Chapter 262: Dried Fruits with the Margrave Heine Seal

“It seemed pretty lively yesterday, didn’t it?”

　Brother Alex said this at the breakfast table. His eyes seemed more teasing than critical.

　Fine, then I’ll go along with it.

“Not as much as you two, brother Alex and  …… I’m just kidding. Don’t look at me like you’re going to kill someone at any moment. It’s just a joke.”

　I said it twice because it felt dangerous. When I saw Sister-in-law Daniela’s face turn red and she bowed her head, it seemed she wasn’t joking. This was awkward.

　Ah, Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka are looking away. You guys too!

　In the end, Father and Mother didn’t come home last night. But does that mean we can do whatever we want? Is that okay, Margrave Heine? …Maybe I’ll get an extra brother or sister, right? I think Rosalia would be happy if that were to happen. It’s scary to think that there’s a possibility, given Mother’s age.

“Yesterday, brother Julius made dried fruit for us!”

“Kyu!”

　There was a thud. It seemed that Rosalia , remembering last night, had misbehaved slamming both her hands on the dining table. With Mira, it should have sounded like a “ka-lunk” sound.

“Dried fruit?　From the name, it sounds like fruit that has been dried, like dried flowers.”

　As expected of Big Brother Alex. He is very perceptive. That’s how I feel. Perhaps because of the lack of dried food culture, not only brother Alex, but also  Sister-in-law Daniela, Big Brother Cain, Sister-in-law Meeka, and if anything, the servants who were waiting by the wall, were also tilting their heads.

“That’s right! The sweetness of the fruit was concentrated tightly, and it looked so beautiful, like a jewel.”

　Rosalia had her hands on her cheeks and her eyes narrowed as if she was in a daze. Not exactly the sort of expression a lady would make. Well, it’s probably okay since she’s just a child.

　I feel sharp gazes from Sister-in-law Daniela and Sister-in-law Meeka

“Um…would you like to try some too, sisters-in-law?”

　I am a man who can read the air. I don’t want the ladies to be embarrassed. I’ll make some dried fruit to give to Miss Fabienne later. It should last a little longer, so it should be fine.

“Yes, of course.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’m curious too. May I have one with you?”

“Of course you can.”

“I’ll take one too …… then.”

　In the end, I decided to let everyone try the dried fruits. Since we’ve come this far, I should prepare some for my parents as well. I’ll teach the head chef how to make them so I don’t have to make them every time. If they’re well received, I’ll hand them over to him along with the magic tools. No objections allowed.

　While Nero and I were busy making dried fruits, father and mother came back from a party. They came home in the early hours of the morning. This is not good for the children’s healthy growth.

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

“Sweet smell? Hmm, it certainly does smell like that.”

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

“Dry ……”

“ …… fruits?”

　The two looked confused, so I left the explanation to Rosalia and concentrated on making dried fruit. I should have automated it. It’s plain tedious to keep checking.  I feel bad for the head chef who is taking notes seriously, but I’ll leave it to him after modifying it.

　The finished dried fruits are carried to the salon. In the salon, my parents were already waiting for me, having taken a break after returning to the mansion. They are happily talking with my sisters-in-law. Yes, yes, it seems that they are building a good relationship. I’m not happy about things like daughter-in-law bullying.

“Here you go. Here are your dried fruits.”

“kyu!”

“Hey Mira! There’s enough for you! Calm down!”

　I hold Mira down as she tries to jump on the group of dried fruits. How much did she like it? And when the members saw the dried fruits, they all froze up.

　Rosalia, who was the only one who had not frozen, ate it. While she was at it, she also popped some into Mira’s mouth. You’re behaving very badly, you two.

“Sweet!”

“Kyu!”

　Those words seemed to break the paralysis, and everyone started reaching for the dried fruit. They munched in silence, but all had smiles on their faces. It seemed they liked it. Good. With that, my mission is complete.

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

“Yes, really. I never thought fruit could taste even better.”

　My mother seems to be happy, as do my sisters-in-law, of course. And it seems that my brothers are also very fond of it.

“If it has less moisture, does that mean it will last longer?”

“I think it will be fine for a short period of time, but I think the flavor will deteriorate over the course of a year.”

　Brother Alex nodded his head in agreement. You’re not thinking of something strange again, are you?　That silent nod scares me.

“Amazing, Julius. When did you come up with this?”

　Brother Cain exclaims in admiration. His honest reaction was the best healing thing for me. He seemed very surprised.

“It was last night!”

　That one word from Rosalia caused an atmosphere of “Huh?”. It felt like time had stopped. My heart was beating hard. Mainly the pounding of a bad feeling I wanted to run away right there, but it seemed like that wasn’t going to be possible.

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

　　When Nero and I were making dried fruits in the kitchen, brother Alex, came to see what was going on, “You have some interesting magical tools,” he said with a smile at the time, but now, for some reason, his gaze hurt.

“Brother Julius made it in no time last night. It’s amazing. He finished it while Nero was out getting fruit!”

　Stop it already, Rosalia!　Rosalia’s “big brother Idolization” is strong today too!　Everyone’s eyes are attacking me directly!

“Can’t we make this a specialty of the Margrave Heine territory?”

　Oh no, Brother Alex started to say something outrageous. Was this what he was thinking about when he was silent just now? But I’m sure it’ll  be imitated soon. It’s not a big deal if they know the trick to making it. It’s just dried fruit. Well, there are a lot of tricks to it.

“Yes, that’s a really good idea. Maybe I should put the Margrave Heine seal on it as a mark of the local specialty.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. It will also serve as a guarantee of quality, and no one will be able to use the Margrave Heine seal without permission.”

　Mother’s smile is scary. If there were such a person, they would be crushed in no time. Physically.

　The rest of the day passed by with father and brother Alex chatting in secret about something, the ladies and Mira enjoying some dried fruit, and me sweating cold sweat down my back.

　Brother Cain is so nice. He’s drinking tea with a nonchalant look on his face. I wish I could be like him too.

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