19| Economist I

"Eighty-three percent," read out the Duke of Elfedon as his eyes skimmed through the sheet in his grasp.

With his hazel golden purple lowered to the petit figure seated opposite his desk, Duke Benjamin placed the parchment on the wooden surface.

"This is the poorest you've ever gotten in your economics assessment, darling? What happened?"

Six years old Sylteena, who had her mismatched eyes fixed on him, slowly lowered her gaze as she crossed her arms with a pout. "The governess is poorly skilled."

"Hm?" He crooked his head, "Is the excuse you decided to use to defend your mistakes this time? Meaning you had no fault whatsoever?"

Sylteena's gaze could not meet his as her shoulders then slumped, lowering her head. "... No, Papa..."

"Good girl," he smiled, picking up the textbook next to him. "And what do I always say about economics?"

"A leader must possess a profound understanding of economics to govern effectively."

"Exactly," he flipped open the book. "If not, you will be swindled at the mercy of those earls and councilmen who pretend to handle our region's finances for us. That's what ruins most governments. Lack of a firm foundation to run the economy because they leave it to the council. And once our economic stead crumbles?..."

"... Our legacy and influence as rulers will be tarnished and dragged through the dirt," she recited like an oath.

"Hm," Benjamin nodded. "And you know, you are far brighter than your age, so you shouldn't fail trivial things as these on your weekly assessments."

"Yes, Papa," her eyes remained glued to the floor as Benjamin took a moment to skim through the text before looking back at her.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Mistakes happen. And as the future Duchess, you shouldn't let failure demoralize your well-cultured expertise."

And with the sound of those words, a smile tugged on small Sylteena's lips as her gaze raised with a brightened expression.

Benjamin chuckled, "Now that's the beauty my little one always carries."

Sylteena tittered.

"Now then!" He interlocked his fingers over the open book. "Let's take a short quiz shall we?"

Sylteena nodded unhesitatingly with a more confident smile.

Benjamin chuckled. "Okay, Eena, let's say we have to plan a birthday party for Philip with a budget of 50,000 silver coins. We can either spend 50,000 coins on a foreign cotton tailcoat or use the same amount to hire a violinist to play his favorite song. Which one do you think we should choose?"

Sylteena snickered, "I think we should choose the tailcoat. So that he will always have it with him to remember us."

"That's a great choice! But what's the sacrifice of choosing the tailcoat?"

"That we won't be able to hire the violist."

Benjamin nodded, "Exactly! When we choose one option and we give up another... That's?"

"Opportunity cost." She answered in confidence.

He then flipped to the next page, "Let's say we go to the local farmer's market and notice that the price of apples has increased significantly since last week."

Sylteena listened attentively.

Benjamin then asked, "Eena, why do you think the price of apples has gone up?"

Sylteena took a moment to think with knitted brows before speaking. "Most likely, the price of apples has gone up because there's a shortage of apples in the market. The demand for apples is high, but the supply is low."

"And what happens when demand is high and supply is low?"

"The price goes up!" She smiled proudly.

"That's right! When demand is high and supply is low, the price tends to rise."

Sylteena's chest puffed in pride and achievement, causing Benjamin's smile to only widen as he then turned the page.

"Last question now, Sweetie."

"Trust me, Papa!" She grinned.

"Let's say the vegetables and fruits in the garden outside are ripe for harvest and I need your help with the harvest. We need to pick the apples and carrots. Who do you think should pick the apples, you or me?"

"I think I should pick the apples. I'm faster at climbing the tree!" She crossed her arms with a smirk.

"That's true, but I'm better at picking carrots. What's the best way for us to work together to get the harvest done efficiently?"

"We should divide the tasks based on who's best at each one. You should pick the carrots, and I'll pick the apples!" Sylteena answered.

"Exactly! When we specialize in tasks based on our skills, we can work more efficiently and produce more. That's the concept of?"

"Comparative advantage!" Her voice echoed with a hint of excitement.

Benjamin's smile spread the furthest they could, his eyes warming in affection and pride for his darling daughter.

• • •

Reeling back to reality from the distant reminisce of her childhood, Sylteena's eyes remained locked on the word 'Ecomonics' on the book's cover in Prince Anthony's grasp.

Feeling a refreshing warmth of her father's memories along with the pang of loss and pain in her chest, Sylteena straightened her back in her seat.

The subject of economics and everything that fell under it was nothing but part of her being and sense of self.

Aside from the foundation crafted by her father's resilient teaching, Sylteena's heart and mind became mesmerized by the subject matter and everything implied — building her growing intellect even after her father's death and within the years of hardships under the Pearsons.

From the theories, logics, arithmetics, and voluminous texts, Sylteena had studied, researched, and mastered economics like her bible, a source of escape from her cruel reality.

A weak smile tugged on the edge of her lips, dwelling in the satisfying thought that now in the royal library of Werleria, she would have better access to more economic books by renowned scholars.

"Tsk!"

Her attention immediately shifted to the frowning crowned prince who ravaged through the pages with a hint of vex and frustration as he tossed one of the textbooks to the side.

As if trying to find a piece of specific information... Prince Anthony skimmed through different books in an impatient haste.

She crooked a brow. Again, another tut escaped his lips.

Was His Highness trying to study economics?... Then why was he looking so upset? Why would anyone be upset with economics right in front of them?

She continued to observe in silence, watching Anthony finally dump the fourth textbook he opened before getting up from his seat and walking into the alley of tall shelves — leaving her alone at the table.

Sylteena's eyes stayed fixed on the stack of economics books, feeling a crease form above her brows in disappointment at how disrespectfully Prince Anthony treated those books — books that hoarded the blessed knowledge of intellect and wisdom that rules every kingdom before the ruler.

Her fists clutched, feeling an unsettling crawl underneath her skin at the sight of the pages folded and twisted due to the rough handling.

Her jaws clinched as her feet began to tap repeatedly on the floor. She glanced in the direction Anthony had walked in then back at the books.

"Damnit," she pushed up on her feet, unable to stop herself from pacing around the table and to the books.

It will only be a few seconds... She thought to herself, stretching down to pick the textbooks and parchments His Highness had tossed down. She set them on the table and rearranged the books.

Knowing she should probably return to her seat before he returns, Sylteena couldn't stop her eyes from gleaming with zeal and anxiousness at the book covers.

From the sight of the author's name, her inside tickles with a subtle sense of joy. They were all renowned scholars of economics.

Her fingers slowly stretched out.

It would only be a glance, was her only thought as she flipped open the bookmark Prince Antony had left on most of the texts.

Her brows knitted at the heading of the chapter she opened.

"Fiscal Policy and Taxation," she read out loud, picking up the other books he had flipped through; taking note of the similarities in all the bookmarked topics — they were all related to taxes and government finances.

"What do you think you are doing?"

Sylteena's shoulders stiffened as a chill ran down her spine, tightening her grip on the book.

Oh heaven...

She was too afraid to look behind to the source of Prince Anthony's voice.

Sylteena gulped.