Chapter 159: Ones Pursuing Fairness

Chapter 159: Ones Pursuing Fairness

"How can there be something this stupid? What does this have to do with doing the job well?" Phoebe, her face flushed in anger, argued. "Isn't it just about getting those townsfolk to work and then paying them? As long as you can read and do arithmetic math, that's enough. What's the need, like you said, to understand whether others are in pain or not? And who's there to understand my pain?"

"Calm down, Phoebe. Are you seeking an answer or just venting your emotions? If you don't care about the real issue and just want to shout, then get out." Mia's tone hardened.

Phoebe knew how much Lord Rex valued Mia and that the undead respected her too. She didn't dare truly anger the woman before her and tried to control her rage. "Okay, miss, I swear I just want an answer, one that can convince everyone.

"The others and I can read but can't become clerks. We really don't understand why we can only stay in the shelter, do monotonous work, constantly wash clothes and potatoes It's really unfair!"

Mia's expression softened as she mulled for a bit before asking, "Phoebe, is it fairness that you care about?"

"Yes!" Phoebe asserted.

"But I don't see you showing much concern for fairness in your daily behavior," Mia pointed out. "Even excluding today's incident, there have been a number of people you've humiliated. I've heard you mock others as 'old women' or 'freaks' more than once."

Phoebe's face flushed red again as she said in exasperation, "So, that's it? I was targeted because others are jealous of me? How disgusting!"

"You see, Phoebe, you instinctively think you're envied by those you look down on. You care too much about your attributes of beauty and youth, even refusing to acknowledge others' merits." Mia sighed. "Phoebe, I want you to understand something. Injustice always exists, just as you were born beautiful and others find it hard to be as charming as you. But those who claim injustice must first must start with themselves and deny all forms of unfairness.

"If you believe you are younger and more beautiful and should thus receive more advantages and respect, entitling you to look down on others, then when the criteria for judging a person's value isn't youth or beauty but kindness and empathy, you, who have a poor character, should accept the 'injustice' meted out to you. Why would you have any grounds to be resentful? Mia reasoned.

"If fairness truly exists, if it's something everyone should strive for, how can it only exist when you need it and disappear when you don't? Isn't that unreasonable?"

It seemed as Phoebe's fiery anger was quelled by a bucket of cold water splashing over her, and she rapidly paled.

Mia was sharp in her words, yet her tone wasn't not harsh. People were visual creatures, and Mia was no exception. Mia was more than willing to appreciate Phoebe's pleasing beauty when she didn't cross any lines.

Gently, Mia continued, "I'm from the Duchy of Shiga. In my homeland, only women of a noble family can come out to work like men, and ordinary daughters have no chance of prominence. I've heard it's similar in the Rhine Kingdom. Have you ever wondered, Phoebe, why Lord Rex, Mr. Yang, and Mayor Ji insist on including women in the town hall?"

Phoebe looked up in shock at Mia. She had never considered this question She was consumed by the widening gap between herself and those she once scorned, like Sibyl.

But was that truly fairness?

The exquisite, expensive meals she enjoyed while pleasing her clients were just their regular meals. The beautiful dresses she received in exchange for her body were discarded by noble ladies after a single wear.

She had overheard clients discussing how a noble daughter inherited an estate, how a lady's wealth made counts propose, or how a thrice-married woman remained highly sought after

These women, whom she deemed less beautiful than herself, were born into positions and wealth she could never dream of attaining.

Phoebe had entertained clients who, in her eyes, were more despicable than street shoe shiners, as repulsive as swine. Before them, she always had to maintain utmost subservience; a single disdainful glance could enrage these powerful patrons who could easily crush her life.

Was this truly fairness?

Her face grew paler, and her body trembled slightly. Phoebe felt the acute sting of realization.

Someone noticed her distress and whispered, "What's happened? Who upset our Miss Phoebe this time?"

These sarcastic remarks, which Phoebe usually interpreted as jealousy and took pride in, now pierced her heart like needles.

Who was she to be called "Miss"?

In a sudden motion, Phoebe turned and fled.

Mia was surprised by Phoebe's return. Seeing the usually proud young woman in tears, Mia was taken aback and quickly pulled her into the room, closing the door to shield them from curious eyes in the hallway. "What happened, Phoebe? Did I go too far?"

"Mia, is fairness real? Can it truly be pursued?" Phoebe, tears streaming down her face, clutched at Mia's arm. "Can someone like me can I also attain fairness?"

From the day she took charge of resettling the mistreated of Main Street, Mia had seen too many such breakdowns. The red-light district, a paradise for pleasure-seekers, was a living hell for those providing the "pleasures."

Redressing Phoebe's tears with a handkerchief and holding her hand gently, Mia said softly, "Yes, there is fairness in this world. It's just that too many people refuse to acknowledge it, wanting only to hoard all the benefits for themselves. That's why fairness is so rare and injustice so rampant.

"We're striving to change Weisshem's atmosphere to create a place where everyone can be assured of at least the minimum fairness."