Aron, Rina, and Jai were having a conversation in a room filled with toys, play mats, and small desks. Three of its walls were decorated with childrens’ art in bright primary colors and shapes, and a digital display adorned one wall. The sound of children at play drifted in from the windows.
“We’ve established a presence in every city in the world after finishing the last round of renovations. We’re still negotiating with noncitizens to purchase land from them so we can build our own schools, but that’s taking more time than we initially expected.
“We may actually have to continue using the renovated buildings until the completion of the fortress cities, since we’re now responsible for a little under a hundred million orphaned children around the world and the locals are putting up stumbling blocks in our acquisition negotiations,” Jai said, his tone a mixture of satisfaction and frustration.
The total number of children being looked after by the Coeus Foundation made them the world’s largest privately owned orphanage, which was something Jai was definitely proud of. In his care was more than 95% of the world’s orphans under the age of 18. And over the past years the foundation had been operating, the number was even higher and the “Hope Alumni” had already begun contributing their share to the good work being done.
“How much are we spending every year for the entire House of Hope program?” Aron asked.
“Due to the stringent requirements for quality that you specifically demand, everything comes to around a hundred billion END monthly, or 1.2 trillion END yearly, give or take. Sometimes less, sometimes more... it really depends on one-time expenses like large purchases or construction, which we always use local contractors for.
“The 1.2 trillion figure only accounts for regular costs, like building maintenance and groundskeeping, the salaries of matrons, teachers, and healthcare professionals, ensuring the security of our campuses, and food, among other things.”
At first, Jai had been somewhat overwhelmed by the large numbers he was working with as a part of the Coeus Foundation. After all, he may have been born wealthy, but he had never handled this much money before. He had soon worked through his mental block, however, which was a good thing; after all, that 1.2 trillion was merely one of the projects his foundation was responsible for!
“If it’s just that much, there’s no problem with your spend. Don’t skimp on things in order to remain below your budget—you only need to report for the House of Hope program if your spending crosses the two trillion threshold. Over that, I’ll need an audit report on the books, but under that...” Aron waved his hand, “consider it petty cash.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Jai said, surprised. He’d been worried that Aron might be upset over the spending and had been prepared to put up a fight to keep the funding available, so the actual nonchalance in the emperor’s response left him feeling like all of his preparation time would have been better spent feeding dogs.
“So let’s begin the tour,” Jai said as he stood and respectfully gestured to the door of the classroom the group was in.
Rina’s face was full of excitement as she couldn’t wait any longer to go spend time with the children. And as for Henry, he hadn’t been there to begin with; his was one of the laughing voices drifting through the window from the playground outside.
……
Five hours later.
“Until we meet again, Your Majesty,” Jai said as he and a few of the workers bid Aron farewell. Henry had exhausted himself and was asleep, piggybacking on Aron and drooling on his shoulder after four hours straight of playing with his new friends.
“I enjoyed the visit, and it seems like Prince Henry did as well. So we’ll most likely be visiting again in the future—or at least Prince Henry will,” Aron replied as he shifted Henry’s position to limit the drool somewhat. Rina seemed to have also greatly enjoyed her time at the House of Hope as well, given the brilliant smile on her face every time Aron had laid eyes on her.
“You’re welcome any time, Your Majesty,” Jai said with sincerity in his voice, then turned to Rina. “Your Highnesses are welcome as well, the children really enjoyed having you here.”
“We’ll keep that in mind, Mr. Chakrabarti,” Aron said, then boarded his waiting helicopter, which immediately left.
“You look tired too,” Aron said to Rina as he laid his little brother in a reclined seat and strapped him in. “You should take a nap.”
“I will, in a little bit. First, though, I have to admit that I’m rather curious about the House of Hope project and have a few questions.”
“Ask away.”
“I know you hate people living disadvantaged lives when they don’t have to, so that’s probably the main reason you’re spending all this money to raise orphans. But I can’t help but wonder if you have any ulterior motives as well, so... do you?” she bluntly asked. Why should she let questions eat her from the inside when she knows that Aron would always give honest answers to any question she asks him. He would also never judge her, either, a luxury she greatly appreciated after having been brought up in an old money family where judgment was the only constant.
Aron smiled and answered, “Yes, there’s a plan, though bringing it to fruition is contingent on a specific change in Earth’s recent circumstances.”
“So spill it, mister—what’s that devious mind of yours plotting?” she asked, curiosity having fully replaced fatigue in her mind.
Instead of answering her outright, Aron simply asked, “What’s the age limit of the people in the program?”
“From birth to eighteen, just like any other... orphanage....” Rina’s eyes bulged as she realized Aron’s plan from the question he posed to her. “Are you planning what I think you’re planning?”
Aron simply smiled and pulled her head over to rest on his shoulder.
