Chapter 3: Important Things

Important Things

The unknown man lingered in my mind for a few days after the party. However, no matter how I turn the mansion's library upside down I can't seem to find that book. Later on I gave up because it seemed to eat a lot of my time which were supposed to be spent on more important things.

"Oh you say that you're curious about your family's business milady?"

"Ah I think it would be better to ask the Master himself." He said as if his loyalty cannot be bought by a hundred gold.

I spent hours deciding which route I should take and there is no better way than asking Father myself. However it may raise suspicion such as why a 10-year old kid like me is asking for such information when I was supposed to be just playing around all day long.

Then as if fate, I stumbled upon the dead serious financial assistant of the House, Fabian. He's most often considered as the second hand of Father because of his undying loyalty. However, I doubt when that loyalty will last.

"Pardon milady?"

"I want to learn accounting and business."

"You mean arithmetic?"

"I want to learn accounting and business."

He fixed his glasses which seemed to fell down when he heard such things from a 10-year old kid.

"I heard you milady, however those things are supposed to be learned after your coming of age. As to your current age, you're supposed to be learning simple things and playing around…"

Well, yeah he's right unlike the men who starts studying things at the age of 7, we the women were not that really required to learn complicated concepts about how this world runs excepts for those women who will soon hold high and important positions.

However, I secretly started studying at the age of 6, history, languages, literature and even arithmetic. The last one took me almost 2 years to learn since numbers are much more complicated than what it looks like. But this man in front of me doesn't know the secret self-study I have done years ago so he must have been doubtful and confused.

Well yeah I'm also confused myself because even though I don't really remember my previous life, still I was able to retain my skills and--

I suddenly felt creeps when that thought crossed my mind. Not remembering what happened in my previous life seem to hit me right in the face and made me think whether I also did the same thing back then. So will this decision lead me to the same ending?

"Well if that's what you really want…" He looked at his watch to check his appointments for the day so it's his way of rejecting me.

"Young miss, I deeply apologize for I have to prepare for the next meeting of the Count. But if you want I could give you some arithmetic problems to solve so you can start… Or yes I could find time after the meeting, but I will ask for the Count's permission first…"

"It's okay I'm fine with you giving me some problems to solve. It's I who should be sorry for disturbing you with your engagement with father."

"Oh but you seemed eager to…"

"It's okay Fabian, besides I should be thankful for that." I sincerely said because he seemed to have believed that I really want to learn.

That day he spent 3 minutes of his 6 minutes time for the meeting preparation to construct the arithmetic problems he would give to me.

My eyes twinkled when I saw the problem. This guy, I could clearly understand why he underestimates me but I will move to remove that impression of him about me.

"Young miss, you can give me the answers anytime. You can take your time answering it." He said with a smile and bid me goodbye for he only have few minutes to prepare for their meeting.

Don't worry I won't let your sacrifice be put to waste.

The problems he spent 3 minutes to create was only solved for a minute.

Then I got bored so I took an advanced arithmetic book so I could review and practice the given the examples. I ended up messing the study table.

"Lily, where are you-- wait, what are you doing alone in the library?"

"Wait, what are these?"

"Arithmetic?"

His eyes expanded as if he has heard the biggest lie in his whole life.

"What really? You're studying arithmetic? Like these ones?"

He looked at the messed up papers scattered around the table and the opened books I have been using a while ago. Then his eyes widened again in surprise.

"So you're not kidding?"

I arched my eyebrow at him and turned my attention back to the paper.

"What will I get from joking my dear brother?"

"No, it's just unbelievable, so who taught you this?"

Would he believe me if I said I only learned this by myself?

That would only sound ridiculous I think.

"Just some friends I had…"

He didn't answer and just looked at the papers then my eyes flew at the wooden sword that was strapped on his waist. An idea flew on my mind.

"Wait brother Adler are you perhaps having a hard time with your class?"

"Is it Arithmetic?"

"H-how did you know?"

"I just know. Well I have a proposition, wanna hear it?"

"Proposition?"

"What about we both learn together?"

I said while looking at the woodenswors at his waist and him looking at the arithmetic book. His eyes shined immediately when he understood what I was talking about.

"So shall we hit this book with this wooden sword?"

I was about to smack him but he immediately said that he was just joking.

Before every dawn, we would sneak out to practice on the training grounds. He taught me first about developing my stamina and only then I realized how hellishly hard it was but giving up is not a choice.

Then as a payback, I would teach him arithmetic every afternoon as part of our agreement.

"M-milady were you really the one who solved this?"

As if hitting two birds with one stone, Fabian recognized my excellent ability in arithmetic which led to him to use his spare time to teach me what I want and needed to learn. However, he would just give me books to read if he's too held up with the financial affairs of the house.

"My lord, the young miss is highly excelling with arithmetic, thus this lowly subject of yours suggest that the lady should be provided with the proper education."

One day, Fabian brought up his amazing discovery about me to my father which stirred opinions among the nobles. This was something I would expect anyway.

"A young lady must be taught how to be a noble lady and a mother and not such things that only men are capable to do."

"What a shame."

"Ridiculous! A 12 year-old kid can already learn arithmetic and a girl at that? That's an exaggerated news!"

"What a wonderful girl! As I thought that young lady Wescott is a bright one."

Thus, only one out of the 10 nobles complimented me which can't be even considered as a sincere one or not.

"Are you sure about this Lily?"

"This might be hard for you Lily please reconsider."

"Father, mother, brothers, you don't have to worry about it anymore, I'm going to be fine. Besides I want to learn more about this world."

I didn't know what convinced them but the next day, I had five teachers: arithmetic, language, history, arts and etiquette classes. My family really had it hard for me don't they. I know that the family business is doing good but don't they have to save some instead of spending more?

"Fabian, can I ask you a question?"

"Yes milady."

"Can I start a business?"

He smiled as if he already knew what I was going to ask and this time I was the one who was utterly surprised.

"You weren't surprised. Are you a mind reader now?"

"No milady, it's just that I had already expected that you would ask this question since back then you have asked me that you wanted to learn business."

"Oh right. But am I allowed to do that?"

"A 14-year old lady can't certainly start up her own business, even putting it under her name, for many will oppose and ridicule such act."

"However, a grown man can start any business that he wants to venture, is that it?"

He smiled sadly at me. Only then I realized how unfair this world works. It's still something I can't reverse because it's already part of the world even before I was born. However, I refuse to flow with it.

"Milady, if you may I would want to introduce you to someone who's more knowledgeable in this area. Apparently he's someone who is in need of a partner. So if you want…"

"Count me in Fabian."

"Alright milady. This is Sen. Sen this is Emma. As you've said decades ago you needed a business partner so I have an acquaintance here."

"A girl as my business partner. Are you kidding me right now Ian?"

Right, I'm not supposed to be surprised. Since I asked Fabian not to disclose my true identity for I would want to first test the kind of person my business partner is.

Well, right we have met a bastard one as a first.

"Well it seems like you lied to me Ian. It seems like he's not in dire need of a business partner. I wouldn't want to waste my time in this nasty place with nasty kind of a person."

I said and pivoted my heel so I could turn back and get out of the place.

"Hey you nasty witch!"

"Sen!"

I felt him getting nearer to me and was about to pull my hair when I caught his hand and twisted it.

He groaned in pain and was surprised with what I did. But he was taken aback immediately and was about to kick my feet when I rapidly kicked his knee so he lose his balance and fell down. I immediately place my open palm at his neck as if I'm going to slice it with my bare hands. Yeah, putting my 4-year hellish of a training to waste is not an option to choose.

"M-milady." Fabian was lost for words when he saw what I did.

"Listen you bastard or whoever you are. I don't have time to play around or what. I came here to do business and I still need to prepare myself for my next appointments after this shitty one. So if you're just gonna waste my time. Fuck off and get lost."

I wasn't able to look at Fabian's reaction but I bet thay his soul has already left his body. I would just pray for him when I get home.

"M-milady!"

Oh it seems like he's still hanging on. Good job Fabian.

"Wait." I creased my forehead when the guy held my hand and called me.

"I like you."

"What?"

Has he gone mad?

"So I guess we're partners now?"

And that's how Sen came to mess up my mind. Well literally and metaphorically speaking.

"So what business are we going to start?"

"This might sound disappointing but I meant to do investing. Starting up a business may take years to be stable. How about it?"

"Investment. It's not actually a popular kind of a business.

"Because they are afraid of the risks. They don't want to lose. But isn't losing many time is better than not having anything at all?"

"Yeah? At least you've got to had something before it was lost in a gamble."

"Just tell me if you're in or not. I will look for another--"

"Tsk, I didn't said I would back out. So what's your purpose? Your goal perhaps?"

"We will be the owner of the capital."

"What? Treason? Absolutely not a chance--"

"What treason? Hey listen to me properly. I didn't mean to start a rebellion or anything of that sort. I meant being the owner of the largest shopping center located in the heart of the capital. Do you get me now?"

He didn't answer for a moment but this brownhead seemed to thought about it a lot. So I gave him some time.

"The value of lands increase over time. Is that why you wanted to buy that?"

"Hmm yeah but I also want other things such as the information guild. You know that knowledge is power right?"

"I haven't heard of that. But yeah let me think of it."

"Are you not going to ask why I needed the information guild?"

"I'm afraid I would consume too much of you time if I even asked that one. However, remember that this dear partner of yours will be by your side whichever path you take on."

"Good. Now shall we get down to planning?"

He enthusiastically conversed with me as we talked about our investment plans and the buying of the shopping centre.

It was Sen who finally completed the four important things I needed to accomplish such as assisting me with our investments and my information collection.

However, some things don't really add up such as the lines.

"I love you Emily. So I ask that you marry me in the name of our love."