Chapter 60

Thank you for reporting any typos or omissions.

I always make a lot of mistakes, I'm sorry.

Nobles with titles higher than marquess are obligated to take turns providing food for the poor.

This is an old custom that has been passed down, and what was once done voluntarily by ancestors has gradually become a tradition and an obligation.

"Really, our ancestors sure did create a lot of trouble."

Robert, the eldest son of the Lance family, is standing in a square in the slum, watching the food distribution with irritation.

The servants of the Lance family are doing the work, while Robert, who is only watching from inside the carriage, continues to grumble.

There is a larger square a little further away, but the roads are narrow, so he would have to get out of the carriage.

Robert, who doesn't want to step out of the carriage into the dirty and smelly slum, insists on using the smaller square in front.

The line for free food stretches out of the square, and Robert sighs, wondering when he will be able to go home. Brian, who is sitting opposite him, looks exasperated and glares at Robert.

"Why do I have to come along, Master Robert? I just finished my turn last week."

Usually, he comes with his sister Laila, but today he has a tea party he can't miss, so Robert came alone.

The thought of waiting here alone was unbearable, so he called Brian at the last minute.

Food distribution is said to be the responsibility of the male heir to the title, and Robert is only here out of obligation, with no intention of working.

The concept of noblesse oblige is not in Robert's dictionary.

"Master Robert, I'm sorry, but we're running low on bread and soup. I'll go back to the mansion to get more."

One of the servants calls out to Robert from outside the carriage.

"What nonsense, if it's gone, then we're done for today. Let's go home."

If we get more food now, it will take longer to go home.

Moreover, if the number of guards decreases because they have to go get the food, it would be a concern for his safety in this crime-ridden slum.

"No, that's not acceptable, Master Robert. The rule is to provide food to everyone who has gathered."

The servant persists, but Robert's opinion does not change.

"Hmph, who's going to see if we follow such a rule?"

He yells at the servant to hurry up and go home.

"What if the slum people file a complaint, Master Robert?"

Brian, who is afraid of Robert's tyrannical behavior, asks worriedly.

"Brian, are you stupid too? Who would believe what those people say?"

I am the future Duke of Lance, after all.

Robert starts to prepare to leave, using his own logic.

Naturally, the long line of people is filled with complaints.

"Is it already over?"

"I haven't eaten yet."

"I'm hungry."

This slum has many children.

Some children start crying when they realize they won't get food, and others cling to the servants, begging for something to eat.

"Hmph, you scum."

Robert looks at the scene with disgust and mutters another curse.

From the chaotic line, a man steps forward and heads straight for Robert's carriage.

"Hey! This isn't what we agreed on! Why are you ending the food distribution when not everyone has been fed?"

Robert does not answer.

He is providing charity, and he should be thanked, not criticized.

He is also too afraid to answer, seeing the man's angry face.

"Please, at least let the children under five years old have something to eat."

The man suppresses his anger and bows to Robert.

If the children don't get anything to eat today, they will have to wait a week until the next food distribution, and some might die.

"Master Robert... it's pitiful, isn't it? At least the little children..."

Brian, moved by the man's desperate plea, asks Robert to do something.

"Are you stupid? If they can get free food, they can easily bow their heads. There's no end to dealing with such things."

Recently, Robert has been in a bad mood.

He is still holding a grudge over the humiliation he suffered at school.

He cried to his father, who sent a complaint letter to the Stewart family, but the reply was long and, in summary, "What? Our child isn't in the wrong, is he?"

If the child is the child, then the parent is the parent. A mere marquess should not argue with a duke.

Thinking of the hateful face of Emma Stewart, Robert feels irritated... and then, the image of Emma Stewart eating slime jelly suddenly pops into his mind, making his heart jump unnaturally.

If only he had apologized there, he could have been a little friendlier to her. What a stupid woman.

In his mind, images of Emma Stewart talking to Arthur, the second prince, and a freckle-faced merchant's son keep appearing.

A little late, but he feels an unprecedented irritation.

Under normal circumstances, Robert might have continued the food distribution, intimidated by the man's angry face, but at this moment, his irritation has reached its peak.

"There's no food for you. You're an eyesore!"

He opens the carriage door with a bang and shouts.

The servants, the children gathered for the food distribution, and the man bowing are all surprised and look at Robert.

The man, despite exposing his face and being agitated, still persists.

Last week and this week are known as the "two evil weeks" in the slum, where the food provided is significantly less in quantity and quality compared to other noble families.

Other nobles bring long-lasting biscuits as gifts, but during these two evil weeks, nothing like that has ever been provided.

There is no guarantee that the slum residents can get proper food outside of the food distribution. If he loses his temper now, children will really die.

"It's not free! In exchange for special ink! It's a bright red ink that can never be erased."

Robert smirks at the man's words.

He remembers that the freckle-faced merchant's store is almost complete.