Kays Translations

Chapter 295: A Fountain Pen for Men

After exercising vigorously for the first time in a while, I felt strangely light. I had not realised how much stress had been accumulating little by little.

Intense exercise was wonderfully refreshing. No wonder I felt so good.

When I returned to the mansion in high spirits, I found that the coloured glass had arrived at the workshop. Rosalia had already begun making glass pens.

“These colours are lovely. They are bright and charming, just like you, Rosalia.”

“Oh, Brother Julius…”

Rosalia blushed. As expected of a young lady—even at seven, she understood that I was sincerely complimenting her. Such things were worth saying. Judging from her reaction, she had not discovered the stationery set I had given Lelie either. Well done, Lelie.

“Lord Julius, the crystal you ordered has arrived.”

“Really? Then we can finally complete the household shrine for the royal family.”

I shaped the crystal Nero handed me into a perfect sphere. It was larger than the previous one, as requested. The finished sphere was about the size of a fortune-teller's crystal ball and had a suitably mysterious appearance.

I installed it at the back of the shrine and sealed it carefully, completing the work.

“It’s done. I need to report this to Sister-in-law Daniela right away.”

Sister-in-law Daniela was delighted when I reported its completion. She promised to arrange for it to be sent to the royal castle immediately. That was one burden removed from my shoulders.

“Now I can return to my own work. First, I must make Father's fountain pen. I am afraid he will scold me if I delay any longer.”

“I do not believe he would do that… I shall prepare the materials. Should I use the same ones as yesterday?”

“That is what I am considering. I think Father's pen should be more practical.”

It did not need to be as ornate as the pens I had given Mother and Sister-in-law Daniela. Men generally preferred not to carry overly flashy accessories, so a restrained, dignified design would suit Father better.

“Decided. I shall use wood for the body, finish it in black and add a few gold accents.”

“Understood. I’ll get everything prepared.”

While Nero went to collect the materials, I began mixing the finish. I added extra blue so that it would be closer to deep navy than true black. Rather than making it matte, I would give it a polished gloss.

I immediately began working with the materials Nero brought. After making three fountain pens already, I was familiar with the process. I quickly shaped the components and applied the dark finish. The colour came out beautifully.

While I was at it, I decided to refinish my own fountain pen in the same colour. It simply looked cooler that way.

“Brother Julius, I would like to make Brother Alex's and Brother Cain's fountain pens the same colour.”

“Shall we? Then let us finish them together.”

Rosalia had apparently finished the glass pens and moved on to the fountain pens. Perhaps she had been waiting for me to return. Although I had shown her how to make them the previous day, she did not yet feel confident enough to work alone. In that respect, she was still very much a child—which, of course, she was.

Unlike me, she could not shrug off an error with an, Oops, I made a mistake. Even though making mistakes would do no harm.

“Rosalia, do not be afraid of mistakes. Success is built upon a pile of failures.”

“But you don’t make mistakes, do you?”

“No, Rosalia. You may not have noticed them, but I have made plenty of mistakes.”

I smiled wryly. Was that truly how Rosalia saw me? I was full of failures. Perhaps, because I noticed when something was going wrong and corrected it before it became a complete disaster, an observer might think I never failed. I also carried out thorough preliminary tests.

Whether or not she was convinced, Rosalia said nothing more.

Do not try to become a copy of me, Rosalia. You would lose what makes you yourself.

With advice and a few corrections from me, we completed three fountain pens between us. Only Sister-in-law Meeka's remained, and hers needed to be suitably luxurious.

“I shall make a fountain pen for you as well, Rosalia. It may be a little large for your hands at present, though.”

“Thank you very much. I’m looking forward to it!”

Every member of House Heine would now have a fountain pen, so no one should have any complaints. As I admired the completed men's fountain pens, Nero announced that lunch was ready.

When I entered the dining room, I was surprised to find Father there for lunch. Brother Cain and the others had not yet returned and would apparently be eating while they were out. They might not return until later.

I had not expected Father to be there. He was probably—no, certainly—waiting for his fountain pen. I was glad I had made it that morning.

“Father, this will be your fountain pen.”

“Oh, Julius. Thank you. This is…”

The rich black gloss seemed to surprise him. Mother, seated beside him, leaned closer to examine the pen in his hand.

“What a lovely colour. It is perfect for Max. The scattered gold details are wonderful as well. The design appears simple at first, but the closer one looks, the more refined it becomes.”

“Yes, it does. I like it, Julius. Thank you.”

“I’m glad you like it, Father.”

Father rarely patted my head, so he must have liked it very much. As I explained how to fill and use the pen, Brother Alex and the others arrived. Rosalia presented Brother Alex with his fountain pen.

“Did you make this, Rosalia? It is wonderful—so beautiful that it almost feels too precious to use.”

“Please use it properly. Brother Julius said that stationery has value only when it is used.”

“Ah, that’s true. I’ll take good care of it. Thank you, Rosalia.”

“Hehe.”

Rosalia beamed as Brother Alex patted her head. She truly loved everyone in the family. Brother Cain would surely pat her head when he returned as well.

Brother Cain was every bit as indulgent towards Rosalia.

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