Chapter 71

It was Nomariola, the maid who had become my servant, who was under the influence of Duke Lukaios. She has been on half-leave for the past few days.

The reason is to take care of her younger sister and to monitor the effects of the incomplete elixir. It seems that the incomplete elixir, which was originally priced at three gold coins, was about to be haggled down to two. If you think about it in terms of 30,000 yen being reduced to 20,000 yen, it's quite a rip-off.

Of course, Nomariola did not sell it but brought it back and gave it to her sister to monitor her condition. I made it, but I haven't tested its effects or the duration of its effects. Therefore, I allowed her to take a half-leave and instructed her to report on her sister's progress. I also promised to give her more of the incomplete elixir if necessary.

"I was surprised when she said she wanted a half-leave to observe her sister's condition. It would have been fine to say she was worried about her sister."

"I have a sister too, but if she had a slight fever, she would be thrown into bed and left there for a whole day."

Herkov seemed to be revealing a sad sibling relationship.

By the way, I am currently in the middle of a study session with Wald. Herkov is there as a chaperone or a guard.

"You said you didn't learn the four basic arithmetic operations, didn't you……"

Wald, on the first day of being a teacher, already seemed to be on the verge of giving up.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know what the four basic arithmetic operations were. They are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. I understand that. We use measurements in alchemy too."

"By the way, it's true that I didn't teach them. I just naturally became able to do them. I probably learned by watching someone else."

Herkov is mistaken, but I didn't say anything because it's a gift from my previous life. Even if I did, it wouldn't be very convincing to say it's from a different world.

Wald remained silent, trying to reconcile something within herself. Then she wrote something on the paper in front of her and looked at me.

"Do you understand this?"

What she showed me were numbers separated into decimals, numerators, and denominators. So I explained decimals by drawing a line and marking it, and fractions by drawing a circle and dividing it.

Yeah, it's still elementary school math. I think I would be fine with middle school math, but I don't remember high school math very well. Well, if I were given a problem, I might remember, but what's the square root of something again?

My knowledge is limited to that, so I asked if she could teach me the calculations.

"Your Highness, it's not something you need to learn as part of your education. Basically, finance is about purchasing and managing items, and the department that mainly deals with calculations is accounting."

"Huh, really? So finance doesn't require that much knowledge of numbers?"

Wald had already given up, even before I tensed up.

Thinking back, in my previous life, math was only necessary in fields like engineering and astronomy. And in the company, the accounting and finance departments were separate.

While I was thinking about this, there was a knock on the door.

This is the salon room of the golden room, where I have set up my study room with a grand piano. Ictus is on half-leave, and Herkov is here, while Wearrel is on lunch break and hasn't returned yet.

"Who could it be? If I eliminate the possibilities, it must be Nomariola?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Huh?"

The one who entered with permission was the maid, Nomariola. It was a bit early for her to start work on a half-leave, and she usually only worked at specific times, so what was going on?

Then our eyes met. She usually looked down, but now there was a different emotion in her eyes.

Her eyes softened when they met mine.

"I have come to greet you upon my appointment."

Nomariola, who usually had a cool and beautiful appearance, suddenly seemed more vibrant and radiant.

"Wha!?"

Herkov burst out laughing, and Wald rubbed his eyes, suspecting a visual illusion.

"Um, what's up, Nomariola? You seem different from usual. Are you tired from taking care of your sister? Why don't you take a full day off to rest? You're on half-leave, right, and you're taking care of her?"

"What a kind and compassionate remark. However, I am your servant, so there is no need for you to worry."

Yeah, that's unexpected.

What's with this new maid move?

It's kind of scary.

"Um, how is your sister? Has she settled down?"

"Yes, my lord. After using the medicine filled with your wisdom, her breathing was no longer noisy by the next day. The following day, there were no abnormalities. By the third day, she was able to sleep soundly without any discomfort, and on the fourth day, she was able to eat a full meal without coughing or vomiting."

No, she was more seriously ill than I thought…….

I heard that children with asthma don't die, but it doesn't mean they don't suffer.

Nomariola, with her smile, made us exchange glances. Then there was another knock, and Wearrel's ear was visible from the half-open door.

"Did you hear that? Is everything okay?"

"Hmm, I only understood that your sister got better."

Nomariola, in a manner befitting a maid, made way for Wearrel, but this was something she had never done before. She used to leave the room quickly after finishing her work, but now she was still there.

Wearrel offered a hypothesis to our confusion.

"That must be the reason. She must feel a sense of gratitude for her sister's recovery thanks to Asha-sama's medicine."

"If you command it, I will apologize for my past discourtesies, no matter how many times."

Her usual sharp expression, but her words were different from usual.

"That's still incomplete, so you don't have to go that far. And if you tell me, I'll give you the medicine. It's a hobby of mine, and I'm happy if it helps someone."

"What a noble sentiment. In contrast, I feel ashamed of my own pettiness. I did not immediately understand your clear and compassionate heart, which thinks of the weak in times of distress. I apologize for my repeated discourtesies."

I looked to Wearrel for help with my eyes.

"Well, for a true talent, the hardships of the world are like the noise of the secular. Asha-sama does not like to draw attention and become the center of attention. In this regard, you are a very graceful and rational person, and Asha-sama likes you."

When Wearrel indirectly told her not to worry, Nomariola knelt down.

"I understand. I will continue to report to Duke Lukaios only about my lord's modest and reserved lifestyle. I will also look for any signs that they might be troubling my lord unnecessarily."

"You don't have to go that far. Your sister isn't fully recovered yet. Just keep an eye on things."

"Understood."

Eh, is this okay?

Does she really understand?

I looked around.

Wearrel shook her head, indicating that it was too much. Herkov was still laughing at the sudden change. Wald was looking at Nomariola as if she were a strange creature.

(Owner's evaluation is correct. The significance of seeking improvement is unclear.)

(Sefira will remain silent. It's not good for me to stand out.)

I have no interest in the throne, and to acknowledge that, I try not to stand out.

I know that Terry, for the sake of the throne, is surrounded by more tutors than I am at the age of seven and is working hard.

I want to avoid getting in his way, so I'm trying to catch and stop anyone who might try to assassinate me.

But it's also hard to dismiss Nomariola's gratitude.

Well, since she seems to be considerate, maybe it's okay to leave it as it is?

"Nomariola, I understand your feelings, so please stand up. Just act as you usually do so no one notices. Is that painful for you?"

"No, it's just that my interest or lack thereof is very apparent on my face. Until now, it was only about my sister, but now that I have feelings for my lord, it must have been confusing."

"Ah, I see. Then, just act as you usually do. You can do as you please here, but be careful not to be noticed outside."

When I emphasized this, Nomariola immediately responded. Her reaction was unfamiliar, but it didn't seem to be a big problem, so it was fine for now.

"Oh, right. How was the peppermint oil? If you have trouble disposing of it, I can take it back."

"No, my sister seems to like the smell. She applies it every day, saying it makes it easier to breathe."

"That's good to hear."

"If it's not too much to ask, could I have some more?"

"Sure. Or, would you like to try making it, Nomariola? If your sister likes it, I think it's fine for you to know how to make it."

Nomariola's eyes widened at my suggestion, but it's not something to be grateful for.

Actually, making peppermint oil is time-consuming and yields a small amount.

So it would be better for her to make it herself, which would save me the trouble.

That's why I didn't want her to kneel again.

Regular update

Next: Crime Guild 1

Updated: 10/1

Side Story 12: Diora