The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 52

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 52
Lucas answered by asking a question of his own instead.
“Under normal circumstances, if the duchies were joining forces, we’d naturally increase military spending, wouldn’t we?”
The nobles murmured at Lucas’s words, nodding in agreement or exchanging glances with one another.
It was, in fact, an obvious statement to them. These were men who believed that steel and bow were what made a nation strong and prosperous.
“Unfortunately, contrary to your expectations, I’m inclined to build schools instead.”
Lucas spoke with a gentle smile.
“S-schools, Your Highness?”
“Do you mean the institutions where the Crown Princes have studied?”
“Yes. But I intend to construct them on a much larger scale, to accommodate far more children, and in considerable numbers.”
Lucas spoke matter-of-factly, as if explaining that one plus one equals two.
“The children already receive adequate education from their home tutors. There is surely no reason to build schools…”
“That education is limited to the children of nobles. It is not education for commoners.”
“…Your Highness, surely you don’t intend to educate commoners?”
“Yes. To see all imperial citizens learn to read—that is my goal.”
Lucas nodded lightly, his face brighter than it had been in a long time.
“Crown Prince, what do you mean by this? Educating all commoners? What use would commoners have for reading, and how could we possibly finance such a thing with taxes from the nobility?”
“Then, do you have another way to secure the necessary funds?”
“My concern, Your Highness, is with the very notion of establishing schools in the first place.”
“That is merely the narrow thinking of your aristocratic prejudice.”
“Your Highness!”
The debate had begun. Even the nobles who were fundamentally aligned with the Crown Prince found themselves hesitating, struck by how unexpectedly radical his course of action was.
Though they ought to have supported the Crown Prince, they couldn’t bring themselves to do so when their own purses were at stake.
“Such a sudden transformation is bound to provoke considerable resistance. Perhaps it would be wiser to allow more time and proceed gradually, Your Highness?”
Duke Reus, the most prominent noble in the Crown Prince’s faction, carefully ventured this opinion. The Crown Prince’s supporters voiced their emphatic agreement.
Time was ordinarily a cure-all. Even if the Crown Prince’s resolve seemed firm now, who knew when it might waver? Especially given how these things unfolded over months and years. That was why he hoped to draw things out. The other nobles felt the same.
“But the matter seems too urgent to delay.”
“Pardon?”
“At this very moment, there are surely commoners suffering harm because they cannot read. As Crown Prince, I find it nearly a dereliction of duty to ignore them.”
Lucas did not yield an inch on his position.
“The tax rate will be set at ten percent of income for both commoners and nobles alike. If anyone has further objections, they may submit a formal petition. We shall adjourn for today.”
Having finished speaking, Lucas rose from his seat and left the chamber without a backward glance. The nobles’ protests erupted shortly after he was gone.
* * *
“I want to play with my brother. He’s nowhere to be found.”
“I know, right? He must be really busy.”
Theo and Noah, who had been playing at the Playground, dusted off their hands and stood up. The attendant, who had been waiting for the two princes to finish their play, hurried over with a brightened expression.
“Are you ready for your lessons now, Your Highnesses? Your new teacher will be arriving shortly.”
“But I like Rachel better.”
“So do I.”
Theo and Noah registered their displeasure, but after washing their hands thoroughly, they soon entered the Imperial Palace to attend their lessons.
Watching from a distance, Rachel let out a relieved sigh.
‘Thank goodness.’
She couldn’t be more grateful that the children went to their lessons without much resistance.
She had even prepared their textbooks herself, just to be safe.
Especially in the case of science, which the children were beginning to take an interest in, she planned to come often and teach the lessons directly. Surely, no matter how busy the Mage Tower kept her, she could carve out three sessions a week.
“Teacher, have all the Crown Princes gone inside?”
“Yes. I’m truly relieved.”
“Right? However did you manage to change those free-spirited Crown Princes so much?”
“Well… I’ve done what I could.”
If she were to recount all her efforts so far, she might need to stay up all night. Rachel finished her response adequately and turned her steps toward meeting with Lucas.
‘I heard there was a meeting with the nobles.’
Regardless of other matters, she had a good sense of what would be on today’s agenda. The topic would surely revolve around taxation and schools.
‘What noble would be happy about that?’
If she put herself in their position, she’d find it distasteful too. It was as good as taking money from them—who would approve of that?
Yet Rachel genuinely supported the establishment of schools. She hated that things children in some places took for granted were impossible elsewhere. And since the matter concerned children, of all things, it weighed on her all the more.
‘Lucas wouldn’t have backed down easily.’
The Lucas I know is quite a strong-willed person. No matter how outnumbered he might be in the council, he would stand by his convictions.
‘I’m worried he might end up making enemies…’
It was somewhat ridiculous to worry like this, since she herself had advocated for both the schools and the tax reform. Yet she couldn’t help but be concerned for Lucas.
‘…After all, he’s no ordinary person.’
Or more precisely, because their relationship was far from ordinary.
As Rachel recalled him, her cheeks flushed without her realizing it. The mere thought of him sent her spirits soaring without limit.
“My, is it warm today?”
“Pardon?”
“Your face has gone quite red, Teacher!”
The nursemaid hurried to fan Rachel’s face with a hand fan. The gesture only deepened her mortification.
“Yes, it is rather warm.”
Rachel hastened to offer the excuse, turning her face slightly away.
‘When will the Crown Prince arrive, I wonder?’
Rachel tilted her head, searching the direction from which Lucas might emerge.
She had scarcely been looking long when her eyes found him at last—there was Lucas.
“Lucas!”
Rachel called out to him, and the man walking with measured strides turned at the sound of her voice.
“Rachel.”
Lucas altered his course toward her, and at the sight of him, Rachel’s face brightened. She approached him without hesitation.
Yet in that moment, there was one truth Rachel had overlooked.
This was the Imperial Palace. The Imperial Palace, where countless eyes were always watching.
Unaware of this fact, Rachel smiled at Lucas as she always did—and smiled brightly at that.
“Did you have a pleasant time away?”
He calmly adjusted a strand of her hair, and from a distance, the servants and attendants who had been watching opened their eyes wide at the sight.
“It was pleasant enough. How have you been?”
“I’ve been looking after Theo and Noah a little, and resting otherwise.”
“You haven’t found it difficult to adapt to life in the Imperial Palace?”
“Not at all. It’s thanks to your thoughtfulness.”
Rachel laughed brightly, and as she did, Lucas adjusted her hair again before his hand brushed lightly against her cheek.
Gasp.
It was the smallest of gestures, yet the servants and attendants who had been hanging on his every movement saw it with perfect clarity.
They stood with their lips parted slightly, observing the present scene with utmost attention.
“Rachel.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Rachel answered promptly at his call.
“The Palace is full of eyes. By now, there must be hundreds looking at you and me.”
“Yes…?”
“Even knowing that, I chose to act deliberately. Troublesome matters will follow soon enough.”
“Troublesome matters…?”
Rachel held his gaze, her breath catching in her throat.
“The Empress will summon you before long.”
“The Empress…?”
“If you have anything you wish to say, speak freely. I will take responsibility for whatever comes after.”
Lucas spoke with utter confidence, and Rachel, meeting his eyes, found herself nodding reflexively.
An audience with the Empress. She thought of that meeting—surely a hostile one—and bit her lip hard.
She made a silent vow: she would not let any situation harm Lucas, whatever it might be.

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