Chapter 42 The Lady'S Fortune
"Then give me a new identity and a merchant guild."
"What!?"
Not only Robert, but the people around him who were laughing fell silent.
"A status and a merchant guild?"
"Yes. I believe you were going to establish a merchant guild to supply the territory's reserves?"
"Oh, I think I mentioned that, yes."
"I would like you to entrust me with that."
"Hmm. And what about the new identity?"
"If it is a merchant guild established by the Grandchester family, it could be suspected of fraudulent accounting when inspectors come from the royal capital. Therefore, I would like to have someone who is unrelated to the Grandchester family."
"In other words, you want me to prepare a different identity, not Sara's?"
"That is correct. I also have a favor to ask. If possible, I would like to run my merchant guild myself. Of course, I will sign a contract regarding the supplies so that I will not exploit them unfairly."
Robert pondered for a while.
"It's not impossible, but may I ask why you would do that, Sara?"
"I want to become independent with my assets."
"Independent!? Are you planning to leave Grandchester?"
"Yes. That will happen eventually."
"How can a Grandchester lady do that!"
"No, I'm not a noble. Doesn't my uncle know that?"
In this country, only those within the first degree of kinship to a person with a title are recognized as nobles. However, if the person with the title is alive, only those within the second degree of kinship are exceptionally allowed to act as nobles. Through this system, this country restricts the unnecessary increase of nobles, who are a privileged class.
The cousins in the capital will continue to be nobles for life because their father is set to become a Marquis in the future. Moreover, in the Marquis Grandchester family, if recognized as the legitimate heir, they will inherit the position of Viscount, the other title held by the Grandchester family. This means that not only are they grandchildren of the Marquis, but they are also the son and daughter of the Viscount, so even if their father Edward were to pass away, they would remain nobles.
Robert, being the son of the Marquis, will also be a noble for life. He is also a knight, so if he has children in the future, they will become nobles as the son and daughter of a knight. However, the title of knight is a special title for only one generation, and upon the holder's death, the title must be relinquished to the country. In other words, if Robert were to pass away, his children would become commoners at that point.
Arthur had received the title of knight before eloping, but since Arthur has already passed away, Sara's status now is that of a commoner.
"Grandfather has taken me in and provided me with an education. Thanks to that, the people around me also treat me as the daughter of the Grandchester family. I am very grateful, but it is an undeniable fact that I am a commoner."
"In that case, I will adopt Sara as my daughter."
"Uncle, I do not wish to become a noble."
This is not a lie. Sara does not want to lower her standard of living, but she has no desire to become a noble.
"Do you not love Grandchester?"
"If asked whether I love the Grandchester family, I can only answer no. Living in the royal capital for about half a year was not enjoyable. Even if I were to remain in the Grandchester family, if Uncle Edward were to inherit the Marquis title, my life would no longer be pleasant."
"Can you protect yourself if you go independent?"
"It's weird for me to say this about myself, but I'm pretty, and I can use magic. I'm getting to the age where people expect me to get married, and I don't think Uncle Edward will let me be. I think he'll try his best to use me."
"You mean you'll be forced into an arranged marriage?"
"Yes. And as a low-born commoner, I'll probably end up as the second wife of an old man or the companion of someone with problems."
"Yeah, that's true."
"I don't want to live like that. If that's my duty as a noblewoman, then I'll give up my title as a noblewoman first."
Actually, I'm not just pretty. I can use magic, and I have a fairy's blessing. So I probably won't end up with someone that bad. But now is the time to egg Robert on, so I'm going to play up the worst-case scenario.
"But I love the Grandchester territory and the people who live there. It's where my father was born and raised, and I also love Uncle Rob. And I've made friends like the maidens!"
"Thanks, Sara. I also really love you. Well, Ed is... um, even I, as his younger brother, think it's... you know."
"Ugh, he is a pain~"
Rebecca took over Robert's remarks.
"Revi... you're being too honest."
"Rob, probably everyone here thinks the same, right? Even the bureaucrats and maids, and you yourself, think it's better if that guy becomes Marquis later rather than sooner."
"Well, that's true, but..."
'Oh, it seems Uncle Edward is not liked, huh?'
"Anyway, I understand Sara's independence. Establishing a merchant guild is something that needs to be done, and it's a fact that we can't entrust it to just anyone."
"But it's troubling to think about how much to tell Grandfather."
"Indeed."
Robert and Sara were scratching their heads, Rebecca then suggested.
"Why don't we just be honest?"
"Huh, if I tell Father that, it'll definitely cause a big commotion."
"You don't need to tell everything. You can just say, 'I want to establish a merchant guild to secretly prepare for the future. Since it might be a problem if Grandchester directly manages it, I'll put a trustworthy person in charge of the guild, and I'll supervise from behind the scenes.'"
"I see."
"You're not lying, are you? There might be things you don't say, though."
Rebecca smiled elegantly, and Robert's gaze drifted slightly.
'Ah, Miss Rebecca is so beautiful... They should just go out with each other. But Miss Rebecca seems to have some circumstances.'
"Uncle, could you arrange me for a position that's a little above my age as the head of the merchant guild?"
"No, wouldn't that be too obvious?"
"Actually, I forgot to mention, I've also made friends with a fairy."
"""Whaaat!"""
Ah, everyone raised their voices in surprise. The well-disciplined maid didn't raise her voice, but she seemed surprised by her wide-open eyes and frozen expression.
"So, at worst, I could pass it off as 'the blessing of a fairy.' It seems that the rate of growth slowing down varies for each person."
In reality, fairies often maintain a state similar to having finished the late teens' growth period, reflecting the hopes of the human they befriended. Some men even stop aging at around their thirties.
"Sara... should we celebrate later? Or keep it a secret?"
"At least until I can live independently, I want to keep it hidden."
"Certainly, we don't know what Ed might do. Understood. Everyone, keep this matter confidential."
As Robert cautioned those around him, everyone nodded.
"Oh, since Uncle will take care of it, could you also provide the operating funds right after establishing the merchant guild? I did work for it, after all."
"Ugh... Can we discuss how much funding is needed separately?"
"Yes, of course."
"Wait, I'm also going to create a new identity for you, but I want to keep your identity as Sara Grandchester as well. If Ed acts recklessly, I can just say that you ran away from home. Losing a niece, even just in name, is tough. How about you become my adopted daughter instead?"
"That might cause problems when you get married, Uncle, so I respectfully decline."
And so, Sara acquired a new merchant guild and a completely new identity.
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