabian and Arundilano returned to the palace. Arundilano was motivated to study the lives and operations of the orphanage children before his next visit.

They arrived home around the time tea was over. After their magic lesson with Dianna and Ilvaleno, Cain and Ilvaleno did their daily running.

"Selenosta is very dexterous. At the blacksmith where he worked, he learned to carve handles and scabbards, and to make tassels and netsuke on the side."

"He was doing embroidery today, too."

"There was a tool box that the great-grandfather had used, which couldn't be opened because the key was lost, and Selenosta opened it."

"Wow."

"For some reason, a few times, people brought in 'safes and tool boxes that couldn't be opened because the key was lost,' and Selenosta opened all of them."

"Ah, I'm getting a bad feeling about this."

"Selenosta's foot was run over by a carriage, and he couldn't walk properly. Since he couldn't do his chores, he was sent back to the orphanage."

"..."

"Selenosta has been scouted from a new place of employment. ...I'm the one who's supposed to take him there."

Ilvaleno didn't specify where or to whom, but Cain was clenching his teeth tightly. He knew where he was being scouted from and where he was being taken.

Ilvaleno was seeking help from Cain. He had been saved by Cain himself.

Even after being hired as a servant in the Elgrandark household, Ilvaleno continued to take time off for his undercover work, but the frequency was much less than when he was at the orphanage.

This was because his value as an information source had increased after infiltrating the leading ducal family, and he was given less work to avoid arousing suspicion.

"It's difficult to hire another person with my authority. I was lucky with Ilvaleno. Being favored by Mother was a big factor. You already knew some etiquette and manners from the start."

Ilvaleno looked good. It was natural, given that he was a target, but he had a beautiful face. This was a good impression for both Dismaia and Elise, and it was advantageous in getting permission to be close to them.

However, Selenosta had an ordinary child's appearance and a rambunctious personality. Despite his dexterity, his character was rough and his voice was loud.

He was not the type of child that would be liked by noble adults.

"I see..."

Ilvaleno replied in a dejected voice.

As they passed through the front gate, their conversation paused, and they waved to the knights as they ran through.

"I've always been bothered by the fact that Ilvaleno is being used by others."

"Huh?"

"I don't like that his precious days off are being used for side jobs. He should take proper breaks."

"What are you talking about?"

"I said it was okay to continue, but I still don't like it. ...Maybe it's time to get him back."

While running, Cain looked at Ilvaleno, who was running next to him, and smiled slyly.

"Ilvaleno, tell them you're Selenosta and take him away."

"Huh?"

"Alright, let's do a final sprint! Dash!!"

Cain left Ilvaleno behind and ran the last lap at full speed.

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