A Request from Grandmother
“Mother, is there anywhere in our territory that produces oil?”
“What’s this all of a sudden?”
I explained that many of the dishes in the New Town required oil, and people were worried about prices rising too high.
“Perhaps the vassal baron’s family that makes carra oil.”
“Would it be possible to increase their production?”
“If we promise to buy everything, it should be fine.”
“How much could they increase it by?”
“I’d have to check.”
Since it involved another noble house, I left that matter to Mother.
“Talking with you always adds to my workload, Hardt.”
“I know I’ve been getting involved in too much lately, but I can’t ignore things when they affect the villages’ growth.”
“I know. You’ve been working hard lately.”
“I’d like to take things slower, though.”
“You’re the one increasing your own workload.”
Can’t argue with that. I’ll just tell myself I need to hang in there until the New Town development is finished.
“Raziel, did something happen?”
He’d called for me, so I headed to the company.
“There’s so much going on I don’t even have the energy to be angry anymore, but we really should have an official office for the administrative officers.”
Now that he mentioned it, they were still using the trading company’s meeting room. Things were only going to get busier, and with more important documents piling up, they definitely needed their own space.
“Got it. I’ll have a room prepared right away. By the way, did Rosa’s product pricing pass?”
“Yes, it’s almost identical to mine.”
“Then let’s set the jurisdiction boundaries between the trading company and the administrative office for the New Town exhibitors.”
“The souvenir hall and dining hall run by the trading company will be on our side.”
“And the individual stalls and eateries fall under the administrative office, right?”
“Should we handle any issues as they come up?”
“Fine by me. By the way, what’s the situation with Edgar?”
“It’s been resolved. His younger brother is taking over that trading company.”
The older brother who had threatened Edgar apparently planned to have thugs kidnap Edgar’s family after learning he’d found work with Westland Company. But the thugs were caught by members of the Golden Wings, and the brother was arrested in the royal capital as the ringleader.
It also came out that he’d poisoned their father, so he was disowned.
“He won’t bear a grudge?”
Even if he was the main culprit, it had been an attempted crime. Being disowned and banished from the capital didn’t guarantee he wouldn’t come to our lands.
“That’s for the younger brother who inherited the house to deal with.”
So either he’d been thrown somewhere he’d never come back from, or “accidentally” taken care of.
“So Edgar’s officially joined the trading company?”
“Yes. I’ve put him in charge of coordination with the village.”
“You mean for products made there and supplied to us?”
“And also distribution, I suppose.”
“Then you must have it easier now, Raziel.”
“Not at all. It’s no easier.”
“Why not?”
“Table calendars, fire starters, cradles, chairs, tea whisks, steamers, bamboo powder, bamboo charcoal deodorizer... Let’s just say all of those products have arrived.”
“Chairs have arrived? I’ll take one for my room.”
“Not until you’ve heard the product explanation.”
Raziel said that sharply. He was really angry this time.
After getting thoroughly scolded, I finished the product briefing with Raziel and Edgar. When I tried to pack one of the rattan-style chairs from Ranan into the Magic Bag that Georges had brought, Raziel stopped me, saying I should show it to the family first.
Since I’d have to explain everything again anyway, I called Rosa and gathered everyone to demonstrate together.
“Hardt... this is only part of it, right?”
“I think most of what I ordered has arrived.”
“What about the Piene paper?”
“I asked a paper wholesaler for that.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“Didn’t I? They said they’d also design boxes for baked cocottes and fried cocotte dishes, so I let them handle it. We didn’t have the time ourselves, so isn’t that better?”
“There isn’t anything else you haven’t told us, is there?”
“I should’ve reported everything. Ah, just ask Rosa. I’ve already told her all the recent stuff.”
“You’re the one who did it, aren’t you?”
“Honestly, I’ve got my hands in so many things I lose track. Lately I only remember after people contact me, so please cross-check with Rosa.”
“You’re coming too.”
“Ehh...”
While I was talking with Father, Grandmother sat down in the rattan-style chair and rocked back and forth.
“Hardt, this is lovely. It’d be perfect for reading or embroidery.”
“Yes, Grandmother. And if we make a long cushion from the backrest to the seat to match the chair, wouldn’t it be even more comfortable?”
“You’re right—it seems more relaxing than a sofa. Hardt, do your best and make a cushion in my favorite color.”
“What do you mean, Grandmother?”
“Ohhoho, I’ll take this as a gift from you, Hardt. Make that cushion quickly, please.”
Oh, come on... my chair...
“Rosa, sorry, but could you place an additional order with Gil in Ranan Village for more chairs?”
“How many?”
“One... no, better make it twenty for now.”
After seeing my family’s intimidating looks, I couldn’t just order one for myself.
Ordering extra should cover it... probably.
What do you think about this chapter?
