Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 145

Knowing exactly what had happened the day before and what kind of assistance was needed, Claire cared for them meticulously.

It felt as though a white hand had reached down from the clouds. It was unbelievable.

Yet, the sense of camaraderie, stemming from being from the same country, evoked a significant emotion, even in their opium-numbed minds.

Being helped because they were fellow Arren was something easy to understand and deeply resonating.

“You must be cold, Madam…”

Several men hesitated to approach, they flinched but also curious yet cautious about Claire. They stood a distance from her, blocking the wind with their bodies.

“What would I be?”

“Kwaak!”

As Claire applied antiseptic to Peter’s foot, causing him to scream, then bandaged it, she stood up

‘I feel guilty for receiving so much affection…’

It wasn’t because of a saintly or merciful heart as they imagined.

She simply never looked down on physical labor.

Although it was true she had an initial discomfort towards the idea of opium addicts, talking directly to them made her realize it wasn’t much different from interacting with workers at her factory.

Her aim might have been for them to lower their guards to gather information, but as she spoke with many, her heart grew heavy.

“Mr. Gavin, have you thought about what to write in your letter?”

“Well, about that…”

“You can take more time. I’ll be here for a few more days, or I can find someone to write it for you if needed.”

Claire offered to scribe letters for those wanting to send messages home.

Initially she meant to gather background information, but it increasingly became a genuine desire to help.

Hiring a scribe seemed a good idea, not only for Arren folks but other miners as they might need the service too.

Gavin scratched his head. The corners of his eyes are red and moist.

“Thank you, but even if I write, my children might not welcome it. A father who ran away under a mountain of debt…”

“That’s why you came all this way. You’ll be able to pay off your debts soon. Once you save some money and go back, they’ll welcome you.”

Gavin flinched.

He wasn’t alone. Others shifted their gazes upon hearing Claire’s words.

Claire frowned slightly. Mining is risky, but it pays well, especially at the Kohlberg mine, where wages were notably higher. It was due to Claire’s safety policies that Erich accepted.

He agreed to develop skilled workers and grow the business over worker exploitation. Not hiring children and making them work fifteen hours a day.

With that, it was clear they could manage debt repayment for most.

“Wait a minute. Mr. Gavin, what’s your current salary? How much debt remains?”

Gavin, a skilled blacksmith able to repair tools, would earn a considerable sum of a few thousand golds. If his debt was still unmanageable, it likely involved unreasonable interest rates.

‘Or perhaps, the interest ate up the money.’

Claire contemplated this as Jacob offered her a shawl.

“Duchess, you must be cold, please use this.”

Seeing it was wrapped in clean linen it must be specially prepared.

Claire smiled, accepting it.

“Thank you.”

“And… it’s not appropriate to ask such sensitive questions outright.”

Though his point was valid, Claire detected a familiar, unpleasant undertone.

He dismissed the other person because she was a young woman.

The surrounding miners dispersed and avoided her gaze.

Claire tilted her head at Jacob.

“If Mr. Gavin was caught in an unfair loan, I simply wanted to help. Does Mr. Jacob disapprove of me helping him?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Then what? You think I’m incapable?”

She asked with a smile, making Jacob flinch.

What a ridiculous situation. If she wanted to perform charity, she should visit an orphanage, not meddle in business relationships. Yet, he couldn’t voice this directly.

“No, I meant it’s too delicate a matter for the Duchess to address lightly.”

“Then, it should be fine as long as it’s not addressed lightly.”

Claire retorted just like that.

This worked out well. Jacob’s remark gave her an opening to discuss finances directly with Jacob’s associates and the miners from Arren.

The group, wholly composed of Arren natives, wasn’t just a fellowship.

‘They came all at once to sign the contract.’

Jacob, acting as their representative, negotiated wages, received payments in bulk, deducted operational expenses for the group, and then distributed the remainder among its members.

The ledger was overly simplistic, making it suspiciously hard to pinpoint any discrepancies.

Jacob wasn’t an accountant, nor had he long experience in commerce, and without modern tools like Excel or even a calculator. Yet, maintaining a flawless record across thousands of entries seemed implausible.

‘Mayer thought it was like a guild formed among Arren miners, but it looked too fishy.’

Jacob wasn’t merely a leader, he acted as an owner.

The condition of the members was poor, with many addicted to opium, including some severe cases.

Considering Jacob distributed lotus leaf cigarettes as if they were daily necessities, this was expected.

‘It would be quite expensive, yet it’s distributed without any ledger entry.’

How could that be sustainable? It was physically impossible.

Moreover, only Jacob and a few of his close associates seemed to be in a healthy state.

Erich and Claire had already agreed on a conclusion.

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