Chapter 665: Selecting the Party for the Royal Capital

We decided to discuss the trip to the royal capital with the family later.

My first task was deciding what to do about Lady Fabienne. Nero would naturally accompany me, and I would have to tell Lelie as well.

“I would like to bring you to the royal capital, Lady Fabienne, but I think you should remain here this time.”

“Yes. That may be best.”

Lady Fabienne looked somewhat relieved. Of course. She rarely had the opportunity to visit the royal capital, and going there would inevitably mean visiting the royal palace, where His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen awaited us. No wonder she hesitated.

“Then let’s do that. You’ve hardly had an opportunity to rest recently, so take this chance to relax for a while.”

“I didn’t think I had been especially busy, but I shall do so.”

Lady Fabienne’s brows drooped. She seemed to realise that I was being considerate. That settled her arrangements. I would tell Father and Mother later. They would surely invite Lady Fabienne to tea occasionally.

Then Lady Fabienne would understand that she had not been neglected and would not feel anxious simply because I was away.

Next were Rosalia and Lelie. When I went to the crafting room, I found them making something together, just as expected. Mira was with them, which was convenient.

“I have something to tell the three of you.”

“What is it?”

“Kyuu?”

I explained my conversation with Sister-in-law Daniela. Rosalia was the first to look dissatisfied when she heard I would be visiting the royal capital. Then, when I explained that Nero would accompany me, Lelie looked slightly lonely.

Finally, I said I would bring Mira, and Rosalia pursed her lips.

“Brother Julius, I shall go to the royal capital too.”

“This isn’t a pleasure trip. I have to explain various things to many people. It’ll probably be boring and uncomfortable.”

“Kyuu!?”

Mira covered their mouth with tiny paws and stared at me with wide eyes. Their expression seemed to ask whether I intended to bring Mira to such a place. I should offer reassurance. Otherwise, Mira might hide until the day I departed.

“You’ll be fine, Mira. It seems I’m the only one they need. You need only greet His Majesty and the others. I’m sure they’ll have delicious sweets waiting for you.”

“Kyuu!”

Good. Mira had taken the bait. Sweets were irresistible. Sometimes I wondered whether that was truly all right, but if Mira was happy, I supposed it was fine.

Rosalia frowned but did not insist upon joining us.

Even travelling to the royal capital was difficult. Apparently, she did not wish to endure the journey merely to visit somewhere boring and restrictive.

Our discussion became more specific at dinner. After leaving me in the salon, Sister-in-law Daniela had apparently gone directly to Father.

“Are you certain you don’t need to accompany them, Alex?”

“Yes. Daniela and I discussed it and decided that I should remain here. I would like to offer my greetings, but they’re unlikely to return immediately.”

Brother Alex glanced at me after saying that. Was that so? We would not return quickly? Now that he mentioned it, that seemed likely. I would probably have to meet Commander Giovanni and the others too.

“I see. The Heine Trading Company also needs you, so you can’t be absent for long. You should arrange a capable deputy as soon as possible for occasions like this.”

“I’ll do my best.”

A deputy for the Heine Trading Company. Was there an excellent merchant lying around somewhere? The discussion continued while I pondered that.

The principal members travelling to the royal capital would be Sister-in-law Daniela, Mira and me. Nero would naturally accompany us, while Lionel would join as our guard.

Lionel had apparently become comfortable leaving his duties to the deputy commander. Perhaps he was training the man by handing over his work from time to time. Was he considering retirement? Surely it was too soon. I still needed Lionel’s strength.

…Could he intend to become my dedicated guard? That seemed entirely possible.

Once the trip was formally decided, preparations began immediately. This was a summons from His Majesty, after all, so we could not dawdle.

I would bring Holy Clover as a precaution. It was a fairly rare ingredient.

We would also bring chocolate as a gift, along with the cacao fruit used to make it.

If I taught the royal chefs how to prepare it, they should soon be able to enjoy chocolate at the palace. Naturally, the Heine Trading Company intended to sell chocolate, so I would ask them to keep the method secret.

Along with meeting His Majesty and the others, our party had the duty of promoting the Heine Trading Company’s products. Sister-in-law Daniela must have had the same intention, since she was carefully checking the quality of the chocolate we would bring.

Once our preparations were complete, we departed for the royal capital before the full heat of summer began.