Chapter 32

"...Well, that's all for today's story."

Closing the book and announcing this to the children, they all displayed disappointed expressions.

"Aw, more, more!"

"Next, read this picture book."

Ah, it's so soothing. I must look like a complete mess right now, with my face all distorted.

Following their requests, I held back the urge to read for them.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go home today. I'll definitely come again, so please forgive me."

"Aw..."

"When will you come back?"

Hearing the children's sad voices, I couldn't possibly say that I wanted to stay forever...

"I don't know when, but I will definitely come back. I promise, okay?"

"Alright."

"...When you come back, read a picture book, okay?"

"Yes, of course."

After saying goodbye to the children and greeting Miss Mina, I left the orphanage.

...Sigh, I don't want to go home.

Lately, I've been seriously considering working at an orphanage after I retire...

Marriage... For someone like me, who had my engagement to the royal family broken, it's not something I can hope for. After what happened, my dreams of marriage have also crumbled.

Eventually, I will have to step down from the merchant guild and the administration of my territory. When that time comes, I want to live quietly surrounded by children... that's my wish.

It really is soothing. ...Although I've never raised children before, I'm sure there will be many challenges... but I don't think I'll ever feel my heart turn cold as it does now.

Self-interest, maneuvering... the merchant guild, and especially the administration, are always riddled with such things. Dealing with other countries and territories is the most nerve-wracking. I'm not a saint, and I don't want to neglect important things by focusing on other matters, so I'll have to make tough decisions and use whatever I can when necessary, because I must protect my territory, all its residents, and my dear parents and grandparents, as well as my colleagues who work with me.

But even I get tired. More so mentally than physically. I read somewhere that a king is always alone.

I'm not a king, but if my final decisions affect the futures of many people... in some form or another, that responsibility is mine.

Thinking about it, it's really heavy.

I decided to take it on, and I will do what I must... but as I will eventually age, it's impossible to continue forever, so someone suitable will have to take over from me.

When that time comes, I want to live quietly surrounded by children... Oh, am I getting ahead of myself?

Well, to achieve such a peaceful future, I need to work now.

It's been half a year since Grandfather left the Armenia Duchy. Bern and the Second Prince have graduated from the academy, and Bern is currently studying administration under Father. The others are also training under their respective parents. Lord Ed is also studying administration within the castle. Lord Yuri hasn't officially married yet, but it will probably happen soon, though no official announcement has been made.

When I get home, I immediately return to my study. First, I skim through the merchant guild's reports, then move on to the administration.

"Miss, welcome back."

Dean entered at that moment. Since the incident where I collapsed, even if we have some free time, we no longer go out together. We take our days off on different days so that one of us is always available to handle any emergencies.

"I'm back, Dean. Right away, please give me the report."

"Yes. ...As expected, the relaxation of tariffs has increased imports and exports. It seems that the guilds are also seeing increased profits."

Since then, we have implemented the relaxation of tariffs and the transition from head tax to income tax. There was some confusion during the initial phase, but things are gradually settling down.

To recap the Armenia Duchy, it is a long, narrow territory located southeast of the capital. The climate is temperate, with some areas in the south being subtropical. It faces the sea to the east and has several ports.

I think the Armenia Duchy is in a blessed location. The climate is mild, and it has port towns. While being separated by the sea from other countries poses a risk in case of war, the benefits currently outweigh the risks. If it were located northwest of the capital, it would be adjacent to Twail, famous for the Twail Campaign, which would be much worse.

Returning to the topic, my territory has had port towns, and thus has had some trade for a long time. When I took on the role of acting lord, I inspected the eastern region because it had high tax revenues, and the presence of port towns was a major reason.

Currently, with the relaxation of tariffs, trade with other countries has increased even more. Previously, tariffs were imposed both when goods were exported and imported, and not only when crossing national or territorial borders, but also between cities within the same territory. This time, we abolished export tariffs and reduced import tariffs. In the future, we will review the tax rates for different goods based on the current situation.

Regardless, since the relaxation of tariffs, the volume of imports and exports has increased both within and outside the territory.

The guilds are handling more goods and seeing increased profits, and I'm looking forward to the next guild income tax, which I named separately from personal income tax.

...Incidentally, the Azuta Guild has also started selling abroad and is gradually increasing its presence.

With the increase in trade volume, I discovered something interesting: silk.

In my original world, I remember that silk entered Europe during the Roman era and was enjoyed by the upper class... but for some reason, silk hasn't come to this world or this country yet. Mainly, they use linen, wool, and cotton. It's interesting that cotton was introduced first, and I wondered if silk didn't exist here... but after increasing trade, I recently discovered it.

Eventually, I want to make the Armenia territory a silk production area by starting silkworm farming... but even though I know what silk is made of, I don't know how it's produced, so it will take a long time. Therefore, when the tax revenue stabilizes, I will place it under the protection of the territory and let them experiment.