Episode 21: The New Ruler’s Reforms

Having gained effective control over the Irving Marquisate’s territory, I immediately set to work on reforming the land.

Purging corrupt officials, reducing taxes, establishing clinics in villages, repairing roads and buildings… these were, in essence, the same measures I had implemented in the Creving Earldom’s territory.

And the funding for these reforms came from the same source: selling off the wealth that the Irving Marquisate had hoarded over many years to finance the changes.

One day, as I was working, there was a knock at the door of my study.

“Lord Siegvolt, you have a visitor.”

It was Fine’s voice.

“A visitor? I wasn’t expecting anyone. Who is it?”

“Well… they claim to be a maid from the Irving Marquisate.”

“Oh?”

“Um… what should we do? If I may offer my personal opinion, I think you should meet with them…”

Fine suggested this in a reserved tone.

In this country’s rigid hierarchy, the gap between a noble house’s head and a mere maid was as vast as heaven and earth. For a maid to visit a noble lord was practically unheard of.

Even if one did show up, most lords wouldn’t bother meeting them. However…

“Interesting.”

They must know the norms as well as anyone. Yet, to come and request a direct audience with me? That only piques my curiosity.

“Very well, I’ll see them. Show the maid to the reception room.”

◇

“I-It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Siegvolt. My name is Irma Shire, and I serve as the head of the maids for the Irving Marquisate.”

The woman who appeared in the reception room was clad in a refined black-and-white maid outfit. Her straight black hair reached down to her waist, and she wore plain glasses. She was probably around Fine’s age.

Though she couldn’t hide her nervousness, her demeanor remained composed. She was likely a highly capable maid.

“I see. Sit down, Irma.”

I gestured to the sofa in the reception room. Irma hesitated slightly.

“Are you reluctant to sit in the presence of a noble like me? That kind of concern is nothing but a waste of time. Sit.”

“P-Pardon me.”

Irma took a seat on the sofa. Almost simultaneously, Fine served tea to both her and me.

“Tch, I’m not worthy of such kindness…”

Irma stiffened, but Fine offered her a gentle smile. That smile seemed to ease Irma’s tension, if only slightly.

“Now then, let’s hear your business, Irma Shire, maid of the Irving Marquisate.”

“Y-Yes.”

Irma straightened her posture and met my gaze.

“I’ve come today to make a request of you, Lord Siegvolt.”

“Oh?”

“I know it’s utterly presumptuous for a mere maid like me to offer an opinion to the head of an earldom like yourself, Lord Siegvolt, but…”

“No matter. In fact, I actively want to hear such opinions.”

The thoughts of farmers, servants, and soldiers—what they think and feel—are valuable information to me.

“So, what exactly do you want from me?”

“Y-Yes… I’d like you to halt the sale of the vacation villas owned by the Irving Marquisate.”

The Irving Marquisate owns several villas, both within and outside the territory, all now under my control. To me, such villas are nothing but superfluous burdens.

No… to be precise, villas do have some value. They could serve as bases for clandestine meetings, for instance. But the maintenance costs far outweigh any benefits.

That’s why I’ve been moving forward with plans to sell them off.

“Each villa employs live-in staff—butlers, maids, gardeners, and the like. If you sell the villas… those people will lose their livelihoods. Especially the maids…”

“Indeed, I’m aware that the Irving Marquisate’s villas employ an excessive number of maids.”

Patrick was notorious for his fondness for women. It’s well-known that he staffed his villas—visited only once or twice a year—with an abundance of beautiful maids.

“So, you’re asking me to stop selling the villas to preserve the maids’ jobs?”

“Yes. I know it’s a selfish request, but…”

“Oh, it’s selfish, alright. You’re asking me to maintain useless facilities just to keep your jobs.”

“…!”

Irma’s shoulders trembled slightly. Even from our brief exchange, I could tell she wasn’t foolish. She likely anticipated my response but came to plead her case, clinging to a sliver of hope.

Despite her pale face and evident fear, Irma pressed on.

“I-I’m terribly sorry, Lord Siegvolt. B-But… some of the maids are young women who lost their parents early in life. If they lose their positions with the Irving Marquisate, they’ll have nowhere to go…”

“Oh? Trying to appeal to my sympathy? Do you think sob stories will sway me?”

“N-No…”

Irma’s eyes wavered with unease. I continued in a calm, measured tone.

“Well… I’d say you’ve earned a passing grade, barely.”

“Huh…?”

“That’s my evaluation of you. Facing your fear and speaking up to me is worthy of some praise. But resorting to emotional manipulation? That’s hardly the best approach. Overall… you just scrape by.”

I looked directly into Irma’s eyes.

“If I were in your position, I’d have come up with a better strategy.”

“A strategy…?”

“Exactly. I’m not moved by tearful pleas. But if you can offer something that benefits me, I might consider granting your request.”

“Benefits…”

Irma seemed to rack her brain desperately, but she couldn’t seem to find an answer that would satisfy me.

“I have an idea. If you can make it work… I stand to gain, and the maids of the Irving Marquisate won’t lose their jobs.”

“R-Really…?”

“Yes. But it’s likely something no one in this world has ever attempted. There’s no guarantee of success.”

“E-Even so… if it means the maids can keep their jobs…”

Irma leaned forward eagerly. I nodded slowly.

“Very well. I’ll tell you my idea. It’s—”