VFAI 10

Chapter 10

Ferdia-Style Financial Education

August 4, 2022

Whew.

After letting out a quiet sigh, I finally spoke.

“Then I’ll go with Carlotte.”

The reason was simple.

Compared to Yansi—whose thoughts were impossible to read—Carlotte was much more transparent and easier to handle.

Though, to be fair, it was like choosing the lesser evil between two evils.

“Very well. I’ll inform Carlotte.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Do you need anything else?”

“I’m fine.”

Fine, my foot. There was something I desperately needed—to get rid of that useless guard!

But judging by his attitude, there was no way he’d grant that, so I had no choice but to back down.

“I heard from the butler that you haven’t been purchasing anything lately.”

“Ah, that’s…”

I used to summon dressmakers and merchants to the annex almost every day, buying all kinds of dresses and goods.

But ever since I regained memories of my past life, I stopped all of that.

Back when I thought of myself as a true member of the Ferdia family, I had no problem spending money freely.

But now, things were different.

Even the things I owned weren’t truly mine, and the money I used wasn’t mine either.

So how could I possibly spend the family’s wealth recklessly?

“Spending too much money isn’t a good thing. I’m trying to cut back.”

“Why?”

“…Pardon?”

“What do you think Ferdia is?”

…What?

Why was I being interrogated for saying I’d spend less?

Frozen in confusion, I couldn’t answer. The duke let out a faint sigh.

“We are not such a petty house that we cannot afford even your dresses.”

“That’s not what I meant—”

“I’ll instruct the butler to allocate an additional 100,000 larit per month to you, Elodie.”

“100,000 larit?!”

100,000 larit.

If 1 larit was worth about 2,000 won, then 100,000 larit meant… a staggering 200 million won.

Even now, I could spend money like water—yet he was adding more?

‘No matter how wealthy Ferdia is… do they not believe in financial education?’

Won’t your daughter turn into a spendthrift?

Looking at my shocked expression, the duke asked a terrifying question.

“Is it not enough?”

“No, no! It’s enough!”

If I wasn’t careful, he might increase it even more.

No matter how much I spent, every coin would be tracked by him anyway—so increasing the amount was pointless.

“Then stop having useless thoughts and buy whatever you want. I receive a report from the butler every month, so keep that in mind.”

“….”

A report too.

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

Being told to spend more money when trying to be frugal—

…was this what they called ‘Ferdia-style financial education’?

Feeling completely drained, I stood up weakly.

“I’m sorry for disturbing you while you’re busy. I’ll take my leave now…”

Since there seemed to be nothing more to discuss, I greeted him and left. The duke gave a slight nod.

The moment I stepped out of the bedroom, a sigh of relief escaped me.

“Haa…”

Just being out of the same space as him made it feel like I could finally breathe again.

After meeting the duchess—and unexpectedly running into the duke—I returned to the annex utterly exhausted.

Masa, who had been pacing in front of my bedroom, widened her eyes upon seeing me.

“My lady, why are you so late? You’re alive, right?”

“That sounded a bit ominous, Masa?”

“No way! I was so worried. I’ve been anxiously waiting!”

She hurriedly checked me over from head to toe before finally relaxing once she confirmed I wasn’t injured.

It seemed she had been quite worried about me meeting the duchess alone.

‘Honestly, the duke was scarier than the duchess.’

In fact, I felt like I could communicate better with the duchess now. Not long ago, I couldn’t even face her and would avoid her entirely.

Of course, I didn’t forget my situation.

She was only treating me well because my abilities were useful—not because she liked me.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have looked at me like an object when I was crying.

But from her perspective, that was only natural.

I was an illegitimate child.

So I should just stay like this—quietly, without drawing attention—until I leave.

Reaffirming my resolve, I poured out the contents of the pouch I had carefully brought with me onto the carpet.

Clink—

Shiny gold coins spilled out.

“What is all this?”

Masa looked back and forth between the money and me in shock.

“What do you mean? It’s money.”

“I can see that. I have eyes, you know.”

She was clearly curious about where it came from, but I pretended not to notice and plopped down on the carpet.

“One, two, three… ten!”

Ten gold coins, each worth 1,000 larit.

That meant a total of 10,000 larit.

Even after hearing about 100,000 larit per month just moments ago, this money felt far more real in my hands.

And I was moved.

“Money…!”

I had earned money.

Personal funds that couldn’t be traced by the family even if I used them.

The very first thing I did with this precious money was hand 2,000 larit to Masa.

“Huh? This is for me?”

“Yeah. You got me the poison earlier. Consider it a reward.”

“It was just my duty, but… I’ll gratefully accept it!”

Since it was equivalent to several months’ wages, Masa beamed as she pocketed the coins.

I liked how materialistic she was.

Much better than someone who pretends loyalty but betrays you for money later.

As long as I rewarded her properly, she would stay on my side.

She wouldn’t betray me in the first place.

Even so, although I had earned a decent amount, it wasn’t nearly enough to buy a house.

I could make more by selling antidotes, but that would take time.

Just then, Masa handed me something.

“This is the investment flyer from the Mage Tower that you asked for.”

“Thanks, Masa.”

It contained investment information I had asked her to gather.

Since it was issued by the Mage Tower, it was reliable.

Risky, but nothing beat investment when it came to making money quickly.

‘I should visit the Mage Tower soon… but what do I do about Carlotte?’

As I quietly thought while putting my precious money back into the pouch, Masa stared at me.

“Come to think of it, my lady… you’ve been acting strange lately.”

“Huh?”

My heart skipped a beat.

I thought there was no way she’d notice—I was still me, just with memories of my past life.

But perhaps not.

Since she was always by my side, she might have picked up on something.

I tensed up and waited nervously.

“My lady… could it be…”

Her gaze sharpened.

“You’ve matured?”

My strength instantly drained.

…Of course. That’s so like Masa.

Right now, I had two pressing problems.

First: the “homework” of spending 100,000 larit every month.

Second: asking the unbelievably annoying Carlotte Ferdia to accompany me outside.

The first problem was relatively easy.

I could just sweep through the boutiques and jewelry shops on Twanet Street like I used to.

‘But the guilt would be mine to bear.’

Now that I remembered my past life as someone who hesitated over even small expenses, I couldn’t fully return to my old self.

My sense of money had completely changed.

‘I am Elodie. The extravagant Elodie Ferdia. Illegitimate daughter of the Ferdia house. 100,000 larit? Ha! Easy. I’ll spend it in no time…!’

I hypnotized myself as I adjusted my parasol.

My stamina wasn’t great, so I needed it to avoid collapsing under the summer sun.

Soon, I arrived at the entrance of the training grounds.

Clang! Clang!

The sound of weapons clashing echoed loudly.

The reason I came here so early—

‘Carlotte is usually here.’

I had come to pick up my “precious” guard.

It had been several days since the duke assigned him to me, but I hadn’t run into Carlotte once.

I’d been busy making antidotes in the annex.

Naturally, I expected him to come storming in anger after hearing the news—but nothing happened.

‘Did he not hear about it?’

Either way, since he didn’t come to me, I had to go to him.

‘I have to go out today.’

With renewed determination, I stepped inside.

Clang! Clang!

The sounds grew sharper.

“Where is that idiot Carlotte…?”

I muttered as I scanned the area.

The knights were too busy training to notice me—

Then suddenly—

“Eek!”

A knight screamed, and instantly everyone turned to look at me.

Including Carlotte.

I waved at him cheerfully.

“Hi, Carl. Good morning.”

“What the hell? Why are you here?”

He frowned, wiping sweat with a towel as he walked toward me.

No point wasting time—I got straight to the point.

“You heard from Father, right?”

“Heard what?”

“You. My guard.”

I grinned.

“……!”

Clang.

He dropped his sword.

“That… that wasn’t a joke?!”

He had heard—but clearly chose to believe what he wanted.

Since I hadn’t come looking for him, he must have assumed it wasn’t serious.

But regardless of his thoughts, I needed him.

“Anyway, I’m going out today. Come with me, Carl. I’m busy.”

“W-Why should I?!”

“Oh? Then I’ll go tell Father. That’s fine, right?”

“Go ahead!”

He shouted angrily.

Normally, I would’ve argued back—but that would only create a scene and give him an excuse to get out of it.

So instead, I simply smiled and turned around.

“Alright then. Train hard.”

As I headed straight toward the duke’s office, Carlotte quickly ran ahead and blocked my path.

“Just try telling him. I won’t let you off.”

He lowered his voice threateningly—but it wasn’t scary at all.

More like an angry cat growling.

With the duke’s authority behind me, I had the upper hand.

I smiled brightly, teasing him.

“So? Are you coming?”

“I-I’ll go!”

He shouted again, picked up his sword, and glared at me.

“Wait here. I’ll wash up and change!”

Honestly, what a temper.

“Be quick.”

I waved again as he stomped off.

“See? So easy to handle…”

What a simple-minded guy.

Choosing Carlotte over Yansi was definitely the right decision.