“Dear, if you have some time today, there’s a little something I’d like to ask of you…”
One morning at breakfast, as the meal was winding down and their maid Kimberly was serving the after-meal tea, Clara broached this topic with Noein.
“Today, I only have paperwork and some development tasks, so I have time to spare… What’s on your mind?”
“Actually, I received a consultation from Professor Serfas regarding a certain student. Since this also involves the student’s family, the professor feels it’s not appropriate for him to intervene too readily. He’s hoping for your assistance as the lord of the domain.”
In addition to her role as the headmistress, Clara also teaches at the public school in the Earlkvist domain. Given her position, it seemed that the doctor who teaches the basics of medicine at the school, Professor Serfas, had approached her with a concern.
“Involving the student’s family… could it be about their future plans?”
“It appears so. The student has shown interest in medicine, but her parents seem opposed to it. Professor Serfas seems eager to educate the next generation of doctors.”
It’s not unusual for children to clash with their parents over future aspirations, no matter the time or place. However, if Earlkvist’s domain could potentially gain a new doctor, this issue goes beyond a simple family disagreement and could impact the welfare of the whole region.
That’s likely why Professor Serfas went out of his way to seek Noein’s help.
“Understood. Then I’ll stop by the school around early afternoon. Would that work?”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
…
That afternoon, Noein left the mansion with Mathilda in tow and headed toward the school, just as he had told Clara.
Since the school, a public facility, was located close to the lord’s mansion, they arrived there in just a few minutes on foot.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Clara.”
“Thank you for taking the trouble to come, dear.”
“It’s no trouble at all; this is part of my duty as lord… So, where is Professor Serfas?”
“He’s waiting in the office along with the student in question.”
“Got it. Let’s head over right away.”
The “office” was a small room with a few desks for work and a sofa for receiving guests. Inside, they found Professor Serfas sitting alongside a girl who appeared to be the student in question.
“It’s been a while, Professor Serfas.”
“Lord Noein, it’s been too long. I apologize for taking up your time today.”
“No, not at all, Professor Serfas. You’ve been an invaluable asset to me and to this region… I’m glad to help if I can.”
As Professor Serfas stood up, visibly humbled, Noein turned his gaze to the girl beside him. She seemed extremely nervous, likely due to being in the presence of her lord.
“Lord Noein, this girl is—”
“Lilith, isn’t it?”
As Noein guessed the girl’s name, both Professor Serfas and the girl herself showed surprised expressions.
“You already knew her?”
“She’s one of the long-standing residents who moved here during the first year of development in the Earlkvist domain. I remember all the settlers from that time.”
Back when the population of Earlkvist was still below fifty, Lilith had fled from the Marquisate of Galdwin with her father, Russell, and mother, Admira, and had sought refuge in Earlkvist. Noein had not forgotten this.
“Besides, her father fought valiantly in the recent battle against bandits, suffering serious injuries in the process. I couldn’t possibly forget his daughter.”
“For you to remember not only my father but me as well… Thank you so much.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Lilith expressed her gratitude, and Noein smiled kindly at her.
Her father, Russell, had indeed suffered severe injuries during the bandit skirmish. He lost a leg, which rendered him unable to farm as he once did. To support him, Noein provided him with a relief fund and assigned him lighter tasks, like grinding soybeans, that he could manage while seated.
As a long-standing resident and a family honored for their sacrifice, it was only natural that Lilith would remain in Noein’s memory.
“Well, for now, let’s sit down and discuss this matter in detail.”
Noein sat down on the sofa across the table, gesturing for Professor Serfas and Lilith to take their seats as well.
“My wife mentioned that there’s a student interested in medicine who’s in conflict with her family… Is it you, Lilith?”
“Y-yes.”
Lilith nodded, looking slightly troubled.
“The one who saved my father’s life, even though he might have died after the bandits cut off his leg, was Serfas-sensei. Sensei is my father’s lifesaver. After I started attending school and taking Serfas-sensei’s classes, I wanted to be like him—to help people who are injured or sick.”
Thanks to Serfas, Lilith’s father is alive, albeit with one leg lost. Considering the gratitude she feels toward someone who saved her father, it’s no wonder Lilith would be interested in pursuing a career in medicine after learning from him directly.
“But my father absolutely won’t let me pursue medicine… As soon as I told him I wanted to become a doctor, without even hearing my reasons, he yelled at me, saying, ‘It’s impossible for a woman to be a doctor, I forbid it!’ And my mother only agreed with him.”
“I see…”
Listening to Lilith’s words, Noein understood the issue at hand.
While it varies by region, there are often clear gender expectations for work in the kingdom’s society. Medicine is typically regarded as “men’s work,” and only a handful of female doctors exist, mostly to attend to royal or high-ranking noblewomen. For a commoner like Russell, it’s not surprising that he would think, “A woman doctor is unthinkable.”
“Serfas-sensei, do you have any objections to teaching Lilith medical knowledge?”
“None whatsoever. I have elven blood…”
“Ah, I see.”
In elven societies, it’s said that men and women are completely equal, a fact Noein remembered reading in a book. Given his elven heritage, it’s only natural that Serfas would have a different view on gender roles than humans.
“Moreover, she’s incredibly diligent and a quick learner. I’ve had several apprentices over the years, but she seems even more talented than they were at her age. If allowed, I’d like to make her my apprentice and pass on my knowledge.”
Lilith, evidently pleased by the praise, smiled shyly, her cheeks a bit flushed.
“I understand. I would be thrilled if a new doctor were to arise from our domain, and it would be invaluable to us. So the only matter left is persuading her father.”
“Yes, that’s right. As a mere physician, I felt it would be overstepping to interfere in another family’s personal matters, so I humbly turned to you, Lord Noein.”
Serfas spoke apologetically, but Noein felt grateful that he reached out.
To further develop the Arkvist Domain, it’s essential to gradually eliminate restrictions based on outdated traditions. This case could set a valuable precedent and is well worth the lord’s direct involvement.
“I understand. For the sake of Arkvist and, more importantly, for Lilith’s aspirations and future, I’ll take on the task of persuading her father.”
“Thank you, Lord Noein.”
“Lord Noein… thank you so much.”
Serfas bowed deeply, and Lilith looked on, her face brimming with gratitude, on the verge of tears.
