I returned home and wrote an apologetic letter to Metis explaining my sudden departure from the tea party at her salon. Fortunately, her prompt response comforted me, acknowledging that it was a good decision given how unwell I appeared. Metis is always kind and soothing in her words.
In her letter, Metis also expressed concern about the sudden departure of the person in charge of the free soup kitchen sponsored under the salon’s name. With the manager gone, she worried that even if I sent the sponsorship funds, proper management might not be ensured.
It’s not surprising that I sponsor a free soup kitchen for the poor. As a noble of the Solar Empire, one must uphold the Noblesse Oblige. In a societal structure where nobles, by virtue of being born into their class, are a few steps ahead of the majority of commoners and gentrified classes, those of us fortunate enough to be born as nobles have a duty to give back the privileges we received without any merit.
It was a duty, responsibility, and honor as a noble. Acting in a way that does not bring shame to the name of nobility and is regarded with respect is considered an honorable act.
Of course, there are those who do not follow this path. People like them are often pointed fingers at for lacking the refinement expected of nobles. Naturally, Metis, too, was aware of such individuals and restricted their access to the salon.
Anyway, given Metis’s concern, it seemed necessary to visit the free soup kitchen once as a sponsor providing substantial financial support.
Translators: Stardust. Read on moonlight novels only
I sent a letter to the messenger to inform the free soup kitchen of my visit.
Since it wasn’t a special social gathering, there was no need to dress up completely, but going out as the flower of society demanded some effort. Ha.
Dressed in beautiful yet practical attire, I set out alone in a carriage.
Lately, it had become a habit for me to go out alone. Not knowing how I would die, I wanted to avoid the possibility of someone accompanying me and getting caught up in an accident if I were to lose my life in some mishap.
A slender noblewoman alone visiting the slums was something to be expected. However, I headed to the slums without any escort.
Surely the ‘author’ wouldn’t kill me here, right?
The free soup kitchen was at the entrance of the slums. Though I sponsored it in the name of the salon, I occasionally visited as a sponsor to participate in serving meals.
As the manager suddenly disappeared, the atmosphere among the staff guarding the soup kitchen was at its worst. The meal for the day was canceled immediately, and until a definite manager was appointed, the situation was in an emergency state, with only financial management being done.
As my carriage made a noisy entrance to the free soup kitchen, Mimas, the temporary manager, came out to greet me.
“Uranos Young Lady, we’ve been waiting for you.”
“Phew, it seems like you’ve been through a lot. I came by to see if there’s anything I can help with. How is the situation now?”
“All operations have come to a halt. The meal for today has been cancelled immediately. We managed somehow until yesterday, but it became impossible from today onwards.”
“What is the most urgent issue?”
