Chapter 53

On this day, after listening to Alice's song, I returned to the mansion around noon and saw two people tied to a tree in the garden.

The man was a eunuch, and the woman was a maid.

Both were people I knew who lived in this mansion.

The two of them were tied to the tree and being whipped by another eunuch.

I stopped, puzzled by this unusual sight, and Zoe came out from inside the mansion.

"Welcome back, my lord."

"What's that?"

When I asked, Zoe blushed and looked conflicted.

"Madam... well..."

"Hmm, I see. I'll ask Audrey directly."

I could tell it was something difficult to say.

If I pressed her, Zoe would have answered, but it wasn't necessary to do so.

I entered the mansion, asked Zoe, and visited Audrey, who was in the living room.

"Oh, welcome back, Noah-sama."

"Hello. What's going on in the garden?"

"I'm sorry, it's due to my lack of virtue."

"Huh?"

What do you mean? I asked with my eyes, prompting her to elaborate.

"Just a moment ago, a maid told me that she saw those two embracing naked in their room, so I went to check, and..."

"Hmm."

I could feel my temple twitch.

"The man?"

"I confirmed it. He's fully castrated—definitely a eunuch."

"Hmm."

There are several methods of castration for eunuchs.

Partial castration, where only the testicles are removed, and full castration, where the entire genitalia is removed.

Of course, considering the nature of eunuchs, the latter is safer, which goes without saying.

"So it was just a game?"

"Yes. Therefore, I sentenced the eunuch to thirty lashes and the maid to ten. It was an internal matter, so I handled it—was that inappropriate?"

"No, it's entirely reasonable. There's no problem at all."

Audrey looked relieved.

Eunuchs, though castrated, don't necessarily lose all sexual desire.

Of course, some eunuchs do become completely asexual, and that's fine.

However, eunuchs who retain some sexual desire may form relationships with ladies-in-waiting in the palace or maids in noble households.

Occasionally, they develop a good relationship and engage in physical intimacy.

Incidentally, fully castrated eunuchs, unable to ejaculate, tend to resort to violent behavior like biting or hitting—though that's a side note.

If it turns out they weren't castrated, both parties would face the death penalty, but for a "game" with a properly castrated eunuch, a few dozen lashes would suffice.

"Why is there a difference in the number of lashes?"

"Well... the eunuch said, 'I was the one who initiated it. She's not to blame!' The maid also tried to take the blame, but the eunuch bowed so deeply that blood came from his forehead."

"Hmm... so they're in love?"

"Yes."

Audrey nodded quietly.

I thought for a moment and then said to Zoe, who had entered the living room with me.

"Go to the garden and tell them to come here when the whipping is over."

"Understood."

Zoe left the living room to call the two of them.

After a while, the eunuch and the maid, their clothes tattered and covered in welts and some bleeding, came in.

The moment they entered the living room, they turned pale and prostrated themselves.

"I'm so sorry!"

"It won't happen again! So—"

"Ah, you've already been punished, so that's fine."

I raised my hand to stop their apologies.

As Audrey said, this is an internal matter.

Since she has already dealt with it, it wouldn't be right for me to say anything.

Audrey is the principal wife of the prince, the queen.

She has her dignity. Unless it's clearly wrong, if I interfere, no one will listen to her orders in the future.

"This isn't about that. It seems you two like each other."

"That's—"

"Um—"

The eunuch and the maid looked at each other.

They seemed unsure of how to respond.

Finally, the eunuch, with a determined look, said:

"Yes! We like each other. We're from the same village. She worked in the prince's mansion, and I worked in the palace. When the prince moved to his fief, I asked my superiors to let me come with him."

"So you're childhood friends?"

I looked at Audrey, who shook her head in surprise.

It seems she didn't know.

"Yes..."

"Do you want to be together?"

"I want to... that's why I came with him..."

The eunuch answered hesitantly, unsure of my intentions.

"One last question. Are there others like you in the mansion?"

"—!"

The eunuch and the maid were taken aback.

"I'm not asking you to inform on them. Ah, I see, I should have explained better. Zoe, buy a few houses around the mansion. Ideally, surround it completely. Then, give one of those houses to the two of you."

"..."

The two of them were completely bewildered, unsure of what was happening.

"Continue working in the mansion during the day, and you can go home to your house at night."

"Lord Noah... it seems like... you're arranging a marriage for your subjects."

When Audrey said this, the two of them were startled.

"That's my intention."

After answering Audrey, I asked the two of them:

"How about it? If you don't want to be together, we can forget this conversation."

"No, no way!"

"Thank you! Thank you!"

The two of them bowed repeatedly.

"To think you are such an amazing person..."

"I will never forget this kindness."

"Hmm. Oh, by the way. If you have a daughter, you can adopt her. I'll treat her as a member of the household. A son is also fine, but I doubt you'd want your son to become a eunuch, right?"

"Thank you!!"

The two of them were so moved that tears streamed down their faces, and they continued to bow repeatedly like rice paddies.

"That's settled, then. If any other servants want to form 'families,' you can handle it the same way. I'll leave it to you."

"Understood."

Audrey smiled and nodded.

"Truly, you are remarkable, Lord Noah. I never would have thought of such a solution."

"Lord...?"

I turned to Zoe, who looked troubled.

"What's wrong?"

"Well... about your order..."

"Hmm?"

"About the money this year..."

"Ah, I see."

I remembered that Oscar, my brother, had told me the budget was tight this year, so I had used my personal funds to cover the water maintenance costs.

"Is there no budget at all?"

"No, probably enough for the people who want to participate. But surrounding the mansion completely..."

"I see. Then, start with the people who want to participate. The surrounding residents can't move out immediately. We'll wait until next year for the rest."

"Understood. I'll do that."

☆

The next day, while relaxing in the living room and leveling up Apophis, who had recently sworn allegiance, and the four senior constructs in a mock battle, the reception maid, Cecily, came in.

"My lord, we have visitors."

"Who are they?"

"Um... many of the town mayors."

"What?"

I frowned.

"Are you talking about Nishiru?"

"Yes."

"Understood. Show them to the reception room and bring Don as well."

"Understood."

Cecily nodded and left the living room.

I stood up and headed to the reception room, thinking.

Almeria Province, the capital, Nishiru.

Nishiru is divided into several "towns."

Each town has a mayor, and based on two or three towns, a magistrate is appointed.

So, the mayors of several towns have come in a group?

What could this be about?

I couldn't figure it out, so I met Don halfway and entered the reception room together.

There were about twenty people standing in the room.

Most were elderly, with a few middle-aged people.

These were the mayors.

"I am Delos. It's an honor to meet you."

The oldest man bowed. The other mayors followed suit but remained silent.

It seems Delos is the leader.

"Hmm. Cecily, bring chairs for everyone."

"Understood."

I sat on the sofa, and Don stood behind me.

Since there weren't enough chairs for all the mayors, I had the maids bring more.

After everyone was seated, I asked Delos:

"So, what brings you here today?"

Delos stood up, approached me, and presented something with both hands.

I took it and opened it.

It was a list of some kind.

"What is this?"

"It's a collection from the townspeople."

"A collection?"

"We heard that you, my lord, used your personal funds for the water maintenance this year."

"..."

"Water is the lifeline of Nishiru. We can never thank you enough."

"So, you've come to return the money?"

"Yes."

As Delos spoke, all the mayors stood up and bowed.

"Please forgive us. We hope you will accept the people's gratitude."

"Please accept it."

"Understood, I'll take it without hesitation."

"Thank you!!!"

The mayors, now standing, all looked relieved and happy.

☆

After the mayors left, Don and I remained in the reception room.

I was looking at the list Delos had given me.

"Such a... I've never heard of anything like this. For the people to voluntarily contribute money is unprecedented. This is a testament to your virtue, my lord."

"Don."

"Yes, my lord?"

"Proceed with the water source purification for the premium water."

"Huh? But that's supposed to wait until the budget is available—"

I threw the list to Don.

"Here it is."

"..."

Don was taken aback.

"But this is your—"

"Answering the people's sincerity is a noble's duty. I'll reclaim the funds from the treasury next year. This is the people's money, so it should be used for the people."

"Understood. I will ensure all of it is used for the water project."

"Hmm."

I nodded and left the reception room, leaving Don behind.

☆

After Noah left, Don remained in the reception room, deep in thought, before leaving to find Zoe.

Zoe, now the head maid, had the talent to rival Evelyn but was loyal to Noah and had no intention of becoming a magistrate like Evelyn.

Don showed Zoe the list and explained what had happened.

"That's just like my lord. He does what he can and doesn't tell the people."

"But that's not enough for us."

Don said, and Zoe nodded.

"What should we do?"

"I'll push the water project with all my might. Zoe, can you spread the word using the maids and eunuchs?"

"Without hiding any details?"

"Yes."

"Understood. Leave it to me."

"Thank you."

Don and Zoe nodded at each other and parted ways.

Noah, who dislikes boasting and says "self-restraint is a noble's privilege," doesn't like to spread his deeds, but those who admire him can't stand it.

His reputation continues to rise, even without his intention.