Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 182: I Want Him
I went around every sickroom in the orphanage and distributed cold remedy. There were nine sick children in total, and only Lelie had developed lung disease.
Thank goodness it hadn't spread to anyone else.
That was probably thanks to Nero. He'd realised that something about Lelie's condition was wrong and had isolated her in a private room.
“Lord Julius, how can I possibly thank you?”
“Don't worry about it. Your quick response kept the number of sick children from increasing. I can make cold remedy quickly, but the medicine for lung disease uses rather special ingredients, so I can't produce large quantities at once.”
The children, now feeling much better, gathered around the large dining-room table and happily ate the sweets. Nero alone stayed beside me and thanked me without touching any of them.
As expected, he was remarkably dependable. He was already the one helping to look after the other children in the orphanage.
With that temperament, he should have no trouble finding work after he left. His calm, steady manner made him seem well suited to serving in a noble household.
He was quick on his feet too. I could easily imagine him supporting his employer while also serving as an escort.
Yeah. I was starting to want Nero.
I'd talk to Brother Alex about it.
And of course, Lelie would come with him. That way Nero wouldn't have to worry about leaving his sister behind.
“Lord Julius, aren't you going to play chase today?”
A boy of about five asked me with sparkling eyes. Apparently, he'd seen Nero and me running around during my last visit and wanted to see it again.
But today I'd spent quite a while checking everyone's cold symptoms and distributing medicine, so there wasn't much time left.
Besides, it was getting colder and colder as winter approached. Staying indoors as much as possible would probably reduce the number of children who caught colds.
That was why I brought out my next special items.
Sugoroku and karuta.
Our territory's special products were quietly becoming popular even in the royal capital.
“Instead of running around outside, I brought you something you can play with indoors. Here they are!”
I spread them over the table. Most of the children tilted their heads, having no idea what they were. Nero alone recognised them.
“Are those sugoroku and karuta? I've heard they're very popular toys from a frontier territory. Apparently they've started becoming popular in the royal capital too. Could that frontier territory be…?”
“That's right. They're from the Heine Margraviate, where my family lives.”
The instant the children heard the word toys, they cheered.
These weren't only entertainment, either. They were extremely useful for helping children learn their letters.
Play and learn. Two birds with one stone.
“By the way, this is a special edition handmade by me. It's a one-of-a-kind set that only exists here.”
“Wow!”
Another cheer went up.
The children were in high spirits. Not bad. I'd made enough pieces and cards so there wouldn't be any fighting over them. Once I taught them the rules, everyone would be able to play together immediately.
So I taught the children how to play sugoroku and karuta and joined in myself.
Board games really were more exciting when you had a large group.
After I'd lost several times, it was time to go home.
D-don't misunderstand! I only lost on purpose to make the games more exciting!
“Thank you so much for today, Lord Julius.”
“Thank you very much!”
The children spoke in chorus at the entrance.
There really were a lot of good children here. I'd have to find time to visit again. Maybe next time I could bring some simple magic tools.
“If you run out of magic potions, don't hesitate to send word. If there are any other kinds you need, we may be able to work something out. And make sure everyone uses the soap properly. It helps prevent colds.”
“I understand. Leave it to me.”
We parted from the children with smiles on our faces.
The carriage ride back to the townhouse felt strangely quiet.
When I returned, Brother Cain was there.
How unusual. He had hardly come back to the townhouse since the academy term began. Had something happened?
“I'm back.”
“Welcome back, Julius. Did you cause any problems?”
“Of course not. Ah, though there was a child suffering from lung disease, so I gave her a magic potion for it. It worked, and she's completely better now.”
The servant was going to report everything anyway. In that case, it was better to say it myself.
…Huh?
Brother Alex and Brother Cain were both staring at me with severe expressions.
Then, without a word, the two of them closed the distance.
“Tell us more about that.”
“Uh, all right.”
I didn't really understand why, but I explained how I'd given Lelie a magic potion effective against lung disease, followed by an elementary healing potion to avoid the risk of side effects from the first medicine.
Brother Alex put a hand to his chin.
Brother Cain, on the other hand…
“Julius, can you give me that magic potion? I'll pay you as much as you want!”
Brother Cain grabbed both my shoulders and shook me back and forth.
Stop it. I felt as though something was about to come back up from my stomach.
“No, no, I don't need money. I made it with ingredients from the Royal Magic Pharmacists' Corps' storage, so I didn't pay for the materials myself. But there is one problem…”
I hesitated.
“I don't have any on hand right now. I donated all of it to the orphanage.”
“Ahhh…”
Brother Cain collapsed with his head in his hands.
Okay. I understood the gist of it now.
I looked towards Brother Alex. He had a perfectly pleasant smile on his face when our eyes met.
Somehow, that made him look even more frightening.
“As you've probably guessed, Julius, Lady Meeka Raniemi seems to be suffering from lung disease. We've been searching for a magic potion that can cure it, and it appears we already have one.”
“I won't know for certain until I examine Lady Meeka, but if it began with cold-like symptoms and developed into lung disease, the potion I made should work. If necessary, I'll write a letter and have one set collected from the orphanage. I'll also prepare written instructions explaining the order in which the two potions must be taken.”
“Thank you, Julius.”
His voice was so choked with emotion that every syllable seemed to come out thick and muddled.
Then Brother Cain pulled me into a tight hug.
My clothes were soon soaked with the liquid coming from his face.
Oh my God.