Kays Translations

Chapter 278: A Little Romance Would Be Nice

Lady Fabienne kept her head lowered as we passed the crowded cold-remedy section.

"As expected of Lady Fabienne. My judgement was not mistaken."

I spoke with the confidence of someone proudly claiming to have recognised her talent from the beginning.

"Lord Julius… this is embarrassing."

"Why's that? I think it's something to be very proud of."

"Ugh! Are you teasing me!?"

Lady Fabienne puffed out her cheeks. I had teased her a little, but more than anything, I felt proud. Her talent was being proven before my eyes. How could I not be delighted?

Then a thought struck me. We were not officially engaged. In my mind, Lady Fabienne had already become my future wife, but that was only my assumption. It would be terrifying if I were the only one imagining such a future.

"Um, is something wrong? Did I perhaps upset you?"

Lady Fabienne looked close to tears. That was not what I had intended at all. Should I simply be honest?

"Lady Fabienne, if you are willing… would you consider becoming my fiancée?"

At my abrupt proposal, Lady Fabienne turned bright red. Nero, Giles and Christopher all widened their eyes. I had made a terrible mistake.

I had rushed far too quickly. Proposing inside a potion shop offered no romance whatsoever. I was hopeless.

"If you truly do not mind me, Lord Julius, then I…"

"It is not that I merely do not mind. I want you, Lady Fabienne. Please do not belittle yourself. You are a wonderful person."

My frustration sharpened my voice. Lady Fabienne looked up at me with moist eyes, and I gestured towards the customers outside.

"Look at those people. They came here because they need the potions you created. You possess the ability to make their lives better. That is extraordinary. Of course, your talent is not the only reason I like you."

"Ah…"

I had just admitted that I liked her as though it were nothing. Nero and the others immediately looked away, pretending they had heard nothing. I truly knew nothing about romance. At least I had managed not to say anything even more inappropriate.

Lady Fabienne blushed so intensely that steam might have risen from her head. I took her hand and led her farther into the shop. We still needed to inspect the potions sold in the territorial capital.

I should have proposed in the carriage. Realising that now did not help.

"The elementary healing potions still taste awful. It seems the improved recipe from the royal capital has not reached the territorial capital yet."

"I hope your method spreads quickly, Lord Julius."

Walking through the shop helped Lady Fabienne regain her composure. Her cheeks remained faintly pink, but she smiled gently.

"So do I. It is frustrating, but we must wait. Perhaps we could deliver some while claiming they were made by a mysterious magic pharmacist."

"If we do that, it'll cause another uproar."

Lady Fabienne and I laughed ruefully. She was right. The demand for cold remedies alone had already created this crowd. If every improved potion appeared at once, the shop might be overwhelmed, and neighbouring territories could object if House Heine monopolised the supply.

"It's not going quite as smoothly, is it?"

"No, it isn't. But there's no need to rush. We just need to keep moving forward steadily every day."

"Yes, you are right."

My abilities were limited, despite appearances. I needed to move at the same pace as the people around me. I was only ten, so there was still plenty of time.

We continued examining the merchandise. The quality remained poor, and the variety was limited, probably because no one was developing new products.

His Majesty had recognised my skill as a magic pharmacist, but only a small number of people knew that. To earn broader trust, I would probably need to graduate from the academy.

Lady Fabienne faced the same restriction. House Heine sold her potions under its own authority, but she was not yet permitted to sell them independently.

The road ahead was long, and there was no simple solution.

"I had a lot of fun today."

As our carriage started towards House Ambert, Lady Fabienne released a relieved breath.

"I am glad. This was my first date, so I was rather nervous."

"Your first date? I had assumed…"

Brother Alex's lessons in escorting a lady had clearly paid off. My movements had seemed natural enough that Lady Fabienne had not realised it was my first date. That gave me a little confidence.

The etiquette training I endured in the royal capital had not been wasted after all.

The carriage stopped before House Ambert as evening approached. The day had passed remarkably quickly. It had been the first date of my life, even if I was still only a child.

For the final time that day, I offered Lady Fabienne my hand and helped her from the carriage.

"Father, Mother, we're back."

"Welcome home. Did everything go well?"

"Of course, Father. I'm not that much of a child."

Lady Fabienne puffed up her cheeks in irritation. She's still quite childlike in some ways. Her parents chuckled fondly at her reaction.

"Thank you for looking after our daughter today."

"Not at all. I had a wonderful time."

"That's good to hear."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, we departed from House Ambert. Only during the carriage ride home did I remember something important.

I had never explained the special functions I had added to the ring. I had intended them to remain a secret shared between us, but I would have to tell Lady Fabienne another time.

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