Contract with Marcus
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I put away the potion vial on the table into my pouch and invited Marcus to the fields.
“This is the field of materials I made. I used alchemy to turn the soil into good soil. You can try using ‘Appraisal’ to see the quality of the materials planted here,” I suggested to Marcus as I stopped at one section of the fields.
“Eh, you’re using such good materials to create potions? Rather, Ojou-sama created a field?”
Marcus appraised the various materials and was surprised by each one.
“Most of the alchemists I’ve apprenticed with made their products using withered materials sold in ordinary stores.”
‘Wow! I want to try making potions with these extravagant healing herbs!’ he murmured while as he enviously gazed at the fields.
I feel like it’s about time to solicit him.
“Well, why don’t you come work for me?” I suggested to Marcus, who was in a daze due to the field.
“If I do, can I learn how to make good-quality potions instead of inferior ones?”
Marcus’s face brightened up.
“But can Daisy even hire me?”
Well, that question would come up for sure if you’re a six-year-old.
“Yes, I have the money to employ you due to delivering potions to the country’s army. But… your parents would be worried if you told them your employer was a six-year-old is my employer, wouldn’t they…”
While I was troubled, the entrance suddenly became bustling. I wondered what was going on, but it turned out that Father happened to be working in the morning only today and came home. Let’s consult Father and Mother!
I took Marcus with me and hurried to Father and Mother.
◆
I told Father and Mother what had happened so far.
“So, Daisy wants to hire the boy next to you, Marcus, but you’re concerned about his parents worrying if he signs a contract with a child, right?”
Father confirmed as we sat on the sofa in the guest room.
“Certainly, the conclusion Daisy came to is correct,” Mother nodded.
“Sebas, is there a vacant servant room?” Father checked with Sebastian, the butler who was waiting on Father by his side. 1
…I was in such a hurry that I didn’t even think of that!
“Yes, there are still vacant rooms. There is a room that has not been used in a while, so if given a day or two, I believe that everything will be prepared.”
“Marcus-kun, are you going to live here? Also, although your job will be to help Daisy, I will be your employer, is that okay?”
Marcus looked nervous in front of the two noble adults, but Father smiled gently and checked with him.
“Yes, thank you very much!” Marcus bowed his head vigorously.
“Well then, I’ll make a legitimate contract for you later. By the way, Marcus-kun, how come you’re already working at your age? Is there something going on at home?”
In our nation, it is not uncommon for a commoner’s children to work, but many families have their own reasons for doing so. Father seemed to be worried about it and at the same time wanted to check.
“My father died in an accident two years ago, so it’s just my mother. However, she’s too sick to work. I have a younger brother and sister, so I have to work. I need to earn money quickly for her medicine fees…” Marcus spoke about his family situation with a somber look on his face.
“Is your mother’s illness serious?” Father asked with a worried look on his face.
“The doctor said it’s a disease that can only be cured by high potions or a high heal from the church. That’s why I have to earn the money…”
Hearing this, Father stroked his chin for a moment and thought about it.
“Daisy, are there any high potions in the house right now?”
“Yes,” I nodded immediately.
“Marcus-kun, why don’t we do this? First, we’ll use Daisy’s High Potion to cure your mother’s illness. Then, since you won’t be able to pay for it yet, how about you pay for it later in installments from your monthly salary? It’ll be in small enough increments that it won’t affect your life.”
Father put his chin on top of his crossed hands and looked into Marcus’ face.
“You’re going to pay me such a large sum of money even though we just met… are you sure you can trust me?”
Marcus looked like he couldn’t believe it.
“After all, you’ve been apprenticed at an alchemist’s store for some time now, haven’t you? If you wanted to steal a high potion, you could have stolen it. However, you resisted the temptation and worked diligently, didn’t you?”
Father’s face was serious.
“Father. Marcus doesn’t have larceny attached to his Reward and Punishment.”
I also wanted to help Marcus’s mother, so I insisted that there was nothing wrong with Marcus’s personality.
Father nodded in agreement.
“Well then, shall we draft a contract that includes that?”
Father moved to his office for a moment.
Marcus was so touched by Father’s arrangements, as well as delighted to be able to cure his mother’s illness, that he hid his face in his arms and cried for a while.
◆
After that, Father came back to the room with a written contract including the repayment.
Then, Father gave him the details and conditions of the contract.
It seems like the amount of the contract was the amount of a normal servant’s contract in our mansion, reduced for a child, but it was better pay than any other place he had ever worked so far and he was grateful for that.
“All right, we will have your room cleaned up by the day after tomorrow, so you can come to the house the day after tomorrow morning when the first church bell rings. Also, bring back this contract with your signature here and your mother’s signature there.”
Then, Marcus then brought the contract and high potion home.
◆
“Father, I will pay for Marcus’s wages, ” I declared to Father after Marcus had left.
“No, it’s the parent’s duty to pay the necessary expenses for their children, Daisy. Besides, I consider these sorts of things to be an investment in the child’s future. You don’t have to worry about it. Also, I’ll add the money for today’s potion to the money that I’m looking after for you,” Father said, then patted my head and went back to his own room.
◆
The morning two days later, Marcus came to me and happily reported that my high potion had cured his mother’s illness and thanked me!
