Kays Translations

Chapter 113: A Royal Commission

Snow accumulated outside the windows as winter began in earnest. Thanks to the hot-and-cold air blower, my room remained comfortable without a fire.

“I’m glad I made this. Lighting and tending fireplaces creates a great deal of work for the servants, and reducing our firewood use benefits the entire estate.”

“Kyu.”

“Good morning, Mira. You look energetic.”

“Kyu!”

Recently, Mira had alternated between sleeping in my room and Rosalia’s. Before the rest of the family returned from the royal capital, the three of us had often shared a room, but Mother had now forbidden Rosalia and me from sleeping together.

Rosalia had protested persistently, but Mother was determined to raise her as a proper young lady.

When I entered the dining room, Rosalia immediately glared at Mira in my arms.

“Mira slept with Big brother last night. Mira is the only one allowed to do that.”

I sat down and searched for a gentle explanation.

“Rosalia, you’re six now. You should practise sleeping alone. Besides, brothers and sisters can’t continue sharing a bed as they grow older. You don’t sleep with Brother Alex or Brother Cain.”

“But you’re different, Big brother.”

Different in what way? I didn’t know whether to feel pleased or troubled.

Mother arrived before I found an answer.

“Rosalia, are you still arguing about this? You can’t sleep with Julius anymore, and you can’t always have your own way.”

Rosalia lowered her head miserably. Feeling guilty, I asked Mira to sleep in her room that night.

After breakfast came the morning’s lessons. Winter kept us indoors and therefore increased our study time.

Most tutors employed by House Heine stayed in guest rooms during the season. When I once asked whether that arrangement felt restrictive, they said they appreciated not paying for food or lodging. Winter was evidently a profitable period for live-in teachers.

After a demanding morning, lunch offered welcome relief. While I waited in the dining room, Father approached and produced a letter.

“Julius, this arrived from the royal capital. Your hot-and-cold air blower has attracted considerable attention among the nobility, but the workshops there can’t meet demand.”

The sender was His Majesty the King.

My stomach tightened as I read the polite request: the royal household wanted me to manufacture and deliver additional units.

“Could we send blowers made by the craftspeople in the territorial capital?” I asked. “They would earn money, House Heine would receive taxes, and I wouldn’t need to build every unit myself.”

Father’s brow furrowed.

“You haven’t heard? The devices are equally popular here. Every local workshop already has a long waiting list.”

“Oh.”

No one had told me. Perhaps the adults were deliberately hiding the information from Rosalia. If she learned how many orders existed, she might attempt to spend every waking hour manufacturing blowers.

“The King isn’t demanding a large shipment,” Father continued. “Make them only when you have spare time. You’ll, of course, be paid.”

“Under those conditions, I accept.”

“I’m sorry. A request from the royal family is difficult to refuse.”

“I understand, Father.”

He was caught between national obligations and concern for his child. He could simply have ordered me to comply, yet he still treated my time as my own.

Alex and Cain entered as our discussion ended.

“Julius, are you involved in another problem?” Alex asked with an infuriatingly pleasant smile.

“That’s a terrible greeting, Brother Alex.”

Alex was learning territorial administration while assisting Father. His burden was probably heavier than mine, so I allowed him the joke.

“It only proves how much people rely on you,” he said. “I’ll rely on you too.”

“What?”

“Is that how you respond to your future lord?”

“I was joking. I’ll help whenever I can.”

“I’ll remember that promise.”

His smile became frightening.

“At least Julius is working hard,” Cain said. “That means I can become an adventurer after graduating.”

“You’ll help me as well,” Alex replied. “After the Royal Academy, you’ll join the Heine knight order and eventually command it. Everyone has great expectations for your swordsmanship.”

“What?” Cain said.

Alex’s expression fell. “Am I truly such an unreasonable brother?”

“We were joking,” Cain and I hurriedly assured him.

Although Alex concealed it well, the responsibility of governing thousands of lives weighed on him. In his position, I might have been crushed by it.

I would do what I could to make that burden lighter—even if it meant accepting occasional royal commissions.

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