It Seems My Job Aptitude Didn't Come with Human Rights

【Alternate POV】From Olivia's Viewpoint 13
【Olivia】

He was a disturbing child. With the inconvenient woman now deceased, I could finally marry into the long-desired count's family, and soon, I was blessed with a child.

The only obstacle now was Lars. However, the age gap was not just one or two years. Normally, one would expect Lars to be the next head of the family. Although he didn't have a blessed job aptitude, Lars possessed the ability to overcome such disadvantages.

When I joined the count's family, Lars was very young and not much of a topic. But when he turned five or six, strange rumors started circulating among some of the servants.

There was talk that Lars might be a genius.

Though his language skills and literacy were average, there were rumors of exceptional talent in calculations. Moreover, he seemed to learn and memorize things he wasn't taught, or perhaps he was attempting to absorb new information by devouring books.

Currently, the Harvey Kingdom is not at war with anyone. There's no telling how long this peaceful situation will last, but if things remain the same, there's a possibility that Lars could become a candidate for the head of the family due to his talents. His skills in trying to achieve something within a peaceful kingdom cannot be ignored.

However, I cannot allow such a thing to happen. I finally married into the count's family, and fortunately, I have two sons. I must somehow bring Lars down. Johanson is struggling to manage the vast count's estate, and because it's far from the royal capital, even just traveling back and forth takes time. Consequently, all matters within the count's family are entrusted to the chief butler, the head maid, and the knight commander.

If I could get those three on my side, I might be able to manage somehow. Thinking this, I spent a lot of time bringing those three over to my side. I used money and overtly favored certain servants. I worked hard to make them think that as long as either Nils or Erik becomes the head, they would continue to reap rewards.

First, the chief butler became an ally, followed by the head maid and the knight commander. Once that happened, everything was easy. Only low-status servants, who had no means of conversing with Johanson, were left to care for Lars, and I managed to block unnecessary information.

Even if rumors of him became known, it would just be talked about by servants who were former criminal slaves or beastmen. If such people were the only ones making a fuss, it would be dismissed as lies or exaggeration in laughter and nothing more. Since the chief butler and I always claimed that Lars was incompetent, there was no room for strange rumors to spread.

Thus, about five years passed. I pleaded with Johanson, saying I didn't want Lars to bring shame by failing at the academy in the royal capital, and as a result, Lars was completely removed as a candidate for the family head. Due to the continuous drop in his reputation, Johanson also finally abandoned him.

There was talk of confining him to a rural village, but I wanted to eliminate all worries. Thinking that way, I brought up the idea of forest development. I suggested that if Lars could expand the land even a little, it would be profitable, and Johanson readily agreed. Claiming I wanted to assist Lars as his stepmother, I was also given charge of preparing for his journey.

It was the best possible outcome. I could also keep half of the money Lars was to take with him.

Just when I thought so, Lars interjected. He said he would handle his own preparations. The rumor about Lars possibly being a genius resurfaced in my mind.

「Lord Johanson has given Lars a budget of five gold coins. I have prepared the carriage and horses, so your preparations won't incur any expenses. As for the servants, I have selected only young ones in their teens so that Lars can communicate with them easily.」

Trying to maintain as gentle a smile as possible, I asked him this, but Lars crossed his arms and shook his head.

「Hmm, considering the count's income, the budget feels a bit low, but it can't be helped. I'd like Usa, the horse attendant, to choose the carriage and the horse with it, okay?」

「What? Usa... Well, okay. I don't recall such a servant, but I'll make a special exception for her to choose.」

The unexpected request caught me off guard, and I answered with some agitation. It seemed that, even as a child, he had some sense of caution. However, I deemed it unlikely that such a detail would have a significant impact. With that in mind, I agreed.

Then, looking at the lineup of servants in front of the carriage, he spoke.

「Also, I think forest development is going to be quite tough. That's why I'd like to give the servants I'm bringing along the right to choose.」

「What? The right to choose for the servants?」

I asked for clarification, not understanding what he meant. Lars then looked at the faces of the assembled servants one by one and announced.

「Honestly, making a settlement by clearing trees in a deep forest is an arduous job. Moreover, I don't think you can enjoy the kind of lifestyle you have here in the count's family. So, I'm thinking of taking only those who are willing to come with us under these conditions. Not coming along won't affect your position, and I won't resent you for it. Please choose according to your true feelings.」

Lars said this with a smile directed at the young servants. Upon witnessing this, tears welled up in the eyes of a few female servants. Seeing this, a faint sense of urgency bubbled up inside me. I realized anew that I couldn't leave this child in the count's family.

-------------= Author's Notes -------------=

If you found yourself curious about 'what happens next,' it would make me happy if you could press the ☆ button at the bottom of the page!

It motivates the author!・:*+.\(( °ω° ))/.:+

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
What a bitch.