Four Days Later
The next day, I finished writing replies to all twelve letters and handed them to Georges.
I thought my hand was going to get tendonitis.
At times like this, a word processor or typewriter that could print directly onto paper would be handy. But I don’t know the mechanics behind them. And computers needed a separate printer, which made it even harder. I’m not going to make one, but I do miss how convenient my previous world was.
Anyway, with this done, I should be able to relax until the replies come back.
Or so I thought—but in just four days from the capital, replies arrived from Brother Hubert, Raphael, Brigitte, and Diane. All at the same time.
Is Brigitte behind this? The last time letters came, it was in four days too.
They could have taken their time, really… but since they’re here, I’ll read them.
In short, the four of them are coming here in three days. They said they’d originally planned for later, but because of social obligations they had to move the date forward, and they apologized for the rush.
They really don’t have to push themselves like that. Grandfather and Grandmother will be surprised when I tell them they’re coming in just three days.
Three days later, I went to meet them at the station. Since it was already evening, we decided to leave conversations for later and went by carriage to the estate.
After a whole day on the train to Westland, I suggested greetings to Grandfather and Grandmother could wait until dinner, and that they should bathe in the hot spring first to recover from the fatigue.
“Reinhardt, this hot spring is amazing. My fatigue is completely gone,” Brother Hubert said as he entered the dining hall.
Brigitte, Diane, and Raphael, who came in after him, said exactly the same thing, which was so funny.
“Right? The hot spring is our pride. Actually, there’s one in the new city we’re building too. We’re planning to make it a sightseeing town where anyone can enjoy hot springs, with plenty of bathhouses at low prices. Once it’s finished, come visit.”
“So that’s why you didn’t come to the capital this year and stayed in Westland instead?”
“Raphael, there’s also Grandfather’s work to help with, but honestly, I just wanted a little time to relax.” (Though in reality, I haven’t had any time to relax at all.)
“Oh my, but your replies to letters were still slow, weren’t they?”
“I was away patrolling the territory,” I answered smoothly.
Grandfather and Grandmother then came in, and I introduced them so they could exchange greetings with the four.
“Getting involved with Reinhardt will make you busier, but please keep being good friends with him,” said Grandfather.
“There’s not much here, but plenty of things to soothe your heart. Take it easy while you’re here,” added Grandmother.
… Aren’t their words a little odd?
The four of them smiled wryly. Well, it’s true that I’ve involved them all in one way or another.
“I finally got to meet Westland’s familiars! I was jealous when Brigitte and Raphael said they had,” Diane said, watching Atre and the others eating at another table in the same dining hall.
“Diane, I’m also meeting many of them for the first time. I only ever saw the white dragon when it was still an egg. But just watching them is so soothing.”
“Most of them are in the capital right now, since my family is staying there.”
“Then I guess I’ve seen them all,” Brother Hubert said. “I went to Westland’s mansion in the capital.”
“Brother Hubert, you spoke with Brother Gerald and the others?”
“Yes. I worried Gerald too, so I reported to him while I was at it.”
“Then… does that mean your academy course is decided?”
“That too, but…” He glanced toward Diane.
Her face went bright red.
“Wait… don’t tell me you and Diane got engaged?”
“Eh—you figured it out quickly. Yes, that was one of the things I came to report.”
Seriously!?
Well, thinking about it, it makes sense. He’s involved in the Garuda family’s new business, and being engaged to Diane would make things go the smoothest. And Brother Hubert is the second son, so being taken in as a son-in-law is fine.
Even so, politically arranged or not, the Northtrad brothers are going to end up with “lolicon” rumors hanging over them. At the academy, there’ll definitely be plenty of jealous or snide people. But if it’s those two, they might just turn it back on them…
“Reinhardt, are you thinking something strange? Why are you looking at me and Diane like that?” Brigitte’s sharp eyes were on me.
“No, no! I was just thinking… if Brigitte and Diane are both family, then you’ll also be sisters-in-law. That’s all.”
I hastily denied it. Brigitte’s sharpness is scary.
What do you think about this chapter?
