Chapter 76: The Job-Seeking Princess
TL: Etude
Princess Eileen Rodney of the Kingdom of Ordo had been living a very comfortable life recently.
She and her female guard, Leah, had settled in a two-story house with a yard in Lakeheart Town. Freed from the nagging of her teaching maidens, the tedious rituals of the court, and the hardships of their escape, her life had suddenly become so delightful.
The environment in Lakeheart Town was pleasant, far from the dirty and chaotic towns they had passed through on their way.
However, according to the locals, Lakeheart Town wasnt always this clean. It improved after the new lord took over and made significant efforts to clean up the streets, installing public trash bins at regular intervals. Strict penalties for littering transformed the town into the tidy place it was now.
Once accustomed to this comfortable environment, the residents became more conscientious about maintaining its cleanliness.
Eileen felt admiration in her heart: What an extraordinary lord.
The towns they had passed through during their escape were filled with garbage and even excrement, making the streets almost unbearable to walk.
When Eileen and Leah first arrived in Lakeheart Town, they thought they had entered a paradise, which was a significant reason for Eileens desire to stay.
In Lakeheart Town, Eileen discovered something incredible: extremely, extremely cheap paper. She could buy fifty sheets of this paper for the price of one parchment. Identifying more as a scholar than a princess, Eileen valued the significance of affordable and abundant paper. Now, she could write and draw without the careful consideration required before.
Besides paper, there were other novel items, like the exquisite, smooth, fine-feeling porcelain. Each piece seemed like a work of art.
Unfortunately, porcelain was expensive. Eileen had admired a small vase in a shop but refrained from buying it after hearing the price. Their cash was limited after buying the house, so they had to be frugal.
Recently, several significant events had occurred in Lakeheart Town.
First, there was a war between Alda and the neighboring Count Ganard territory. The reason was popular among the common folk: several of Count Ganards vassals conspired to kill their old lord and undermine the new one. As the new lords blood-sworn brother, Count Grayman naturally sought justice.
Conspiracies, betrayals, revenge were there better elements for gossip? This provided the people of Lakeheart Town with much to talk about, especially with news that Aldas army had crushed the Baylding forces, boosting their pride.
Then there was the agricultural machinery demonstration. Landowners from Alda and Baylding gathered in Lakeheart Town to see the new harvester invented by the farm machinery factory.
Many locals also attended, more for the spectacle than anything else. Since Lakeheart Town developed from the Grayman familys estate on the shores of Lake Weiss, most nearby land was owned by the Graymans. The towns residents were either tenant farmers or serfs of the Grayman family.
Curious as a scholar, Eileen, accompanied by Leah, joined the crowd. She admired the ingenious structure and efficiency of the harvester, but being raised in the palace, she was disconnected from farming and couldnt fully appreciate its significance for agricultural production.
Another event was the upcoming examination at the Weiss Academy. Eileen considered the content of the exam almost an insult to her, but understanding it was primarily for the lower classes and their level of education, she accepted it.
Had it not been for her escape from home, Eileen wouldnt have realized that most people in the Kingdom of Ordo were illiterate.
One day, while Eileen was engrossed in studying ancient texts, she unexpectedly heard Leahs footsteps.
Strange, Leah should be practicing swordsmanship in the yard at this time. Eileen looked up and asked, Whats the matter, Leah?
Leah hesitated, Miss, I just remembered something. Were running low on cash, and this cant go on. So, I thought of finding a job in town.
Indeed, a problem. Eileen, who had never worried about income, left financial matters to Leah, focusing only on curbing her own spending.
After some thought, Eileen decided, Leah shouldnt bear this alone. I will also look for a job.
Leah shook her head, How can this be, you are a a young lady!
Eileen smiled, Arent you also a young lady from a noble family? Youve suffered enough with me; I cant continue living off others.
Leah, coming from nobility and deciding to work, must have overcome significant mental hurdles.
Seeing Leah about to object, Eileen interjected, Its decided, no more persuasion. Well take our time finding the right job.
Thank you, Miss, Leah replied.
The female guard was deeply moved and then excused herself to continue practicing her swordsmanship.
Eileen, watching Leah leave, was immersed in deep self-reproach. She had never concerned herself with financial matters, and this negligence made her feel terribly guilty towards her guard.
This place might not have suitable jobs for us. We need to be prepared, she thought.
The princess opened her wardrobe and took out a box from the very back. Inside were a dazzling array of jewels and ornaments. She decided to pick a few to exchange for money.
No, I cant do that. These bracelets were a gift from my sister.
Ah, and this necklace is my favorite. I cant use it for money either.
Eileen struggled to choose. Each time she picked up a piece of jewelry, it felt like cutting a piece of her heart out.
Lets go with this one!
She picked up a pair of exquisite earrings, a gift from King Rodney XVI on her last birthday. Remembering her father only brought her anger, and she thought these earrings were the most suitable to exchange for money.
However, as Eileen was about to wrap them up, she sighed and put them back in the box.
After much searching, she finally chose a few pieces, wrapping them carefully in a cloth.
After informing Leah and making up an excuse, Eileen left for the main street of the town.
Upon inquiring with the townspeople, she arrived at the only pawnshop in Lakeheart Town. After a moments hesitation, she entered.
Welcome, what can I do for you? the clerk greeted her warmly.
Eileen approached the counter, removed her cloaks hood, and unwrapped a small bundle. Hello, Id like to pawn these pieces of jewelry. Could you please appraise their value?
The young clerk was momentarily lost in Eileens beautiful and distinguished appearance, having never seen such a girl before. But his professionalism quickly brought him back to his senses. He blushed and examined the jewelry, only to become utterly stunned.
Realizing the clerk was lost in thought, Eileen covered the jewelry with her hand, bringing him back to reality.
Im sorry, these are beyond my level of expertise. Ill call our owner immediately.
The clerk ran to the back, shouting, Boss, come quickly! Big business!
The pawnshop owner soon hurried over. He examined each piece with a magnifying glass, expressing surprise and admiration with sounds of Oh and Hmm.
After inspecting them all, the owner looked at Eileen with a somber face, These are too valuable for our small shop to handle.
His expression resembled someone who had found a gold mine but lacked the capital to mine it.
Disappointed, Eileen asked, Where can I exchange these for money?
The owner suggested, Maybe the pawnshops in Butuya City can handle your jewelry, though its not very likely.
Alright, thank you for your time.
Eileen gathered her jewelry and left the pawnshop.
The clerk, still in disbelief, asked the owner, Were those pieces so valuable that even you couldnt take them?
The owner, with a serious look, assured, With my thirty years of experience, I promise you, if that lady exchanged those jewels for money, she would be the second richest person in Alda, next to Count Grayman.
The clerks mouth fell open in disbelief.
What should I do? Do I need to go to Butuya? Eileen thought, walking disappointedly through the streets, eventually reaching the town centers square.
Passing by a notice board, she glanced at it without much interest. However, one notice caught her attention:
The Lords Manor is recruiting talents proficient in linguistics. Excellent remuneration, salary negotiable. Interested parties should apply directly at the castle gate.
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