Chapter 275: Eating Lunch Together

The items sold in the general store for commoners were expected to be of lower quality compared to those in stores for nobles. However, they seemed even worse than I anticipated.

“Nero, how does the quality of the goods here compare to those in the capital’s stores? About the same?”

“Well… it feels like there’s a higher percentage of low-quality items.”

Nero said this while comparing the tips of the dip pens. It seemed that the goods arriving in the capital were of a higher grade than those here in the provincial city.

Feather pens were made from geese that lived in the nearby forest, so their quality was still good. However, metal products seemed to be mostly sourced from the capital.

Does the provincial city not have any manufacturing facilities? I’ll ask Brother Alex when I get back. If there aren’t any, we might need to set up production bases in the provincial city. I’m also curious about paper and ink.

Alex-niisan has so much to do as the next head of the family. It’s amazing, really—he’s someone to look up to. I have no intention of helping, though. I’m utterly hopeless! But that’s fine. Even if I’m hopeless, I lack the management skills to sell or oversee things. I’d only end up being a hindrance.

“Julius-sama, are you scheming something again?”

“How rude. I’m just thinking of dumping all the troublesome matters on Alex-niisan.”

“Is that… okay?”

“Nero, I’m not messing anything up.”

Nero fell silent at my serious gaze. I definitely haven’t messed anything up. However, the burden on Alex-niisan will likely increase.

No need to worry. Alex-niisan has Sister-in-law Daniela. Plus, our parents are still around. Everything will work out.

“Alex-sama must have a lot on his plate.”

Fabienne said this thoughtfully, her eyebrows knitted in concern. Oh no, did she think marrying me would be a disaster!? I need to assure her that peaceful days lie ahead.

“You don’t need to worry, Miss Fabienne. Alex-niisan is a wonderful brother, so he can handle something like this with just a flick of his finger. There’s nothing for me to do.”

“Is that so? As expected of Alex-sama.”

Clapping her hands and showing a relieved expression, Miss Fabienne. What a relief. It seems we can manage this situation somehow.

It was good to come to this general store for commoners. The capital of the territory still has room to develop.

“Julius-sama, it’s about time for us to move on.”

“Is it that time already? When I’m with Miss Fabienne, time just flies by.”

“Is that so for you too, Julius-sama? It is the same for me.”

We returned to the carriage and set off for our next destination. It was around noon. We headed to a popular restaurant in the capital, recommended by Alex-niisan and others. At this restaurant, they serve various ingredients sandwiched in bread. In other words, it’s a sandwich shop.

The habit of eating bread with various ingredients was already present, but it was only recently that it started being sold as a product. It was probably so common that no one thought it could be a product.

“They are lined up, aren’t they?”

“Yes, but we should have a reservation.”

Nero, who went to inform the store of our arrival, returned.

“Julius-sama, they have prepared a table on the second-floor terrace.”

“Got it. Let’s go, Miss Fabienne.”

I offered my hand to Miss Fabienne as she got off the carriage. This too was something I learned from Alex-niisan. Always escort a lady. As expected of my brother, who is skilled in dealing with women. My movements have become smoother, and Miss Fabienne seems to be getting used to it as well.

From the second-floor terrace, we had a good view of the main street. It’s not often you get to look down at the main street from above. Carriages loaded with firewood were coming and going on the main street. It seems that winter preparations are in full swing.

“What an interesting view.”

“There are more people than I thought. It didn’t seem like this many when we were in the carriage.”

“Because you can see far. Maybe that’s why it seems that way. But it’s not that cold even though we’re sitting outside, is it?”

“Now that you mention it… oh, there’s a temperature control fan over there. And one here too.”

Miss Fabienne said happily. She knew that I was the one who developed the temperature control fan. Is she happy that something I made is selling well? If so, that makes me happy too.

Still, the cost of magic stones must be significant. Perhaps that’s why the terrace seats are more expensive. The temperature control fan can be used in the summer as well, so it seems like it can be useful all year round.

While drinking the warm tea that was promptly brought to us, the main sandwiches arrived. They had a skewer in the middle. Without it, they looked like they might collapse due to their height. It seemed like they were stacked in three layers.

“That’s amazing.”

“Yeah. It’s quite a bold dish. It looks like one would be enough to fill you up.”

Large sandwiches were also brought to Nero and the others at the table next to ours. All three of them had expressions mixed with surprise and excitement. I probably had the same look on my face.

“How do we eat this?”

“Hmm, it looks like taking it from the top with your hands is the best way.”

Observing the surrounding customers, everyone was eating with their hands. But we are nobility. We can’t eat in such an unmannerly way, or so I’d like to say, but I didn’t mind and picked it up with my hands.

“Julius-sama.”

“Yeah, it’s good. Would you like to try it too, Miss Fabienne? You don’t get this kind of experience often.”

Miss Fabienne, who had been taken aback, seemed to have made up her mind after seeing me eat without concern. She picked it up with her hands and started eating.

“It’s delicious. And it feels kind of fun, like doing something naughty.”

“I’m glad. You never know until you try something. I’m sure Alex-niisan and Sister-in-law Daniela ate with their hands too.”

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