Karim’s Family
—A few days later.
I visited Count Smith’s residence in the capital with my father to discuss the glass containers. Normally, I’d talk about these things with my mother, but this time, the accompanying parent was my father. Why? Well…
“Ah, my apologies. It seems Joan put you to some trouble.”
“Stan, what are you saying? Thanks to Joan, our glass artisans have been quite helped.”
My father and Karim’s dad had been classmates at the academy. Although Karim’s dad went on to the civil affairs course, they had shared a general studies class.
This time, besides the square glass containers, I had another proposal.
“Um… don’t you make colored glass?”
“‘Colored glass?’”
My father, Karim’s dad, Karim himself, and Karim’s older brother, Jamil, all said it in unison.
“Joan, glass is transparent, isn’t it?”
My father asked curiously.
“Yes, it is transparent as-is, but if you mix in metals, it should take on color.”
“R-really, Joan?”
Jamil leaned forward, intrigued.
“Y-yes. Although I haven’t actually done it before… but when you heat metals, the color of the flame changes, right? I thought maybe we could apply that.”
“I see, using oxidation… So it would be more about turning the metal into powder… then… no, this way might be better…”
Jamil muttered to himself.
“Sorry, Joan. My brother makes magic tools, and when heat is involved, he tends to drift into his own world…”
“Ah, I understand now.”
“But why color the glass in the first place?”
“Well? With colored glass, you could make colorful tableware or accessories.”
“Accessories from glass?”
Karim tilted his head.
“Yes! That way, commoners who can’t afford gemstones can still dress stylishly. And if women become prettier, everyone’s happy, right?”
“I suppose that’s true.”
Regarding colored glass, Jamil decided to try it once he returned to their territory.
“Really, Joan, we are grateful. If this helps train our new artisans well, it will be wonderful.”
“True, since it’s a cycle of making and breaking.”
Karim’s dad and Jamil lamented.
“What if you used the broken glass?”
“But broken glass is dangerous, isn’t it?”
“If you round off the edges, it’s safe.”
“Round off the edges… one by one?”
“No, no, there’s an easier way. Put broken glass, sand, pebbles, and water into a container with a lid, shake it, and the friction smooths the edges. It’s simple enough that even children at the orphanage could do it.”
“But Joan, what would you do with it?”
“For example…”
I suggested making artificial sea glass. This method produces large quantities faster than polishing each piece individually.
After processing, stringing many pieces together and hanging them lets light reflect beautifully—perfect for interior decoration. I had seen this at the Glass Forest Museum in Hakone in my previous life and thought it would be a good reference.
It would also look nice in a deep dish with water and flowers, or sunk into a glass vase. Colored glass would make it even more beautiful.
“I see. That way, broken glass doesn’t go to waste, and it could be a good source of income for the children at the orphanage. I’ll consider it further. Still, Joan, you’re amazing. Karim says your skill is impressive too, right?”
Karim’s dad said.
“I personally wish she would be a little quieter. The debutante ball is over now, after all.”
“Oh? So Father wants me to be a timid girl who just follows behind men, rather than being myself?”
“No, that’s not exactly what I mean…”
“Ahaha, Lord Lampail is weak when it comes to his beloved daughter.”
While talking with my father, I hadn’t noticed that Karim’s mother and a maid had come into the reception room with a tea set on a cart.
“You’ve finished your work talk, I assume? Would you care for some tea? We also have a cake gift from Joan.”
This time, I had brought tea, Meringue pound cake, and tea scones.
From the information Sarah gathered, Karim’s mother always visits the Dasher Company’s café when in the capital, and purchases tea leaves there when returning to their territory.
So I chose sweets made with the tea leaves she regularly buys.
“Delicious!”
“Truly, the tea’s aroma hits your nose immediately. I didn’t know Milanji and tea paired so well.”
The Karim family was very pleased.
“Cold, strong tea with Milanji juice is delicious too.”
“I’ll try that next time… By the way, where can one purchase this cake?”
“Mother, I don’t think you can buy this.”
“Oh? Karim, what do you mean?”
“Joan made it, didn’t you?”
“Correct!”
“Eh!?”
Karim knew that I borrowed the kitchen in the knight dormitory to cook and bake. Or rather, once word spread I was in the kitchen, dorm students would show up in the dining hall. Karim was one of them.
He had tasted several of my creations under the guise of sampling.
“I’ll give the recipe to the head chef later—”
“Joan, have you patented this recipe?”
“Huh?”
Karim’s dad cut me off with the question.
“That’s fine. All dishes and products you create, Joan, have patents filed.”
“I see, that’s good. We’ll also file for the square glass containers here, including colored glass and artificial sea glass.”
“It’ll be a bit of work, but please do.”
Though my father answered the questions on my behalf, I couldn’t follow the conversation between Karim’s dad and my father.
“Eh? Father, what do you mean? Patents?”
What do you think about this chapter?
