It Was a Blind Spot
“Hardt, don’t you go causing trouble for your father and mother, you hear? Just because we’re not around doesn’t mean you can do as you please.”
“Father, nothing’s going to happen if I don’t go to the Great Forest. I’ll behave myself at home, so please don’t worry.”
“You’ve never once behaved yourself, and that’s exactly why I’m saying this.”
Right, today Father, Mother, Brother Gerald, Lady Caroline, and Miss Diana were all heading to the royal capital.
Brother Gerald needed to go there to get ready, since his academy life would be starting this spring.
“Brother Gerald, please give Brother Chris the new dishes I made.”
“I know. Though I’m sure a letter of resentment will come addressed to you, Hardt.”
“Eh, why’s that?”
“A letter saying you could’ve sent it sooner. You’ve got all these things—every kind of ice cream, sweet breads (red bean and white bean buns, bean bread, jam bread), dorayaki, hamburg curry with hot-spring egg, hot-spring boiled eggs, carbonara with hot-spring egg on top. With so much, I’m certain he’ll write a complaint.”
… True enough, Brother Chris has gotten quite the appetite lately.
He even went to Helios Village twice just to fetch rice…
“Young Master Reinhardt, thank you for giving us ice cream, sweet bread, and dorayaki as souvenirs as well.”
“Miss Diana, rather than souvenirs, it’s also to help convince Lord Kevin and Lord Brian of why increased sugar production is necessary.”
“Even so, it makes me happy to eat such things in the capital.”
“Ah, that’s right. Once you’re in the capital, you might get contacted by Princess Rinaluna.”
“Eh, about that matter?”
“Yes. I think it’d be nice if you talked about the academy and such too.”
“Hardt, what’s this about? Just what are you trying to drag Her Highness the Princess into?” Father suddenly butted into the conversation.
“Father, it’s all right. It’s not about business or problems. I only wrote her a letter asking if she’d be friends with Miss Diana. Now hurry, or you’ll miss the train.” I hurried them along and pushed them into the carriage.
Miss Diana might get asked about it later, but she can brush it off somehow.
Surely she won’t say it’s about being romance-chat friends.
“Phew, finally gone.”
“Hardt, your Father really does worry about you, doesn’t he?”
“Grandmother, that’s not it. Father just worries that I’ll create more work for him.”
“Hehe, as long as you know. Now then, make some prototypes of hot-spring-town souvenirs—like plushies, ribbons, or embroidered handkerchiefs.”
“Grandmother, I can’t make those.”
“I’m saying you should come up with the designs. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Plushies, huh…
How would I recreate my kids’ fluffy fur? Maybe I should ask Maria.
If I say it’s a request from Grandmother, even Raziel won’t complain.
“Maria, you got a minute?” I peeked into Maria’s workshop.
Raziel had told me she’d just come back from the hot-spring town two days ago, so I hurried over.
“Young Master Reinhardt, perfect timing. I brought back some bath additives we made in the hot-spring town.”
She showed me a white powder—hot-spring minerals. I sniffed it, but it seemed like the scentless kind.
“Did you test if it works?”
“Not in the mansion’s bath yet, but I did a footbath by mixing it in a tub. Compared to just hot water, the temperature held longer, and my feet stayed warm for half a day, so I’d say it works.”
“Got it. And what about the magic tool for making bath additives?”
“I’ll need to build a machine that can withstand high-temperature hot air, so it’ll take time.”
“Blacksmiths make furnaces that can handle high heat. Have you looked into those for reference?”
“Ah, I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll consult Master Zaccaria.”
What do you think about this chapter?
