Chapter 71

"Being taken away without permission is troublesome, you still only insist on your own way of thinking."

The door was suddenly opened with a click, and it was the master who entered. His eyes were slightly sharper, which was not just my imagination.

"Entering a women's tea party unannounced is a violation of manners. Besides, eavesdropping? It's truly lamentable for the head of the Lindbergh Duke's family."

"You don't realize that when you talk enthusiastically, your voice gets louder and louder? It was completely audible outside."

"Politeness dictates that one should pretend not to hear. Moreover, this room is far from the office. Shouldn't you be working at this time? Throwing your work aside is unacceptable."

"Tea time is not a privilege exclusive to women. Besides, it's also considerate for those in higher positions to take the lead in resting for the sake of their subordinates and servants."

"It's all a matter of how you put it."

"I think I'm much better than someone who doesn't think at all."

"Someone who doesn't think? I always act and think as a noble for the people! It's you who doesn't think, isn't it?"

"Oh, oh!"

Interrupted by my voice, I couldn't help but break into their argument. Both pairs of eyes turned to me, and I was at a loss for words, intimidated by their intense gazes.

"Umm, well—y-you two seem to get along well, don't you?"

"It seems your eyes are a bit clouded."

"Yes, that's right."

"..."

What a huge temperature difference! It's so huge!

"You're still as shy as ever, aren't you?"

Rosamunde giggled. Despite being younger than the master, she scolded him like an older sister, and the master's lips were tightly pressed together, as if he had decided that any further words would be futile.

"But, it's just perfect that you're here. I was thinking that I shouldn't take her out without the permission of her husband, Claude."

"Not only is it necessary, but it's very important!"

"Since you've been eavesdropping on our conversation, you will certainly give permission, won't you?"

It seemed he didn't even consider the possibility of not giving permission. While I think it's important to understand the lives of the people, I don't think now is the time for that. At least, I have other things I want to do. Important meetings with key vassals in this territory, matters of the household in this castle... and since we're here, I'd rather learn about the detailed history of the territory, which I'm sure is well-documented.

"I said I can't give permission. Besides, we're planning to head to the old coal mine in the north tomorrow. There's no time for a city experience now."

"Oh! Then it's a good timing. We are also heading to the northern coal mining village."

"We? No, I'm already part of the group, am I?"

"Rosamunde, don't meddle in unnecessary matters. If you really want to use your knowledge for the benefit of the world, why don't you take the civil servant exam and become a civil servant? I've been telling you this for a while."

"Oh, but that place is not merit-based. I'm looked down upon just because I'm a woman, and my opinions are not heard."

The master sighed.

"If it's for official business, I would like to join you. I will show Claude the reality."

Wow, so confident! But I think the master could easily refute her...

I glanced at him, and he was tapping his head with his finger. Ah, he's being affected. He looks very tired.

"Rosamunde, I forgot that talking to you is futile."

"That's unfair. I do listen to people's opinions."

The master waved his hand at Rosamunde, a gesture to leave. I thought, "I'm the host, after all," but I couldn't stop him. I wanted to talk to the master a bit more.

Rosamunde, seemingly unaffected by the master's attitude, turned to me.

"If the lord of the castle commands, I have no choice but to obey. I will take my leave, Lady Reisha. Please join us tomorrow."

Unlike yesterday, she bowed gracefully and left the room, looking satisfied. The master then sat in the place where Rosamunde had been sitting.

"Rosamunde has been like that since childhood."

The master suddenly spoke.

"She claims to listen to others, but in reality, she only swallows what suits her. She is indeed studious, but her assumptions are strong, and her grandfather had advised her to broaden her knowledge..."

So, that's the reason. She said she was favored, but in reality, she was told to listen to others and learn.

"I thought, if she's like that, she might be able to kick us out and has the drive to be a duchess..."

"Well, from her speech just now, I think she believes that protecting the weak is the right thing to do. As a noble, it's not entirely wrong, so it's hard to criticize. Moreover, being recognized by society is her fundamental dream."

"Being recognized—?"

"She doesn't doubt her own abilities. The problem was that there were no peers of her age who could compete with her, so she ended up thinking everyone else was incompetent. Especially, she seems to think that women other than herself are inferior. She believes her words are the most correct without any doubt."

"In other words?"

"I don't know the reason, but she has always said that she will leave a name for herself someday. She did make efforts for that, but as a result, she stopped listening to others even more."

The master, with a resigned look, seemed to have given up on thinking about Rosamunde. It seems he can't understand her at all. In fact, I realized that she is quite a handful. Compared to her, a self-centered and arrogant woman would be much easier to deal with. It's common for those in power to ignore the words of those below them, but Rosamunde seems to be an extreme case. The master says it's still safe because she doesn't have much power, but giving her power would be disastrous. I also understand why she is so fixated on the Lindbergh duchy. There is no better place to spread her name. If her ideals were to be realized here, she could make a name for herself more than anywhere else.

"Do you look down on me, or is it on purpose?"

"Basically, she thinks all women other than herself are insignificant—whether on purpose or unconsciously... However, she seems to regard those who listen to and affirm her as equals."

I see. When she narrowed her eyes, it meant she thought I was at least passing. When she looked dissatisfied when I was treated as a servant, it was because she was annoyed by the way I was treated. But when I praised her, she thought I had a discerning eye. It might also be related to how I humbled myself.

"The position of duchess is a means, not an end, and I don't want a wife who needs a higher position to be recognized. Moreover, her idealistic views are very difficult to implement in reality."

The master also thinks so, right...? He probably wants to help the poor, but it's a difficult issue. That's why he is planning a safe business that will increase income.

"Equality is a wonderful word, but if it were to happen, the privileges of the aristocracy would be lost. What does she think about that? Does she really believe she can live like a commoner?"

He laughed sarcastically and leaned back in his chair.

"You dislike her, don't you?"

"Dislike? I'm just thoroughly disappointed. Listen, talking to someone who only listens to what they want to hear is futile. No matter how logically I explain, they will find a way to refute it. In the end, the conversation goes nowhere. There's no point in listening. They will never acknowledge my point of view."

"I'm sorry, I was cornered just now..."

"I heard. You said he hasn't actually been to the site—right? It's a valid point, but knowing Rosamunde, I just want to say that she probably only talks to the people she's been introduced to."

Isn't she narrowing her perspective instead of broadening it? Oh, by the way...

"Changing the subject, it seems the coal mine people consulted Rosamunde's father."

"Actually, it was Rosamunde's brother. I learned that the coal mined from the mine was being sold to the south. When they found out that the coal was illegally mined, they immediately came to me. The decision to purchase was made by a subordinate, but it seems the people in the north assumed the lord knew about it. They said it would be a problem if the mining volume decreased."

So, Rosamunde heard about it. However, it was her brother who turned pale when he learned the reason. They were buying illegally mined coal from the duchy.

"Her subordinate was embezzling, and they were in a difficult situation. Since the cause was partly on our side, we can't really hold them accountable."

The master shrugged. Since it's already over, there's no need to ask more.

"By the way, are you going with her tomorrow?"

"Actually, I thought it might be a good opportunity. If she understands the lives of the common people, she might make fewer foolish statements—well, I will pay for the labor."

Why is he looking at me, Master? Can I just nod and agree with everything he says?