Chapter 08

Loarston’s father, the Previous Duke Insel, had been supporting Adelia anonymously all these years.

Still, it was customary for sponsors to withdraw their support once the beneficiary reached adulthood.

But Loarston had resolved to continue the sponsorship in accordance with his father’s wishes.

“Just as it’s been until now, you can keep studying with my support going forward.”

At those words, Adelia’s face grew somewhat pale.

Loarston tilted his head, puzzled by her reaction.

“Or is there something else you’d prefer?”

Adelia, who had been reciting decimal places—skipping two digits at a time to keep herself focused—cleared her throat and straightened her posture.

Her face flushed bright red, she spoke carefully.

“If I may be honest, all I truly wish for is to study.”
“Right, of course. I know you have a strong interest in the sciences—what was it? Researching microorganisms, wasn’t it?”

In that instant, Adelia’s eyes—which had remained composed throughout—suddenly gleamed with vivid light.

“Do you have an interest in microorganisms?”

Even Loarston, who had experienced much in his life, had never met someone whose expression could transform so completely in a single moment.

“…Ah?
“Researching microorganisms is truly fascinating! They exist in everything we see, touch, and taste without thinking. And there’s something called Interspecific Interaction that microorganisms do, you see.”
“Interspecific?”
“It’s really wonderful! Of course it doesn’t happen only to microorganisms, but the way those tiny, tiny creatures help each other grow is so absolutely charming…!”
“……”
“Ah, though admittedly, Interspecific Interaction ends with that sad logic where the strong survive.”
“Listen—”

Loarston tried to speak, but Adelia, as though she hadn’t heard him, continued passionately with fists clenched.

“But those who fall away weren’t eliminated because they were incompetent. Even the individuals that don’t survive influence those that do, so ultimately microorganisms are all connected to one another……”
“Wait. Wait a moment, Adelia.”

When Loarston waved his hand, Adelia’s face flushed scarlet in an instant.

You could almost see the words “I made a mistake again” hovering above her head.

“I’m—I’m so sorry.”
“No, there’s nothing to apologize for. The fact that you have such passion for your field is something I find welcome. I think my father would have been even more delighted, had he been alive.”

At those words, Adelia let out a small sound and lifted her head.

Her bright eyes sparkled clearly.

“I’d like to express my gratitude to the Previous Duke Insel—to your father. Without him, I wouldn’t have been able to live like this until now. And I’m grateful to you as well.”

Still seated, Adelia bowed deeply from the waist.

“Then the matter is settled, isn’t it? If all you truly want is to study, you can simply accept my financial support and continue as you have.”
“I’m very grateful for that—to your father and to you both. I will never forget this kindness.”
“That’s what I was saying……”
“But I don’t think I can accept it.”
“No—why on earth not?”

Why indeed?

His bewilderment came through so plainly in his tone that Adelia’s face reddened slightly.

She hesitated, unable to continue, before speaking in a voice barely above a whisper.

“I’ve heard that once a beneficiary reaches adulthood, the relationship between sponsor and beneficiary normally ends.”
“That may be the norm, but I intend to continue supporting you so you can pursue your research. Don’t worry.”
“But…research student fees are no small sum……”
“Do you think our house can’t manage that? My pride is starting to take a hit here.”
“No, that’s not what I meant at all. It’s just that I’m afraid I could never repay the kindness you’ve shown me. As you know, life as a research student takes a very long time. If I keep receiving support for all those years, I……”

…will end up a debtor for generations to come.

She hadn’t actually said that, but her trembling expression made it abundantly clear that was exactly what she was thinking.

Loarston, leaning back against the sofa, took another measured look at Adelia from head to toe.

Wavy chestnut hair and clear green eyes.

Delicate features and pale cheeks unmarred by a single broken blood vessel.

Adelia was the sort of beautiful woman anyone would recognize as pretty at a glance.

And her intellect was equally impressive.

Yet she only brimmed with confidence when discussing her field of interest; in most other conversations, she naturally assumed a humble posture.

‘Well, having experienced something like that at only ten years old, it’s understandable she’d become reserved.’

Loarston knew that Adelia had lost everything at that tender age—her parents, distant relatives, even a single coin.

What must have gone through a child’s heart when she learned she had no one to protect her and nothing left?

Loarston exhaled softly.

Speaking in a bright voice so that Adelia would feel as little burden as possible—or at least so she’d know he was making the effort—he continued.

“You don’t need to repay the money. Neither my father nor I supported you expecting returns. We did it for you.”

Adelia’s face flushed slightly.

She suddenly realized that, despite his innocent intention, the kindness of the Previous Duke Insel and Loarston had almost become tainted by her suspicion.

“But……”

Loarston cut her off again.

“If you’re really uncomfortable with this, let’s assume you won’t become a research student and look over a repayment plan instead, shall we?”
“Yes? Oh, yes.”

He withdrew a sheet of paper and a pen from the shallow drawer beneath the table, then bent slightly to begin writing.

“Have you decided where you’ll find employment?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, you only graduated today……. But have you given any thought to where you might work?”

Adelia nodded at once, though the gesture lacked confidence.

“My first choice would be to work as a Live-in Tutor.”
“Ah, for those noble families who don’t send their children to school. That sort of tutor.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Hmm, with grades like yours, finding a position shouldn’t be difficult—there’s not much else to consider. But……”
“But?”
“Adelia, have you ever had any experience caring for young children?”

Adelia, whose lips had been moving, mumbled a deflated “No.”

“A Live-in Tutor in a noble household usually doubles as a nanny. Many want you to teach etiquette as well. In some cases, you’d also need to serve as a maid during your free time—brewing tea, light cleaning, that sort of thing.”
“……”
“You wanted to become a Live-in Tutor so you could teach for a few hours, then spend the rest of your time studying or doing research alone, didn’t you? Am I right?”

Adelia’s eyes widened.

“How did you…?”

As Adelia murmured, “Are you perhaps a diviner?”, Loarston suppressed a smile and continued his explanation.

“Room and board will be covered, certainly, but the weekly wage for that kind of work is roughly 8 or 9 Tisle a day, excluding Sundays. The Capital Royal Academy’s annual tuition, as you well know, is about 450 Abs on average, which means—”
“……”
“—you’d need to work a solid 6 to 7 days just to pay off 1/450th of a year’s tuition.”

Adelia’s face went pale.

She looked as though she wanted to tear her hair out for not having thought to calculate this carefully before.

Loarston continued.

“That’s the best-case scenario for a Live-in Tutor; I needn’t mention what a Typist, mail clerk, or Librarian would earn. A bank position would pay better, but that would require special training, wouldn’t it? Did you take any such courses?”

Adelia shook her head again.

‘In some ways, it’s surprising.’

Loarston mused.