Chapter 302

Private Talk with Brother Chris
My brothers emerged after an hour.

Isn't that a bit long? They said they hydrated midway.

"I sweated a ton just lying there. But it wasn't the sticky sweat after exercise."

"Even after leaving the rock bath, my whole body stays nicely warm. Seems great for winter."

They seemed pleased.

"You want this in the New Town too, right, Hardt?"

"Yes. First, we test it here at the mansion."

"These Pere fabric clothes didn't stick much despite the sweat, and they dried fast outside."

"Even testing at the mansion, we can't prepare Pere clothes."

"Just expand the bath area and make it usable as is."

"For women, maybe wrap in bath towels to lie down."

While talking with my brothers, Atre and the other familiars were sprawled in the dome hut, enjoying the rock bath.

"How did you lay the bath towels on the slabs or pour the hot spring water?"

"Lucas asked the maids, and they did it."

"Wasn't it cramped using it together?"

"But no one wanted to go last, so we all did. No soaking in water, but lying there is nice."

"This works well. Hardt, build a big rock bath facility soon."

It's popular, good, but I haven't tried the rock bath yet.

The next day, my brothers indulged again.

After them, Father and Grandfather tried it, and I still haven't.

Mother and Grandmother heard how good Father found it, so they told me to expand the bath area and build a rock bath facility quick.

Expanding means calling construction contractors.

It’s aready arranged? Understood, I'll prepare.

"Brother Chris, it's Hardt. May I come in?"

"Hardt, what's sudden?"

Now, just the two of us in Brother Chris's room.

I handed him a sheet of paper.

"This is an exhibition proposal for the capital?"

"Not quite a proposal. Just an idea. The royal family and officials can fill in details. No need for that much cooperation."

"What's up, all of a sudden?"

"To minimize trouble for the winners and nearby residents, I want external merchants withdrawn soon."

"I see."

"But don't give it free. Only if they approach you and it benefits our house."

"We won't propose it ourselves."

"Yes."

"Well, as you predict, they'll likely contact me."

"They might try to persuade you."

"Have you talked with Father about this?"

"He'd oppose or get mad, so no."

"He'd hate conditions like only if benefits are offered. Got it. By the way, are you coming to the capital in winter?"

"I’d rather not, but for Brother Gerald's engagement, I'll stay a few days."

"Right. You've gotten noble-like, Hardt."

"Reading between lines, negotiations... I'm bad at them. I like my current freedom."

So, handle the noble dealings, Brother Chris.

Then I show the jet-black lacquered desktop calendars decorated with rainbow fish from Mr. Howl.

One replaces numbers monthly; the other flips watercolor pages.

"The number swap uses the white glow of rainbow fish, so against jet-black, it's clear and luxurious yet simple. Shame the back decoration is hidden unless flipped."

He held it, gazing at the decorated part.

Next he took the watercolor one, flipping page by page.

"Both great. Watercolors have seasonality. These are territory landscapes, right? Back decoration hides when flipping, but lovely. Tough choice."

"Since you handle some of Father's capital mansion work, place them in the capital study?"

"I'll do that. Sorry, but I'll take both."

"What about Gerald?"

"I’m heading over to give his next."

"He'll probably ask for both, too.”

"Yeah."

"And your friends?"

"I sent them to Raphael to let the three choose themselves."

"Orders will flood in."

"You think so?"

"They will."

"Should I apply for a patent?"

"Better do it."

Next day, my brothers left for the capital, but I was still busy.

Bath expansion proceeded to fit rock bath, sauna, and cold plunge.

When I told the family the plan, mentioning alternating sauna and cold plunge improves skin glow and reduces swelling, the moment I said that, Mother and Grandmother smiled and said since expansion is approved, make it enterable for both rock bath and sauna, quick, and their eyes were scary, so I nodded obediently.

I shouldn't have said the extra.

No matter the age, women are sensitive to beauty.

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