Chapter 338:

Chapter 338:

TL: Etude

“What? You’re going to Crystal Shine?”

Paul was taken aback. He had just settled into his office when the education director, Betty, came with an unexpected request — a visit to Crystal Shine to see family.

“Uh... Yes, Paul.”

Eileen’s tone was tentative, and she seemed a bit embarrassed. “I know the work here is... quite important, but I still need to make a trip to Crystal Shine.”

Paul asked, “Is it because of that letter from Crystal Shine? Did your relatives in the capital ask you to come?”

Eileen nodded gently.

“Alright, then. How long will it take, including the travel and the time spent with your relatives?”

“This is...”

Eileen hesitated, uncertain if she would be able to leave Crystal Shine once she arrived. Even if she could escape, her own feelings were complicated. Initially, she had left home to evade her father’s coercive arrangements, and if her mother hadn’t deceived her, the reasons for her departure no longer existed. She had only planned to ‘temporarily reside’ in the Northwest Bay to begin with.

Although she enjoyed her ‘career’ here...

“About a month and a half,” she said offhand. She couldn’t yet reveal her true intentions to the count; what if he refused to let her go?

“Okay, I’ll grant you a month and a half of leave. Oh, I’ll really miss your presence. With the large expanse of land we’ve acquired in Emden, I have plans to build several new schools. We need to quickly instill... ahem, cultivate the right values in the next generation of Emden.”

With Miss Betty away, those plans would have to be delayed.

“So, Paul... In my absence, I recommend Ladi to take over my duties.”

Eileen was reluctant to abandon her ‘civilization’ mission in Northwest Bay. A year and a half ago, she saw it as a place of illiteracy and ignorance, with only one poorly-established school in the whole of Alda. Now, it was a blooming haven of education. Eileen credited herself with much of this progress and was deeply committed to expanding these achievements.

Although she was leaving, she wanted to ensure the continuation of this mission, so she chose Ladi Sertia, the person she trusted the most.

“I accept your recommendation, as you two are the most educated in my domain.”

Hearing a new term, Eileen asked curiously, “Educational background? What’s that?”

Paul shrugged. “It’s a person’s level of education. Aren’t you and Ladi both bona fide scholars? Oh, and you studied at the Scholar’s Tower, too.”

“That’s true.” Paul’s words filled Eileen with a sense of pride, quickly replaced by guilt. Should she confess to him? I... might not return.

“Any difficulties? Oh... I mean, do you anticipate any troubles on the way?”

Eileen shook her head.

“Alright,” Paul nodded. “Think it over before you leave, and if you need any help, just let me know.”

Eileen bowed her head, “Thank you.”

Paul smiled, “I believe what you said. Your position will be held by someone else, but I’ll keep it for you. Relax and enjoy your trip to Crystal Shine.”

“Okay...” Eileen’s face reddened suddenly, a rush of indescribable feelings welling up inside her.

“Thank you.” With that, she left without looking back.

...

Three days later, Paul and Ladi bid farewell to Eileen and Leah. They arranged a carriage to take them to Port Fran, from where they would take a merchant ship south.

After waving goodbye, Eileen looked back at the receding Lakeheart Town, and at Paul and Ladi still watching them. A sense of reluctance surged in her heart.

Was it about her work? She had already handed over her duties, and Ladi was fully capable of handling them. If she didn’t return for a long time, Paul would probably assign the position to Ladi permanently.

Was it her friendship with Ladi Sertia? Indeed, aside from her guard Leah, Ladi was her closest confidant in the area. The sudden departure was hard, but they could keep in touch through letters, and Ladi could find her using the address she’d given, though a real meeting would be surprising.

What else could it be?

Yes, there must be something more.

As the carriage moved out of sight, Ladi asked Paul, “Aren’t you going to persuade her to stay?”

“Persuade? What do you mean? She’s just taking a month and a half off to visit relatives in the capital!”

Ladi’s comment brought Paul’s worries to the surface, unsettling him, but he didn’t want to dwell on it.

Ladi frowned, “I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Enough!” Paul cut her off. “Betty is not my slave. What right do I have to stop her from visiting her family?”

“Alright, I hope my worries are unfounded.”

Ladi fell silent. After all, Eileen, a runaway, had come to the Northwest Bay in an unconventional way. Perhaps... it was inevitable... that she would return to where she truly belonged.