Chapter 624: A Fun Excursion

“That reminds me. Everyone is going to collect clover in a monster-inhabited forest soon. Will you and Sister-in-law Daniela come as well, Brother Alex?”

“Rosalia is going, isn’t she?”

“Yes. Rosalia, Father, and Mother will all be joining us.”

Brother Alex folded his arms and considered the matter, but only briefly. He exchanged a glance with Sister-in-law Daniela, and they nodded to each other.

“We’ll come too. You said monsters live there, but none of them are especially powerful, correct?”

“Of course. If it were that dangerous, no one would allow us to go.”

“Then there’s no problem. Daniela and I may not look it now, but we both undertook field training in monster-inhabited forests during our student days.”

“It might be pleasant to move freely again after so long,” Sister-in-law Daniela said with a light laugh.

Judging by her manner, she could probably defeat any monster short of an exceptionally powerful one without difficulty. Perhaps there was no harm in letting them join us—although Lionel might develop a stomach ache.

As we continued talking, the rest of the family steadily gathered in the dining room. Mira apparently chose Sister-in-law Daniela’s lap today and scampered straight towards her.

Dinner arrived: beef stewed in red wine. The head chef’s version of this dish was exquisite. The moment I put it in my mouth, the meat fell apart and melted away without any need to chew. Just how long had he simmered it to achieve that?

While enjoying the delicious food, I raised the subject of our journey into monster territory. Perhaps it wasn’t the best topic for the dinner table, but many other tasks depended upon it.

We had no idea how long it would take before we could harvest our own Holy Clover. It was no exaggeration to call this a matter of life and death at present.

No, that was an exaggeration. I merely wanted to make Holy Droplets as soon as possible.

“Father, preparations for the clover field are nearly complete. When would it be convenient to collect the clover seedlings?”

“Ah, yes. In that case, let us go tomorrow afternoon.”

Apparently, the earliest possible time was tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, we had lessons then. What should I do? Was it too late to ask our teacher to come in the morning instead?

Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela whispered to each other. They seemed to be adjusting their own schedules too.

“We’re due to have lessons tomorrow afternoon. Would it be all right to ask our teacher to move them to the morning at such short notice?”

“Oh, that’s right,” Mother said, tilting her head. “Then perhaps tomorrow won’t be possible.”

She also appeared to feel that the proposal was too sudden and didn’t agree with Father. After studying everyone’s reactions, Father murmured thoughtfully.

“Then we shall go the morning after tomorrow. Would that suit everyone?”

“That would be no problem for me.”

“Yes, let us do that. Everyone needs time to prepare.”

“It suits us as well,” Brother Alex said.

He and Sister-in-law Daniela nodded to everyone. Father and Mother’s eyes widened for an instant before their expressions softened into smiles.

“Oh? Alex and Lady Daniela are coming too? This is becoming quite the enjoyable excursion.”

“An excursion! An excursion!” Rosalia cheered.

“Kyuu, kyuu!”

Rosalia and Mira were overjoyed. Come to think of it, we seldom had opportunities for the entire family to go somewhere together. It was a pity Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Mica weren’t here, but we could save that pleasure for when they returned to the House Heine estate during the summer holiday.

The following day, after bringing Lady Fabienne to the estate, I told her that we would collect clover tomorrow morning.

“Understood. In that case, perhaps I should stay here tonight.”

“You’re right. I’ll ask Father and Mother.”

“Then I shall prepare a letter to send home.”

And so it was decided that Lady Fabienne would spend the night. I also informed Lionel that our departure was set for tomorrow morning.

There appeared to be no problem on his side, and the knights would make thorough preparations. Since Sister-in-law Daniela was joining us, they intended to increase the number of guards. We couldn’t allow anything to happen to her.

After Lady Fabienne’s letter was sent to the Ambert estate, lunchtime arrived almost before we knew it.

We had hardly accomplished any work this morning. With lessons scheduled for the afternoon, perhaps I should simply take things easy today.

When I entered the dining room, Rosalia was already there. A gramophone rested on the table. There was no doubt that it was the one made for Father. It seemed to have taken her some time to finish, but even I could see how carefully it had been crafted.

“It looks like you’ve finished. Father is certain to love it. It’s so well made that it may be better than anything I’ve made.”

“Thank you! But I still have a long way to go before I can match you, Brother.”

Rosalia smiled at me with visible pride. My praise had clearly made her happy. I thought I praised her often, but apparently it wasn’t nearly enough.

My policy was to help people grow through praise. I would have to compliment Rosalia much more from now on.

“Mira helped you too, didn’t they? Well done.”

“Kyuu!”

Mira looked proud as well. They had probably sat beside Rosalia and encouraged her the entire time. Tiny metal shavings clung to their fur. I quietly picked Mira up, carried them to the workshop, and brushed their coat with the animal brush kept there.