I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 138

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 138

 

‘Wow, I’m nervous.’

 

Elodie clenched her fists tightly.

 

Although she appeared calm on the outside, it was impossible not to feel nervous about expressing her opinions in front of so many people.

 

The goodwill and hostility directed toward her.

 

She could feel all those emotions distinctly on her skin.

 

However.

 

‘Yes, there are people who believe in me.’

 

Joshua, who was watching her intently with a worried expression.

 

And even Isabel, who had promised to ‘stay by her side.’

 

Elodie suddenly became conscious of the ring hanging around her neck.

 

It seemed as if warmth was being transmitted from that ring Isabel had given her.

 

“I would like to propose all-day childcare facilities for working parents.”

 

Elodie spoke with a clear voice.

 

Instantly, deep interest flickered in Joshua’s eyes.

 

‘Ah, is that it?’

 

The childcare facility that Bella’s dress shop had been operating independently for its seamstresses.

 

Elodie was now proposing that childcare facility as a policy.

 

“Currently, parents in the Empire lack facilities where they can leave their children and work with peace of mind. If we expand childcare facilities, their burden would be greatly reduced.”

 

“Why are you saying that both parents must work outside? It’s sufficient for just the father to work.”

 

Then one nobleman immediately objected.

 

“Mothers should naturally take care of the household!”

 

Ha, I knew this would happen.

 

Elodie, who had been looking at her opponent with coldly cooled eyes, calmly countered.

 

“Then let me ask you, Viscount Felton. Are the mothers in Viscount Felton’s territory really only taking care of children at home?”

 

“What, what?”

 

“I’m saying they help with farm work during busy farming seasons and do various side jobs in winter to supplement the household income, aren’t they?”

 

Viscount Felton was left speechless.

 

Blue eyes coolly gazed at the viscount who was only moving his lips.

 

“In fact, I understand that most territories encourage their residents to take on winter side jobs. Isn’t that right?”

 

“Th, that’s…”

 

The viscount, who had been trying to object, clenched his teeth tightly.

 

Because it was true.

 

Elodie straightened her back and looked around.

 

“There are very few nobles who can feed all their territory’s residents with their territory’s income alone. That means, in other words, the majority of the Empire’s citizens must engage in economic activities regardless of whether they’re women or men. And they’re actually doing so.”

 

The surroundings had become quiet.

 

Of course, there were people like that nobleman who wanted to blindly object to Elodie’s words.

 

But most of the nobles were also lords who governed territories.

 

Since it was a proposal closely related to the lives of the territory’s people, it was natural that curiosity would arise.

 

“Currently, we rely on help from retired grandparents or families taking turns caring for each other’s children. But there’s an absolute shortage of hands.”

 

Elodie continued her explanation methodically.

 

“Furthermore, mothers who engage in outside activities can only work for limited hours due to childcare responsibilities. In the process, even when they face unfair treatment, it’s difficult to respond. There’s also wage discrimination.”

 

“That’s certainly…”

 

“We’ve received several reports about this in our territory as well.”

 

Several nobles nodded their heads.

 

At that positive response, Elodie’s voice gained strength.

 

“If there were all-day childcare facilities in every village, parents could focus solely on economic activities without worrying about their children.”

 

Elodie continued her argument coherently.

 

“Moreover, childcare facilities would have the effect of creating jobs. We’d need personnel to operate the facilities, such as teachers to care for children and cooks. That concludes my presentation.”

 

Finally, all the discussion had ended.

 

Elodie, who had shown proper courtesy, sat back down.

 

Joshua looked around at the nobles.

 

“Then, everyone. What do you think about Marquis Lucerno’s proposal?”

 

“I think it’s a good idea.”

 

Count Robert was the first to express his agreement.

 

“Unfair treatment in the workplace has been an ongoing issue in our territory as well. I had simply thought of it as a wage problem, but hearing this, I realize there were such underlying causes.”

 

“Well, the idea itself is excellent, but how effective it would actually be remains uncertain.”

 

Another noble raised objections.

 

“Above all, implementing this policy would require national budget allocation, and that cost would be considerable.”

 

“If budget is the issue, how about implementing it as a pilot program in some regions first?”

 

Isabel cautiously spoke up.

 

“If the results are good, we can gradually expand it. Or if the results aren’t as good as expected, we can discontinue it midway.”

 

“I agree with Count Delaney’s opinion.”

 

Marquis Christansen joined the conversation.

 

Thus, intense debate continued for quite some time.

 

The nobles’ opinions gradually leaned toward ‘let’s at least establish pilot facilities.’

 

After all, the nobles gathered here were all lords governing territories.

 

Deep down, they calculated that if women could stably enter the workforce, the productivity of their territories would increase.

 

“Are you really going to accept El-, no, Marquis Lucerno’s policy?”

 

David, unable to contain himself any longer, raised his voice with veins bulging in his neck.

 

“They’re mothers! Mothers are abandoning their homes to work outside, and instead of reforming them, the state will support this?!”

 

However, most of the nobles showed lukewarm reactions.

 

For instance, Marquis Christansen asked David back in a blunt voice.

 

“What’s wrong with that?”

 

“Marquis Christansen!”

 

“I am a lord, Duke Laventess.”

 

Marquis Christansen looked at David with an expression of disdain.

 

“I have a duty to improve my people’s standard of living and increase my territory’s productivity.”

 

“Th-that’s…!”

 

“There’s no point in arguing about mothers and women here – it’ll only put our territory at a disadvantage. Do you understand?”

 

It was a sharp rebuke.

 

David’s face turned bright red with shame.

 

Regardless, Marquis Christansen turned to Elodie with a brightly smiling face.

 

“That pilot childcare facility – if it’s possible, I’d like to have it established in our marquessate. It would be of great help.”

 

“Thank you so much for those words, Marquis Christansen.”

 

Elodie smiled back and politely shook her head.

 

“However, I think it would be best to install this pilot childcare facility in the most neutral location possible. After all, this policy is causing divided opinions even within the noble council.”

 

“Very well. Then how about establishing the childcare facility in the capital?”

 

At the same time, Joshua interjected.

 

“I’ll contact the statistics bureau to select the district in the capital with the most dual-income couples.”

 

Elodie expressed her gratitude with a glance.

 

It was truly excellent support.

 

By subtly selecting a location, he had confirmed that her policy would proceed.

 

“Good.”

 

“Well, it is a policy that involves national taxes.”

 

“Having it debut in the capital wouldn’t be bad either.”

 

Most of the attendees seemed convinced.

 

Except for Marquis Bartsen and David, and the nobles who sided with them.

 

But with the atmosphere having shifted this far, it was difficult to voice opposing opinions.

 

Most importantly.

 

‘Certainly, that childcare facility wouldn’t be bad if it were actually established in our territory.’

 

‘Well, I don’t like women interfering, but…’

 

Although they found Elodie irritating, many nobles were interested in the policy she had proposed.

 

In the end, it meant that even within the opposition, opinions couldn’t unite.

 

“Then the policy proposed by Marquis Lucerno will proceed with the capital as a pilot city for now.”

 

Joshua concluded the discussion that way.

 

At the same time, Elodie took a shallow breath.

 

As if she had run at full speed, her heart was beating rapidly.

 

‘I did it.’

 

Her expression brightened radiantly.

 

Attending the noble council as a female head of house, and even drafting policy.

 

‘I accomplished it!’

 

A thrilling sensation rushed from her head to her toes.

 

Elodie smiled brightly.

 

Her heart swelled with pride as if she had gained the whole world.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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