“Tomorrow’s Fine”
After reporting to Grandfather and getting the permit, just as I was about to leave the room, he said,
“Hardt, there’s a mountain of letters addressed to you. You’d better start replying soon. I think you’ve kept folks waiting long enough.”
“If it’s from Father or Brother Chris, it should be fine, shouldn’t it?”
“Well, Georges will bring them in, so have a look,” he said with that meaningful, amused look of his.
If I start reading letters now, I’ll forget about the permit, so I’ll hand it to Logan first and then deal with them.
“Georges, why are there so many letters?” I counted them—twelve in total. Even if I take out the family letters, that’s still eight. Why?
I almost never get letters, and suddenly eight at once.
“Half of them were brought back from the capital by Mr. Raziel,” Georges explained.
Sighing, I checked the senders. Raphael, Brigitte, and Diane—fine. I sometimes exchange letters with them anyway.
Then Duke Crondale, Uncle Davit… doesn’t feel great, but fine.
Big Brother Hubert? That’s rare—actually, probably the first time I’ve ever gotten a letter from him.
Next, Young Lady Diane? Ah, must be about the Southcourt business.
And finally, Princess Rinaluna. Why!?
Well, priority goes to the Princess, I guess. Don’t really want to read it though…
The Princess’s letter was to thank me for introducing her to Young Lady Diane. It seems the two of them avoided naming the person they liked at first, each thinking the other might be a rival. But when they finally confessed the names, they both relaxed, and the conversation really took off.
“We’ll work hard so Young Master Reinhardt will someday call us sisters-in-law.”
That’s how she ended it, in a kind of “please keep advising us” tone.
No, really—no need to report this sort of thing to me. Just get excited together without dragging me in!
And what on earth am I supposed to write back? This is going to the royal palace—other people will see it!
Young Lady Diane’s letter was pretty much the same. She also wrote about going shopping for academy prep with Brother Gerald. On the business side, there was just a single line: they’ll be expanding sugar cultivation by one and a half times.
But most of it was love talk again. Why report that to me!? I’m exhausted just reading these.
Next, Duke Crondale. He wrote that he was surprised I didn’t come to the capital this time. He had planned to show me around the royal library, and said I was welcome anytime if I was interested.
Then he asked about the Southcourt joint business. He knows it involves sugar, but wanted me to explain more.
Nobles are terrifying—he’s already dug up that much? Roundabout words, but basically… is he just saying he wants to try my new dishes?
Another foodie is born, following after Brother Chris. Looks like I’ll need to send some ice cream.
From Uncle Davit, it was about increasing dairy cows. Apparently he had ice cream at our Westland mansion. He wants to expand the herd and asked permission to sell in Northtrade. Since there’s no patent application, my approval is required.
Father, why not just approve it yourself? No need to toss it to me.
At least sweet bread hasn’t been exposed yet. I’ll just write back with the same conditions as Southcourt: as long as the milk supply and price remain stable, and the ice cream is sold at a price the common folk can afford. That should settle it.
Brother Hubert wrote that tea cultivation at the Garuda estate was going well, and he wanted my opinion on the new teas. Since I wasn’t coming to the capital, he asked if he could come to Westland instead.
Of course I want to try the new teas—oolong? Green? Which one grew well?
If it’s green tea, I want to have it with dorayaki, anpan, or bean buns. Better yet, dumplings too…
This one’s easy: “Please do come, you’re very welcome.”
Raphael, Brigitte, and Diane wrote that they were disappointed I wouldn’t be in the capital. They asked if they could come visit Westland together instead.
All three of them together? Well, fine, though won’t that affect their social obligations in the capital? I’ll just reply: “If you’re free socially, then by all means, come.”
From my parents: a scolding. I said I’d behave, but clearly I haven’t. Not my fault—how was I supposed to know Natalia’s matter would blow up that much? I’ll just make some excuse in my reply.
From Brother Chris: another scolding? Or maybe resentment? “Why don’t you send every new dish you come up with?”
Brother Gerald called it right. I’ll just write a straightforward apology.
From Brother Gerald: an impatient demand to hurry up and finish the felt shoe insoles. Since he’s aiming for the knight course, and Meyer and Marcus too, demand from knights will be high. But we really don’t have enough gush fur. I need that breeding project to get going soon.
Hopefully one Guuush can produce several coats a year.
Man, I’m worn out just from reading. Writing replies to all of these is going to be a real chore.
… Tomorrow’s fine.
What do you think about this chapter?
