Kays Translations

Chapter 284: I Love You

Silence settled over the room. Ever perceptive, Nero had already stepped outside, probably to keep anyone from overhearing us or entering unexpectedly.

"Lady Fabienne, did I perhaps move matters along too quickly?"

"Not at all. Ever since you taught me how to make magic potions, I have hoped that a day like this might come."

Her voice sounded slightly subdued through the ring, but she appeared to mean every word. I was grateful. I had believed that she did not dislike me, yet I had never been certain that she wished to spend her future with me.

As for me, I certainly cared for her. I loved her interest in magic potions and the way she accepted my occasional "mishaps", even when they left her looking troubled.

"I love you, Lady Fabienne."

"W-well… I love you too, Lord Julius."

What was a ten-year-old saying? I would have liked to know myself. Yet this was normal in this world, so I had to think of it that way. Otherwise, the embarrassment would have been unbearable.

Our engagement would apparently be announced in spring. We should deepen our relationship before the snow melted.

"By the way, I have gifts for you and your parents, so I will probably visit the House Ambert estate again soon."

"I understand. But if I tell my parents that now… they will wonder how I learned about it, will they not?"

"Yes. They would probably ask where the information came from. I will send a letter immediately."

"I shall look forward to it."

A quiet giggle reached me through the ring. I was glad that I had given Lady Fabienne a communication ring. Without it, we could never have shared this secret conversation.

I hoped the ring's tracking function would never be needed. I also wanted to believe that there was no possibility of my becoming an obsessively possessive fiancé. Probably none.

"The conversation is over, Nero."

"Understood."

When I opened the door, Nero wore a slightly awkward expression. That was understandable. An attendant could hardly know how to react when his young master suddenly began speaking privately with his betrothed.

"I will write the letter before going to bed."

"I shall prepare the paper immediately."

I wrote the letter with my glass pen. It truly moved across the paper beautifully. Why had I not made one sooner? Its success also made me want to create a fountain pen. I understood the basic structure, so a little trial and error should be enough.

After finishing the letter, I placed it carefully in an envelope and sealed it with wax. Wax seals were rather troublesome. Would glue not be more convenient? Perhaps I should make some. Glue had been a minor housing item in the game, so recreating it ought to be possible.

The ingredients were glutinous rice, pine resin and distilled water. That seemed manageable. Pine resin was also used in magic-potion production, so I should already have some. The result might not be perfect, but careful work should compensate.

I would make the glue tomorrow. For the moment, I restricted myself to thinking about the fountain pen. If I drew the design on paper, Nero might pass it to Brother Alex, so I kept it in my head. Pine wood might work for the ink reservoir.

The following morning, after breakfast, I went with Brother Cain and the others to the territorial knights' training grounds. I would not have time to train, but I could at least greet everyone and distribute the glass pens.

"Good morning, Lionel."

"Good morning, Lord Julius. You are early today. Do you intend to train?"

Lionel raised one eyebrow mischievously, as though he already knew how busy I was. I could only smile wryly. Had the news spread so quickly? As commander of House Heine's territorial knights, he probably heard immediately whenever anything unusual occurred.

"Unfortunately, I doubt I will have time to train today. Instead, I brought you this. Please accept the glass pen as thanks for all your help."

"So this is the glass pen everyone is discussing! Thank you very much. I shall treasure it. After testing it, I will send you a written report on how it performs."

"Y-yes, please do. Be sure to mention any faults as well."

"Understood."

Lionel apparently regarded the gift as a prototype for field testing. That had not been my intention, but honest feedback would help us improve it. He was unlikely to soften his report merely out of politeness.

"Giles, Christopher."

"Lord Julius, did you need us?"

The two arrived at precisely the right moment, apparently drawn by the commotion surrounding the House Heine party at the training grounds. I took the opportunity to give them their glass pens as well.

"May we truly accept these?"

"Thank you very much."

They had not yet heard about the pens, so I explained how they worked. Both boys would probably hold senior positions among the territorial knights one day and would have plenty of documents to write. The pens should serve them well.

Several other knights watched the gifts with obvious interest, so I accepted orders from them too. There were quite a few, but Rosalia and I could manage them together. The work would also help her improve her Craft skill.

Once craftspeople had been recruited for the workshop, producing these orders could become part of their training as well.

"I had hoped to spar with Julius today…"

"I am sorry, Brother Cain."

I made my most apologetic expression, although I had no intention of sparring with Brother Cain. If I accidentally defeated him, it could create an enormous problem. He might even depart on a training journey. I would make certain that never happened.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter