Kays Translations

Chapter 409: The Marchioness of Mulan

According to Caro, Marquis Mulan would return that evening. Should I consult him during dinner?

Causing trouble on the first day of my visit was probably more than even Marquis Mulan had expected. Perhaps I should first approach Caro’s mother. Yes, that seemed wise.

“Caro, I am thinking of speaking with Marchioness Mulan first. What do you think?”

“Of course, I don’t mind. Gaining my mother’s support would be very reassuring.”

It seemed noblewomen wielded considerable influence in every household. Were noble fathers everywhere under their wives’ control?

And so, we all headed towards the Marchioness together. I had said that we would be fine on our own, but everyone decided to tag along for some mysterious reason—apparently, they thought it “sounded interesting.”

Guided by Caro, we made our way to the Marchioness’s room. Was it really proper to visit her private room directly? Should we not invite her to the salon instead?

As I pondered this, Caro confidently walked through the mansion and knocked on a beautifully decorated door adorned with geometric reliefs.

“Mother, I have something important to discuss. May we come in?”

“Oh my, it seems you’ve finally made up your mind. Of course, come in.”

“Mother! What exactly are you talking about?”

Ah, Caro, your mother clearly thought this concerned you and Axel. Did you, like Axel, believe no one had noticed?

That’s naïve, Caro. Too naïve. You’re sweeter than freshly picked corn in the morning.

Perhaps realising what was happening, Axel turned bright red. Ijidol desperately looked away, though his twitching cheeks betrayed him.

“Oh my, everyone is here. Welcome. Have you come to discuss a double wedding?”

“No, Mother! Please, let’s move on from that topic already.”

Caro’s mother was remarkably free-spirited. Even the normally composed Caro had become flustered, which was a rare sight indeed.

But this was not the time to become distracted.

“Marchioness Mulan, actually, I have a request…”

I explained my plan to the Marchioness. She listened silently, without interrupting, and maintained a smile the entire time.

Would she truly allow it? I waited nervously for her answer.

“That sounds great. Go ahead and do it. I already knew Julius was the type to cause trouble, but you’re showing your true colours right away. My children, for better or worse, are all rather reserved, so life has been a bit boring.”

“Ah, um… Thank you?”

Was that supposed to be praise? Fabienne’s wry smile suggested otherwise. Regardless, I had secured permission for the herb garden. The next step was obtaining seedlings.

In the worst case, I would have to rely on the knights to collect the seedlings. Had I known this would happen, I would have brought the knights who guard House Heine’s herb garden. One of them always seemed to possess a cultivation-related skill.

With the Marchioness’s support secured, we returned to the salon just as Nero arrived. Excellent timing.

“It looks like we’ll be able to create the herb garden. How did it go on your end?”

“Lionel-sama was strongly opposed to the idea, but he reluctantly gave permission, saying that if he refused, you’d just go and gather the plants on your own anyway.”

“……”

Everyone nodded in agreement. What expression was I supposed to make at a time like this? So that was how they saw me… Mira, realising they might be allowed outside with us, squealed with delight. At least Mira was on my side.

“Then we are going too. Right, Ijidol?”

“Huh, me too? Well, I don’t really mind, but…”

“Axel, forcing people to come along isn’t a good idea. There’s no need for everyone to go. Only those who want to should go, right?”

Although the danger was considered low, we would be entering the depths of a monster-inhabited forest and needed to prepare accordingly. Personally, I would have preferred to go alone, but Lionel would never permit that.

“In that case, I shall accompany you as well.”

“Huh? Wait, Fabienne, are you serious?”

“Of course I am. Surely, you weren’t planning to leave me out, were you?”

Ugh, Fabienne was glaring at me. All because I had said something unnecessary… I had only been trying to help Ijidol.

Nero and Ijidol also volunteered, and finally Caro declared that she would accompany us. This was becoming dangerous.

“Caro, is it really sensible for you to come?”

“Why is that? Fabienne is going too. I don’t want to be the only one left behind.”

“Well, you see, you have to take care of Mira—”

“Kyuu, kyuu!”

Mira wanted to come as well and clung to me desperately. The matter was already beyond saving. Marquis Mulan would surely refuse when he heard the full plan. What should I do?

Well, I would ask anyway, even though the request seemed hopeless.

If he refused, I could always slip into the forest alone.

Wait… perhaps refusal would actually be better. I could roam the forest freely, find good seedlings and enjoy true freedom for the first time in ages.

…Yes, everyone was probably thinking the same thing.

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