Chapter 27

"Ah, ah! Sir, about that resettlement, c-could I be the one to accept it?"

Eliza, Anna's mother, looked at her with a shocked expression. Marco, Anna's brother who was standing beside her, also wore a surprised look.

Noein also showed surprise like Eliza and Marco, but to him, this situation was exactly what he had planned. He only pretended to be surprised to match the atmosphere of the scene.

Noein had noticed that Anna was interested in the resettlement when he jokingly mentioned it to Eliza before. During the time they waited for the food supplies to be loaded at the store, Noein had chatted with Anna multiple times and learned that she was fond of stories about pioneering new lands and was interested in such a lifestyle.

Moreover, she was capable of handling tasks like bookkeeping and inventory management. For Noein, who needed someone skilled in administrative and financial work, she was the perfect candidate.

"J-just a moment, Anna! What are you saying!"

"Mom, I'm serious! I really want to go to Sir's territory!"

"Be quiet! Come with me! Sir, I'm sorry, but could we have a moment to talk as a family?"

"Sure, no problem."

"Thank you. I'm sorry for the commotion... Marco, please show Sir inside and offer him some tea."

"Alright, Mom."

Everyone returned to the store. Eliza pulled Anna to the back of the store, and Noein sat on a chair for negotiations, waiting. Marco served the tea as instructed by Eliza, but his expression was somewhat stiff.

"Marco, would you like to talk a bit?"

"Y-yes..."

"Thank you. Please sit down."

Marco sat across from Noein, still with a stiff expression.

"...If Anna insists on resettling, will you take her with you, Sir?"

"Yes, I will. She can read, write, and do calculations, and I've heard she has practical experience from this store. I would be very grateful if she came."

"I-I see..."

Marco's expression remained grim, and he avoided eye contact with Noein.

"Would the store not be able to operate without Anna? If that's the case, I would feel bad about taking her."

"No, that's not the case... I was originally supposed to take over the store, and we have other employees. It might take some time to fill the gap left by Anna, but it's manageable. However..."

Marco seemed to oppose the idea, which was understandable. His sister wanted to resettle in a small territory still in the process of being developed, and Noein, a noble lord, wanted her. As a brother, he must have felt conflicted and couldn't easily say, "Please take her."

Noein tried to talk to Marco, but his expression remained stiff.

...

Leaving Marco to entertain Sir Noein, Eliza pulled Anna to the store's warehouse.

"What do you mean, Anna?"

"I'm serious."

"...I know. You're not the type to joke about something like this in such a situation."

Sighing, Eliza answered, looking at her daughter's determined face.

I knew Anna was interested in pioneering new lands. When she was young, she often asked to hear such fairy tales, and even when she grew older, she asked how to live an adventurous life. I told her it was just a fairy tale.

"Listen, this isn't as simple as the fairy tales I used to tell you. You'll be spending most of your life in Sir's territory, away from Retvik. The frontier can be dangerous and difficult."

"I know. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. To be able to resettle in the territory of a kind noble like Sir and have a chance to use my skills, it might never happen again."

Indeed, from Eliza's perspective, Sir Noein seemed to be a good lord. He was respected by his servants and didn't act arrogantly just because he was a noble. He was even more polite than some commoners.

If Anna went to Sir Noein, she would be treated well.

"Please, Mom. I only have one life, and I want to live it the way I choose."

"..."

Eliza looked into Anna's eyes, confirming her resolve. Anna met her gaze steadily, without wavering.

Anna was an excellent child, Eliza thought. When she taught her basic reading, writing, and arithmetic, Anna quickly absorbed the knowledge and eventually learned to manage the accounts. Now, she had practical skills comparable to those of her brother Marco.

Though somewhat shy, Anna was serious and quick-witted. Eliza believed she could work as a civil servant under a noble.

Eliza felt reassured that Anna would be safe with Sir Noein. As a merchant, she also saw the potential for strong ties with neighboring nobles if Anna performed well in her new home. However, as a mother, she had vague concerns about sending her daughter to a territory still in development.

After considering all these thoughts, Eliza said,

"...Alright. I'll talk to Sir about the details. If they are acceptable, I'll let you go."

"Really!? Thank you, Mom!"

"Hold on. We'll see what Sir says. It's too early to celebrate."

Anna's expression changed from stubborn to a radiant smile, and Eliza couldn't help but smile wryly.

...

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Sir Noein."

"Not at all. I understand there are many things to discuss."

Smiling, Noein responded to Eliza, who had returned with Anna. The fact that she addressed him as "Sir Noein" indicated that she was prepared for a serious conversation.

Eliza sat in front of Noein, replacing Marco, and began the discussion with a solemn expression.

"...First, I have confirmed Anna's resolve. She is serious about resettling in your territory. As her parent, I must say that I believe she has the ability to serve you well."

"Yes. I have spoken with Anna multiple times and understand that she is intelligent and diligent. I am pleased with her decision and would be happy to welcome her to our territory."

"Thank you... However, as her parent, I am concerned about her future. I understand that you are a kind person, but I would like to know the specific conditions under which you will welcome her."

"Of course. I have no children yet, but I can understand your concerns as a parent."

Noein then outlined the conditions for Anna's resettlement.

First, she would manage the finances and personnel of the Noein territory. There would be a trial period of a few weeks. If Anna decided to leave or if Noein felt her skills were not as expected, she would be returned to Retvik. If the trial period went well, Anna would be welcomed as a vassal of the Noein family.

She would be given a private room in Noein's residence. If she found a husband, she could leave the residence and have her own house, which Noein would provide.

When Noein finished, Eliza, Marco, and even Anna herself looked stunned.

"...So, if my work is satisfactory, I will be welcomed as a vassal? I thought I would just be a hired worker."

"Of course. You will be given important tasks in the territory. It's only natural."

Anna's face lit up at Noein's answer.

It was no surprise. For a commoner to become a formal vassal of a noble was a rare opportunity. This was a significant promotion for Anna, made possible by the Noein territory's need for skilled personnel.

A vassal held a higher status than other commoners within the noble's territory. As a respected vassal, her position would be passed down to her children unless they were incompetent.

Hearing the unexpected conditions, Anna, Eliza, and Marco all showed great joy. It was natural for a family to be excited about a member becoming a vassal.

Noein often used the tactic of offering unexpectedly good conditions to win people's hearts, as he had done when giving land to Yuri and the other villagers.

"Then, is it alright if you come to our territory under these conditions?"

"Yes! I will work hard!"

"That's great. What about Eliza and Marco?"

"Of course, it's fine. I am grateful for the opportunity you are giving my daughter, Sir Noein."

"Please take good care of my sister, Sir."

Thus, it was decided that Anna would come to the Noein territory.