Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 83: Tentative Sewing
Mr. Henry formally proposed to me.
I made up my mind to choose Henry over my worries and answered, “Okay, I’ll accept,” but then I noticed that Henry’s black triangular ears were popping up from among his black hair. Henry didn’t seem to notice, and was deflated with a look of relief.
“I’m glad. I thought you would flatly refuse me. You have a very straightforward temper, so I was nervous that you’d tell me “don’t come to the restaurant anymore because it would be too much trouble””
Feeble-minded.
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“That’s a relief. Now, before the engagement ceremony, let’s go buy some ruby earrings together.”
“What do you do at an engagement ceremony? And Henry, you haven’t noticed that your cat ears are out, have you?”
“Ears? Wow, it’s true. While I was waiting for your reply (would she refuse?), I felt a tingling sensation all over my body, but it’s just my ears? I guess I haven’t completely gotten control over my transformation yet.”
Henry closed his eyes and began to take a deep breath, probably thinking of some military doctor to calm himself down, and his ears quickly retracted.
Then Mr. Henry explained to me about the noble engagements in this country.
He said that once I was adopted by some noble family, not only would I be adopted, but I would also be engaged to him for a period of one year.
The reason, apparently, was that there had been several incidents in the past in which, after marriage, the result of what was thought to be a premature birth turned out to be that the father was not the nobleman, but rather the woman had been cheating with someone back when she was a commoner.
“My adoptive mother is in a great hurry to get us engaged. She’s terribly worried, saying, ‘’What are you dawdling about, Mai will run away from you.’ It’s the first time I’ve ever been so angry with my adoptive mother.”
I could guess why Lady Constance was in such a hurry. It must be because I’m about to turn 26. In this world, it’s considered “normal” to get married in your teens and give birth to your first child by the age of 20. I have been told this many times by customers at the restaurant. I have always smiled and passed it off as a joke, but I knew I couldn’t use that trick on her.
Even if we were to get married in a year and be blessed with a child right away, I would be twenty-seven years old by the time the child was born. I am well aware that it is not always possible to have a baby so conveniently. Lady Constance must be rushing Henry to hurry up, taking my age into consideration.
In a world where so many babies are born and so many die, it is only natural to think that way. And since Mr. Henry is a half-breed, it may be difficult for us to have a child.
Lady Constance is worried about us as a mother, including that.
“I understand the situation. Is there anything I should do at the engagement ceremony?”
“Nothing in particular. The only thing I can think of is to make sure you’re happy.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s okay. I’m usually in a good mood.”
“I’m sorry to bring up this matter right after I said I would protect you, but can we have the engagement ceremony in ten days’ time? I would like to have it at our home with my adoptive parents and a witness.”
“How should I dress?”
“Your dress will be prepared by my adoptive mother. She said she will take your measurements tomorrow at the mansion. The engagement ceremony will be witnessed by the Prime Minister, Belsen Road.
Prime Minister? a big shot out of the blue? Mr. Henry is a star of great promise, isn’t he? This means that even if something happens, It would be impossible for him to escape to another country, right?
“The Prime Minister has often told me to get married, and the other day when I told him, ‘I’ve found someone I want to marry,’ he said, ‘Then I’ll be the witness.’ If I ask the Prime Minister to be the witness at our engagement ceremony, he will also be the witness at our wedding. I apologize for telling you this after the fact.”
“The witness can be anyone. So the outer moat was already filled.”
“The outer moat?”
I just laughed and didn’t answer.
He said that there will be a lecture by lady Constance on Aristocratic knowledge. It will be held once a week at night after the store is closed. There will also be road repairs, magic lessons, and a search for high magic holders. It’s going to be busy.
“Please take care of me for the rest of my life, until the day I die, Mai-san.”
Henry said those heavy words casually, kissed me on the lips, and left. He looked so happy from behind. I don’t think I could find anyone in the world who would be so happy to marry me.
The next night, I went to the Howler house to have my measurements taken. The faces of the three people at the dress shop looked strangely tense.
“My Lady, we’ll make sure it’s ready in time for your engagement ceremony!”
“We will take full responsibility to make it on time. Please rest assured.”
“We will definitely make it in time!”
I understood from what they were saying that it must be extraordinary to finish an engagement dress in such a short period of time. I’m sorry.
A week later, the dress I tried on was a pink that was almost white. The upper half of the dress was snug against my body, and from the waist down it was soft and fluffy. It was like Cinderella’s dress.
Lady Constance, who was present at the fitting, seemed pleased, saying, “It’s beautiful. It looks good on you.”
“As the wife of the head of the Howler family, I feel a weight has finally been lifted from my shoulders. I am so happy that Henry has found a partner… Mai. Henry may be unsociable, but he has a kind heart.”
“He is very kind, isn’t he?”
Lady Constance was in tears. Even I felt a little teary-eyed.
After the fitting, Henry and I headed for Edmond Jewelers. It was the same store where we bought the ear cuffs. I chose the type that didn’t shake so that I wouldn’t be bothered by It while working. Henry chose cufflinks with rubies on them. He said he would continue to use the ear cuff with the magic power in it as before.
“I will never take off this ear cuff that contains your magic power.”
I thought Mr. Henry was lovely. We were the same age, he was smart, tall and reliable, but there are often moments when I thought to myself, (I’ll protect you).
The next day, when I told Albert and the others about my engagement, they were surprised and asked, “Why weren’t you engaged until now?”
“It’s complicated. We’re from different backgrounds “
“Oh, yes, of course. What are you going to do about this store?”
“I will continue. This store is my reason for living. I want to support you guys until you can stand on your own two feet.”
“What? On our own? Like, us?”
Sandor and Albert were surprised.
“Yes. If you guys are willing to do it.”
“Of course we are! But I don’t know if I can save enough money to start my own business.”
“When your service work is over, your wages will be paid to you, not to the government. You can save them. Actually, please save it up.”
“Wow, I’m so motivated.”
Albert says, but Sandor looks down.
“What about you, Sandor? Do you plan on opening a shop like this in the future?”
“Independence is just a dream, I can’t imagine it even for a moment.”
Ad
“It’s not a dream. I think you guys have a good sense of cooking and business. Henry said he would help you choose a restaurant when you start your own business. If Henry agrees, I’m sure it will be a great deal.”
They were both in tears. I thought the conversation ended there, but then Albert and Sandor exchanged glances and looked fidgety.
“What’s wrong?”
“We really need to confirm something with you, Mai-san. Ever since that day, there’s something that’s been bothering us about your magic.”
Tl note:
外堀はもう埋まっていたんですね: Literally, it’d translate to something along the lines of, “to fill up the outer moat (of the castle) and corner (the enemies or the targets)”, and it’s an idiom meaning, “to remove/take care of the obstacles first, and then, tackle the main problem, target, etc.
仮縫い*Temporary sewing *the process of trying on an unfinished garment) fitting