Kays Translations

Chapter 255: I Have a Good Idea

Unfortunately, the tea party had to be broken up halfway through. Both Father and Mother were gone, after all. It couldn't be helped.

As soon as I returned to my room, I consulted Nero.

"Nero, don't you have any good ideas?"

"Let's see… Why don't you go and buy the present together with Lady Fabienne?"

"That problem!? No, wait, that's a great idea. I'll be able to learn what Lady Fabienne likes, and walking around the territorial capital together will raise our intimacy level."

As expected of Nero. What a wonderful suggestion.

Beside me, however, Nero kept tilting his head. What should I do? Should I ask him about the other problem too? But judging from that reaction, he hadn't even considered that I might ask him something like that. I guess I really would have to say it myself. Firmly. Very firmly.

"That should solve this problem. Thanks, Nero. I'll deal with the other one myself."

"Lord Julius."

"Ah, right. Well done, Nero."

"Thank you."

Nobles really were an incredibly troublesome species. Saying thank you was bad, but praising someone was fine? Having to constantly speak from a superior position was exhausting.

At dinner, I immediately proposed Nero's idea. Naturally, I couldn't mention Nero's name. Nero's idea was mine, and my idea was mine. Pure Gianism. Sorry, Nero.

As for Nero himself, he didn't seem to mind at all. He served beside me with a smile. Nero was such a good boy. I'd give him some sweets later.

"I see. So when you go to visit her, you'll invite her on a date. I think that's a good idea. It's unusually sensible for you, Julius."

"Brother Alex, what's that supposed to mean?"

"It means it's an excellent proposal," Sister-in-law Daniela said. "It's a good idea. You should do it."

Mother had recovered by dinner and was so energetic that she'd apparently put the earlier sight completely out of her mind. Maybe she really had decided it was all a dream. If another spirit turned up without an appointment, she was going to faint again. Next time, I'd make sure she didn't meet them.

I glanced over at Father. Our eyes met, and Father nodded.

Message received.

Now that I'd settled on what to do about Lady Fabienne's present, I sent a letter the very next day telling her the date of my visit. I didn't write anything about the date itself. I planned to surprise her after we met.

Maybe I should wear a bow tie instead of a ribbon when I go?

On the appointed day, with Nero's help, I dressed in clothes more luxurious than usual—clothes so elaborate there was no way I could've put them on by myself. They weren't full formal dress, but they were close to what I'd wear when meeting His Majesty at the royal castle.

"Nero, won't Lady Fabienne be put off if I show up dressed like this?"

"It'll be fine. It suits you very well. We need Lady Fabienne to have as good an impression of you as possible. If you look as though you haven't made any effort, she may be disappointed."

"It's that serious!?"

I never imagined a single outfit could be enough to disappoint someone. Nobles really were frightening.

Then again, becoming a commoner right now would be difficult too. There was no question that being a noble gave me advantages in all sorts of situations.

The moment Rosalia and Mira saw how sharply dressed I was, they realised I was going somewhere and surrounded me.

"Brother, we're coming with you too!"

"Kyu!"

"No, no. I'm meeting someone important today. Sorry, but I can't take you with me."

"But Nero is going with you, isn't he?"

"Nero's fine. Nero's different."

"Kyu."

Ah, Mira looked really displeased. How did this happen? I'd spent plenty of time playing with them right up until now precisely so this wouldn't happen. Had they already forgotten?

And Rosalia, I helped you with your magic tool the whole time too, remember? Thanks to that, it's almost finished, isn't it?

"I'll play with you after I come back, so be good and wait for me."

"Very well. Then will you take a bath with me?"

"Kyu?"

"Uh, I think you're getting a little old for that… Fine. We'll take a bath together."

I poured all my energy into calming Rosalia and Mira, who looked ready to burst into tears at any moment. If I got held up here, I'd be late for the tea party at Baron Ambert's house. Being invited somewhere and then arriving late would be no laughing matter.

"Then will you sleep with me too?"

"Kyu?"

"Fine. We'll sleep together. All right, I'm leaving now."

"Have a safe trip, Brother!"

"Kyuu!"

I said goodbye to the two of them as they waved and hurried towards the entrance.

Well, now that I'd made those promises, it couldn't be helped. But I had a good idea.

Mother.

I would use Mother. Surely Mother could do something about it!

"Are you sure it was all right to make promises like that?"

"It'll work out somehow."

"Lelie was nodding along with them too…"

"Ah. That's not good."

Apparently, Lelie was fully intending to join in as well. I absolutely had to get Mother to stop this.

Still, Mother had a reputation for ironclad defence. Surely she'd be able to handle it.

That gaze of hers, the one that brooked absolutely no argument and left you like a frog frozen before a giant snake… I shivered just remembering it.

I jumped into the carriage bearing House Heine's crest, and we set off at once. It was around the time people were beginning to move about, so the streets were gradually getting crowded, but thanks to the coachman's excellent driving technique, we somehow arrived by the appointed time.

I did feel a little carsick, though.

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