Odalisque - Chapter 90

“She’s about your age, Miss Coryda.”

Today, he came to meet Liv, but there was only Coryda in the house.

After repeatedly apologizing that she couldn’t invite him inside because of her sister’s request, Coryda came out and served him tea instead. This resulted in Adolf being treated to tea in the yard.

“Is your daughter also unable to go to school? It must be so boring being home alone. But you can bring her with you. She can just play with me!”

“… She’s in school now. She was sick when she was a little.”

Coryda let out a loud gasp at that.

“Woah, so she’s okay now? Was it the doctor who examined me who treated your daughter?”

“It wasn’t her…”

Finding it difficult to continue with the story of his non-existent daughter, Adolf decided to change the subject. Well, he had been meaning to have a chat with Coryda anyway.

“Speaking of, do you have any thoughts of going to school, Miss Coryda?”

Coryda made a long face at Adolf’s question.

“I can’t go to school.”

Coryda couldn’t go out without her sister. Obviously, school was never an option. Under the circumstances, she would have been praying every day that her health would not deteriorate, much less hope for a complete cure.

Even though he could have guessed it, Adolf pretended to not know and continued.

“You know, when you get healthy. Dr. Gertrude is an expert, and soon she’ll make you healthy. So why don’t you start thinking about it now?”

“… When I get healthy?”

Coryda, her eyes wide open, thought for a moment. Then, remembering, she said,

“My parents were artisans. They were so good that even some of the highest nobles commissioned them. I don’t know much about it, but my sister said they were really amazing.”

Coryda, who had been speaking in a light tone, suddenly leaned toward Adolf. Narrowing her eyes, she whispered in a low voice as if sharing a secret.

“I want to have amazing skills like my parents. And with those skills, I’ll get a bunch of commissions from nobles and get rich.”

Adolf sensed, instinctively, that Liv didn’t know the true nature of Coryda. Coryda wouldn’t have been able to share this with her sister, who was always overprotective of her.

However, Adolf had once advised Coryda to go for a walk in the yard as it’s not good to stay inside all the time. Naturally, he assumed she would understand what he was saying better than Liv.

Adolf’s eyes lit up for a moment, then he put on a nonchalant face and asked.

“I see, skills… Do you have anything in particular in mind?”

“Erm, it could be embroidery, woodworking, and I think it would be fun to work with leather and stuff like that.”

Coryda’s eyes twinkled as she folded her fingers one by one. She had probably envisioned it dozens of times in her head.

Adolf beamed at her.

“I don’t think Miss Rhodes will allow it.”

“Oh, you’re right…”

The spark in Coryda’s eyes disappeared. Adolf glanced at Coryda, who had grown sullen again, and said in a casual tone as he sipped his tea.

“But you said your parents were famous artisans, so I’m sure you have some talent, Miss Coryda.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes. There are a lot of related books in the study at the Verworth manor, so next time you’re there, come with me and let’s browse through them and find something that catches your eye. Narrowing down the options is a good way to start planning.”

Whatever Coryda’s doctor’s note said, the treatment would begin. Considering her future treatment, the Verworth manor would be a place Coryda would visit often.

Coryda went blank at Adolf’s words, then frowned.

“But no matter the subject, it costs money to study.”

Coryda was someone who watched Liv working all day and night as the head of the household from her side. In addition, she was the reason Liv worked so hard. She was already burdening her with her weak body, so she couldn’t let herself burden Liv more with monetary problems to study.

Adolf noticed Coryda’s concern and flashed a benign smile. The talk was going smoother than what he had anticipated.

“This is why sponsorship exists for many talented people who are unable to fulfill their potential due to practical issues. If you find a good sponsor, you can study the subject you want without putting pressure on your sister.”

“A sponsor?”

“Yes. Exceptional handcrafted items are more like works of art, so you can certainly get a sponsorship. There are a lot of people who want to support that field. Mazurkhan is particularly famous for this. It’s also the country where many famous handicraft artisans go to study. The public safety there is very good.”

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