More than anything, there’s no justification.

In any case, the contract signed between Count Baden and Mr. Ernestine is legally valid.

No matter how full of toxic clauses it may be, once both parties have exchanged signatures, a third party cannot intervene.

In other words, Count Baden cannot be punished through legal means.

But, well?

On the contrary, I think this method will be effective precisely because of that.

What method, you ask?

“Oh?”

“What’s the matter, Mr. Ernestine?”

“Well, a person who claims to be my fan sent me a letter, expressing outrage at the news that my script won’t be performed next quarter…”

“Is that true? That the performance won’t happen?”

“Ah, I also just learned that the performance won’t take place. Since I sold the script, what happens afterwards is not under my jurisdiction…”

That’s the downside of a buyout contract.

But still, a contract with no set term that prevents the sponsored party from terminating it is just a scam.

It’s no different from making them a lifelong slave.

“So… they said they gathered other like-minded noble ladies. They plan to send a letter demanding Count Baden to stop sponsoring me…”

Oho, they’re doing well, as expected.

Perhaps at first, the noble ladies raised their voices, saying this unfair sponsorship contract should be invalidated.

But upon consideration, they must have realized it was impossible.

So they had no choice but to use this method.

“During the period of not terminating the contract with me, they will not only refrain from consuming theater performances but also completely cut off interactions with Count Baden… How on earth did this…”

In other words, bleeding someone dry.

If Mr. Ernestine’s side can’t request to terminate the contract, then conversely, they can make Count Baden’s side give up on the contract.

Now, in a situation where Count Baden can’t profit from Mr. Ernestine’s performances, and his connections with other nobles are severed?

‘It’s simpler than I thought.’

In disbelief at the unexpected situation, a dumbfounded Mr. Ernestine blinked his eyes and started opening the other letters.

Naturally, the letters would all have similar content.

And above all, as if they had agreed upon it, they would have put bills inside the envelopes.

It’s more common than one might think for noble ladies to directly send sponsorship money like this to artists they like.

But that’s limited to unknown artists, and for someone like Mr. Ernestine who is expected to generate substantial profits, sending money is considered rude.

‘And now they realized that’s not the case.’

So everyone started contributing the sponsorship money they had been holding back, and in quite large amounts at that.

After checking all the letters and gathering the bills inside, the total amount indeed looked considerable.

To what extent? Let’s just say there’s no need to worry about his wife’s medical expenses for a year.

Mr. Ernestine’s lips curved up so much it seemed they would reach his ears, and his face brightened in an instant.

“Duchess! I think I can pay for my wife’s, my wife’s treatment!”

“That’s truly fortunate.”

“Yes, so please accept this. It’s for the treatment!”

Mr. Ernestine abruptly stood up and held out all those bundles of bills to me. No, all of this?

“I think this is too much.”

“Hohoho, no it’s not. Didn’t you say you would continue to send the attending physician? Please consider this an advance payment. The living expenses for the rest of the family will be sufficiently covered by my earnings as a tutor for the Daiern household.”

Mr. Ernestine, he’s smiling now.

His face, which had dead eyes until just a moment ago, seemed to blossom brightly.

Of course he would be in a good mood now that he can finally treat his wife.

But I didn’t accept the money he offered.

“Count Baden hasn’t informed us yet that he will terminate the contract, right? Until then, you never know what might happen.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

“And I think it would be better to give me the opportunity to sponsor an artist I respect as well.”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that…”

Actually, this is the main point. I smiled deeply and continued.

“I will ensure that your wife’s medical expenses are supported under the Daiern name until she is fully cured.”

Mr. Ernestine’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.

“You could call it an employee welfare, so to speak.”

There’s no need to be that surprised.

To be honest, it’s a bit of a stretch to call it welfare.

Because I’m not doing anything that grand for him.

At most, if someone in the family is sick like this time, I’ll support their treatment, or if they urgently need money, I’ll lend it to them at a low interest rate, or if they’re entangled in a complicated problem, I’ll lend them a bit of the Daiern’s power. That’s about it.

It’s nothing significant for me or the Daiern family, but it seems to be quite helpful for the employees.

Unable to hold back any longer, Mr. Ernestine burst into tears.

“Th-thank you. Duchess. I never really wanted this… Sob!”

Then, as if realizing something strange, he looked up at me.

“B-but, excuse me, since when have you been preparing for this…”

It seems he finally noticed the timing doesn’t match. No need to worry. I have prepared words for this.

“Actually, the children are very fond of you, Mr. Ernestine, so I too have been looking for a way to repay you.”

“Ah! The young masters and lady…!”

The emotion is evident on his face.

But it’s not a lie. In fact, the children, especially Chersion, quite liked the two teachers.

Yes, the two teachers.

I have another person besides Mr. Ernestine for whom I need to pay attention to their welfare.

“And in the same vein…”

My gaze turned to Mr. Gepet.

Mr. Gepet, who had been wearing a blank expression, straightened his back with a start when my gaze fell upon him.

“Mr. Gepet, you must also have something you need help with. Please tell me.”

When Countess Baden is not in this house, that is.

“Ohoho. As expected, going outside makes me feel a bit more alive.”

Countess Baden’s steps were light as she returned home after taking a two-day vacation.

Ah, of course she had no intention of going straight home.

What kind of vacation was this? What kind of free outing was this!

Naturally, she had one free day out of the week.

But that one day didn’t mean she could have personal time like other governesses.

A chaperone is closer to a nanny or governess rather than a governess.

While a governess teaches academics to the children, a chaperone teaches daily etiquette and character.

So at any time, the chaperone must spend time accompanying the young lady.

Even free time is merely free time spent with the noble girl.

‘That’s why I said I really didn’t want to do it.’

Yes, to be honest, Countess Baden didn’t particularly want to be a chaperone.

Isn’t it natural? A noble lady’s daily life is busy enough just enjoying social gatherings every day.

‘But to live like a maid for 2 years, not even 1 year, next to a girl about to have her debut!’

Telling a noble lady to give up balls and tea parties was like telling her to live like a nun in a convent.

Especially for the vain Countess Baden, there was no way she could endure such a life.

So from the beginning, it was Countess Baden who suggested finding someone else suitable to be the noble girl’s chaperone.

However, her husband, Count Wilhelm York Baden, insisted.

It had to be her, not someone else, who became Euphemina’s chaperone.

The reason was so that Lieselotte couldn’t refuse the chaperone proposal.

Of course, Countess Baden opposed her husband’s decision.

She even had a big fight with him, threatening that she would never do such a thing.

From her perspective, putting aside living like in a convent, what she disliked the most was being told to enter the Duchy of Daiern of all places.

The Duchess of Daiern! That woman irked her the most.

‘It’s already annoying enough that every time I go to a social gathering, there are people overflowing asking to stand in line with that woman.’

Well, honestly, she does have a pretty face.

Her figure is also such that even another woman can’t help but take a glance.

As for being smart… having spent time together, I’ll admit she’s quite capable, but.

‘Even so, people are all the same in the end.’

Nevertheless, nobles, both men and women, went out of their way to get on that woman’s good side.

Countess Baden thought this was all simply because she was a duchess.

That’s why she had no choice but to eventually give in to Count Baden’s persuasion.

〈If you succeed in this, you can be called a duchess, but you’re going to give up just because you can’t endure those mere 2 years?〉

Yes, 2 years…

Let’s just endure for 2 years.

‘But before that, I’ll have some new clothes tailored today.’

Since she was allowed to go out, she planned to have new clothes, a new hat, shoes, fan, and so on tailored today.

If not now, who knows when the opportunity will come again!

Her carriage naturally headed towards the boutique street instead of home.