Kays Translations

Chapter 25: Jealousy

After returning from the tea party, I decided I wanted to give my first noble friends small presents. For Lady Fabienne, another Starry Sky magic tool seemed perfect. Edward was interested in crafting, so I would give him the three essentials for making magic tools: an iron plate, a magic stone, and magic ink.

While I was working in my room, Rosalia came to visit.

“Big brother, are you making a new magic tool?”

“No. I’m making another Starry Sky magic tool, like the one I gave you.”

“…Who are you giving it to? A girl?”

What was this feeling? Had I done something wrong? Rosalia was staring at me through narrowed eyes.

“I thought I would give it to Lady Fabienne, whom I befriended at today’s tea party.”

“Hm. Do you like her?”

Rosalia puffed out her cheeks. Oh no. Was my five-year-old little sister actually jealous?

“Not in that way. I don’t have many friends, so I need to treat the ones I make well. Besides, I’m giving a present to Edward too, not only to Lady Fabienne.”

“It must be nice to receive a present from you.”

Rosalia pouted. This didn’t feel like the right moment to remind her that I had already given her the original Starry Sky magic tool.

“All right. I’ll think of a present for you too.”

“Really? I’m looking forward to it!”

She brightened immediately. My little sister was still wonderfully straightforward. Even so, I hadn’t expected jealousy from a five-year-old.

What should I make for her? A stuffed bear might work. I had the Sewing skill, so it shouldn’t be difficult. I only needed the materials.

Once the magic tool was finished, I immediately began on the stuffed animal. I sewed soft fabric into shape and filled it with cotton. Buttons became the eyes, and I attached the arms and legs with buttons as well so they could move. For the stitching, I used Muscle Spider’s Tough Thread created with my Thread Creation skill, ensuring it wouldn’t snap easily.

I chose brown fabric so dirt wouldn’t show too clearly. I’d never seen a bear in this world, so I based the design on one from a picture book I’d read when I was little. Rosalia had loved those stories, which meant the design should suit her tastes.

“There, it’s finished. This should put my little sister in a good mood. Now I need to write to Lady Fabienne and Edward. If the gifts arrive without warning, they may wonder what’s happening.”

I sat down at my desk and wrote the letters immediately. If I put it off, writing them would only become more troublesome later. Better to finish everything at once.

When the letters were done, I gave the packages to a servant for delivery.

After dinner, I took the stuffed bear to Rosalia. At this hour, she and Mother would normally be waiting in the salon for the bath to be prepared.

I knocked on the salon door, then let only the bear’s face peek around it.

“Mother, look! A bear!”

“My, what an adorable little bear.”

Rosalia’s delighted voice was followed by Mother’s calmer one. I made the teddy bear wave before entering the salon with it in my arms.

“Rosalia, I brought you the present I promised.”

“Wow! Thank you, Big brother!”

Rosalia hugged the bear with all her strength the instant I handed it over. She was already trying to decide on a name. I sat in an empty chair, and a servant brought me a cup of herbal tea.

The tea was made from herbs grown in one corner of my medicinal garden. Apparently I had developed a reputation for growing plants that smelled pleasant.

“How lovely for you, Rosalia. By the way, Julius, I wonder whether your mother might receive one as well?”

Mother smiled sweetly at me. I couldn’t tell whether she was serious or joking, so I decided to ask directly.

“Would you like one too, Mother?”

“Yes, I would. Being an adult doesn’t stop me from liking cute things.”

Come to think of it, Mother’s room did contain stuffed animals and other cute decorations. I’d made a mistake. I should have prepared something for her too.

Her expectant gaze was becoming difficult to withstand. I certainly hadn’t meant to discriminate against her.

“Then I’ll make you a stuffed animal at once. Would you mind having the same bear?”

“Thank you. That would be wonderful. I never imagined the day would come when my son made a stuffed animal for me.”

Seeing how happy Mother looked made me want to make another design as well. Maybe a stuffed cat next. By the time I was done, there would be three stuffed animals including Rosalia’s bear, but I could manage that.

I returned to my room and started sewing again. I had to request more fabric after running short. In the end, I kept making stuffed animals until nearly bedtime. Once I’d seen Rosalia’s and Mother’s happy faces, I completely lost track of where I ought to stop.

The next morning, after breakfast, I carried the new stuffed animals to Mother and Rosalia.

“You’ve already made them? Julius, you truly have a talent for stuffed animals!”

“You’re amazing, Big brother! Thank you! Now I have another friend. Welcome, Little Bear!”

They clearly approved. Both of them kept testing how comfortable the toys were to hug. As long as they were happy, that was enough.

A few days later, thank-you letters arrived from Lady Fabienne and Edward.

Lady Fabienne wrote that the Starry Sky magic tool was even more wonderful than she’d imagined–and that her whole family was now fighting over it. Had I accidentally sent them something dangerously addictive?

Edward, meanwhile, wrote that he’d dismantled a magic tool and tried copying the magic circle inside, but it hadn’t worked.

He had probably made a mistake in the circle. The smaller a magic circle was drawn, the easier it became for neighbouring lines to connect incorrectly, reducing or ruining the effect.

So I wrote back with a simple piece of advice: “Start by drawing it large.” Successfully making even one magic tool with his own hands would give him confidence.

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