Kays Translations

Chapter 227: I Have No Intention of Becoming Head of the Family!

We should have practised etiquette in evening clothes from the beginning. Axel and Ijidol had been flustered ever since changing. Simply putting on the formal outfits had made everything they learned that morning fly out of their heads.

“Calm down, both of you. You were doing well this morning.”

“That’s easy for you to say, Julius. These clothes are difficult to move in.”

“And I’m afraid of staining them.”

“A stain isn’t a disaster. The servants of House Heine can remove even the most stubborn marks.”

They looked at me as though asking whether that was really true. I could hardly blame them; neither had probably ever entrusted clothing to a professional servant.

House Heine employed specialists for every household task. The laundress could make almost any stain disappear. It was astonishing. Hmm… did they need a washing machine?

“What is it, Julius? Have you thought of a way to help us relax?”

“Yes…”

I could not admit that my thoughts had wandered elsewhere, so I folded my arms and pretended to consider the problem deeply. Perhaps a practical demonstration would help.

“Why don’t you deliberately stain the clothes and let the servants clean them? Once you see the result, you won’t worry about a small mark.”

“I see. I’ll have spare clothes brought at once.”

“Wait! There’s no need to go that far. I believe you.”

“Axel is right. We trust you. There’s no problem.”

They desperately stopped the experiment. Seeing the clothes cleaned would have been convincing, but understandably they did not want to soil the expensive outfits Brother Alex had prepared.

Perhaps my suggestion helped, because their movements improved afterward, although they remained somewhat stiff.

“Perhaps tomorrow really is too soon.”

“It is too soon, Brother. At least give them time to become comfortable in the clothes.”

I spoke reproachfully to Brother Alex while we were in the bath. Anyone would struggle after suddenly being dressed in such luxurious clothing. We should have begun with something only slightly formal, like the clothes worn by lesser nobles.

I looked to Axel and Ijidol for support. They stood some distance away, submerged to their shoulders and wearing expressions that said they did not belong in the same bath as Brother Alex.

Nero had declared that joining us would be improper. After helping us wash, he left the bathing room. Had I done something wrong?

“You may be right. I was too hasty. I wanted to prove that I could be a good elder brother, but perhaps I overdid it.”

“You already are. Thanks to you, I can do almost anything I want while I’m in the royal capital. You’ve done more than enough for me.”

“Truly? I’m glad.”

Something was troubling him. Did Brother Alex feel guilty about something? Or was he perhaps afraid of me? Had my many past ‘accidents’ made him anxious?

“It’s all right, Brother. I’m on your side.”

I looked directly into Brother Alex’s eyes. They widened slightly, as though the words had surprised him.

“Thank you, Julius. That is reassuring.”

“Brother… you don’t think I intend to take over as head of House Heine, do you?”

Brother Alex’s gaze shifted away. He had considered it!

“No, of course not. I never thought…”

“That will never happen. My mission is to spread easy-to-use magic potions. I have no time to serve as head of the family; I’ll be too busy making potions.”

I declared it firmly. Axel and Ijidol stared with their mouths open.

They had evidently heard rumours about the succession to House Heine, but now the two of them could serve as witnesses. Surely that would put an end to such groundless speculation.

“Julius… you possess the ability to become a Sword Saint or a great mage, don’t you? What do you intend to do with that power?”

“What?! Who told you such nonsense? Axel? Ijidol?”

When I turned towards them, both shook their heads and waved their hands frantically.

“It wasn’t me! I haven’t told anyone!”

“Neither have I! I swear!”

Their denials were vehement. Then perhaps Nero—

“Julius, I heard it from the attendant who had been accompanying you. Not from these two, and not from Nero.”

Brother Alex hurried to explain. He looked alarmed. Was my expression frightening? Calm down. I had no intention of becoming a Sword Saint, a great mage or even a magic-tool maker.

“What do you take me for, Brother? There is no way I possess such absurd power. I cannot—and will not—become any of those things.”

“Yes, of course. That would be absurd, wouldn’t it? Ha… ha…”

A dry laugh echoed around the humid bathing room. Hopefully, this would end the rumour once and for all.

I appeared to be in more trouble than I realised. Could Brother Alex’s engagement to Princess Daniela somehow have been influenced by me? Surely I was overthinking it.

“Exactly. The idea is ridiculous. Isn’t that right, you two?”

Brother Alex smiled confidently. Axel and Ijidol immediately went pale.

“Yes. Completely ridiculous.”

“Right? Ha ha…”

Good. That would do for now. The only person left to silence was Nero.

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