Guide to the Education and Training of Girls with Mentally Abnormalities

Chapter 14 "Self-Exile"

Early morning, Enfield House study.

The Duke of Enfield sat behind his desk, while Edith stood before him with her head bowed, saying nothing.

"My old friend, Earl Howard, once told me that he was jealous more than once because the Enfield family had an heir like Alicia. She inherited all the virtues of the Enfield family’s ancestors: elegance, beauty, strength, gentleness, a broad perspective without overlooking details, social skills without being fake, and erudition without losing her thirst for knowledge."

"Later he told me with a smile: 'Duke of Enfield, my friend, my brother, you know what? People don't always have the best of luck.'"

"I was puzzled, so I asked him why. Do you know what he told me next?" The man in the chair straightened up, rested his hands on the table, and stared at the girl in front of him.

"I don't know, Father."

"He told me, 'I used to envy you for having an heir like Alicia, but now I am grateful that I never had a child like Edith.'" The Duke of Enfield's voice remained indifferent, devoid of any emotion, his slightly graying short hair resembling withered grass touched by wind and snow.

"At the time, I was furious at his contempt for you, but then I quickly realized that even the most vicious words he uttered could not describe how you were a disgrace to the family, how despicable, unruly, and shameful bastard you were, Edith."

"You once said you wanted to do something a hero should do. I thought you were a prodigal son returning home, so I gave you a sum of money that would be considered respectable even in the hands of royalty. I imagined that with your abundant energy and this wealth, perhaps the Enfield family could produce another adventurer who would leave a legendary story in the dungeon."

The Duke of Enfield suddenly raised his voice, as if the first lightning bolt had struck a dark, overcast sky.

"And you, you made all the druids and ravens in the city act out this unlucky farce."

"I thought you would repent and reflect on your mistakes during your confinement."

"But you, Edith, are like a brainless mouse all day long, thinking you've perfectly sneaked out of your room and scurried around!"

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He slammed his fist on the table with a loud bang, the sudden sound like the first bolt of lightning finally striking down from the storm-shrouded sky.

"What exactly do you want?!"

The long silence and repression were like the dense, damp pre-rain mist, until the first raindrop fell on the soil and made that faint sound.

"Father," Edith said, her head bowed. "The reason I came to see you today is that I want to buy... a house."

"Oh? The family scoundrels have changed their tactics and are now planning to wreak havoc on the pitiful real estate market of Karenbell City?"

"No, no, I learned some things about real estate operations from my older sister..."

"And then continue hiring druids to summon moles and wreak havoc throughout the city? Or hire necromancers to throw parties in other people's courtyards in the middle of the night?" The Duke of Enfield's mocking words floated over. "Or perhaps go to the filthy lower city and sample the caves that only earthworms can live in?"

Edith paused, biting her lip, after being interrupted: "No, it's to put into practice the real estate knowledge I've learned."

"Based on my investigation a few days ago, I speculate that Green Oak Street has great real estate potential. It's a mid-range community in the entire city of Karenbell where real estate prices haven't increased much in the past five years. I believe that the properties there will appreciate significantly in the future, so I specifically wanted to apply to you for a sum of money for... investment."

"Just those few dozen silver coins?"

The Duke of Enfield gave a disdainful sneer.

"Do you think I'm an idiot, or the homeowner?"

"I...I've saved up quite a bit of pocket money in the past, but I'm still a few dozen silver coins short."

"You asked your sister and mother for it, didn't you? You're taking advantage of their doting on you."

Edith nodded. She dared not tell the truth that Alicia had hired her to follow and spy on Edmund, because that would only be seen by the Duke of Enfield as another attempt to shirk responsibility.

"I don't want to hear any pointless sophistry." The Duke of Enfield's tone revealed that he had completely lost patience. "Tell the truth."

Edith took a deep breath.

"Alright, Father."

"I understand that in your eyes and those of other elders, I am a worthless defective product; in the eyes of my peers, I am a disgrace to be associated with; in the eyes of the family, I am a burden who has no right to stay here except for my bloodline, like a white-feathered chicken standing out in a flock of cranes, or an extra cactus in a tulip field."

She looked up.

"I know that you and the other elders consider my existence a disgrace to the family, and I also know that my explanations for the past are as pale as snow on a barren wasteland in your eyes. So, Father, I am here to see you today only hoping that you can give me one last chance."

"An opportunity?" The Duke of Enfield narrowed his eyes.

"An opportunity to wash away the shame of my family, and an opportunity to vindicate myself."

Edith looked up.

"If I fail to prove my worth, I am willing to bear all the consequences of failure as atonement for my family."

The Duke of Enfield picked up the quill from the ink bottle.

"One year."

"If you don't see results that satisfy me, don't come back."

……

Willow watched as the black iron gate slowly closed behind her. The horses beside the carriage clattered on the ground, and grayish-white mist swished from their nostrils.

The coachman stood respectfully beside the carriage, waiting for the lady to board.

"Miss Edith, as your maid, my fate is already bound to yours. I will follow you to the ends of the earth under the witness of the Holy Light Oath."

"Obeying the master's orders and arrangements is a maid's duty."

"But... I really don't understand why this is."

She looked at Edith.

"I have no right to go against your decision, but as your maid, your guard, your companion, I... I feel that there are many ways to prove myself, and you don't need to make such an extreme decision."

"Staying in the family, being a not-so-perfect lady, meeting another noble gentleman of equal social standing at a banquet or ceremony arranged by the family, and living a plain and ordinary life, I don't think that's so hard to accept."

Edith turned her head to stare at Willow, her eyes filled with a coldness and determination that this personal maid had never seen before in more than ten years.

"Willow, there's something I've never told you: I've waited a long time for this day, longer than an elf's entire life."

"You want to know what I'm pursuing, you want to know if it's worth giving everything for, right?"

Willow nodded.

Edith stared at the mist-shrouded "True Ending" box on the system panel in front of her.

"He deserves it."

I have no regrets.