✔DROP!! A TALE OF THE FRAGRANCE PRINCESS

Volume 4, Act 37: Apprentice Teacher, Ojou-sama Part 3

After returning to the royal capital, they separated from the Witch as usual, and Cordelia asked Gille and Vernoux.

Do you have a little time now?

What is it?

Id like to talk to you two about something.

Time is time. If its short, then it should be fine.

Vernoux answered, and Gille nodded.

Then, Ill just talk about one thing. A route to carry books to villages and lend them out I would like to build a mobile library. Would you help me?

Hah?

Mobile library?

Vernoux and Gille replied respectively, and Cordelia nodded.

Yes. It would be smaller than a rental bookshop, which also operates as a store, but there are only a few ways the villages could obtain books. If possible, I would also like to arrange a teacher who could answer the childrens questions about the books.

Could you tell me a little bit more?

Gille urged, and Cordelia continued.

The children at Oulu Village know the bare essentials of reading and writing, but all the books at the poorhouse are old, and its hard for them to obtain new ones. But some children want to learn. So, I want to create an environment where they could rent new books for free or even at the lowest price. It would be ideal if they could go around to each of the villages like with the coaches.

In short, it wont be limited to that poorhouse?

Thats right. If possible, I want the library to go around several villages regularly to lend out books. This support will be provided to remote areas, as well, and is not limited to the poorhouse.

Gille nodded at Cordelias reply.

If the villages are around the royal capital, then the children should have been taught the bare essentials of reading and writing, even if theyre from mountain villages. But they dont have many opportunities to practice it, so they would probably be happy about this.

Vernoux still had his arms crossed as he said, Oh, so its like that?

If we support the villages and not just the poorhouse, then it would be easier for them to use it, even if theyre refusing support. But how will you procure the books and carriages?

Its difficult to say that we could manage the carriages and get new books at any time, no matter how much money we have. Therefore, I would like to think of it as a continuous project, and if possible, I would like to create an organisation to gather supporters and obtain funds and opinions from them every year. If we do that, then it would be different from doing it alone. We could collect peoples opinions and reduce bias.

So thats why you wanted to talk to us?

Yes. However, I havent calculated the initial costs or how much budget this project would require per year. Its just will you help me if I have a proper plan in place?

Cordelia asked, and Vernoux put his hand on his chin to think.

You could probably gather enough funds if you ask people if they want to do welfare work. If its not an absurd amount, then the pride of nobles wont allow them to say, 『How come that Houses child is participating but not mine?』. It would be easy to accomplish if we use the Flantheim and Pameradia name. I dont mind helping if you have a solid plan in place.

Thank you very much.

Also yes. Some merchants in the royal capital want to make big donations to gain fame. Of course, they probably expect to get the chance to associate with nobles If you can use them well, then youll also have enough money to hire some founding staff.