Kays Translations

Just another Isekai Lover~

Chapter 226: An After-Dinner Gathering

After dinner came a period of free time. Nero and the other servants would eat then. Lelie was probably with them, so there was no reason to worry. Brother Alex had told me that a room had already been prepared for the two siblings.

“Thank you for arranging everything.”

“It’s nothing. I haven’t been able to do much for you as your elder brother.”

“That isn’t true.”

We had spent some time apart, but I had never felt that Brother Alex had neglected me. As the heir to House Heine, he was extremely busy; it was only natural that he could not always look after me.

“Brother, let’s bathe together tomorrow.”

“Julius… yes, let’s.”

His eyes softened and a pleased smile appeared on his face. Come to think of it, I had not often bathed with Brother Cain either. Perhaps I should invite him next time.

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Then again, Brother Cain regularly bathed with the other members of the academy’s swordsmanship club, so he was probably rarely alone. He always carried the faint scent of training.

Brother Alex was preparing for the tea party and went to his office with the steward. The rest of us remained in the salon, looking around as we considered how to spend the evening.

“I think I’ll draw the icehouse blueprints. What about you two?”

“There isn’t much else to do.”

“I’ll sit beside you while you work, Julius.”

“It may not be very entertaining.”

There was no need to return to my room, so I decided to work in the salon. I asked a servant to bring paper, a pen and a ruler, then began drawing on a large sheet while the others watched with interest.

The icehouse design was already complete in my mind. I merely had to transfer it to paper, including the three types of magic circles.

“How can you draw magic circles so smoothly?”

“You really are a first-rate magic-tool maker.”

“No, I’m a first-rate magic pharmacist.”

It was probably too late to protest. After seeing the completed icehouse, Princess Daniela had surely decided I was a magic-tool maker. I had never expected her to come and inspect the project personally.

While I was absorbed in drawing, Nero returned after finishing his meal.

“Did you eat well?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I was able to take my time.”

“I’m glad.”

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The meal had seemed rather short, but if Nero said he had eaten properly, I would believe him. I asked for tea to be served at a nearby table. It was time for a break.

“So you make magic tools as well, Lord Julius.”

“A few.”

I answered Nero’s impressed remark with a wry smile. Of course, he did not yet know about the many other magic tools I had created. I wondered how he would react when he learned the full extent of it.

“His swordsmanship is on the level of a Sword Saint.”

“And his magic rivals that of a sage.”

“You two must never say that in front of Brother Alex.”

“We know. It stays between us.”

Axel said that, but I doubted anything spoken in this townhouse truly remained private.

Brother Alex’s regular reports about me were probably becoming thicker by the day. Nero was staring at me in disbelief; his bewildered expression was rather endearing.

I assured Nero that the other two were joking, and we spent the rest of the evening chatting while I completed the plans.

The next morning, the four of us—including Nero—began our etiquette lessons. The orphanage had apparently taught basic manners, and Nero mastered each new instruction quickly.

“As expected of you, Nero. You’re every bit as capable as I thought.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

During a short break after the morning lesson, Brother Alex entered with several servants carrying boxes.

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“Your clothes are finally ready. I want all of you to try them on.”

“You prepared clothes for us as well?!”

One elegant outfit after another emerged from the boxes. They were splendid enough for high-ranking nobles. How much had all this cost? Brother Alex must consider the evening party extremely important to have prepared an outfit for everyone.

He had said finally. When had he begun preparing them? Had he predicted from the start that matters would develop this way? If so, that was frightening.

“Of course. We are the ones asking you to attend the evening party, so providing suitable clothing is only natural. Go on, try them.”

Brother Alex urged them to dress. Although Axel and Ijidol looked as though they were being placed in costumes, the finished result made both appear every inch the young gentlemen. Their movements immediately became stiff.

So this was why Brother Alex wanted them to wear the outfits now: they needed time to grow accustomed to them. Nero, already dressed in a butler’s uniform, seemed entirely at ease.

“All three of you look excellent. You’ll continue your practice in these clothes.”

Brother Alex smiled at the two tense boys. They returned awkward smiles.

“I’m afraid I’ll stain them.”

“So am I.”

“That is precisely why you must become accustomed to wearing them now. What will you do if you freeze during the real event?”

They reluctantly accepted his reasoning and paced around the salon, testing how freely they could move. Brother Alex watched with evident satisfaction.

“I’ve chosen the date for the tea party. It’s sudden, but we’ll hold it tomorrow, so be prepared.”

“Tomorrow? That is sudden. Did something happen?”

I tilted my head. I had expected the tea party to be held shortly before the evening party, not immediately.

“Someone requested that we hold it tomorrow, and I couldn’t refuse.”

“I see…”

That gave me a bad feeling. Only a handful of people could make a request Brother Alex was unable to refuse. I hoped it was merely Princess Daniela—and that she would not bring any unexpected guests.

My expression must have betrayed the question, because Brother Alex only smiled.