I tilted my head slightly, as if to say, “Isn’t this something anyone could do?” Freddie seemed dumbfounded as he stared at the reference books.
"I-I see. I’m a second-year, and I’d like to buy one of those reference books."
"One copy is 5,000 orls."
"So, the rumors about you selling them were true?"
"Given the effort and printing costs involved, I can’t exactly give them away for free."
"Fair enough. I’ll take one. Here’s the payment."
Freddie pulled out his wallet from his uniform pocket and handed me five bills. Accepting them politely, I verified the amount and handed him a second-year reference book in return.
"Thank you for your purchase. This book was compiled using last year’s test answers and notes on the instructors’ tendencies. While I believe there shouldn’t be significant changes, please use it strictly as a reference."
"True, there haven’t been any instructor changes. But how can you be so certain the content won’t change?"
"Upperclassman, instructors are burdened with organizing events, grading, managing noble parents, and other tasks that drain their energy and time. The curriculum is predetermined. Do you think any instructor would voluntarily make their job more difficult by changing the scope of what they teach? At most, adjustments will be dictated from above."
"That… makes sense."
After concluding the sale, I returned to my studies, not bothering to watch as Freddie left. However, from the next day onward, he began visiting me almost daily.
Initially, I found it annoying and thought, “Why does he keep coming? So bothersome,” and ignored him. Over time, we began chatting sporadically. By the time I completed the third-year reference book, we had become casual friends.
One day, Freddie asked me, "Why are you making reference books and earning pocket money?"
Focused on my book, I answered honestly, "I need funds for living independently."
Freddie’s face twisted in confusion, and he pressed on, "You’re not inheriting the family estate, then?"
Finally shifting my attention to him, I found his question odd but answered straightforwardly.
"My mother seems to think so. Staying there under such circumstances wouldn’t be comfortable, would it?"
"…So, you plan to live alone, renting a place and working? What about marriage?"
"My goal is to become a palace civil servant, preferably one with a clean dormitory. Renting a house in the capital is a backup plan. As for marriage… if someone agrees to let me keep working and I feel like it, perhaps."
[In this kingdom, noblewomen are generally expected to marry into influential families or bring in husbands to continue their family line. Only a small number pursue careers, such as tutoring or serving as palace officials. While demand for these roles exists, women who work often face social stigma or are overlooked by men.]
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