Kays Translations

Chapter 425: It Wasn’t the Right Time

After lunch, we toured the territorial capital a little longer before returning to the estate at around three o’clock—just in time for afternoon tea. I planned to have tea with everyone, give Fabienne the bracelet and invite her on an outing. Why was my heart already pounding?

“We’re back.”

“Oh, you’re back early. Will you be returning to the magic-tool workshop tomorrow?”

Marchioness Mulan welcomed us home. She had apparently misunderstood, so I explained that we had already finished. She must not have expected us to complete every magic tool in a single day. Had I done something outrageous again? Either way, the devices were already made.

“No, we finished everything we wanted to make. Nero, Giles, Christopher.”

“Yes, here they are.”

The three of them displayed the freshly made magic tools. Marchioness Mulan widened her eyes and raised her fan to her mouth. Even her surprise was elegant. Ah, that reminded me—I had brought a present.

“This is a gift in thanks for all your hospitality. It’s a star-shaped magic tool with a special modification, made for House Mulan.”

“Eh! You made even such a magic tool?”

Nero placed the device before Marchioness Mulan. She examined it from several angles, and the sparkle in her eyes showed that she was pleased. What a relief. She led us to the salon, where we arranged the magic tools on the table.

“This is the shower magic tool, and this is a sprinkler magic tool. It should make watering the herb garden much easier.”

“And this is the new star-shaped magic tool, right? Earlier, you mentioned it had a modification. What kind of modification is it?”

“Unlike the previous star-shaped magic tools, this one makes the projected stars move. You can enjoy a constantly changing night sky.”

Marchioness Mulan nodded in understanding, clearly eager to try it. Perhaps she liked new things. Unfortunately, it was still bright outside, and even closing the curtains might not make the salon dark enough.

No, wait, it might be fine if we’re in a place that’s already dark. Like a basement, a warehouse, or a library. Yeah, maybe the library would be a good idea.

“Um, I heard that Julius-sama has returned…”

“I’m back, Fabienne. Sorry for the late message.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m relieved to see you’re back safely.”

She had probably inferred the situation from Marchioness Mulan’s presence and the magic tools on the table. Fabienne did not seem upset and sat beside me as usual. If I was going to ask her, now was the time.

“I have a souvenir for you, Fabienne. Put your hand out.”

“Like this?”

We all gathered around her slender arm as I fastened the bracelet we had chosen. Its silver band was set with emeralds and decorated with a beautiful vine motif. According to the jeweller, the region’s emeralds were renowned for their quality.

“A beautiful bracelet… Thank you.”

“And there’s one more thing. Would you like to go on a tour of the capital tomorrow?”

She immediately understood that I was asking her on a date. Fabienne’s face turned bright red. When she looked at me, I saw Ijidol and the others desperately suppressing their grins. My own face was probably just as red.

“Of course. I would be happy to.”

Fabienne answered in a faint voice. This was bad—what was I supposed to do now? Perhaps the timing had not been right after all. Just as the awkwardness became unbearable, Axel and Caro arrived with Mira.

“Kyu, kyu!”

Mira leapt into my arms. Excellent timing, Mira. They had rescued me from the awkward atmosphere. Fabienne relaxed, and I stroked Mira’s fur while Caro and Axel tilted their heads and took the empty seats.

“I’d be so happy if Axel-kun could try as hard as Julius-kun.”

Marchioness Mulan furrowed her brows. Axel, who had no idea what she meant, tilted his head even farther. Caro, meanwhile, noticed the star-shaped magic tool and immediately reached towards it.

“This is a star-shaped magic tool, right?”

“Yes. Julius-kun gave it to House Mulan, and it isn’t an ordinary star-shaped magic tool—it’s a special version.”

Marchioness Mulan began explaining with a smile, and I joined in. Everyone quickly became eager to try it, so I suggested demonstrating it in the library.

The suggestion was accepted at once, and we went to display the moving night sky.

Everyone was delighted. The ever-changing stars were mesmerising, and the upgraded version reproduced the entire night sky with astonishing brilliance. Fabienne clearly wanted one, so I promised to make one for her after we returned home. I would make sure not to forget.

After tea, it was time to install the devices. We fitted a shower magic tool in the estate’s bathroom and a sprinkler magic tool in the herb garden. That should do it.

We then went to the training ground, where part of a storehouse had been cleared for another shower magic tool. Naturally, I used earth magic for the alterations, and a stone shower room was completed in no time.

“When did you learn such magic…?”

“Ah, well, we were going to go hunt Snow Worms during the winter. I learned it to set up a temporary base at that time.”

“Really?”

Ijidol regarded me suspiciously. He was perceptive. The truth was that I had already known the spell and had even taught it to the mages, but as long as I said nothing, no one would discover that. Nero, wearing his usual expressionless face, offered no comment. As expected, he knew when to remain silent.

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