Kays Translations

Chapter 323: Making Sweets?

I had successfully greeted Fabienne's parents and presented the gifts. Good, good. I was finally beginning to relax. Still, I could not lower my guard yet.

“Besides the matter of Fabienne, I have one more request to discuss today.”

“What is it?”

“Father-in-law, you know that House Heine is establishing a new trading company, correct?”

“Y-yes, of course.”

Baron Ambert looked unsettled when I addressed him as Father-in-law. He was evidently not ready to abandon formality, even though I would eventually become his son. Perhaps the difference in our houses' power still weighed on him. A margrave ranked far above a baron, after all.

I explained what had happened so far. Baron Ambert appeared to know the general outline, but Baroness Ambert and Fabienne were surprised by the company's planned scale.

“A trading company that large is being established?”

“That is astonishing. Most of its products will be things you developed, Lord Julius.”

Fabienne gazed at me with admiration. Children in this world matured quickly, but I had not expected such a businesslike expression from a ten-year-old.

“I have a request for you concerning the company, Father-in-law. More precisely, I have a request for Fabienne as well.”

“What is it?”

“What would you like me to do?”

I explained that we intended to sell Hot Cookies, although I had not originally planned to commercialise them, and that I wanted Fabienne to assist with their production.

“Naturally, the company will pay you a salary and accommodate your preferences as far as possible. May we ask for your help?”

“Hmm…”

Baron Ambert fell into thought, but he did not immediately refuse. Fabienne would not be expected to spend every waking hour producing Hot Cookies.

What truly mattered was Fabienne's opinion, and she looked eager. Her eyes sparkled. She really did love compounding potions.

“Father, I want to do it! I am already going to become part of House Heine, am I not?”

“Very well. Give it a try, but do not cause trouble for Lord Julius.”

“Yes!”

“Um, Father-in-law? You may simply call me Julius.”

“That would be rather difficult.”

Baron Ambert answered with a completely serious expression. His excessive deference was a slight problem for a future father-in-law. If I was going to become his son, I wanted him to treat me more casually.

He seemed to notice my confusion and looked somewhat uncomfortable.

“May I make a request in return?”

“Of course. I will gladly help if it is within my power.”

“We would like glass pens of our own…”

“Understood. I will make a matching pair as an engagement gift. I will also bring you magic-stone hand warmers.”

“That would be wonderful.”

Baron Ambert seemed to be showing consideration in his own way. By making a request in return rather than merely accepting mine, he probably hoped to make the relationship feel more balanced.

Perhaps I should give them fountain pens as well, together with the glass pens and hand warmers, as mementos of our engagement.

I would discuss the designs with Fabienne and ask her parents what they preferred.

“Fabienne, would you like to make Hot Cookies with me? I brought the ingredients. You are very skilled, so I would like your opinion on several possible flavours.”

“Of course! Father, Mother, may we use the alchemy room?”

“Go ahead. We will continue discussing the employment terms here.”

That should be sufficient for now. The adults could settle the remaining details; there was no reason for Fabienne and me to interfere. To be honest, I was leaving everything to them.

Fabienne led me to House Ambert's alchemy room. It was impressively well equipped, which showed how much Baron Ambert expected from his daughter.

“Hot Cookies are easy to make. The process is almost the same as baking ordinary cookies,” I explained.

“Have you baked cookies before, Lord Julius?”

“Yes, once or twice. What about you, Fabienne?”

She shook her head. Even though she was a baron's daughter, she was still a noblewoman. Cooking was not something nobles normally did themselves. Perhaps my own perspective was the unusual one.

Nero, however, was very good at baking. He had surprisingly broad domestic skills.

“Then let us make them together. We can bake ordinary cookies as well as the potion variety. Nero is excellent at it.”

“Thank you very much!”

“Kyuu!”

Mira reacted instantly to the word cookies. What a glutton! Their tail was already wagging with excitement. They were clearly in a good mood. I could not possibly serve them anything less than perfect cookies.

I taught Fabienne the method while we combined the ingredients. Although Hot Cookies were potions, they were simple enough for an ordinary person to make. Potion production was nevertheless regulated, and only people with the proper qualifications were permitted to compound them.

I wondered whether an unqualified person might legally assist while working under the supervision of a qualified magic pharmacist. If so, that would greatly reduce Fabienne's burden.

I arranged the Hot Cookies and ordinary cookies on an iron baking tray. Once everything was ready, I placed it in the preheated oven, and a delicious aroma soon filled the room.

Mira probably would not try anything, but I picked them up just in case they attempted to leap for the cookies.

“Your potions are rather mysterious, Lord Julius,” Fabienne said. “They always smell wonderfully sweet.”

“R-really? I had not noticed.”

Her comment caught me off guard. Now that she mentioned it, I had made quite a few sweet potions. Was that because I was a child? Did my young body naturally crave sugar?

At this rate, Fabienne might decide that I had an incurable sweet tooth. I ate my vegetables too, and I was not picky at all!

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