Chapter 45 : Chapter 45
Chapter 45. Lady Margaret
Lady Margaret picked up the top page with a puzzled expression.
The title on the paper was written in a precise and elegant hand—
Draft Proposal for the Construction of a Comprehensive Welfare and Basic Medical Security System in the Northern Territory.
She froze.
She turned to the first page, and almost immediately her breathing grew slightly rapid.
The logic of the proposal was rigorous.
Its vision was bold yet grounded in reality.
It did not resemble the empty promises politicians often painted.
It described in detail how a three-tier medical network covering all civilians in the Northern Territory could be established.
The first tier would be “Basic Health Stations” set up in every town and village.
These stations would be staffed by nurses and apprentice pharmacists who had undergone short-term training, responsible for treating common illnesses such as colds, fevers, and injuries.
The medicines used there would be the inexpensive, improved versions of “Rapid Healing Potion” and “Antibacterial Ointment” developed by Logaris.
Their cost would be only one-tenth of similar products on the market.
The second tier would consist of “Public Hospitals” built in the major cities of the Northern Territory.
These hospitals would be equipped with professional physicians and relatively complete Magitech medical equipment to handle more complicated diseases and surgeries.
The third tier would be the “Northern Territory Central Magitech Medical Academy” located in Winter City.
This institution would serve as the core of the entire system.
It would research rare diseases, train medical professionals, and collaborate with Logaris' industrial park to develop new medical equipment and potions.
The proposal even included a supporting “medical insurance” system.
Civilians would only need to pay a very small annual fee in order to receive significant reductions in medical expenses when they became ill.
…Was this the rambling dream of a madman?
Lady Margaret felt her hands trembling.
She had devoted decades to charity work.
After exhausting her fortune, all she had managed was to ensure that some orphans had food and that some refugees had a roof over their heads.
But what this proposal described was a grand blueprint she had never even dared to imagine in her dreams.
She suddenly looked up and stared directly at Sylvia.
“Your Highness, do you realize how much money it would take to achieve this plan?”
“This is practically a bottomless pit!
Even if the entire nobility of the Northern Territory were stripped of their wealth, it would not be enough!”
“I know.” Sylvia’s answer remained calm.
“That is why I need a spark to ignite everything.”
Her finger gently tapped the bottle of Fleeting Youth.
“I intend to hold an unprecedented auction in Winter City.
The only item up for auction will be this.”
“The starting price will be five hundred thousand Golden Lion Coins.”
Five hundred thousand.
Even Lady Margaret, who had seen much in her life, was startled by the number.
“And all the funds obtained from this auction…” Sylvia paused and looked directly into her eyes.
“…will be used as the ‘first-phase fund’ to launch this proposal.”
Lady Margaret’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
“Empty words prove nothing.”
She forced herself to calm down.
She had seen far too many politicians who made grand promises.
“How can you guarantee that this is not a scam?”
“Once the auction ends and the money enters your hands, who will restrain you?”
“Facts.”
Sylvia smiled slightly.
“Madam, you must have heard about the Enlightenment Schools I implemented.”
“At first, the nobles resisted, the Holy Church obstructed it, and the common people did not understand it either.”
“Then I introduced scholarships.
Now, more than seventy percent of the children of school age in the Northern Territory are enrolled.”
“I said I would allow children to read books, and I did it.”
“Now I say that civilians will be able to afford medical treatment.
And I will accomplish that as well.”
Her voice was not loud, yet every word landed with the weight of certainty.
Lady Margaret fell into a long silence.
She was weighing the situation.
Her reputation throughout her life had been built upon remaining above political factions.
If she stood publicly beside Sylvia, it would mean tying herself firmly to the chariot of this young ruler.
If Sylvia succeeded, she would witness the birth of a new era unlike anything before.
But if Sylvia failed—or if this entire thing was nothing more than deception—then her lifelong reputation would be destroyed.
The stakes were enormous.
The room was filled only with the crackling of firewood burning in the Fireplace.
Logaris yawned, seemingly uninterested in the conversation that would determine the future of the Northern Territory.
As far as he was concerned, the proposal had already been written.
His task was finished.
The rest simply needed to be handled by capable people.
After a long time, Lady Margaret finally raised her head slowly.
Her cloudy yet sharp eyes locked onto Sylvia again.
“Your Highness, I am old, and I am ill.
The doctors say I will not live more than five years.”
“If I agree to stand with you and become the ‘spokesperson’ who proves the effect of Fleeting Youth…”
She paused, and each word seemed to require the strength of her entire body.
“I will require a promise.”
“Please state it.” Sylvia’s expression became extremely solemn.
“I have read this proposal.
To begin the first phase, at least three hundred thousand Golden Lion Coins are needed.”
“I want to sign a contract with you.
Regardless of the final auction price, at least three hundred thousand Golden Lion Coins must be placed into a ‘Northern Territory Livelihood Foundation’ created specifically for this purpose.”
“It must be supervised by me and by individuals of my choosing.”
“And within six months, I want to see the first public hospital begin construction.”
This was no longer just a condition.
It was practically a demand for shared oversight of the treasury.
No lord would normally agree to such harsh terms.
Yet Sylvia did not hesitate for even a single second.
“Deal.”
One word.
Clean and decisive.
Lady Margaret was completely stunned.
All the arguments she had prepared were suddenly stuck in her throat.
She had not expected Sylvia to agree so quickly.
Looking into Sylvia’s clear and open silver-gray eyes, Lady Margaret suddenly understood.
This young princess was sincere.
Inside that seemingly cold heart burned a fire powerful enough to change the world.
The old woman’s tense body finally relaxed.
A smile of genuine relief appeared on her face.
“In that case…”
“This old bag of bones will accompany you young people and go a little mad one more time.”