Chapter 609: Rosalia-san?! 

Together with Rosalia, I began working on designs for the gramophone’s outer casing.

Wanting a wider range of opinions, I also asked Nero and Lillie for their thoughts. Unfortunately, both of them quickly backed away from the idea.

“For designs aimed at commoners, I can probably offer some suggestions,” Nero said with a troubled smile. “But something intended for nobles is far beyond me.”

“In that case, I guess we’ll have to ask Mother and Sister-in-law Daniela. They’re probably sensitive to trends, and I’m sure they know plenty about traditional decorative styles too.”

“I think there should be more teddy bears and kitties.”

“I see~. Then how about this? Could you make a gramophone with your own favorite design on it… and give it to your big brother as a present?”

“Of course I can!”

Rosalia puffed up proudly and immediately began enthusiastically working on the casing.

Honestly, receiving a gramophone handmade by my beloved little sister?

That was peak older-brother happiness right there.

I wonder if my older brothers would get jealous?

Actually… maybe I should have Rosalia make one for Alex-niisan too.

“First, let’s make the gramophone intended for His Majesty the king. As usual, we’ll include the royal crest… but I think we should probably add Mira too. She’s technically the kingdom’s guardian deity, after all.”

“Kyuu.”

Perhaps understanding that we were talking about her, Mira suddenly struck a pose.

It looked like some kind of dramatic stretching pose.

…Was that really the one she wanted immortalized?

Still, since the opportunity presented itself, I quickly sketched her onto a sheet of paper.

My 《Painting》 skill wasn’t particularly high, but honestly, it turned out surprisingly well.

“Done. You can relax now. What do you think? Does it look like you?”

“Kyuu, kyuu!”

Apparently delighted with the result, Mira immediately headbutted me after seeing the drawing.

I chose to interpret that as praise.

Curious about the sudden commotion, Rosalia paused her work and walked over.

“I want to see the picture Oniisama drew too.”

“I don’t mind, but it’s just a sketch of Mira, you know?”

I handed the paper to her.

It was nothing extraordinary—just a pencil sketch.

Though I had gone into fairly detailed linework.

Rosalia stared at it so intently it looked as though she might burn a hole straight through the paper. Nero and Lillie also kept sneaking glances toward it from the side, unable to hide their curiosity.

“Nero and Lillie can look too if they want. Rosalia, show them.”

“Oniisama… may I have this drawing?”

“No, uh… this is supposed to be the rough draft for the gramophone’s design…”

In the end, I lost to Rosalia’s pleading expression and gave it to her anyway.

It wasn’t even colored in—just a simple pencil drawing.

Was something like that really okay?

Well… Rosalia looked deeply satisfied, so perhaps it was.

Feeling oddly conflicted, I resumed the metalworking process.

By the time the casing had finally begun taking proper shape, it was already time for dinner.

Since this was a piece intended to be presented to His Majesty himself, the craftsmanship naturally required extra care and attention.

It wasn’t as though I usually cut corners elsewhere, but somehow the pressure felt completely different this time.

When we gathered for dinner, the entire family was present.

The absence of Fabienne—who had spent the last month constantly by my side—left me feeling unexpectedly lonely.

Fortunately, Mira sitting on my lap helped soften that feeling somewhat.

As usual, she was happily munching on dried fruit.

The spirits seemed fond of them too, so perhaps dried fruits possessed some quality especially beloved by sacred creatures.

Everyone was enjoying dinner together in cheerful spirits when Rosalia suddenly dropped an absolute bombshell onto the table.

Why hadn’t I specifically told her to keep quiet about it?

“Very soon, the gramophone I’m making for Julius-niisama will be complete. And once it’s finished, Julius-niisama is going to play the piano for us, right?”

“Eh? Ah, well…”

The dining table instantly fell silent.

Why was it that the same table that had been so lively just moments ago suddenly became deathly quiet?

I cautiously glanced toward Father.

One of his eyebrows had already risen.

If Lionel had been present, Father would no doubt have immediately demanded confirmation from him.

But unfortunately for me, Lionel wasn’t here.

Which meant the only available source was me.

However, before Father could speak, Mother reacted first.

“Julius… what exactly is this about? Unless I misheard, it sounded as though you promised to perform piano for Rosalia.”

“Well, that is…”

“Nero told us that Julius-niisama is very skilled at piano. And now he’s agreed to let me hear him perform.”

At once, every eye at the table focused on me.

Which made sense.

I had never once played piano in the Heine Margrave House, nor had there ever been any music lessons here.

Naturally, everyone was wondering the same thing:

How on earth can you suddenly play piano?

“I see,” Father said slowly. “Julius, then I shall listen alongside Rosalia.”

“Oh my, how lovely,” Mother added with clear interest. “I would like to hear it as well.”

“Of course we’ll listen too.”

“Yes, I’m truly looking forward to it.”

Sister-in-law Daniela smiled innocently, completely unaware of the situation.

She probably assumed I had simply been quietly practicing piano all this time within the estate.

But actually, ever since Daniela married into the family, I hadn’t played piano even once.

Did she think I’d been secretly practicing somewhere out of sight?

I honestly had no idea.

Still, one thing was absolutely certain now.

I was definitely going to end up performing piano in front of everyone.

Well…

There was no helping it.

At times like this, resignation was the only path forward.

When I glanced toward Nero again, his face had already turned completely pale.

But honestly, I had no intention whatsoever of blaming him.

Nero had always taken care of me.

I couldn’t keep making him wear that guilt-ridden expression forever.

And so, if things had already reached this point…

Then perhaps it was time to go all out.

“Of course,” I declared with a smile. “After dinner, I’ll give everyone a very thorough performance.”