Chapter 700

Since the long vacation is coming up soon.
I dodged the issue by saying I had plans for the weekend, and since Ronnie-sama also said he wanted time to prepare question letters and such, we agreed to continue that discussion another time. Thus, Mariel-chan and I somehow managed to get through that moment, submitted our outing permits for the afternoon, and headed for the mansion.

“Haa… Adry-sama’s extrovert energy is really something, isn’t it.”

Mariel-chan said this with a huge sigh while holding Ruby on her lap.

“Truly… I was worried about what we’d do if he actually tried to follow us.”

I didn’t think a young lord from a good family would forcibly tag along without being invited, but there was a chance he’d try to get my verbal agreement to accompany us to the territory.

Well, we can’t exactly let anyone use our transfer room so casually anyway. Even if someone insisted on accompanying us, they’d have to travel by carriage, which realistically isn’t feasible.

At that point, just traveling one way would take up the whole weekend. They’d have to submit an absentee notice to the academy, so they would be forced to give up.

It was a bit scary when Ronnie-sama muttered that it might be best to go during the long vacation since it’s almost here… but if they really want to come, they can hire guards and do it amongst themselves.

As for me, I have the transfer room—actually, I can even transfer directly to the estate by myself.
Carriage travel is a big “no thank you”!

“… So, that’s why I’m planning to stay completely uninvolved.”

“That’s definitely the best choice. Ah—will you be spending the long vacation in your territory?”

“Yes. We’re running low on seafood stocks, and I want to take a little getaway to the port town while restocking.”

“The sea, huh… that sounds wonderful… Living in the royal capital, we never get anywhere near the ocean. Proper ladies shouldn’t be swimming or anything, but picking up seashells along the shore or doing some beachcombing sounds really fun.”

Ah, right. Back when Mariel-chan’s family was traveling merchants, they had the opportunity, but now that they’ve established their company in the capital, she can’t go to the sea that isn’t anywhere near here.

“If you’d like, why don’t you spend this upcoming long vacation in my territory? Let’s go to the sea together.”

“Eh!? Really?”

Mariel-chan’s face lit up at my suggestion.

“Of course. You’d be very welcome, Mariel-san.”

“Yay! … Ah, but…”

“What’s wrong? Oh—is it that you have to help out at home?”

I’ve heard that merchant family children usually help with the business during long vacations.

“Well, that’s… not really the issue…”

“Then what is?”

“Umm… My father has begged me not to take on any more work.”

“… Did we talk about work at any point?”

“Well, umm, when I follow after you, Cristea-san, I feel like my workload tends to… increase.”

Mariel-chan laughed, “ehe…”

No, I can’t laugh at that!
Even if I want to deny it, I have too many past “results” so I can’t say anything!

“… It’s probably just your imagination.”

“I really hope it’s just my imagination…”

As we both averted our gazes, Ruby calmly cut in with, “It’s not your imagination, so just give up and either hire more staff or start a second company.”

“… We will consider it seriously.”

When we arrived at the mansion in the royal capital, it seemed Otousama had just returned from the palace.

“Oh, Cristea. You’re back.”

“Otousama. Welcome home, and thank you for your hard work.”

“D-Duke-sama! Th-th-thank you for your hard w-work! S-s-sorry to intrude!”

… She stumbled over her words.

“Mariel-chan, it’s about time you got used to dealing with Otousama…”

I whispered into her ear, and Mariel-chan shook her head violently.

“N-n-no way, impossible! He’s a handsome man and a powerful noble and a devoted husband and a doting father—how am I supposed to stay calm against a character with that many stacked attributes!”

“Eeeh…? And you say that while indulging in fujoshi fantasies…”

“Oh, that’s a separate appetite entirely.”

… Unacceptable!

What do you think about this chapter?