“Um, excuse me! Viscount, could I possibly take on that discussion about the relocation?”
Anna suddenly said this, and her mother Eliza looked at her with a shocked expression. Anna’s brother Marco, who was standing next to her, also wore a surprised look.
Noein, too, feigned surprise, but for him, this situation was exactly what he had been aiming for. He only pretended to be surprised, matching the atmosphere.
Previously, when Noein had jokingly suggested the idea of relocation to Eliza, he had noticed that Anna seemed interested in the conversation.
Afterward, while waiting to load food at the store, he had chatted with Anna multiple times and learned that she enjoyed stories about “pioneering new lands” and was interested in that way of life.
Moreover, she mentioned she could handle bookkeeping and inventory management. For Noein, who needed personnel skilled in administration and accounting, she was the perfect fit.
“Wait, wait a minute, Anna! What are you saying?”
“Mom, I’m serious! I really want to go to the Viscount’s territory!”
“Be quiet! Come here for a moment! Viscount, I apologize, but may I speak with my daughter privately for a moment?”
“Of course, take your time.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry for causing a commotion in front of you… Marco, please guide the Viscount inside and serve him some tea.”
“Got it, Mom.”
Everyone returned to the store. Eliza pulled Anna toward the back, while Noein sat down in one of the chairs meant for business discussions and waited.
Marco served the tea as directed by Eliza, but his expression was somewhat stiff.
“Marco, would you like to talk for a bit?”
“Y-yes…”
“Thank you. Please have a seat.”
Marco sat across from Noein, still wearing a tense expression.
“…If Anna insists on relocating, will you take her with you, Viscount?”
“Well, she can read and write, and I’ve heard she has learned practical skills in this store. I would find it very helpful if she came with me.”
“I-I see…”
Marco wore a grim expression and avoided making eye contact with Noein.
“If Anna isn’t here, will the store be unable to operate? If that’s the case, I feel conflicted about taking her away.”
“No, it’s not like that… I originally intended to take over this store, and there are other employees as well. It might be a bit chaotic filling the gap left by Anna, but we’ll manage. It’s just…”
Even if there wouldn’t be a practical issue, Marco seemed to be against the idea. It was understandable.
His sister wanted to move to a small territory still in the process of being developed, and now even the noble lord, Noein, was saying he wanted her. It must have been a complex feeling for Marco as an older brother. It wasn’t easy for him to simply say, “Please, take her.”
Even after Noein tried to engage him in conversation, Marco’s expression remained tense.
……
Eliza pulled Anna into the store’s warehouse, leaving Marco to handle the Viscount Earlkvist.
“What do you think you’re doing, Anna?”
“I’m serious about this.”
“…I understand that. You’re not the type to joke around and say such things in front of others.”
Eliza sighed as she answered, looking at her daughter’s stubborn expression.
She knew that Anna was interested in the idea of “pioneering new lands.” When Anna was little, she had often begged to hear such fairy tales, and as she grew older, she had asked how one could live an adventurous life. Eliza had always told her, “That’s just a fairy tale.”
“Listen, this isn’t as simple as the fairy tales I told you when you were small. You’d be leaving Retvik and spending most of your life in the Viscount’s territory. Pioneering new lands might involve a lot of dangers and hardships.”
“I know that. But for me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To move to a kind and noble lord’s territory like the Viscount’s, and to have a chance to work using my abilities—it’s something that might never come again.”
Indeed, from Eliza’s perspective, Viscount Earlkvist seemed like a good lord. He appeared to be well-liked by his servants and didn’t act arrogantly just because he was a noble. In fact, he was more polite than many commoners.
Eliza felt reassured that if she sent Anna to the Viscount, she wouldn’t be treated poorly.
“Please, Mom. It’s a one-time life. I want to live the way I desire.”
“…”
Eliza stared firmly into Anna’s eyes, confirming her determination. Anna met her gaze without flinching.
As a mother, Eliza had to admit that Anna was a capable child.
After lightly teaching her to read, write, and do calculations until she could help in the store, Anna had absorbed knowledge quickly and even learned to manage the books. Now, her practical skills were on par with those of Marco, the intended successor.
While Anna was somewhat shy, she was earnest and quick-witted. Eliza believed she would be able to work well as a civil servant under a noble.
There was a sense of security in thinking she could trust Viscount Earlkvist with her daughter. If Anna performed well in her new position, it could also strengthen business ties with neighboring nobles. Yet, there was a vague parental anxiety about sending her daughter to a rural territory still in development.
Eliza’s thoughts swirled as she concluded,
“…I understand. I’ll ask the Viscount about the specific conditions, and if they are agreeable, I’ll let you go.”
“Really!? Thank you, Mom!”
“Wait a minute. We need to hear from the Viscount first. It’s too early to celebrate.”
Anna’s face transformed from a stubborn expression to a blossoming smile, causing Eliza to chuckle despite herself.
……
“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Viscount Earlkvist.”
“No, it’s fine. I expect we have many things to discuss.”
Noein smiled and responded as Eliza returned with Anna.
By addressing him as “Viscount Earlkvist,” Eliza seemed ready for a serious conversation unlike her usual demeanor.
Eliza took Marco’s place and sat down in front of Noein, her expression solemn as she began to speak.
“…First, I’ve confirmed Anna’s intentions. She genuinely wants to relocate to your territory, Your Excellency. It may be inappropriate for me to say as her parent, but I believe she has the capability to be of service under your guidance.”
“Yes, I’ve spoken with her multiple times and understand that Anna is a bright and diligent person. That’s why I’m delighted by her decision, and I would be happy to welcome her into our territory.”
“Thank you… However, I am her parent. I worry about what her life will be like moving forward. Of course, I understand that you are a very kind person, but could you please share the details of the conditions under which you would accept her?”
“Of course. I have no children of my own yet, but I can understand your feelings as a mother.”
With that, Noein explained the conditions for welcoming Anna.
First, she would be responsible for financial and personnel management in the Earlkvist territory.
The first few weeks would be a trial period, during which if Anna wished to back out or if Noein felt her capabilities did not meet expectations, she would be returned to Retvik.
If there were no issues by the end of the trial period, Anna would be welcomed as a vassal of the Earlkvist family.
Noein would provide her with a private room in his residence, and if Anna found a partner for marriage, she could move out and have her own house (which Noein would provide).
When Noein finished outlining the conditions, Eliza, Marco, and even Anna looked taken aback.
“…Um, if my performance is satisfactory, I will be welcomed as a vassal? I thought I would just be a hired worker.”
“Of course. I’m entrusting her with important responsibilities in the territory. That’s the least I can do.”
When Noein answered Anna’s question, her expression brightened.
It was no wonder. Becoming a formal vassal of a noble from a common background was an opportunity that rarely came by. Though the invitation was due to a lack of personnel in the Earlkvist territory, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Anna to rise significantly.
As a vassal, she would hold a position above commoners within the noble’s territory. As a noble’s retainer, she would earn respect, and unless her children were utterly incapable of fulfilling the duties of a vassal, that status would be passed down to future generations.
Hearing such unexpected treatment brought great joy not just to Anna, but also to her family, Eliza and Marco. It was only natural for a family to be delighted at the prospect of one of their own becoming a vassal.
As when Yuri and the other villagers were granted farmland, Noein’s usual tactic of presenting unexpected favorable treatment as a surprise to capture the hearts of others was becoming second nature to him.
“Then, is it settled that she will come to our territory under these conditions?”
“Yes! I’ll do my best!”
“That’s great to hear. How about you, Eliza and Marco?”
“Of course, it’s fine. We are grateful for the unexpected opportunity you’ve given our daughter, Viscount Earlkvist.”
“Please take good care of my sister, Your Excellency.”
With that, it was decided that Anna would be moving to the Earlkvist territory.
