Side: Lou

“—As the Queen of Paides, I shall lead you all and fill this country with smiles.”

The princess became a queen.

The queen seemed exhausted after her coronation ceremony.

Inside the room, there was only me, a maid, and the queen. She dropped all pretenses.

“Lou, I became queen today.”

“Indeed. Congratulations.”

“As I’ve declared to the people, I will strive to make this country one full of happiness.”

“…”

I guess she means it.

It was no longer a situation where she could be a happy-go-lucky princess, yet she still didn’t realize that at all.

“For that purpose, I shall start with the slums.”

“…”

“Isn’t that a place where you were born and raised? As for me, I want to make sure that my precious brother can live without worry.”

Does she think that people who grew up in the slums cherish them as if they were their hometowns or something?

For me, this country doesn’t care what happens to you. I don’t care about the slums or the people in them just as much.

The same went for the people of the slums.

Those dwelling in slums didn’t live their lives worrying about their kind. Only those with the leeway to could do so.

A slum was a place where all the country’s garbage ended up to.

How could I consider such a place as my home?

“What do you intend to do with the slums?”

“I want to abolish it. There shan’t be a single slum in a country I govern.”

“Then what of those who live in the slums?”

“They can just live like the rest of the commoners.”

Opinions or actions without prospects wouldn’t lead to salvation—only more resentment and dissatisfaction.

“…How? They live in the slums precisely because they can’t live like the rest of the commoners.”

“I shall introduce them to the wonder of working! So long as there are none who prefer to spend their life idly and jobless, there will be no slums.”

Huh?

Oh, I see. So that’s it.

She thought we were lazy, that’s why.

She had no idea we couldn’t find employment.

Poverty? Those times when all we could do was watch people we knew starve to death or die from the common cold? Our fault for being lazy.

“Even if they do learn, how are they supposed to put it into practice? Without any opportunities for employment, one can’t work.”

“Oh, but there’s aplenty!”

“For example?”

“Let’s see…” The queen pondered briefly, then list the jobs that came to mind.

Chamberlains, knights, maids, handmaidens, coach drivers, doctors, nurses, merchants, etc.

—Remember, Lou, she’s THE queen.

Depending on the circumstances, I could get beheaded. I clenched my fist so hard my hand bled. If I hadn’t, I’d have pummeled the queen in the face until she was no longer recognizable.

“…How would a person without any formal education acquire such a job?”

“They can just study.”

“How? When nobody is willing to teach them…”

“As long as there’s a will, there’s a way. It’s not like one needs a teacher to learn something.”

I can’t anymore.

Because she was the princess, she lived without worry, and was given everything on a silver platter.

She, who had everything, didn’t know what it feels like to have nothing.

“They don’t have money to study. They can’t read, write, or even do basic arithmetic.”

“Who are they to blame besides themselves? They reap what they sow. With my policies, I’ll make them pay. Soon, nobody will choose to stay in the slums again.”

This isn’t even a conversation anymore.

“I see. You’re determined to do it no matter what.”

“Yes. It’s necessary for the sake of this country. Besides, I’m sure you’d also like it if the people of the slums start to pull their own weight.”

“…Right.”

—Let’s accept the duchess’ proposal. I can’t with her anymore.

---

***T/N: THEY CHOOSE TO STAY IN THE SLUMSSS?!!?!?!/1/ WHO!??!?!! WHO TAUGHT YOU THIS ABSOLUTE MADNESS?!!?!?! BRING YOUR TUTOR HERE!!!!!! I WANT TO SEE HIS FACE!1111 //raise a shovel//

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