41-
I was resting my head on Lucius’s shoulder, enjoying a moment of comfort. As he stroked my hair, he started to speak.
“I’m all for starting a welfare project, but there is one somewhat problematic part.”
“What is it?”
“When starting the project, you have to consider Tiana’s position and her surrounding relationships.”
“My position and surrounding relationships?”
Does he mean my social status when he says position? And what does it mean to consider my relationships? I looked at him puzzled, and he slowly explained.
“Even if you plan to expand the project later, at the beginning you’ll likely start by delivering relief supplies and support funds to orphans and commoners whose origins are unknown. But considering your position, focusing only on them could be risky.”
“Risky?”
“…There are many people in this world who will find reasons to envy or resent you. Especially in this social class. Now that you’re no longer just a duke’s daughter but my wife, the Duchess, what you do in that position will draw suspicion and threats from many.”
“But it’s just a welfare project. Of course, in time it will grow to generate some profit, but initially it will be a big investment. And the beneficiaries are orphans and commoners…”
“Exactly because the beneficiaries are orphans and commoners, it becomes problematic.”
“Why?”
I couldn’t understand right away what he meant by it being a problem because the target was orphans and commoners. Seeing the frown on my forehead, he smiled softly and gently touched my face.
“Nobles like to show power through their wealth or influence. But when they spend their fortune, they are surprisingly strategic and put it where it’s useful. For most nobles, using private assets to provide welfare to orphans and commoners is pointless.”
“Oh…”
“Of course, each noble is different based on personal beliefs. There are a few who regularly support such children. But even that is mostly within the scope of nobles practicing ‘noblesse oblige.’ Personal support, yes, but almost no one develops it into a business. Actually, none do.”
“I see.”
“So for those people, ‘welfare projects’ don’t appear valuable. To nobles, orphans and commoners are people from a completely different world, and using money to provide welfare to them is basically a waste.”
“That makes sense. Instead of wasting money like that, they would prefer to spend it on things they think are worthwhile to show off their wealth.”
“Exactly.”
“So my project will be a thorn in the nobles’ eyes.”
To nobles who typically spend their overflowing wealth on themselves or luxury items, money spent on welfare for lower classes like orphans and commoners is literally ‘waste.’ To them, lower classes are considered ‘useless’ people.
Then the welfare project I do will be seen by them as ‘useless’ waste of money. Moreover, now that I am married to Lucius and no longer a mere duke’s daughter but the Duchess—second in rank only to the Empress—anything I do will attract attention. Especially since we recently married and there have been recent events drawing many eyes to the ducal family.
“There will be many who talk nonsense about the ducal family wasting their fortune on strange things.”
It’s not even their money, and I have Lucius’s permission to spend it where I want. The phrase “the wealthy are worse” always applies.
And I realized anew how well Lucius understands noble psychology. After all, he was a prince and grew up surrounded by nobles, so he’s seen a lot.
Maybe because I still have memories of the modern era, I haven’t fully adapted to the mindset and information ingrained in me as a ‘noble.’ Thankfully, Lucius pointed out the issues well, but I’m still a bit worried. I guess I should watch and learn carefully from now on.
Now that I’ve found a tricky problem, what should I do? I sighed at the faint headache that crept in, and he gently patted my back.
“Don’t worry. It’s not that there’s no solution.”
“What solution?”
“If you start the project as it is, there will be complaints among the nobles. You’ll hear many bad things. Then you just have to make them think this project is ‘useful.’”
“How? Welfare is useless to them, so to convince them otherwise, we’d have to change the project to noble investment or something. But then commoners can’t be the target. That’s not the intention I had.”
“No, it’s possible if you just broaden the scope. Welfare for nobles and welfare for commoners. If you split it into two, it can work. Then it becomes a ‘selective welfare project between classes.’”
“Selective welfare project between classes… So welfare wouldn’t be just for commoners, but extended to nobles as well? But nobles won’t welcome welfare itself.”
Welfare isn’t really necessary for nobles, who are overflowing with wealth. Receiving help from others would hurt their pride as nobles, so they wouldn’t like it.
“For nobles, focus on investment rather than welfare. They don’t like help without reason but love investment with reason. Actually, they don’t dislike receiving money. They like it but can’t show it openly because of pride.”
“…So hypocritical.”
“It can’t be helped. That’s just how the noble class is.”
Seeing my displeased face, he smiled and continued.
“For them, it’s fine to select those who need investment for business purposes or lower-ranked nobles who want or need investment.”
“That definitely works. It gives legitimacy as investment, not just general welfare.”
“Yes. Nobles will get proper interest and support, so there will likely be few complaints.”
“But then it should be a ‘selective welfare investment project between classes.’”
“Definitely.”
I sighed softly looking at Lucius nodding his head. The project name had gotten long and grand. I wanted to keep it simple as ‘welfare project,’ but what is this now?
It seems nobles will end up investing, but thankfully the original purpose won’t be lost. It’s better than carrying out the project with problems and facing backlash later. Actually, it’s better to start it right without causing issues so nobles don’t complain. I’m glad a solution was found somehow.
This was all thanks to Lucius. Without his advice, I probably wouldn’t have thought of it myself. To express my gratitude, I gently kissed his cheek.
“Thank you, Lucius. Because of you, I was able to solve a part I almost missed.”
“Are you really thankful to me?”
“Of course. If I did it alone without you, problems would definitely have occurred. Really, thank you.”
“Then… I want a better reward.”
“A better reward?”
“I’m not satisfied with just this.”
After saying that, he suddenly stood up holding me from the sofa. Surprised, I wrapped my arms around his neck. He quickly walked out of the parlor, passing startled servants, and went upstairs.
In the hallway, Warren looked surprised to see us but quickly composed himself and followed Lucius. At the bedroom door, Warren opened it for us, and Lucius entered saying,
“No one is to come until I call tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Warren nodded at the order and dismissed the waiting maids, closing the door. A brief silence filled the bedroom. Lucius slowly laid me down on the bed.
He stroked my cheek, kissing my forehead, nose, and lips, breathing lightly with excitement as he laid me down.
“I want a better reward. I want all the rewards you can give me.”
“…Alright. I’ll give you the sweetest reward among them…”
“Tiana…”
Looking into his glowing golden eyes, I kissed his lips. I felt his warm tongue slide in through the slight opening, and slowly closed my eyes.
“Tiana.”
“…Mmm…”
“It’s morning, Tiana. You need to wake up now…”
“Just a little longer…”
Lucius’s soft voice woke me gently. I opened my eyes a bit and snuggled into his arms. One of the good things about being married is that mornings, which were always hard, are now not difficult at all.
When I open my eyes, Lucius is holding me, and spending a lazy morning in his embrace feels truly happy. It’s no trivial joy. How lucky am I to see his shining face every morning? Today, my beautiful and wonderful favorite, my husband.
Leaning on his chest feeling the warm comfort, I closed my eyes again. He chuckled softly and stroked my hair.
“So just a little longer? Then let’s eat breakfast soon.”
“Yeah… okay…”
“Are you very tired?”
“No… I just like staying like this. I want to stay close longer. I won’t see you until evening when I go to work…”
“Tiana…”
His slightly hoarse voice made me look up. He gazed at me tenderly. I smiled and gave him a soft kiss.
“Do you want a reward like last night again today?”
“…I didn’t do anything worthy of a reward today.”
“Do you need something grand to get a reward? Lucius always gives and protects me, so I have plenty of reasons to be rewarded. Oh, and I also want to give you something just because.”
“I want to reward you, too. I don’t like only receiving.”
“Then can I tell you what I want today?”
“Of course.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Sweet kisses rained down on my lips. Thinking of last night, I was excited to see what kind of reward he would give me today.
