Adult business.
As I pondered how to respond to Oniisama's words—whether he was serious or joking—both Kurogane and Mashiro reacted with a subtle twitch and turned their gaze toward the window.
"Mmm..."
"Cristea, Mariel is here."
"Huh? Mariel-san is?"
At Mashiro's words, I too looked toward the window without thinking.
There shouldn't have been any particular appointment… It's rare for her to visit without one.
"Indeed. It seems Mariel's father is with her as well."
"Baron Mayor too?"
…So, did Otousama summon Baron Mayor?
Perhaps Mariel-chan tagged along for the visit?
"Oniisama, since Mariel-san has arrived, I think I should go greet her..."
"I see, then I’ll take my leave here. Ah, I’d be happy if we could return to the academy together later."
"Oh! Y-yes! Of course!"
Ah, I knew I should've invited him to join us on the way back.
Before I started attending the academy, I rarely saw him come back, but now that I think about it, he may have often returned to the capital estate rather than the territory.
Since we’re going to the same home, I’ll make sure to invite him next time. Lesson learned, lesson learned.
As I saw Oniisama off to his room, a maid came to inform me that Baron Mayor and Mariel-chan had arrived.
The Sacred Beasts, alerting me before the servants even knew, were far too capable.
With Mashiro and Kurogane proudly trailing behind me, I hurried to the room where Mariel-chan and her father awaited.
The pair had been shown to the "Traveler's Room," just like before.
With the change of seasons, it looked like they’d switched up the fabrics and decor; Baron Mayor, just like the previous visit, was absorbed in the room’s furnishings, not even noticing my entrance.
"Good day, Baron Mayor. Mariel-san, welcome."
"Oh! Cristea-sama! Thank you for always looking after my daughter."
"Good day, Cristea-san. Thank you for having us."
As Baron Mayor hurried back to his seat, Mariel-chan greeted me with a cheerful smile.
"What brings you here today?"
Well, if Otousama called them, it must be something about spices.
"I was told I would be informed of the details when we met directly..."
"Oh... is that so?"
Since the upcoming banquet might influence relations with the nation of Samonar, perhaps the spice details are confidential for now.
I’m only providing the recipe this time, leaving the trade and business developments with Samonar to Otousama—I’m just watching from the sidelines.
"Sorry to keep you waiting... Oh, Cristea, you’re here."
"Yes, I heard Mariel-san was here and wished to join."
"... I see."
Otousama seemed a bit startled upon seeing me, but upon glancing at Mariel-chan sitting next to Baron Mayor, he appeared to understand.
Otousama took the seat next to me, and at the butler’s signal, the tea served to Baron Mayor and Mariel-chan was freshly brewed once more.
"I apologize for calling on you so suddenly, Baron Mayor."
"No, not at all. How may I be of service?"
Having met several times, Baron Mayor seemed to understand that Otousama disliked flattery and wasting time, and he got straight to the point.
"Indeed. Given your position, you may already have heard, but soon an envoy from Samonar will be visiting our country."
"Yes, well, being a member of the nobility myself, I’ve caught some hints."
"The envoy happens to be the prince of Samonar, and we plan to host a banquet using recipes devised by Cristea to honor this state guest."
"What! Cristea-sama’s… Well then, there’s no doubt it will be a success."
Baron Mayor looked at me with an expression of convinced admiration, to which Otousama nodded with a proud "Indeed."
Otousama, you’re such a doting parent! It’s embarrassing!
"Some recipes have already been devised, but we also made an unexpected byproduct."
It’s roundabout, but he’s talking about spices, right? I get it.
Since Mariel-chan seemed to understand as well, she glanced at me, and I gave a slight nod, to which her eyebrows rose as if to say, "So it really is that topic, huh."
Sorry, Mariel-chan, for constantly burdening your trading company with this…
"A byproduct… you say?"
Baron Mayor leaned forward, curious.
Knowing the recipe’s secrecy, Mariel-chan seemed to have withheld information from her father until we approached her about it.
"Yes. Samonar’s specialties include spices and medicinal herbs, and we’ve created a seasoning by blending them, making cooking easier."
"Oh, making cooking easier! That sounds like a bestseller!"
Baron Mayor leaned forward even more eagerly.
"Indeed. It’s likely Samonar will want the recipe as well. If they do, we plan to offer it as a gesture of friendship, but domestically, only the royal family and our house will hold the recipe rights initially. Should we proceed to sell it, we’d like the Mayor Company to have the exclusive rights... How about it?"
"Exclusive rights to our company!? Are you certain!?"
Baron Mayor, looking almost disbelieving, quickly drew back.
"I believe it best to entrust ventures involving Cristea to your company. Will you accept?"
Ah... Otousama, I see you’re thinking this is compensation for the burden I impose on Mariel-chan.
That’s a misunderstanding, Otousama!
Mariel-chan’s got her quirks too, you know!?
"... That you would entrust such an important role to someone like me…! Thank you very much!"
Baron Mayor stood up abruptly and bowed deeply.
Otousama nodded, as if he’d just done a good deed.
Meanwhile, Mariel-chan had a look of despair, as if to say, "Oh no, more work again…!"
Now that I think about it, Baron Mayor was always overworked. Although he accepted the offer with enthusiasm, I wonder if he’ll be pale with regret when he gets back to his trading company. Is he okay? Won’t he end up working himself to death?
"I’m counting on you, Baron Mayor… Now, there’s something else I’d like to ask... Ah, Cristea. Since I need to discuss a few matters with Baron Mayor, why don’t you and Miss Mariel go for a walk in the garden?"
"Huh? Yes...?"
Urged by Otousama, I found myself ushered out of the Traveler’s Room with Mariel-chan.
… Ah. Could it be that Father’s planning to ask Baron Mayor to handle the procurement of cocoa as well?
What do you think about this chapter?
