Kays Translations

Chapter 287: Wait

While I fumbled for an answer, Nero arrived with lunch. Excellent timing. This was my chance to escape the awkward conversation.

"Thank you, Nero. Let us eat, Rosalia."

"Brother Julius, what is that object protruding from your breast pocket?"

Rosalia! Read the room. Nero's expression also became serious as he looked at me. This might be bad.

"Julius?"

"Well… it is a fountain pen."

I explained the fountain pen to Brother Alex. Mother, Sister-in-law Daniela and Rosalia leaned forward with intense interest.

"I see. I understand the basic idea. May I try it after lunch?"

"Of course. Now, Rosalia, let us eat."

Rosalia gave me a sidelong look that plainly asked why I had told her nothing. In my defence, she had been completely absorbed in making the magic-stone burner.

Lunch consisted of bread filled with ham and vegetables and spread with something resembling mayonnaise. Such sandwiches were convenient and popular among the nobility, and I liked how quickly they could be eaten.

Unfortunately, that also meant the meal ended quickly. Brother Alex finished first and immediately began testing the fountain pen. He repeatedly examined both the pen and his writing, so he clearly liked it.

Sister-in-law Daniela also enjoyed using it. As for Mother… the atmosphere made asking for it back rather difficult. She was completely engrossed. Rosalia, who had not yet had a turn, looked increasingly dissatisfied.

"The glass pen is remarkable, but this fountain pen is extraordinary. Being able to write without repeatedly dipping the nib in ink is revolutionary."

"The ink is stored inside the barrel, but it must be refilled when the reservoir runs dry."

"Even so, that will not happen often. It is still wonderful."

Sister-in-law Daniela's eyes sparkled like morning stars. She clearly wanted one. Mother would need one as well. Since Daniela was a princess, hers would have to look suitably luxurious. This was becoming a considerable project.

"I can make fountain pens for everyone, but their construction is complicated, so I cannot finish them all immediately."

"I see. In that case, commercial production will also take time."

"Yes. I intend to simplify the design as much as possible, but that will require further experimentation."

Brother Alex looked visibly relieved. He probably thought he had finally gained a little breathing room. I merely needed to avoid inventing anything else that would add to his workload.

Afterwards, we discussed the production of liquid glue and the future of glass pens.

"Liquid glue does not appear especially difficult to make."

"That is correct. Unlike the stronger adhesives used by craftspeople, I designed this one so that anyone could handle it easily."

"I see. You adapted a craft material for ordinary household use. That was clever."

In truth, I had not thought that deeply about it. I had merely found sealing wax inconvenient, but I wisely kept that to myself.

"By changing the containers, we could offer separate versions for nobles and commoners."

"Yes. Many nobles dislike using exactly the same goods as commoners, so different packaging would help. Still, few commoners currently send letters, so widespread use may take time."

That was true. The postal system was poorly developed. Most commoners had to pay travelling merchants to carry letters between towns, so relatively few people wrote them.

Nobles, on the other hand, sent letters constantly, using servants or swift horses. Information was a weapon, and the more influential the noble, the more diligently they maintained correspondence.

Producing a reasonable quantity of liquid glue should be manageable. Glass pens were the larger problem. They were attractive, practical and likely to become popular. In time, they might even encourage more commoners to write letters.

"We can only proceed one step at a time. What is the situation with the glass pens?"

"Rosalia is making the magic-stone burner, so production can begin soon. The coloured glass has not arrived yet."

"It should arrive tomorrow. We are recruiting craftspeople, but no suitable applicants have appeared. I am sorry, but for now we must rely on the two of you."

That could not be helped. The kitchen staff were already busy producing dried fruit, so Rosalia and I would have to manage. Since the coloured glass would arrive tomorrow, Lady Fabienne's gift would have to wait.

For the time being, we agreed to make fountain pens only for the family. Commercial production would be postponed while the Heine Trading Company was established.

That was probably sensible. The entire operation was still uncertain, and building a reliable system would take time.

When I returned to the workshop, Rosalia resumed work on the magic-stone burner. She seemed eager to try making a fountain pen, but her love of magic tools won out.

I began making the fountain pens requested during lunch. This time I would use a metal barrel with gold plating. With sufficiently elaborate decoration, it should become a suitable gift for Sister-in-law Daniela.

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