Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Letter from the Duke's Family

I was so tired when I came home that day, I went straight to bed and haven't read the letter yet.

The next afternoon, I mustered up the courage to open the letter, although I was a little scared of what it might contain.

The letter began with seasonal greetings, similar to the ones used in Japan, and was adorned with elaborate expressions.

The contents could be broadly divided into two parts. One was an invitation to accompany them to the Duke's territory around the end of autumn. The other was a request for me to visit the Duke's family soon.

Why would I go to the Duke's territory with them? Come to think of it, where exactly is the Duke's territory? I've never seen a map of this world, let alone a map of this country, so I have no idea about its geographical location.

But the invitation from the Duke's family is almost like an order. I can't refuse it. They've done so much for me, and besides, I've always wanted to venture outside the capital!

In this world, I've only been to three places: the central district of the capital, the outskirts to the west, and the agricultural district. This is going to be exciting!

As for the other request to visit the Duke's family soon, I wonder what that's about. Maybe it's related to going to the Duke's territory. Well, I'll find out once I go.

Anyway, it would be better to go as soon as possible, so I'll go tomorrow.

I went to the kitchen and asked my mother.

"Mom, is it okay if I go to the Duke's family tomorrow? The letter said they want me to come as soon as possible."

"Yes, we'll be fine here. Go ahead and visit them, just make sure to be respectful."

"Okay!"

While my mother and I were discussing this, my father seemed a bit troubled.

"What's wrong, Dad? Do you have any concerns?"

When I asked him, my father slowly shook his head and answered.

"It's not that. I don't have any concerns, but... Leon, you'll be spending more time away from home from now on, and when you start going to school, you'll be leaving home, right? In that case, I thought it might be a good idea to hire some employees."

"That makes sense. Marie must be having a hard time on her own, so it might be good to hire someone."

"I'm sorry about this..."

Ordinary children would help their parents with their work and eventually inherit it, so they wouldn't have such worries...

As I thought about that, feeling a little down, my mother and father became flustered.

"No, Leon! It's not your fault or anything like that. Before, it was just your father and I running the shop. But recently, the number of customers has increased, so it's only natural to hire employees."

"That's right. Thank you for helping us until now."

When they said that, my heart felt lighter... but until the new employee becomes fully capable, I'll work hard!

Or rather, how do you recruit employees? Many people might not be able to read the posted notices...

"I'll do my best until the new employee becomes capable! So, how do you recruit employees?"

"We post job openings at the church. When you go to the church and inform them of the employment conditions and wages, they will create a poster and display it on the church bulletin board. People looking for work go there to find jobs. For those who can't read, the church staff will read the contents aloud, so it's very convenient."

So, there's such a system. The church is amazing. It's like a combination of an orphanage and a hospital at the town hall.

"That's convenient. I hope we get good people!"

"Yes, it would be great if hardworking individuals come."

"Next time, my father will go to post the recruitment notice. Leon, you can do what you want without worrying about our work."

"Okay! Thank you, Father, Mother."

They are such wonderful parents... I'll definitely be filial to them!!

And the next morning.

I boarded a carriage and headed towards the Townsend Duke's residence. I wore the clothes I received the other day. If I'm going to the Duke's domain, I might need to buy a few more clothes.

After being shaken in the carriage for a while, we arrived at the central square in the city. From here, I have to walk. I remember the way from when I came here the other day, but it's quite far, so I'll have to walk hard.

It would be nice to have a means of transportation other than walking. Like teleportation magic or flying magic. There are no such convenient magic in this world.

And the staple of fantasy worlds, an item box! I want that too. It would be incredibly useful if it existed.

While thinking about such things, I walked and arrived at the front gate of the Townsend Duke's residence.

"Excuse me, I have a letter from Lord Richard. This is the letter."

"Please wait a moment while I confirm."

The gatekeeper said that and entered a place like a gatekeeper's office with the letter. After waiting for a while, they came back.

"We have confirmed it, please come in. We are calling for someone to meet you, so please wait a little longer."

"Yes, thank you."

Prompted by the gatekeeper, I entered the premises and waited for a while until Anne came to greet me. There was a young man who appeared to be in his late teens next to Anne. He was wearing the attire of a mansion servant, so I wonder if he's a newcomer?

"Leon-sama, thank you very much for coming all the way here. This person here is the mansion servant, Roger. When Leon-sama is here in this mansion, Roger will take care of your needs."

"I'm Roger. Nice to meet you."

"Yes. Nice to meet you too."

Rojé-san greeted me without any expression or smile. Does that mean he dislikes taking care of a commoner like me?

As I pondered over such thoughts, staring at Rojé-san with a subtle expression, Anne-san gave a wry smile and told me.

"Rojé is highly competent when it comes to work, but perhaps due to being too serious, he lacks friendliness. I apologize for that. It's the same with everyone, so it doesn't mean he dislikes working under Leon-sama."

"I see..."

I wish someone with a friendly demeanor and potential for friendship had been better! Even though he should have been listening to the current conversation, his expression hasn't changed at all. He seems difficult to approach... I'm concerned about what lies ahead.

"Well then, if you'll excuse me. Rojé, please take care of Leon-sama."

"Understood. Leon-sama, I will guide you to your room."

Anne-san left me in Rojé's care and went somewhere else. It's tough being alone with Rojé. Anne-san, please come back!

After saying he would guide me, Rojé continues to walk without uttering a word. Is he really not interested in getting along with me!?

And so, I spent an awkward time and was led to the same guest room I had used before.

"Leon-sama, after dinner, I believe Richard-sama would like to have a conversation with you. Until then, please feel free to do as you please. However, please make sure to take a bath and change your clothes before dinner. I kindly request that of you."

"Understood. What about lunch?"

"Lunch will be prepared in this room. Also, I am a servant of this mansion, and you are a guest, so there's no need for honorific language. When you address me, please call me Rojé without any honorifics."

"But Rojé-san is older than me, and I am a commoner."

"No, that doesn't matter. Please, I insist you address me without honorific language or titles."

Hmm... I feel like I'm being looked at with eyes that don't leave room for choice. They were expressionless just a moment ago.

I'm really not used to addressing someone older without honorifics. But maybe it's necessary from now on, and it might be a good idea to get used to it here.

"I understand. Then, I'll call you Roje."

"Yes. Nice to meet you. Please take care of me from now on."

"The feeling is mutual. Now, about what we'll do from here, would it be okay if we go to the bank?"

"Understood. I will arrange a carriage for you after lunch."

"Thank you."

And so, Roje served me, and we had a slightly awkward lunch. After taking a short break, we boarded the carriage and headed to the bank. It seems Roje will come along.

At the bank, since the money in my wallet was running low, I withdrew ten silver coins so that I would have something to use later. With this, my account balance consists of twenty-four platinum coins, three gold coins, and about 24.3 million yen in Japanese currency.

In my wallet, there are ten silver coins and eight copper coins, totaling 108,000 yen.

This should last for a while. I have quite a bit of money, but I don't know what expenses I'll have in the future, so I want to save as much as possible.

After going to the bank with no particular business to attend to, I returned to the mansion. I have to prepare for dinner.