Chapter 682

Alright, let’s head ou—huh?
Over the weekend, after getting permission to go out, Mariel-chan, Sei, and I headed to my family home, the Ellisfeed mansion.

We had informed them in advance, so as soon as we arrived, we were shown to the parlor where iced tea and sweets were served.

The latest model of magic cooling device (air conditioner) installed in the parlor had apparently been running before we arrived, filling the room with a pleasant chill.

Incidentally, on the way back, our carriage was kept cool and comfortable thanks to Mashiro, a.k.a. “Shiro◯ma-kun.”

“So? You want to use the warp room… which means your business is with Galvano? Don’t tell me it’s with Tirie.”

Otousama cut straight to the point, looking ready to forbid it outright if it was Tirie.

Why does Otousama hate Tirie so much…? Oh right, the sexual harassment.

And maybe he’s also wary of his “youthful exploits” being exposed? I still haven’t managed to get the full story about how Otousama and His Majesty, who was Crown Prince at the time, registered as adventurers during their academy days and occasionally went on “adventurer escapades,” as Tirie puts it.

Grrr… Otousama’s security on that topic is rock solid.

I even tried to get Galvano Ojisama to spill the beans during one of our family drinking parties, but all he said was, “If that one doesn’t want to talk about it, it’s not my place to tell. It was probably just youthful folly he’d rather not share with his daughter.”

Maybe that’s why Otousama gives me permission to visit Galvano Ojisama so easily.

He even has me deliver rare liquors from the royal capital as gifts… which, let’s be honest, probably count as hush money.

But, when Ojisama’s had a few drinks and I pull the cute-granddaughter routine, saying, “I’d love to hear tales of your and Otousama’s heroic exploits~,” he sometimes lets slip bits and pieces. Heh heh heh.

Fufufu… Otousama, your defenses may be strong, but your finishing touches are sloppy, aren’t they? Ohohoho.

Ah, no, that’s not today’s main objective.

“As for the smoked goods and spice business, that’s going smoothly, so I have no need to visit the Adventurers’ Guild or Tirie-san. This time, I have a favor to ask of Galvano Ojisama.”

I smiled sweetly as I answered. Otousama glanced at Mariel-chan, then made a sour face.

“You’re not planning to create some dangerous new weapon again, are you?”

Sensing the suspicion directed her way, Mariel-chan turned pale and shook her head furiously.

“I have a vague idea what you’re worried about, Otousama, but this is entirely a hobby project of mine.”

“A hobby… What, developing new kitchenware again?”

Why is it always kitchenware? You’re right, but still.

“Yes, well… it’s a dessert to enjoy during summer, but I need a special tool for it. I’ve tried making it in the past, but it never worked… However, with Mariel-chan’s help this year, I believe we can finally finish it.”

“Oh? A dessert, is it?”

Otousama looked at me with hopeful eyes.

He’s probably thinking, “Your Okaasama will love this,” or something along those lines.

“It won’t mean much if I explain it before it’s completed, so I’ll keep it a secret for now.”

“Hmm… very well, I’ll look forward to it then.”

In truth, I could make the dessert with magic, but it requires such precision that the effort isn’t worth it.

Otousama would probably say, “What’s the big deal? You can just make it with magic,” but not everyone can do that. That’s why I want to turn it into a proper tool anyone can use.

“Thank you. Now, I’d like to head to the estate right away, if that’s alright?”

“You’re leaving already? I was hoping we could have dinner together… And the head chef’s been fired up since hearing you were coming. Why not leave tomorrow morning?”

“Ugh…”

Ever since the new café menu became a hit, the head chef has been asking, “Was that Lady Cristea’s invention?!”

I’d kept quiet to avoid the hassle of registering the recipe with the Merchants’ Guild, but apparently, he figured it out instantly with, “Only Cristea-sama could come up with those combinations and ideas!” …Why!?

I was planning to avoid a long stay to escape his interrogation, but now that Otousama’s mentioned it, I can’t really brush it off.

“Mariel-san, Sei, would you mind staying here tonight and warping early tomorrow morning?”

After getting their approval, we decided to stay at the mansion in the royal capital for the night.

I told the head chef I had guests and couldn’t chat, successfully avoiding a grilling.

I’ll be prepared when I come home for summer break, I promise. I’ll even come up with some new dishes. So please let me off the hook this time!

By the way, the agar jelly dish with the altered “mock-dashi” sauce turned out beautifully and tasted great.

I accidentally remarked that it’d go well on chilled noodles too, which made the chef look devastated… Sorry about that.

But seriously, versatility is key! Expecting me to care about elegance and aesthetics is a mistake to begin with. Yep.

The next morning, in the warp room stood myself, Miria, Kurogane, Mashiro, Mariel, Ruby, Sei (with Byakko-sama and Suzaku-sama planning to warp separately to the Bastea Company in the territory), and… Otousama.

“… Otousama?”

“I finished my work last night, so I took the day off. Besides, I wanted to see Galvano again.”

Lies! Those dark circles under your eyes aren’t fooling anyone, Otousama.

I gave him a half-lidded glare, but he didn’t flinch in the slightest, so I had no choice but to drop it.

“Well then, shall we begin the warp—”

“Cristea! … I made it, just in time… Huff, huff… I’m coming too.”

“Oniisama…?”

Looks like he caught the earliest shared carriage back.

Isn’t Oniisama supposed to be super busy assisting Crown Prince Raymond lately? What? You forced yourself to take leave?

… Isn’t my family’s overprotectiveness getting a little out of hand!?

What do you think about this chapter?