Kays Translations

Chapter 297: Once Again, I Don’t Know Where to Look

“Ugh, I nearly had a dreadful time because of you, Julius.”

“Don’t just blame me. If anything, it’s Rosalia’s fault.”

“Brother Julius, it’s not my fault!”

“Kyu!”

Rosalia and Mira denied it, but this was clearly Rosalia’s fault. Sister-in-law Meeka knew that and was deliberately shifting the blame to me, probably because Rosalia might cry if blamed in earnest.

After that, Mother noticed I was watching Sister-in-law Meeka’s reaction. She smiled and said to Sister-in-law Meeka, “You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

Sister-in-law Meeka became painfully conscious of her table manners, but she made it through the meal without being subjected to remedial instruction. Mother was probably watching Brother Cain as well, so I doubt he tasted a thing.

And now, we’re all in the bath together. Why, you ask? I’d like to know too.

I had been looking forward to a relaxing bath, but Sister-in-law Meeka and Rosalia joined me shortly after I entered.

I checked with Nero. Had he definitely put up the “Occupied” sign before we entered? He assured me that he had.

…So why did they come in? The sign was pointless.

According to Sister-in-law Meeka, because I had bathed with Sister-in-law Daniela the previous day, today was her turn. She apparently wanted to thank me for the fountain pen. I was pleased that she liked it, at least.

Rosalia had apparently been wandering outside the bath with Mira, so Sister-in-law Meeka invited them in as well. She was far too free-spirited. What sort of education had House Raniemi given her? This was unacceptable.

If Brother Cain heard about this later, I might be in for a scolding. At least Nero was here today; perhaps the two of us could survive the situation. Even so, I had no idea where to look.

“I have always thought Nero looks remarkably like a girl, even though he is a boy.”

“Oh… thank you?”

Sister-in-law Meeka’s comment left Nero looking puzzled. The comparison clearly bothered him, but he could hardly complain to her. His Cerberus, incidentally, appeared to have retreated completely from sheer nervousness.

In the awkward silence, Nero’s younger sister, Lelie, decided to step in to ease the situation.

“Lord Julius, please let me wash your back.”

“It’s all right. Nero can do it.”

“Then I shall wash your back.”

Just then, Sister-in-law Meeka intervened.

“No, I shall wash Julius’s back.”

“That’s not fair, Sister-in-law Meeka. I want to wash Brother Julius’s back too.”

How had things come to this? The two of them began arguing over who would wash my back. To end the dispute, I let each of them wash half, but made them promise that this was a one-time exception and that they would not invade my bath again.

“I’m glad you liked the fountain pen.”

“I absolutely love it. Thank you, Julius. I’m so happy to be marrying into House Heine.”

“Well, the wedding has not taken place yet, so you have not formally married into the family.”

“Oh, don’t be so cruel. It has already been decided; the wedding is only a matter of time.”

Was it already that certain? I had not realised. Sister-in-law Meeka was a good person, and Viscount Raniemi, who was based in the royal capital, was an important ally for House Heine on the frontier.

With the royal family supporting us as well, House Heine was steadily growing more influential.

“To think Brother Julius made such a wonderful fountain pen… I wish I could have watched you make it. I still have a long way to go.”

“That’s not true. In another three years, you may well surpass me.”

Rosalia is three years younger than me. Three years ago, I wasn’t as skilled in crafting as she is now. If she continues to practice, she’ll become a craftsman as skilled as I am in no time.

“Oh, that’s right. Rosalia’s fountain pen is ready as well. I’ll give it to you after we leave the bath.”

“Really!? Then let’s get out at once!”

Rosalia sprang to her feet even though she had only just begun soaking. She would catch a chill if she climbed out before warming herself properly.

“Calm down, Rosalia. Stay in the water up to your shoulders and warm yourself properly first, or you’ll catch a cold.”

“May I see it once Rosalia has finished bathing as well?”

“Of course.”

Thanks to Sister-in-law Meeka, Rosalia reluctantly remained in the bath. Meeka truly knew how to handle children; she would probably become a devoted mother one day.

“Sister-in-law Meeka, how was your date today?”

“It was wonderful… Ah, no, it was an inspection of the territory, not a date.”

Sister-in-law Meeka puffed out her cheeks, but her denial was not remotely convincing. Then, apparently remembering something, she clasped her hands before her chest.

“By the way, I heard that Snow Wolves have attacked a nearby village.”

“Snow Wolves? I’ve never heard of them attacking a village before.”

“Neither has anyone else, apparently. That’s why everyone is concerned. I wonder what has happened.”

Snow Wolves usually appeared along roads through the forest, which made winter travel dangerous. Our own party had been attacked on the road.

At the time, we had assumed that the early snowfall had simply made them believe winter had begun.

If a village had truly been attacked, however, something might be wrong in the Snow Wolves’ habitat. Our encounter could not be dismissed as a consequence of the early snow alone.

“We may need to investigate.”

“Cain said the same thing. He may be discussing it with Father right now.”

I see. So that’s why they barged into the bath I was in. If there was no one to stop them, that’s what would happen.

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