The Loraine Initiative was a massive altruism project started by the head of house Ravenshield seven years ago. Spurred on by the loss of his daughter his heart went out to those poor souls who had no one to watch over them and he started a five-year project to ensure no child was left without a roof. He was expected to expand it another five years after the initial success however due to budget restraints and lack of direct attention the project was being handed off to the church to watch over the kids. Both land and money were being given to the church, the orphanages would become holy land while the kids would get the care and attention they need.
“But that's not what is really happening is it?” Ravina questioned. Wearing a modest indoor dress she sat across the polished wooden tea table from Madam Pelmen. “The count is just washing his hands of this, isn’t he?” It had been a few days after the conversation with Evelyn. Ravina had not gone to see the masterplay right with her but instead chose to do some research into the Initiative. She learned a great deal and now it was late in the afternoon and the women were enjoying the dying sun from the elder’s office. She was wrapped in layers of brown today wearing her familiar scowl and hunched over the table, enjoying the warmth of the teacup in both hands.
She took a moment to size the girl up with her sharp brown eyes. “Why concern yourself with such affairs?” she finally scoffed, taking the cup to her lips.
“Because seven years ago the count lost his daughter, soon after that he started a project that would build orphanages through the countdom, ensuring that any parentless child in his domain would be taken care of and ensuring that any lost girl would be able to grow up well in his land. Sense orphanages hold children until they turn 15, he would no longer care about them after this fifth year. Especially now that only seven years later they began talking about handing the initiative over to the church, days after his daughter was returned to him alive and well.”
There was a brief moment of silence before the Madam gave a cold reply.“And?” she raised a disinterested eyebrow, “It's an open secret—the real purpose behind the Loraine Initiative, for gods sake he named the damn thing after his wife.” Madam Pelman just confirmed Ravina’s suspicion, however her eyes widened in surprise as she found out that the lost countess' name was Loraine.
“He named it after his wife.” she repeated in shock.
“Of course, oh you should have seen the opposition to the project.” A rare smile crept on her lips as her eyes unfocused on some old, pleasant memory. “Do you know how much money was spent on the endeavor alone? However when he proposed the Loraine Initiative no one dared question his decision then.” Madam Pelmen set the tea cup down, her smile lowering as well. “When you requested a tea time I assumed you would have wanted to talk about your coming education. Not question the proper decisions of the head that will hold no real loss for the house of Ravenshield.
“The house did more than it needed to, even continued it for another few years. Now the only loss we will take is the church taking over the land. Still this will also increase the relationship with the church so it's a win-win.”
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
“Even for the kids?”
“I don't see why not.” tapping the delicate handle of the white china she spun it in its saucer. “The church takes back its role of watching over the lost sheep and we stop losing a large part of the county’s budget.” She waved the issue aside. “The children would be fine under their care.”
“But will they still receive the education the lord’s initiative has been providing?”
“No, of course not. It's expensive to hire teachers, and you should know why he did that.”
The answer was obvious. “He wanted to ensure his daughter received an education, wherever she was.” Even if he couldn't find her, there was a chance he could provide for her, even if it meant providing for thousands of others. But at some point, he had given up; whatever little hope he held for his daughter disappeared… when she arrived.
“Yes, however, now that you are here we can see that his efforts were in vain,” Her quick and sudden jab caused Ravina’s lips to twitch. “Besides, it's useless to teach them things they will never use.” Madam Pelmin dismissed them in only a way that a high ranking noblewoman could. With true words that could not be disputered.
She wasn’t wrong. A child would follow their parents. The most education they would receive would come from their parents, and they would add their own experiences to it, then teach their children. Rarely did anyone outside the nobility even need to learn from another, and even then, the only educational institutions were mainly for social interaction, not a place for learning.
“Is it? Because I learned about the initiative from one of the orphan graduates. She stated clearly that the job she received was because of it.” Evelyin was so cheerful when she went on and on about Fred Morrison, a joy she could only have thanks to the count's education.
“True, however, that was because of the connection it has to House Ravenshield, and not the education itself.”
“A connection that will be lost when the program is given to the church.”
Madam Pelman raised her teacup to her lips and took a long sip, her eyes closed. Lowering it, she placed it on the saucer without making even the quietest sound, then opened her eyes. “If you would like to continue the project, you will have to solve three issues with it.”
She raised a long, thin finger. “The first issue is the lack of returns. The children in these orphanages receive a lot, but what exactly does the county get? Educated orphans are still orphans, after all. Your graduate is a rare case, needing to fill a position quickly due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the appearance of a high-ranking noble’s daughter suddenly visiting the library.”
Another finger joined the first. Her hand trembled slightly as she continued, not giving Ravina a chance to react. “The second issue is the lack of support. Even when the count initiated this proposal, he faced severe opposition.” Her hand dropped back to the table with a certain graceful elegance. “And lastly, why should Ravenshield back out of a profitable deal with the church? This action will cost us nothing but a little bit of land and gain us favor with both the church and the people. Even a few nobles would approve of this decision, with little to no criticism. Trying to turn this around would tarnish the image of the Raven.”
Ravina’s gaze fell into the water of her tea. “Still,” she said, running a finger over the lip of her cup, “it would be the first thing I can do.” She was not the count's real daughter, just something to keep the annoying wave of reminders at bay. “It shouldn’t end just because I returned. At least the next two years should remain. We can take our time to think about it after that.” After all, she could still be there. Besides, if she did this right, she could secure herself with the feather. If done correctly, she might even gain the aid of the spear—and then the city would be better prepared for what is to come. “Besides, I believe I already have an idea on how we can solve the first issue.”