Pendleton Revolution - Chapter 3.2

It could be said that the situation was better than in the neighboring nation of ‘Mureha,’ where women were not even treated as fellow humans, or the overseas nation of ‘Lebete,’ where women were not eligible to inherit titles; however, women’s rights in this nation, Krembell, were still inadequate. While jobs for women existed in the humanities-related fields, in the fields beyond, the work that women could do were extremely limited.

Andrea thought for a moment before answering carefully.

“I have a ‘Daddy-Long-Legs’, you see.”

“That’s rather unexpected.”

Elena said bluntly. Andrea nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders as though she expected that response. However, Elena had not meant it in the sense that Andrea did not look ‘feminine.’ Elena bit mockingly, “They don’t like to spend money on educating their protégé.”

“Is that so? I thought their patronage was in order for them to spend money.”

“What are you saying? Who becomes a patron for that sort of reason these days? As far as I am aware, there hasn’t been a sponsor of that sort ever since his Highness, the Grand Duke Pendleton. No, since you’re in front of my eyes, let’s say that you’re the only exception.”

Elena scoffed coldly. From those words, Andrea Julinas was struck with a possibility that she, too, might be receiving patronage. She carefully thought it over, but it did not seem like Elena was too opposed to talking about herself or divulging other sensitive information.

Andrea surreptitiously questioned, “You too?”

“Yup.”

As expected, Elena responded refreshingly. She, who had been examining her fingernails, crossed her legs with a single towel covering her underclothes. It seemed she had decided to act comfortably now that the idea of Andie Julinas being a man had dissipated.

“I come from the southern rurals of Rua. My parents are in the Capitol, but it was hard for them to continue their livelihood, so they sent their third daughter to the orphanage. Due to competition, it was hard to depend on an orphanage within the proximity of the Capitol, so after wandering here and there, at the age of five, I settled down in Rua. Though I’ve been accepted into the Academy now, I have a sponsor who has been sponsoring me for three years now. With his help, I was able to find my parents, and it’s been about three years since I moved to the Capitol to live with them……. But he’s a perverted old man who requested for dates with me since I was fifteen.”

“Dates?”

“Yes, dates.”

“Then is there any meaning in being a secret sponsor?”

“My words exactly. But this is the case for others around me who are also being sponsored. I, too, went on a few dates. Since I receive allowances as well as money for my family’s livelihood if I go on dates, it’s not necessarily that bad, but…….”

Elena, puffing smoke from her pipe after placing some tobacco in it, popped a cherry into her mouth with her elegantly manicured fingernails.

“I wanted to study trade or foreign affairs. But apparently that costs too much money, so he said no. In the end, I chose the major that leads to becoming a nursery-class teacher. I thought this would fit me as well because I have so many siblings. At the very least, once I graduate I’ll be able to live a far better life, so I’m rather satisfied with this result as well. You’re very lucky.”

There were a lot of children who were receiving sponsorship even at the Calabastas Orphanage where Andrea grew up. It only followed that Andrea also knew that it was very rare for them to be allowed to study what they wished without limitations. As such, whenever she wrote a letter to her patron, she had written very meticulously, choosing her words carefully with the help of Maria Hellegen’s wisdom. It was her personal wish to not provoke her sponsor, ever.

“I know that I’m lucky,”Andrea Julinas replied calmly. So many things had happened that she’d momentarily forgotten, but her patron was special.

Just from reading their letter, it was easy to discern just how well-mannered her sponsor was. Whoever it was was both sweet-natured and sincere, and quite prudent in every way. It felt as though he put in a lot of thought into every word. He was the kind of master who would have a young servant write his reply letter so that the servant could learn how to read and write. There weren’t many aristocrats who would be willing to do that in the first place.

She thought that it was only right for her to live her entire life being thankful to her patron, even wanting to repay his kindness to her.

“He wasn’t looking for a girl in the first place.”

“No way.”

“No, truly. Considering how he sent me the male uniform, I’m sure he still believes I am male.”

“And it’s not that young boys are to his taste?”

“Be quiet.”

At Andie Julinas’s cold response, Elena smiled refreshingly.

“Well, in any case, let’s each do our best as the ‘Second Jerusha Abbott.’”

Though her choice of words was a bit derogatory, Elena, having shown plenty of goodwill towards Andrea, still extended her finely maintained hands for a shake. Andrea Julinas, too, heartily took hold of Elena’s hand and shook it.

“I’m Zariah. Both my maternal and paternal families manage guilds, and I entered the Academy to receive a better education amidst learning the guild’s work. Since I entered later, there’s a 7 year difference between us, but if you ever need life or love advice, let me know at any time,” the freckled woman who had retrieved a glass of cold water for Alice interjected.

“So you entered the Humanities Department for guild work? Why not the Business Department?”

“I’ve already learned business through administrative work, and will continue to learn it back at the guild, so there’s no need to learn it separately. That’s something that those who want to start a business take. What I want is invaluable information. International affairs, various languages, conversational skills, and logical judgement3. I plan on studying historical studies, mathematics4, and linguistics, so you might not be able to see if often.”

Zariah, her brown hair braided with orange tint, said confidently. For some reason, Andrea found Zariah’s words very chic.

“You’re incredible.”

“Thank you. You’re rather incredible as well, to be able to safely enter the Military Department despite being a commoner and a female.”

Footnotes:

3. Literally, mathematical judgement. Adapted in a way that made sense.

4. Nowadays, when we say “mathematics” we connect it to the STEM field or “sciences”. However, mathematics is actually a branch of philosophy, especially pure mathematics. Pure mathematics often deals with metaphysics and more abstract ideas and thoughts about the physical world. Because it is a way of thinking, it counts as philosophy rather than science. The scientific mathematics we often think of is actually applied mathematics.