214: Informing the Townhouse
Peaceful days continued for a while after that. Samuel accompanied Avril, steadily absorbing and learning various things around the mansion.
Avril’s duties were diverse.
Naturally, she saw to the duties generally considered to be tasks of a lady of the house such as acting in Dylan’s stead during his absence, writing letters on his behalf, and supervising the servants. That, however, was not all. Avril herself would also join the cleaning line, scrubbing the floors and wiping the windows.
At first, Samuel blinked in shock and froze in place at the sight, but soon also began helping with the cleaning.
He seemed to interpret the action as, “You see to every kind of task so as to serve as an example to the people working in the mansion.” He was a skillful and dependable ten-year-old right hand.
Dylan also often paid attention to Samuel and doted on him.
Normally, apprentice etiquette training mainly focused on teaching the management of a household. Dylan, however, took it further. At times he would invite Samuel into his study to explain matters such as estate management and the work done by his own close aide, Chris.
Those were peaceful and fulfilling days. Avril was growing accustomed to the pressure of being entrusted with the precious young son of the Marquis of Brandner, when an unexpected incident was brought before her.
It happened about a week after Samuel began staying with them.
That day, Dylan, who was supposed to be out from morning until night, returned past noon. Avril, who was giving Samuel a lecture about tending to the garden at the time, called out to him as he stepped down from the carriage and approached the mansion.
“Lord Dylan?! What happened? You’ve returned rather early.”
“I heard a strange rumor from a business partner I met this morning, so I changed my plans and rushed back. Apparently, the Earl and Countess of Fitzroy have passed away.”
“The Earl and Countess of Fitzroy, as in the ones we talked about at the garden party Lady Alexandra hosted the other day?”
Avril recalled the young lady of the Fitzroy family. She had greeted Avril courteously, yet, when she responded with small talk, the girl fled from before her eyes as though running away.
Dylan glanced around as though wary of his surroundings while Avril’s eyes widened in surprise. He then stepped into the mansion with Avril and Samuel following after him. Dylan continued speaking as they passed through the lobby, ascended the stairs, and quickly strode for the study.
“Yes. Furthermore, their daughter—Jennifer Fitzroy, who attended the party— is said to have fallen ill. This comes from a reliable source.”
“Lord Dylan, are you worried that a new, difficult-to-treat disease may be spreading? However, there have been no such reports among the townspeople. Don’t epidemics usually spread through cities first?”
Having said that, Avril remembered the Earl of Fitzroy’s family business. When one thought of the Fitzroy family, their distinguishing feature was—
Ah, investing in and managing public works…!
At present, many of the public works being advanced by the kingdom were carried out with the intention of aiding impoverished regions. While the ultimate goal of such projects was to improve and develop areas so that they would be more livable, in order to build relationships with the local populus and ensure smooth progress, acts of service were also sometimes carried out alongside them.
The main area in which the Earl of Fitzroy was known to be active was called the 24th Ward, one of the most impoverished districts within the royal capital. Despite the kingdom’s countermeasures, disparities between the wealthy and impoverish were inevitable within a capitalist society.
As a result, such impoverished areas suffered from poor public order and unsanitary conditions. Even seeing a doctor wasn’t possible. An illness would spread in an instant were one to appear.
Dylan’s eyes became firm as he judged from Avril’s expression that she had understood what he was trying to say.
“An order for quarantine was issued for the 24th Ward of the royal capital around noon. The illness is already spreading there. Signs of it have been present for almost a month, but as there was no explosive outbreak, it was thought to be a simple cold and no special reports were made.”
“The Earl and Countess Fitzroy visited the 24th Ward for their charitable work. As a result, they contracted the illness.”
“That’s right. Fortunately, among the nobles who attended the garden party, none besides Jennifer Fitzroy have fallen ill. However, it seems that all the nobles of the royal capital are, as a precaution, vacating their townhouses and returning to their estates. It’s partly a form of evacuation, but as lords, they would be troubled if travel restrictions were to be imposed and they were not in their territories.”
“!”
Realizing how serious the situation was, Avril’s whole body tensed. Meanwhile, Dylan turned his gaze toward Samuel. He sat beside Avril, listening intently with lips pressed tightly together.
“This is an emergency. I stopped to speak with the Marquis and Marchioness Brandner as I was returning. Many of the Brandner household are employed in the royal court and government institutions, and they therefore cannot withdraw to their domain. The Marchioness asked that, if the Duke of Lancester family were to return to their territory, we take Samuel along as well.
What do you wish to do?”
Samuel thought for only a brief moment, then gave straight and firm reply.
“Understood. May I accompany you as well, Your Grace the Duke?”
“Of course.”
Dylan smiled with a gentleness almost out of place for such a moment and patted Samuel’s head. Moved by that tender gesture, which was meant to reassure him as much as possible, Avril too, began her preparations.
We’ll likely depart for the Lancester territory as soon as our arrangements are complete. I must hurry and prepare…!
Leave a Reply