Kays Translations

Chapter 262: Dried Fruit Bearing the House Heine Seal

“It sounded rather lively last night, didn’t it?”

　Brother Alex said this at the breakfast table. His gaze was more teasing than reproachful.

　Fine, then. I would play along.

“Not nearly as lively as you and Sister-in-law Daniela were… I’m joking. Please don’t look at me as though you’re about to kill someone. It was only a joke.”

　I repeated myself because the situation felt dangerous. Sister-in-law Daniela blushed and lowered her head, which suggested that it might not have been a joke after all. How awkward.

　Ah, Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka were looking away. You two as well?!

　Father and Mother never came home last night in the end. Even so, was it really all right for everyone to do whatever they pleased? Was this what House Heine had come to? …Surely I wasn’t about to gain another younger brother or sister. Rosalia would probably be delighted, but the fact that it was still possible at Mother’s age was rather frightening.

“Brother Julius made dried fruit for us last night!”

“Kyu!”

　Thump! Remembering the previous night, Rosalia planted both hands on the dining table with decidedly poor manners. If it had been Mira, the sound would have been more of a soft tap.

“Dried fruit? From the name, I assume it is fruit dried in the same way as dried flowers.”

　As expected of Brother Alex—he was quick on the uptake. That was more or less correct. Perhaps because dried food was unknown here, not only Brother Alex but also Sister-in-law Daniela, Brother Cain, Sister-in-law Meeka and even the servants waiting by the wall tilted their heads.

“Exactly! The fruit’s sweetness was concentrated, and it looked so beautiful—just like jewels.”

　Rosalia pressed both hands to her cheeks and narrowed her eyes dreamily. It was not quite the expression expected of a lady, but she was still a child, so it was probably fine.

　I felt two piercing gazes from Sister-in-law Daniela and Sister-in-law Meeka.

“Er… would you both like to try some as well?”

　I was a man who could read the room. A gentleman must never embarrass a lady. I would also make some dried fruit for Lady Fabienne later. It should keep for a little while, so that ought to be fine.

“Yes, of course.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’m curious too. May I have some with them?”

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll have some too…”

　In the end, everyone was going to sample the dried fruit. Since things had gone this far, I should prepare some for my parents as well. I would teach the head chef how to make it so that I would not have to do so every time. If it proved popular, I would hand the entire process—and the magic tool—over to him. No objections would be accepted.

　While Nero and I busily made dried fruit, Father and Mother returned from the evening party. They had stayed out until morning. That could not be good for their children’s wholesome development.

“We’re home. …What is that sweet smell?”

“A sweet smell? Hmm, yes, there certainly is one.”

“Father, Mother, welcome home! Brother Julius is making dried fruit for everyone!”

“Dried…”

“…fruit?”

　They both looked bewildered, so I left the explanation to Rosalia and concentrated on making the dried fruit. I should have automated the process. Repeatedly checking it was surprisingly tedious. I felt bad for the head chef, who was taking earnest notes, but I would improve the machine before entrusting it to him.

　We carried the finished dried fruit to the salon, where my parents were already waiting after taking a short rest. They were chatting happily with my sisters-in-law. Good, good. It seemed they were building a warm relationship. No one wanted any unpleasant business about mistreating daughters-in-law.

“Thank you for waiting. Here is the dried fruit.”

“Kyu!”

“Mira! There’s plenty for you too, so calm down!”

　I restrained Mira from leaping into the pile of dried fruit. Just how much had Mira taken to it? The moment everyone else saw the dried fruit, they froze.

　Rosalia alone remained unfazed and popped a piece into her mouth. Then, as though it were only natural, she placed another in Mira’s mouth. You two really had no table manners.

“So sweet!”

“Kyu!”

　Those cries seemed to break the spell, and everyone reached for the dried fruit. They chewed in silence, but smiles spread across every face. Apparently, it was a success. Good. My mission was complete.

“So this is dried fruit. It’s delicious.”

“It truly is. I never imagined fruit could become even tastier.”

　Mother looked pleased, as did my sisters-in-law. My brothers also seemed to like it very much.

“If most of the moisture has been removed, does that mean it will keep longer?”

“It should keep for a while, though I imagine the flavour would deteriorate if it were stored for years.”

　Brother Alex nodded thoughtfully. You weren’t plotting something strange again, were you? That silent nod frightened me.

“That’s remarkable, Julius. When did you think of it?”

　Brother Cain sounded genuinely impressed. His straightforward reaction was wonderfully soothing. He really did seem surprised.

“Last night!”

　Rosalia’s answer filled the room with a collective, silent “What?” Time seemed to stop. My heart pounded—mainly with the dread of an approaching disaster. I wanted to flee immediately, but that did not appear to be an option.

“Last night? Then what about that magic tool?”

　Brother Alex had visited the kitchen while Nero and I were making the dried fruit. At the time, he had smiled and remarked, “That’s an interesting magic tool,” but for some reason his gaze now felt painfully sharp.

“Brother Julius made it in no time at all last night. It was amazing! He finished it while Nero was fetching the fruit.”

　Please stop, Rosalia! Her enthusiasm for her beloved elder brother was especially powerful today. Everyone’s stares were striking me directly!

“Couldn’t we make this a speciality of the Heine Margraviate?”

　Oh no. Brother Alex had begun saying something outrageous. Was that what he had been considering during his earlier silence? I was sure others would imitate it quickly once they discovered the trick. It was only dried fruit, after all—although there were admittedly a few techniques involved.

“Indeed, that is an excellent idea. We could stamp it with the House Heine seal to mark it as a regional speciality.”

“What a wonderful idea. It would guarantee the quality, and no one would dare use the House Heine seal without permission.”

　Mother’s smile was terrifying. Anyone who tried would probably be crushed immediately—quite literally.

　The rest of the morning passed with Father and Brother Alex holding a quiet discussion, the ladies and Mira enjoying the dried fruit, and cold sweat running down my back.

　Brother Cain had it easy. He merely drank his tea with an innocent expression. I wished I could have joined him on that side of the room.

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