Chapter 614: The Design Plan and the Reward
Having finished everything I wanted to accomplish that morning, I returned to the mansion.
It was nearly time for lunch.
Since there was little point in starting anything major before the meal, I decided to relax for a while in the dining room and wait.
“This afternoon will be devoted to making gramophones.”
I leaned back in my chair and stretched slightly.
“I’d like to finish the one intended for His Majesty before the day is over if possible.”
“We’ll be making quite a lot of gramophones from now on.”
Nero smiled somewhat apologetically.
“I wish I could help.”
His eyebrows drooped slightly as he spoke.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded if Nero joined me.
The problem was that he always seemed reluctant to involve himself in magical tool crafting.
Perhaps he thought he’d only get in my way.
Which wasn’t true at all.
Or…
Maybe my crafting speed was so abnormal that it genuinely intimidated him?
That possibility was a little concerning.
“Julius-niisama, so this is where you were!”
“Kyuu!”
“How unusual.”
I looked toward the doorway.
“What brings you two here? Did something happen?”
It seemed Rosalia and the others had finished their morning work as well.
Rosalia entered the dining room accompanied by Lillie, with Mira tagging along beside her.
The instant Mira spotted me, she launched herself forward like a furry cannonball.
I barely managed to catch her with both arms.
Careful there, Mira.
Don’t try that with Rosalia.
The two of you would probably end up toppling backward together.
“We were worried.”
Rosalia placed her hands on her hips.
“You hadn’t returned no matter how long we waited.”
“Kyuu!”
Mira nodded vigorously in agreement.
“Sorry, sorry.”
I scratched my cheek.
“I couldn’t come up with a good design for the gramophone’s exterior.”
“So I went to the herb garden and then visited the knight order to clear my head.”
“I see.”
Rosalia nodded in understanding.
“Mother’s gramophone is about halfway finished.”
Then she tilted her head slightly.
“Should I use the same design as the one on your gramophone?”
Hmm.
Since Rosalia was making it, I felt like almost any design would be fine.
Mother liked cute things, after all.
The animal motifs would probably delight her.
On the other hand…
If Mother planned to show the gramophone off to other noblewomen, perhaps something with a more luxurious appearance would be appropriate.
A balance between elegance and charm would likely suit her best.
“Why don’t we ask Mother directly?”
I suggested.
“Wouldn’t that be better than asking me?”
“You’re right!”
Rosalia’s face brightened instantly.
“I’ll do that!”
It seemed Rosalia was struggling with the design aspect as much as I was.
In that case, it would probably be wise to ask Father what he wanted as well.
We could always make separate versions—one for private use and one for public display—but that would significantly increase the number we had to craft.
That sounded exhausting.
While Rosalia and I discussed various possibilities, Father and Mother entered the dining room.
Notably absent were Alex-niisama and Sister-in-law Daniela.
Judging by that, they were probably eating at the merchant company today.
The moment Father and Mother took their seats, lunch was served.
Fresh bread.
And stew.
My favorite.
The stew here was genuinely delicious.
The rich aroma alone was enough to make my stomach growl.
“Father, Mother.”
Rosalia and I spoke almost simultaneously.
“We’d like to consult you about the gramophone designs.”
“What sort of designs would you prefer?”
Together, we asked for their opinions.
Rosalia was responsible for making Mother’s and Alex-niisama’s gramophones.
I, meanwhile, would be crafting Father’s and Sister-in-law Daniela’s.
After hearing them out, their preferences became fairly clear.
Father wanted something impressive and dignified.
A design with strong visual appeal.
Mother, however, wanted something that combined luxury with cuteness.
In that case…
Perhaps a design featuring Rosalia’s adorable animal motifs intertwined with large blooming flowers would work perfectly.
Elegant, yet charming.
Yes.
That sounded about right.
“Thank you for your valuable input.”
I nodded thoughtfully.
“I think I’ve finally settled on the designs.”
“So magical tool creation requires more than technical skill.”
Father laughed.
“It also requires artistic sense.”
He folded his arms.
“When these gramophones are completed, I may need to provide proper compensation.”
“Indeed.”
Mother smiled.
“We’ve been receiving gifts nonstop. It’s only fair.”
The two of them laughed together.
Come to think of it, I’d never really received payment for any of this.
Not that I particularly needed money at the moment.
There wasn’t much I wanted to buy.
Still…
One day I would marry into the House of Amber.
Saving any future rewards for that time might not be a bad idea.
I briefly wondered what Rosalia would do if she received money.
She’d probably spend it on magical tool research.
Books.
Materials.
Experimental components.
Not exactly the sort of purchases most girls her age made.
Then again…
What did girls her age usually buy?
Dresses?
Jewelry?
Sweets?
The image of Rosalia enthusiastically purchasing magical engineering manuals instead of ribbons somehow felt perfectly natural.
“Julius.”
Mother turned toward me.
“How’s the clover field progressing?”
“I’ve decided to build it at the far end of the garden.”
I answered.
“At the moment, I’ve only finished tilling the soil.”
“A clover field?”
Rosalia’s eyes sparkled immediately.
“Onii-sama, I want to see it too!”
Her reaction was instant.
She clearly had no idea what a clover field actually looked like.
But she was convinced it would be interesting.
Mira, still perched comfortably on my lap, stared up at me with exactly the same shining eyes as Rosalia.
The resemblance was uncanny.
And completely unfair.
How was I supposed to refuse when both of them looked at me like that?
“I’ll take you once it’s finished.”
I smiled.
“Right now it’s just dirt, so there’s nothing interesting to see.”
“I’ll look forward to it!”
“Kyuu!”
The two of them beamed.
I couldn’t help smiling in return.
The plan was to turn the entire area into a sea of clover.
I was sure they’d love it.
Maybe we could even make flower crowns.
Lying down in a vast field of clover sounded surprisingly pleasant.
Just imagining it made me want to finish the project sooner.
“Father.”
I turned toward him.
“I’d like permission to go collect clover in the near future.”
“I’ve already discussed the matter with Lionel.”
“Permission granted.”
Father answered without hesitation.
“But don’t go wandering into dangerous areas.”
“Of course not.”
“I want to come too!”
Rosalia suddenly raised her hand.
“Is that not allowed, Father?”
“Kyuu!”
Mira apparently wished to join the expedition as well.
Rosalia rarely had opportunities to leave the estate.
Strictly speaking, there was no necessity for her to accompany us.
But remaining cooped up inside the mansion forever probably wasn’t healthy either.
Father fell into thought.
A deep, troubled thought.
It seemed he still wanted to keep Rosalia as his precious sheltered daughter.
Perhaps he feared that if she spent too much time outside with me, she’d transform into some kind of wild Rosalia.
Honestly…
That wasn’t entirely impossible.
If we were gathering clover, we’d almost certainly be entering forests where monsters appeared.
And where monsters existed, encounters were always possible.
At last, Father nodded.
“Very well.”
Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.
“In that case, I shall accompany you as well.”
His eyes gleamed with curiosity.
“I’ve long wanted to see how Julius gathers materials firsthand.”
“Oh?”
Mother immediately joined in.
“Then I’ll come too.”
She laughed softly.
“I need to leave the capital of the territory once in a while. Otherwise I may forget how to walk outdoors.”
And just like that, what had originally been a simple gathering expedition transformed into a family outing.
A very large family outing.
I could already picture the amount of preparation this would require.
Sorry, Lionel.
I really hadn’t expected things to develop this way.