Kays Translations

Chapter 321: House Heine Moves into Action

The next day, everyone promptly sprang into action. Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka went to the territorial knights' headquarters early in the morning. Sister-in-law Daniela planned to formalise yesterday's stand-in arrangement, prepare the official documents, and send them to the royal capital before the snow became too deep.

We would not begin teaching the craftspeople how to make our products until the trading company's premises were ready. That gave me a few days of freedom, and I wanted to use them to visit Lady Fabienne.

I returned to my room and quickly wrote her a letter. The visit would be on short notice, but it should be acceptable if I explained that the trading company was about to open.

After entrusting the finished letter to a servant, I went to the workshop. Rosalia had dance lessons that morning, and Mira had gone with her, so the room was empty.

“It is awfully quiet, but perhaps that will help me concentrate. I think I will prepare some production manuals. Nero, could you bring me paper?”

“I will prepare it at once.”

If I recorded every step, the craftspeople would be able to work even when Rosalia and I were absent. Any more efficient methods they developed could later be added to the manuals.

I would need manuals for the washing machine, dishwasher-dryer, glass pen, magic-stone hand warmer, pencils and their accessories, and liquid glue. That was quite a list. In hindsight, I should have been writing them as I developed each product. I would make a habit of doing so from now on.

I wrestled with the paperwork until noon, then went straight into my afternoon lessons. The tutor packed the session with material to make up for the time I had missed, and even Nero struggled to keep up.

My participation in the Snow Worm investigation had placed an extra burden on Nero as well. I needed to be more considerate in the future.

Before dinner, a servant brought me a letter from Lady Fabienne. She had evidently replied as soon as mine arrived. How thoughtful of her.

Her letter said that the following day would be convenient. The notice was short, but if I missed this opportunity, I might not see her again until the snow melted. I had to go while I still could.

I went to Father's study to report my plans and found him speaking quietly with Brother Alex.

“Excuse me. Am I interrupting something?”

“No, everything is proceeding smoothly. Did you need something?”

Father raised one eyebrow. Was that really all? The two of them had clearly been whispering. Brother Alex's usual perfect composure gave nothing away, which only made me more curious.

“I would like to visit Lady Fabienne's home tomorrow, so I came to ask permission.”

“I see. You have already contacted House Ambert, correct?”

“Of course.”

Father nodded emphatically, and I thought I saw the faintest smile at the corner of his mouth. Perhaps I had imagined it.

“In that case, you may go. By the way, Lady Fabienne can compound potions too, can she not?”

“Yes. Lady Fabienne developed the lung-disease medicine now distributed throughout the territory.”

Father nodded several times. Something felt strange. He and Brother Alex exchanged a meaningful glance. Could it be…?

“Actually, we are considering selling Hot Cookies.”

“They have received excellent reviews from the territorial knights,” Brother Alex added. “The servants are very fond of them as well.”

“You have been distributing them for people to test?”

“I wanted opinions from a wider range of people.”

Brother Alex looked slightly embarrassed. He seemed rather taken with Hot Cookies himself. After all, eating one allowed a person to work comfortably even somewhere without heating.

I understood his reasoning. Once the trading company expanded, Brother Alex would have to travel more often to negotiate sales and inspect shops. Travelling in winter was cold, and the same applied to Sister-in-law Daniela.

This was Sister-in-law Daniela's first winter in the Heine Margraviate, and she would undoubtedly find it bitterly cold. The same was true of Sister-in-law Meeka and the company's employees. Producing Hot Cookies therefore seemed essential.

“Should I ask Lady Fabienne whether she would be willing to work for the Heine Trading Company?”

“Please do. We will formally present the proposed employment terms to Baron Ambert.”

“Understood.”

I might have created an awkward situation. Lady Fabienne could end up burdened with work she had never expected. I would have to apologise when I visited her.

“Oh, and there is one more matter,” Father said.

“Something else?”

“Yes. I proposed Lady Fabienne as your prospective fiancée to Baron Ambert. His letter of approval has arrived, so you should greet the family properly tomorrow.”

“U-understood.”

I could hardly admit that I already knew, so the atmosphere became rather awkward. It was not remotely romantic. We continued talking until it was time for dinner.

“Brother Julius, did you make something new while I was away?”

Rosalia, seated beside me, puffed out her cheeks as she stared. She had apparently been occupied all day and had not managed to retreat to the workshop even once.

Mother would scold her if she kept making that face.

“I did not make anything new. I spent the day writing production manuals. They are not finished yet, but I would like you to read them later and tell me what you think.”

“Understood!”

Rosalia's face immediately brightened. Delighted to be relied upon, she resumed eating in an excellent mood.

During dinner, I mentioned that I would visit Lady Fabienne the following morning. Mira immediately clung to me. We had already been apart all day, and they seemed desperate at the thought of another separation tomorrow.

What should I do? Perhaps I could take Mira with me. Lady Fabienne would be delighted, and Mira would not feel lonely. Two birds with one stone.

When I suggested it, Mira enthusiastically headbutted me. As usual, they had a rather unusual way of showing affection.

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