Chapter 13: The Secret of the Hairpin

After traversing a series of narrow, winding alleyways, they arrived at their destination: a small church slightly tilted to one side. It had a large yard, from which the spirited voices of children could be heard. After leaving the child they found earlier with the sister, Ludwig gave the church another once-over.

"So, this is the only place here that can provide care to the sick..."

It was a humble building that, even with the attached orphanage, could house only a very limited number of people. There was no way it could provide food and care to all the needy in the area.

They say seeing is believing, but this might be the first time I've fully appreciated that saying. Her Highness was absolutely right. It's extremely likely that an outbreak of disease could occur here.

While Ludwig was musing, Mia was building rapport with the father who was in charge of this church. While she was not a particularly religious person, she figured it couldn't hurt to make some connections in the circles of the faithful. As an organization, the Church held sway over many kingdoms. If things ever went south, having friends there would be very useful for seeking asylum.

No matter the time or place, Mia always operated under the motto "me first."

"Father, thank you very much for accepting this child into your care."

"There's no need for thanks. We're merely doing our duty as servants of God. We're also deeply humbled to be graced by the presence of Your Highness, and in a place such as this."

"It's nothing. After all, this place, like all the others, is a district within the beloved realm that I call home. By the way, Father, would you happen to have any friends in other kingdoms, or..."

Mia wasted no time getting to the point.

"Your Highness..."

She turned to the sound of Ludwig's voice.

"My, Ludwig. Is it time to go already?"

"No, I simply wished to express that I fully understand Your Highness's intentions now."

"I see," said Mia with a satisfied nod. "That's wonderful. I was right to come to you. So, what can we do to make sure a plague doesn't break out in the Newmoon District?"

"...There are two main ways to prevent a plague. We need to bolster the supply of food to this region and replenish the stamina of the residents, and we also need to improve access to healthcare."

Vocalizing his thoughts allowed Ludwig to fully appreciate just how difficult a task he was proposing. All the work he'd been doing recently revolved around reducing spending. In order to improve the state of the empire's finances, either revenue had to increase or expenditure had to decrease. There was no simple way of increasing revenue, so inevitably, his primary focus became the reduction of wasteful spending. However, both distributing food and building hospitals were tasks that required a ton of money.

Ludwig grimaced. And that was just the start. Keeping the effort going would be even more costly. How much money was he going to need? And where was he going to find all this money to begin with? He had no idea. Even if he had Mia's royal influence as backing, it might still be impossible. After all, powerful as she was, she was still a child.

Mia, on the other hand...

"So what you're saying is that we need money... I see." She gave a small nod, then folded her arms as if she was thinking about something. "Hm, in that case... Ah-hah. Would it be enough if I sold this?"

Slowly, she removed her hairpin.

"...Huh?"

The large gem on it glowed with iridescence, confirming it to be the one she received only days before from a renowned wealthy merchant.

"Princess Mia! That's... but you love that pin?!"

Anne raised her voice in alarm, only for Mia to shake her head.

"It's fine. I don't mind. No matter how precious the item, no matter how closely you try to hold onto it, there will be a day... It may go missing, or it may break... but its time will come. Knowing this, the most we can do is to use it well, and thereby give it meaning."

"Your Highness..."

Ludwig was overcome with emotion — a rarity for a normally stoic man such as himself. Moved deeply by Mia's words, he looked reverently in her direction, from where he felt the venerable aura of a saint.

It was, of course, all in his head. Just for the record.

As everyone should be fully aware by now, Mia was no saint. Why did she decide to sell her hairpin, then? She had, in fact, a very sound but decidedly less saintly reason for doing so.

Hmph! I'd rather sell the thing than let those jerks take it from me!

The hairpin was, as a matter of fact, destined to be stolen from her during her capture by the revolutionary army. And not only was it stolen, it was stolen by a hooligan of a man, rude and violent and with entirely too much beard to be proper. Not that it'd be okay if she was robbed by a handsome fellow with a dashing crop of finely kempt hair, but anyway...

If it's going to end up in the hands of someone like him, I'd rather give it up myself. At least I'll be using it for my own sake.

Rest assured that Mia was calculating to the core. Also rest assured that Ludwig hadn't the slightest idea.

"Your Highness's benevolence shall not go to waste. Let it be known that I, Ludwig, shall personally ensure that this precious treasure be put to its fullest use."

Selling the hairpin would ultimately be a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of the undertaking. Nevertheless, Mia chose to do so, and Ludwig understood exactly why.

The next day, Ludwig went around loudly proclaiming that Her Highness had forfeited a most treasured personal article for the sake of the people in the slums. It was, as he described, an act of utmost charity by the young princess. The masses were shocked and awed by the depths of Mia's benevolence, and the act put all the other nobles in a position where they had no choice but to donate to the cause as well.

Twenty days later, it was decided that a large hospital would be built in the Newmoon District.