Chapter 10 The Reality Of The Grandchester Family
"Sorry to bring this up, Sara, but could you lend me a hand with my work?"
"What? Me?"
"It's a bit much, Rob. That's unreasonable."
Rebecca immediately countered Robert's request.
"Revi, you also saw Sara's math skills. Right now, we need to secure as many talented people as possible or we won't be able to get the job done. Of course, we prioritize her studies, but if Sara can help out a bit, it would be a huge help. I actually want to ask Revi for help too. And don't worry, I'll pay the reward."
Robert, who looked desperate, seemed to want to ask not only Sara but also Rebecca for help. If they looked closely, they could see dark circles under his eyes. He looked really exhausted.
"Um, Miss Rebecca, isn't it unbecoming for a lady to talk about money?"
"In this case, it can't be helped. Besides, Rob is committing a serious breach of etiquette."
Rebecca couldn't help but smile wryly at this.
"So, is the situation of the Grandchester family that serious?"
"Yeah, it's pretty bad. To be honest, I called Revi here under the pretext of being a governess, but half of the reason was to deal with this situation."
"What?! You should've told me that earlier!"
"If I had, you wouldn't have come, Revi."
"Ugh... Maybe you're right..."
According to Robert's explanation, the family had entrusted the management of their estate to a branch family's steward and accountant, but these 2 had colluded to embezzle the estate's assets. Since they were relatives, the Marquis and the others in the main house didn't suspect them at all, and they didn't realize what was happening until an internal whistleblower came forward. This incident had occurred 2 years ago.
The embezzlement had been going on for several years, and a large amount of cash, gold, jewels, artwork, and furniture had disappeared. Moreover, the estate's stored wheat had been depleted to less than half.
"So, doesn't that mean the Grandchester estate is facing a financial crisis?"
"We still don't know the full extent of what's been lost."
"Hasn't it been 2 years since it was discovered? Why haven't you grasped the situation yet?"
"Most of the bureaucrats in the territory were under the thumb of the governor and accountant. So, when the incident came to light, many bureaucrats fled with their families, leaving no trace. Those who were slow to escape couldn't be left to continue working, so they had to be imprisoned."
"That means many bureaucrats are gone because of the incident, right?"
"That's right."
"Then, won't you hire new bureaucrats?"
"I'd like to, but there's no talent around here."
"Then, wouldn't it be better to search for them in the capital?"
"We can't let other houses know that an embezzlement incident occurred."
"What do you mean?"
It seems that the previous governor and accountant might have underreported the territory's harvest yields. Since the taxes paid to the country are calculated based on the harvest yields, if they underreported, it would be seen as tax evasion, even if it wasn't intentional. For a high-ranking noble family, it's an unbearable scandal."
"However, if we correct the report and pay the taxes voluntarily before the country's audit reveals the tax evasion, it would be seen as 'we corrected our accounting mistake and paid the taxes properly.' We can pay the delayed taxes with a penalty, and it won't be a problem."
The country's audit is conducted every 10 years for each territory. The next audit for Grandchester territory is scheduled for 3 years from now, so they need to get a grip on the whole situation by then at the latest.
There's one problem, though. Besides the regular audit, there's a chance of an emergency audit without notice for suspicious territories. That's why if they make a big move like recruiting a large number of bureaucrats in the capital, it might raise suspicions that something's going on in Grandchester territory.
"Don't we have room for leniency since we're also victims of embezzlement and it wasn't intentional?"
"The Grandchester family will be held responsible for the management. In the worst-case scenario, we might be seen as unable to manage and have to return the territory and title to the country."
"Is it that severe?"
"Sara, when a noble receives a territory from the country and manages the land and people, it means they have a heavy responsibility. Nobles can't escape that responsibility."
Sara suddenly felt a sense of discomfort. The lifestyle of Marquis, the young Marquis couple, and their cousins in the royal capital's mansion was extremely luxurious, and it didn't seem like they had any financial problems with the domain's finances.
"It didn't seem like anyone in the royal capital's mansion was being frugal. Even though they might have a huge expense for taxes in a few years..."
"There are also reasons why they can't cut back on socializing, since they're being watched by other families, Revi. But, I think it's a bit too much, don't you?"
This explanation even made Rebecca raise an eyebrow.
"Well, nobles also take out loans to keep up appearances, but that doesn't benefit the people of the domain. That's not what noble dignity is about, is it?"
"They can't be looked down upon, that's what they think. Nobles are that kind of creature, after all."
"Still, there's also a limit to that, you know. The young Marquis's wife and Chloe-san buy new dresses and shoes in bulk every season. There are few ladies who wouldn't raise an eyebrow at that extravagance. 'Modesty' is also an important quality for noblewomen, isn't it?"
Then Robert, with a cheerful face, took Rebecca's hand.
"Revi, you really got a good eye for things, don't you? You told Sara not to talk about money, but you're got a firm grasp on it."
"Ugh..."
"You've really gotten good at putting on a ladylike facade, but 'Little Prince' Revi is still alive and well, isn't she?"
"Rob! Don't be so loud in front of Ms. Sara!"
Rebecca, who is now a refined lady, was actually a very active girl when she was a kid. Since there were few girls in her age group, she would play with boys like Robert and Arthur, climbing trees and swinging wooden swords.
That's why her nickname back then was "Little Prince," which means a noble boy, but as a governess, it's a bit embarrassing to have that kind of past exposed in front of her students. Childhood friends can be really cruel, can't they?
"Well, I guess it's unbelievable. Then, even I can become a wonderful lady like Miss Rebecca, right?"
Only Sara, the youngest among the 3, was able to read the air and subtly cover up Robert's mistake. However, Robert was the kind of guy who completely failed to read the atmosphere.
"Haha, yeah, Sara will soon be able to handle a lot of cats too!"
It was a total failure. Rebecca's face turned bright red as she said "Excuse me, please" and hastily retreated to her room.
"Whoa, did I just make her angry?"
"...I think that's obvious."
Robert scratched his head, looking troubled.
"Uncle, did you really want to ask Miss Rebecca for a favor?"
"Of course I did!"
"Then you should go apologize right away. That was too harsh. If I were you, I wouldn't dare ask for help."
"For real?"
"For real."
Robert shouted "Oh noooo!" and hurriedly chased after Rebecca.
Sara, who was left behind, instructed the nearby maid to prepare some sweets and flowers for Robert to take with him.
"It's more effective than apologizing empty-handed, don't you think? And I think I finally understand why Uncle remained single until that age..."
Sara let out a deep sigh.
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