Chapter 38 (1/2)

Translator: Jawbrie

A woman getting married meant settling down in a house.

It would become their duty to manage said house. Any thoughts of advancing in society would become nothing more than a dream. Within this space, women would only be able to operate within a small space with other women, they will have no opportunity to change this society that favored men so much. In order for women to become independent and achieve positions in society, it is necessary for more doors to be opened that allowed them to work in broader fields. In this way, Mariwa says that she is a pioneer. Expressing with herself how a single woman might live.

“I see, I see. Mariwa.”

I nodded after she had said all of this to us.

To be quite honest, this had nothing to do with me. I had already been engaged to Charles two years ago, and if I did not marry, then our most esteemed Noir line would end. And Mariwa’s ‘woman can do just fine without marriage’ theory had no importance or necessity for me, if anything, it was a threat.

And so all of this was not directly related to me. This was true without question, but…

“In other words, if put into practice, does this mean that there is no reason for Mishuli to get married?”

“That’s a very shrewd observation, my lady. It is exactly as you say.”

“Oh, good! In that case, as a child of the house of Noir, I will use all of my influence to make this theory spread throughout all of high society-”

“Are you being brainwashed!?”

“—Ha!”

Leon shook my shoulder and I returned to myself.

“Leon…?”

“Uh, that’s right. Leon Nardo. Are you alright, Christina?”

“Of-of course I am. I am not so hopeless a wreck as to need your concern… I mean, have I even done anything deserving of concern-”

“But, ever since Miss Mariwa started to talk, you’ve looked stranger and stranger. In the end, your eyes were like off in a different world, you know?”

“Th, that’s a lie. A genius like me would never…no. I, what was I was saying just now…?”

I recalled my own words as a cold sweat ran down my forehead. It was only yesterday that I had declared that I would become independent of my sister. But then a theory had presented itself that justified Mishuli not getting married, and I had nearly jumped on it.

No, while it was true that this bait had been dangled before me, this theory was most strange.

If Mariwa’s radical beliefs were to be known and popularized, it was likely to cause such a social phenomenon as an increase in demand for jobs and lowered birth rate. It was a most heinous theory…! In the first place, if noble women decided to become independent and walk their own paths, it would destroy long-running traditions. Regardless if I was a noble and heir, this sort of thing could cut me off from my family. And yet, in spite of all my pride as the eldest daughter of House Noir, I had been about to accept this theory-

“Tsk.”

“-Mariwa. Did you just tsk,right now?”

“No?”

Her expression was as serious as her back was straight, it was not the appearance of someone who could commit an act so unbecoming of a woman of the upper class.

Perhaps, I had just imagined it. I good-naturedly admit my own mistake.

“But now that I think of it, it is quite unusual for you to speak of your own views.”

“When I am acting as your private teacher, my job is to educate. It is not acceptable for a teacher to bring their own opinions in as part of a students education. Education is about creating the foundation for thought. It would be nothing short of brainwashing to dye such a pure student into your own colors.”

She was right. That made sense. I was quite satisfied with this answer, but Leon was looking at Mariwa with a most horrified expression.

“Um, what about what you were just…?”

“This is a private conversation.”