On the Day of Light, Kevin and Benedict are sweeping the lawn when they hear a commotion outside. Turning their attention, Kevin witnesses a lady walking towards the church with two children on either side, receiving warm greetings from the villagers.
"Look, it's Sera! She's come with the little ones."
"Hi sera, good morning."
"A very good morning to you too."
"Greetings, Madam Sera! It's wonderful to see you again."
“Greetings to you too.”
“Hi kids, how are you?”
“We are fine. How are you, grandpa?”
“Fine, fine, ha ha ha.”
Benedict approached Kevin, stating, 'She is the baroness.'
Kevin, enlightened, once again tried to discern her. According to his information, she should be around 23, but her appearance resembles a 16- or 17-years old girl. She is adorned in a medieval gown. Her black hair, a graceful blend of coronet and free-flowing strands, complements her elegant appearance. With black eyes, she moves gracefully.
To her left is a girl, presumably her eldest daughter, a child of nine years. The young girl bears some resemblance to her mother, inheriting the same black hair and black eyes. Dressed in a modest medieval gown appropriate for a child. Her hair, though not intricately styled like her mother's, is neatly combed and adorned with a small ribbon. A cheerful smile graces her face.
To her right is the youngest daughter, a child of six. Like her mother and elder sister, she possesses black hair and black eyes. Although she exhibits subtle masculine features, this only adds to her unique charm, making her look adorable. Dressed in a simple gown tailored for a young girl, her hair, while not elaborately styled, is neatly tied with a small ribbon, framing her face in a sweet and modest manner. Despite her slightly shy demeanor, her endearing qualities shine through, capturing the hearts of those who behold her.
All three of them wore simple attire, reminiscent of that worn by peasants, albeit neater than the average villager's garb. The mother, held her daughters' hands, a protective gesture to ensure they don't wander off. Despite their noble status, they did not wear any ornaments.
As Kevin pondered, analyzing the trio, they strolled toward the church, exchanging greetings with the villagers along the way. After exchanging greetings with Sera, the villagers resumed their work.
Sera, accompanied by her children, approached Kevin and Benedict. “Good day, Revered Sirs…augh”
Eager to display courtesy, she attempted a curtsy but mistakenly lifts the wrong leg, causing a momentary imbalance, but skillfully catches her balance, avoiding a potential fall. The unexpected display of agility catches Kevin's attention, who was deep in contemplation, and he bursts into laughter, charmed by the genuine and amusing moment.
“Pft…Hahaha”
Upon hearing Kevin's laughter, a faint blush tinted Sera’s cheek. Both of her daughter’s expression darkened. Benedict, snapping out of his momentary daze caused by Sera's unconventional behavior, clenched his fist and playfully dropped it on Kevin's head.
"Hey, it's rude. Stop laughing," scolded Benedict. Realizing that he is being impolite, Kevin immediately ceased his laughter, offering an apologetic nod to the trio.
As Benedict turned to Sera, she quickly began to explain herself, "I-I was trying to apply some etiquette I learned from some books. I thought Priest Benedict might be more knowledgeable about such customs. I was hoping to ask for his opinion."
Benedict, realizing the situation, attempted to interject, but Kevin quickly spoke up, saying, "Madam, the correct way of a curtsy that is currently followed is to slightly lift your skirt with both hands using your fingertips. Place your right leg behind your left with its toe on the ground, and bend both your knees while slightly lowering your body with a smile."
"I see," Sera acknowledged with a nod.
Following Kevin's instructions, she executed a proper curtsy with a warm smile and greeted them, "Good morning, Sir Benedict, Mister Priest."
Kevin responded to Sera's greeting with a bow, placing his hand on his chest and lowering his head and upper body slightly. "A very good morning to you too, Madam."
Following suit, Benedict also performed a bow, mirroring Kevin's gesture, and greeted, "Good morning, Madam Sera."
"Then children, offer your greetings."
"No," her eldest daughter rejected, putting on a pouting expression and turning her head to her side while closing her eyes.
"He laughed at mom, we will not greet him," sulked Sera's youngest daughter.
Hearing the children speak, Benedict burst into laughter, "Bhahahah, serves you right kid."
Kevin felt very awkward, wearing a helpless expression.
"Kids..." Sera tried to persuade her children, but Kevin interjected.
"No, Madam, they are right." Then he bowed to the baroness and apologized, "I was rude. Please forgive me."
"It's okay. Please raise your head, Sir Priest. And thank you for teaching me," Sera replied.
Then Kevin bent down and looked at the children, saying, "I am sorry for laughing at your mother. Please forgive me."
Vina turned her head, looking at his sincerity, she nodded, "Alright."
"Okay," Tia nodded too.
Sera chuckled, “It seems introductions are in order.”
“You must be the newly transferred in-training priest under Sir Benedict that I am hearing about. I am Sera RavenCrest. Baroness of this territory. Nice to meet you,” Sera did another curtsy.
“I am Kevin. Nice to meet you too, Madam Sera,” Kevin bowed slightly.
Sera gestured to her children.
“I am Vina RavenCrest. Nice to meet you,” Vina did a curtsy followed by Tia.
“I am Tia RavenCrest. Nice to meet you.”
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“Nice to meet you too,” Kevin greeted with a smile.
“Now that introductions are over, shall we go inside?” Benedict said while turning to enter the church. Everyone followed.
Sera, Vina, and Tia approached the altar, where they knelt in silent prayer. Sera, with closed eyes, whispered her thoughts, while Vina and Tia mirrored their mother's solemnity. The flickering candles added a sacred ambiance to their devotion. After rising, they expressed gratitude for the divine presence and moved to sit on the pews, with her eyes fixed on the statue of the god of light. Sera, lost in deep contemplation, eventually rose and approached Benedict.
Benedict, understanding her intention, said, "Let's go to the private rooms."
Everyone then moved to a room on the second floor.
Copyright © [2023] [The Rainy Imp]. All rights reserved.
The room had a window opposite the door, offering a view of the backyard. In the center of the room stood a wooden table surrounded by chairs. Everyone took their seats. Benedict broke the silence, "So, Sera, what would you like to discuss?"
"I have come today with two requests to the church. The first is to request additional personnel in the clinic, as more people are traveling from surrounding villages to receive medical treatment. But currently, only one person is handling all the burden."
"Hmm, I understand your point of view, but the church won't be able to provide any additional support to such a backward area. Capable doctors or healers are scarce."
"I understand. But soon, Countess Ravenna is trying to establish an adventurers' guild in this county. Although it might not be as active as in other areas, it should still be very much functional. Then the number of people who might come here with quests related to the forest will increase. At that time, it is better to have additional health support."
"Well, I will send a request, but don't have any expectations."
"Okay, my second request is that you establish a school in the church."
"School?" Both Kevin and Benedict were taken aback. The school is a relatively new concept that started around 15 years ago and is only available in very few places. Many nobles don't like to educate their subjects, and many merchants do not support it either.
"Yes, a school. It need not be as exaggerated as in the capital; it is only a replica. You only need to teach basic concepts, general knowledge, and some skills such as arithmetic, which are useful for the normal people."
Benedict thought for some time and replied, "I understand your proposition, but please forget it. Education for the commoners is not accepted by many. Many nobles and merchants will oppose this. They don't like people getting smarter. It will cause unnecessary trouble for you. Even the church will not accept it."
"Haa... I understand " Sera sighed deeply.
"Alright then, my request is not to the church but to you as an individual. Please teach the children of this territory."
Benedict raised an eyebrow. "Can you explain?"
"The church might not accept it, but you are a learned individual. You are also very experienced. So, I am requesting you to be a teacher for 1 or 2 years. You don't have to teach daily; once or twice a week is fine. I will announce and ask all the people in my territory who are interested to come to the church once every week to learn, to send their children. You need not teach any complicated stuff—all you need to cover are some basics: reading and writing, arithmetic (+, -, *, /), geography, history, the political system, religions, some laws, medicine, etiquette, and any other general knowledge. If people can read and write, they should benefit greatly, such as during times of business or when signing contracts and taxes.
"During the period of your teaching, I will arrange someone to take notes from you and learn from you. After 2 years, he will take over as a teacher, and the baronet will pay his salary.
"You know very well how much the people have suffered in the past. If the people at that time were a little more knowledgeable, they might have thought of going to the marquess or duke or even emperor with a petition. Their lack of knowledge and education made them suffer silently.
“I don't know how long I will manage these lands, or who will take over after me. I am already arranging a sanitary and sewage system by requesting help from the countess. I am also planning on sending some young guards to the countess to train them in martial arts and military customs. I want to arrange a basic structure of health, education, finance, and many other aspects. Luckily, this is a backward area, and not many power struggles should take place here. So, as long as proper arrangements are made, the people here should live peacefully for the next few generations."
"So, I request you to help me in this aspect as an individual." While saying this, Sera stood up and bowed her head.
Hearing her request, both Kevin and Benedict's eyes widened, shocked by how a previously ordinary peasant girl was thinking so far ahead for the welfare of the land.
After a moment of silence, Benedict spoke with a smile, "This is the second time I am seeing you bowing your head," gesturing for her to sit down. Sera returned to her chair.
"I understand your request, but I am unable to help you. I have already received my transfer orders, and I will leave within six months." Sera wanted to speak but couldn't find the words.
"Sera, you are a learned person yourself. Why don't you teach people?"
Sera made a deprecating smile and said, "Book knowledge is different from practical knowledge, just like my curtsy from before. It is prone to mistakes." Making Benedict chuckle.
After some thought, he said, "I may not be available, but Kevin will be replacing me." He turned to Kevin, "What do you think, Kevin? Are you willing to help?"
Kevin smiled gently, "If you are okay with me."
Sera rejoiced, "I am okay with it. Thank you, thank you very much," taking his hands and shaking them. Seeing Kevin’s expression, she blushed slightly, released his hands, and coughed, "Sorry, I was excited."
"It's okay," Kevin chuckled.
"Then what kind of compensation do you want?"
“Compensation?”
“Yes, I can’t have you do work without giving you anything in return.”
“No need for any compensation. I am only doing it as a service in the name of the god of light. Please don’t reject it.”
“But…”
“Hmm, in that case please allow me to visit your castle sometime. I wanted to take a look at it. I am very interested in ancient buildings.”
“Alright, no problem. You can come anytime. Just give me a heads up before you come. If you have anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Okay”
Copyright © [2023] [The Rainy Imp]. All rights reserved.
After some pleasant talk, Sera and her children bid farewell to them and left the church. After seeing them off, Benedict spoke to Kevin, “What do you think?”
“Well, she seems to be a good person. And a good ruler too. It's rare to find nobles who really care for their subjects. She might not be of noble birth, but her character is nobler than most of those arrogant pricks.”
“The children are cute too.”
“According to her story, the ones who benefited the most in the end are the countess and Sera herself. The countess gained a promotion and made some good impressions with the king and duke. While Sera became the sole ruler of the entire baronet.
“If Sera wanted wealth or power, then she should have started acting as a debauched noble after her ascension. But she did not. She is even living a very simple life. And she is also working for the betterment of the land. Not to mention, with the same hardship she went through, she could achieve an even better position than an empty title of baroness in a backward county.
“If it is vengeance, she should still be incapable of doing it as she was in a critical situation due to childbirth. Not to mention, there are many better ways to deal with those degenerates.
“Did the countess arrange all this by using Sera? No, I don’t think any girl can endure such abuse at such a young age.
“She seems to be a strong-willed woman. And also loved by everyone in the village.
“I will need to still investigate further.”
“Hmm,” Benedict nodded.
“But there is one thing I am quite baffled about.”
“What is it?”
“You see, from the Ravencrest’s normal way of doing things, they would have had their fun with her and then left her alone or killed her. But why did the baron’s family abuse her to such an extent? I mean, after seeing her in person, I could clearly see that she is not exactly a stunning beauty. She is pretty and beautiful for a peasant girl. But that is all. There are countless girls who are more beautiful than her. She can’t even be compared to them. They didn’t need to go so far to make her suffer? So, why?”
After some thought, Benedict said, "Maybe they were envious."
"..."
"Huh, envious? She is a peasant. They are of noble birth.
“They have power and authority, while she is weak and normal.
“I bet even their family's women, those Ravencrest’s wives and daughters, are more beautiful than she is. What is there to envy about her?"
"Her character."
"..."
"People desire and envy what they cannot possess. As you said, she is nobler than many arrogant pricks. Even if they don't realize it, they might be envious of her character. Seeing her might remind them of how unclean and ugly they really are. So, they want to defile, corrupt, and crush the dignified and noble flower to make themselves feel better.
"Do you think the countless girls you mentioned earlier will be her equal when it comes to her character and disposition? They can't even be compared to her."
Kevin stood with his eyes wide open as the wind blew, fluttering their clothes.