Kays Translations

Chapter 330: Headbutt

While I inspected the craftspeople's work, Fabienne prepared tea and served it around the workshop. I thought I should have become accustomed to the sight by now, but the employees still accepted tea from a nobleman's daughter with visible embarrassment.

Nero and the servants accompanying Fabienne helped her, of course.

“Thank you, as always.”

“It is nothing. This is about the only useful thing I can do here.”

Fabienne smiled. I had tried teaching her how to make magic tools, but the lessons had not gone well. Perhaps she simply lacked interest in them. If so, there was no reason to force her.

“We have finished here for now, so let us inspect the shop floor. I want to check the Hot Cookie sales as well.”

“Yes!”

After saying goodbye to the masters, I went to the shop at the front of the building. It was crowded with customers.

Dried fruit appeared especially popular. The affordable section intended for ordinary households already needed more stock.

If we increased the workforce, dried-fruit production should be one of our priorities. Sweet food was popular in households of every social class.

I was relieved that we had not needed to pull more cooks away from House Heine's kitchen. Doing so would have thrown meal preparation at the estate into chaos.

“The Hot Cookies also seem to be selling extremely well.”

“They are!” Fabienne said. “Because they are potions, they disappear when used, unlike magic tools or stationery.”

“That is true. The weather has been bitterly cold, so they may have become indispensable to people who work outdoors.”

Fabienne watched the Hot Cookies we had made disappear from the shelves, looking almost envious of them. She was happy that her work helped others. I felt the same way.

“But once spring comes, no one will need them any longer,” she murmured sadly.

Heh heh heh. That would not be a problem. She should not underestimate me.

“In that case, when spring arrives, why do we not develop Cold Cookies for summer?”

“Cold Cookies?”

“Yes. They will be potion cookies that cool the body when eaten.”

Fabienne's eyes widened. Then, without saying a word, she headbutted me in the chest.

Had headbutting me become fashionable?

The Hot Cookies would continue selling for the rest of winter, so we needed to make another batch.

“Fabienne, let us return to the estate and compound more potions.”

“Is it all right to leave the shop like this?”

“Yes. The employees can manage. If the magic tools sell out, they can simply mark them out of stock until more are ready.”

I told Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela that we were returning to the estate, then climbed into the carriage.

They intended to remain at the trading company and continue working. It appeared that even the administrative duties Father assigned Brother Alex would now be handled there.

At this rate, it was only a matter of time before Brother Alex practically moved into the trading company. What would Sister-in-law Daniela do then? Perhaps House Heine would have to station additional guards at the building.

“Is something wrong?” Fabienne asked.

“No, it is nothing. More importantly, is there anything troubling you?”

“Well…”

She placed a hand against her chin and thought. There was no need to hurry her, so I silently studied her face. Her eyelashes were long. She was already cute, and there was no doubt that she would grow into a beautiful woman.

“I would like to have a little more mana,” she said at last. “Then I could compound a larger quantity of potions, like you do, Lord Julius.”

“I see.”

She fidgeted, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks.

That was a difficult request. The reason I could continue compounding potions without exhausting my mana was simply that I possessed an enormous amount. Raising Fabienne's natural capacity to my level in a short time was impossible.

In that case…

“Then I will make a basic sustained mana-restoration potion for you. It should replenish your mana more quickly than ordinary rest.”

“Could that be…?”

“You should be able to compound more potions than before. But you must promise not to push yourself too hard.”

I pressed one finger lightly against Fabienne's lips, signalling for her to keep the potion secret.

A soft warmth travelled through my fingertip and sent a strange shiver through my entire body.

What was that? It felt as though I had done something improper. No, I had merely touched Fabienne's lips.

“Fabienne!”

She flushed all the way to her ears and began to sway. I hurriedly caught her. This time, my hand landed somewhere unexpectedly soft.

I had not done it deliberately. It was an accident!

Nero, stop looking away and help me.

“Lord Julius, we are about to arrive at the estate,” the driver called.

“I am sorry, but could you circle the grounds once more?”

“Pardon?”

The driver sounded completely bewildered.

Oh, no. If we returned while Fabienne was in this condition, Father and Mother would interrogate me. Mira, Rosalia, and Lelie would probably stare at me with utter contempt.

As a gentleman, I had to avoid that at all costs.

“Lord Julius, Her Ladyship and Lady Rosalia are waiting outside to welcome you…”

“Oh, no!”

Why had they chosen today to greet me? They had never come out to meet my carriage before!

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