A Cheat-like Younger Brother
Tiona Rudolvon, the saint of the Revolutionary. The most important factor in her rise to fame was the distribution of food to the people. The people, who were suffering from a severe famine, saw the imperial family only exploiting them and thus, supported the revolutionary army led by Tiona. Mia was bitter upon reading the report.
“What does this mean, Ludwig? Why does that woman have so much food?”
Mia was left wondering. No matter how vast Outcount Rudolvon’s lands are, he couldn’t be unaffected when the Empire was struck by famine. Even if he had stored wheat, it wouldn’t be enough to share with many people. Ludwig answers Mia’s question with a disdainful sigh.
“You’re a member of the imperial family, but it seems you’re not studying, Your Highness. Were you not aware that a new type of wheat was developed?”
“A new type of wheat?”
“That’s right. It’s a cold-resistant wheat developed by Tiona’s younger brother, Cyril Rudolvon. It seems that even in unreasonable weather, you can get almost the same volume of harvest as normal.”
“I haven’t heard that! It’s my first-time hearing this.”
“… Well, Cyril studied at a research institute in the Principality of Belluga. It was Lady Rafina who sponsored him. So, it may be unavoidable if you don’t know. Still, Lady Rafina seems to be a person of insight. Unlike somebody I know.”
“Gu, Gununu … It’s not fair! Tiona not only have Prince Sion, but also a younger brother who is a prodigy. This is cheating! I want a younger brother who’s a prodigy as well!”
Mia grinded her teeth in anger and frustration over fate’s favouritism.
Such a memory surfaced in Mia’s mind.
“Genius child, Cyril Rudolvon … a cheat-like younger brother …”
“Mia-sama? What’s wrong?”
Mia looked up from the letter she was reading.
“I wish to write a reply quickly. Anne, can you prepare my writing materials?”
There was s sharpness in Mia’s gaze. Anne recognized that gaze. It is no longer Mia the bed-all-day-belly-scratcher, this is now again Mia the Wisdom of the Empire
“Oh, and contact Ludwig. I’m going to need a little money.”
“Yes, I got it”
At the direction of Mia, Anne immediately started to move. She first run over to Ludwig to let him know then she prepares parchment, ink and quill. When she returned to the room, she saw Mia sitting on the bed’s edge with a wide grin.
“You seem to be in a good mood, Mia-sama. Did you read something pleasing in the letter?”
“Hmm, that’s right …”
Mia swung her dangling legs happily.
“It’s about Tiona’s younger brother, Cyril, who seems to be very intelligent. But apparently he can’t go to school because of financial difficulties.”
“Oh no…”
Listening to Mia, Anne tilted her head quizzically.
It’s a very pitiful story, but Mia-sama looks very happy.
Mia, who keeps talking, is in such a good mood that she seems to start singing and dancing. Anne always believes that Mia is a paragon of virtue and righteousness. She refuses to believe that Mia is rejoicing because of the misery of others. To confirm her trust in Mia, Anne uses all of her reasoning…
Maybe Mia-sama is happy to be able to help her friends?
The benevolent Mia-sama is after all a saint among saints. She is compassion incarnate. So, she delights when being able to help someone.
I’m sure she’ll do something for Tiona!
Anne, who thought that, soon found out that her reasoning was correct.
“That’s why Tiona asked for me to put a good word to Lady Rafina.”
“Lady Rafina… which means… Oh! She is asking you for help for her brother to study abroad at the Holy Principality of Belluga!”
Mia is also a close friend of Rafina. Besides, the Holy Principality of Belluga is a gathering place for cutting-edge knowledge. It’s one of the best places abroad to study and gain knowledge. It all makes sense to Anne now. Mia is really the kind of saint she knew she is. Anne expected that Mia would write a letter to Rafina…
“Of course, I won’t let that happen.”
Anne froze upon hearing Mia’s words.
“Why Mia-sama?”
“I want him to study hard in this empire. I will take responsibility and make all the proper arrangements.”
Mia’s eyes started gleaming. It wasn’t unreasonable. The quality of education in the empire is not in any way inferior to the Principality. The empire had its benefits of being large and mighty to be able to have a high standard of education. But Anne was skeptical.
Why can’t he go to the Principality of Belluga like Tiona wants, instead of complicating things?
If Tiona’s younger brother, Cyril, was really brilliant wouldn’t it be better to go to a knowledge-rich country like Belluga and raise him there? For Anne, Mia may have made a mistake. This might be because Mia wanted to help Tiona with her own hands.
Anne’s thoughts, however, immediately disappear upon meeting Ludwig. Ludwig not only dispelled Anne’s doubts but even instilled in Anne a renewed sense of awe for the depth and scale of Mia’s wisdom.
So, delusion will meet delusion. Where will these delusions lead these two deluded people? No one knows yet.
