Kays Translations

Chapter 291: Encounter

After Rosalia caught me, I ended up teaching her how to make pencils. Since they were not difficult to produce with the “Craft” skill, she quickly learned to make them herself.

“As expected of Lady Rosalia. You recreated the pencil after hearing only an explanation.”

“That is not true. It is all because Brother Julius is amazing.”

Rosalia said that to Nero with obvious pride. It was a little embarrassing. Perhaps every older brother feels this way.

Although my plans had been disrupted, Rosalia could now make pencils too. Between us, we should be able to produce enough for House Heine's needs.

“Then, Rosalia, please make more whenever Lelie runs out of pencils.”

“Understood. Leave it to me.”

Rosalia loved being relied upon and answered happily. Mission accomplished. Now I needed to take a bath.

I ushered Rosalia, Mira and Lelie out of the room and headed for the bath, but it seemed I was one step too late.

“Oh, Julius-chan. Were you planning to take a bath now?”

“Yes, but it looks as though I am a little late. Since you are already here, Sister-in-law Daniela, please take your time.”

I could always borrow the shower at the territorial knights' quarters. I had hoped to soak in the bath and unwind after everything that had happened, but I could not have everything my way.

“In that case, shall we bathe together?”

“What? Sister-in-law Daniela, that might be a little inappropriate…”

“What are you saying? We bathed together the other day too.”

Sister-in-law Daniela gave me a bright, cheerful smile. Of course—she was the sort of person who seized every opportunity to bathe with her family. Since we had already done so once, refusing her now would be very difficult.

What should I do? I would have to invoke Brother Alex's name and persuade her to reconsider. Sorry, Sister-in-law Daniela. It was not that I disliked the idea of bathing with her.

“But what would Brother Alex say…?”

“It is fine. I invited Alex to bathe with me, but he refused.”

How did that make it fine? Brother Alex was the one she had invited. Apparently, the two of them had been bathing together without my knowledge. Unforgivable. Perhaps Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka did the same… That was even more unforgivable.

Yet here I was, unable to refuse Sister-in-law Daniela without dimming her cheerful smile.

Refusing now would surely hurt her feelings. I had no convincing reason to do so, either. Mentioning my age would not work after the entire family had bathed together last time.

That said, I’m curious about how Brother Alex managed to turn down Sister-in-law Daniela’s invitation. Did he say he was too busy with work or something?

Perhaps I should not have been thinking about that. I realised too late that Nero was not coming into the bath with us.

“Huh? Where’s Nero?”

“Nero is waiting at the entrance,” said one of Sister-in-law Daniela's attendants.

Nero usually helped me undress, but this time one of Sister-in-law Daniela's female attendants took his place. Looking around, I realised that every attendant present was a woman. Worse still, the attendant assigned to wash us was already completely undressed. This was bad.

“Sister-in-law Daniela, perhaps I should bathe at another time…”

“Oh, Julius-chan, don’t you want to bathe with me that much?”

“No, that’s not it…”

I turned towards Sister-in-law Daniela and caught my breath. Before me stood a woman with the figure of a goddess, entirely unclothed.

Where was her towel? What had happened to it? She had worn one last time, had she not?

“Sister-in-law Daniela, please, at least wrap a towel around yourself.”

“Oh? We are family now, so I do not think it matters.”

“But it does!”

How had things come to this? I was sitting beside Sister-in-law Daniela in the bath, and she had no intention of covering herself with a towel. I was covering myself, of course. What was going on with her? Did she enjoy being seen naked? Her manner of speaking was also far more relaxed than usual. Was this her true personality?

“Oh, Julius-chan, you’re so serious. You’re just like Alex in that regard.”

Sister-in-law Daniela poked my cheek. I felt as though she were treating me like a pet. In other words, I occupied the same place in her mind as Mira. Thinking of it that way was oddly reassuring. Perhaps there had been no need for me to feel so self-conscious.

“Have you gotten used to life here? How does it compare to being at the castle? Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Very much. I have realised how small and confining my world at the castle was, and how little freedom I truly had.”

It seemed Sister-in-law Daniela harboured considerable dissatisfaction with the royal family's way of life.

I must have asked the wrong question. I had only meant to ask whether she was experiencing any inconvenience. Language was difficult. I needed to change the subject.

“I am glad you are enjoying yourself. By the way, I made some new stationery that should make it easier for the servants to write in their notebooks.”

“New stationery?”

Sister-in-law Daniela, who had been looking down, turned towards me. Her attendants did the same. They were all remarkably well endowed. Was that Father's preference, or simply the taste of the men of House Heine?

“Yes. It is a pencil with an eraser. I was hoping you might allow your attendants to use them…”

“You’ve created something new again. You’re truly amazing, Julius-chan. I can understand why Alex is so determined to protect you.”

Sister-in-law Daniela narrowed her eyes fondly. Brother Alex was trying to protect me? I had never realised that… As the thought crossed my mind, something soft suddenly pressed around my head.

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