Chapter 119: The Thawing Season

　I think we got a lot closer to each other after I went to visit Miss Fabienne at her house. Now we were having friendly conversations with each other.

“It’s always so nice here.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I wish my house had a greenhouse.”

“I can build you a heating system. I’ll have to ask you to provide the building, though.”

　We are now in the greenhouse that is the pride and joy of the Margrave Heine family. This greenhouse is so magnificent that it is not much different from the greenhouse in the castle. For that reason, the inside was spacious, and not only medicinal herbs but also ornamental plants and flowers are grown inside.

　Miss Fabienne, whose hobby is growing plants, was very envious of the greenhouse. I would like to build her a similar greenhouse, but it’s impossible for me to do it alone. I have to ask her to do something about that.

　Winter has passed its peak, and the number of days with heavy snowfall has decreased. At such times, various people would come to visit like this. 

　It was not only Miss Fabienne. Edward and my friends and Melissa also came to visit.

“I heard that not only Alex-sama but also Cain-sama will be attending school in the royal capital from spring. Won’t you miss them ?

“I guess so. The winter was lively, so it might feel a little lonely. But this year, I have Mira, so it won’t be that bad.”

“Kyu!”

　Mira, who was being held by Miss Fabienne, answered cheerfully. Winter is about to end, but Mira shows no sign of talking. On the contrary, it seems as if she has not grown at all since she was born. Is this the normal growth rate for a holy dragon?　I’m a little curious, so I’ll ask Marth-san later.

　After circling the greenhouse, we crossed the cold garden, which was still covered with snow here and there, and returned to the main building. I’d like to have a pathway from the greenhouse to the main building. That might be a bit of an extravagant wish, though.

　As I entered through the back door, I was greeted by warm air.

“Whew, I came back to life.”

“This is also thanks to the magic tool that Julius-sama made.”

“Kyu”

　Maybe Mira doesn’t feel the cold so much because she’s covered by her fur coat. In fact, it might be hot on the contrary. Maybe I should give her a summer cut when summer comes.　But if I did that, Marth-san might have a stroke. What are you doing to the Holy Dragon? he’d say.

　While we were having tea at the salon, Rosalia and my brothers also came. Marth-san  came too, so I asked him what I was wondering earlier.

“Marth-san, Mira doesn’t seem to be growing, is that a problem?”

“Well, I was wondering about that too. However, there is no particular description about the growth of the Holy Dragon. All it says is that when it grows up it will be the size of a house.”

　Marth-san answers while shaking his head. He looks disappointed.

　I already knew how big the holy dragon would eventually be. Because I had it in the game. If I remember correctly, the holy dragon at that time…… well, it went from being a small pet, and only got bigger when it moved around on its back.

　Then Mira would probably take the same form. In other words, it won’t get bigger. It’s just fine to keep her in the mansion, but I’d like to see her grow on the inside.

“Kyu?”

　Mira, who is being held by Rosalia, is looking at me while tilting her head. She’s as cute as ever.

　The sun outside is gradually getting warmer and warmer. Finally, winter is over and spring is coming. Now I can take Mira for walks in Mount Claire.

　Toward spring, the Margrave Heine household was getting busy. This year, my two older brothers are going to the academy in the royal capital. They are busy preparing for that.

　Brother Alex will be in his final year at the academy. Brother Cain is a shiny new first-year student. Both of them need to get new school uniforms, textbooks, stationery, and so on.

　It would have been better if they could have done so at the townhouse in the royal capital, but since the nobles there will also be making preparations at the same time, they may not be able to make the preparations in time if they move to the townhouse first. That’s why it was necessary to start making preparations at this time.

　I, Rosalia, and Mira, who are not going to the royal capital, are completely a nuisance during this time of the year. In an effort to keep things as quiet as possible, I often stayed in my room, the library, and the workshop.

　I didn’t go to the compounding room much anymore. The reason is simple. During the winter months, the Knights are slow, so they don’t use magic potions. Therefore, there is no need to replenish the supply of magic potions.

　And during the winter, materials are hard to come by. The requests I had made to the Adventurers’ Guild before winter set in did not seem to be making any particular progress.

　Adventurers also take a break in the middle of winter. Even the strongest adventurers were helpless in the face of snow and cold. It can’t be helped.

“Are you going to the same school as brother Alex and brother Cain in the near future, brother?”

“I’m not going. I’m going to the academy in the capital.”

“So you’ll be home all the time?”

“That’s right.”

　I can commute from home to the academy in the territorial capital. Of course, there are student dormitories, but I don’t think there is any need to force myself to go there. Because if I stay at home, I’ll be provided for. I can’t go back to an inconvenient life now.

　Brother Alex and Brother Cain seem to yearn for a free life, but I’m already tired of it. In fact, I never felt inconvenienced at home.

“Then I’ll be with you, brother, all the time!”

　Rosalia laughed happily. Well, I don’t know about that.　In the future, Rosalia will probably marry somewhere and I might be adopted somewhere. I know a family that has no heir.

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