Chapter 643: Operation Change the Subject

That morning was reserved for study. Once our lesson ended, we planned to remain in the workshop until lunch. Apparently, Rosalia had something to ask Lady Fabienne—probably about the patterns decorating the gramophone for Baron and Baroness Ambert.

After the tutor’s lesson, I brought the somewhat exhausted Lady Fabienne and Nero to the workshop.

“You don’t seem tired, Lord Julius.”

“As expected of you, my lord.”

“Really?”

I gave them a strained smile. The lesson had certainly been intense, but it was nothing compared with preparing for entrance examinations in my previous life. My experience had proved useful.

I made the tired Nero sit down and brewed the tea myself. He was reluctant, but I forced him into his chair.

“You’re good at making tea too, Lord Julius.”

“I always watch Nero do it. I owe the skill to him.”

“You honour me.”

Nero seemed to shrink still further. He didn’t need to be so formal. Was I truly that frightening? The thought was rather depressing.

“Sister-in-law Fabienne, what do you think of this pattern?”

“Oh, what lovely flowers and adorable animals. I’m certain Mother will be delighted.”

Once Lady Fabienne and Rosalia began talking, I started drawing the plans for the chocolate-making machine I had built the previous night. Without blueprints, I couldn’t ask Rosalia to make more.

Besides, if she discovered that I had secretly created a new magic tool, she would puff out her adorable cheeks.

Part of me wanted to see that, but I certainly didn’t want Rosalia to dislike me because of it.

“Kyuu.”

“Mira, don’t eat too much chocolate.”

“Kyuu.”

Could a holy dragon develop tooth decay? It might be a new discovery, but who in the world would treat them? Did veterinarians exist here? I had no idea.

As I scratched away at the plans, the girls finished their discussion. Rosalia’s attention turned towards me.

“Brother, what are those plans?”

“They’re for the chocolate-making machine. With this, we should be able to make much more chocolate.”

“Kyuu?!”

“Brother, I want to build one too!”

Their reactions were almost exactly as expected. I was more concerned by the way Mira slapped the blueprint with their paw. Perhaps they were ordering us to build a great many machines.

I needed to establish a daily chocolate allowance soon.

While I briefly explained the tool to Rosalia, lunchtime arrived. We all moved to the dining room.

“This afternoon, we shall visit the knights. Naturally, we shall bring a gift.”

“Then I shall prepare sacks for harvesting the cacao fruit.”

“Please do, Nero.”

“Brother Julius, is the clover field finished?”

Rosalia tilted her head. She had only seen the field before anything was planted. I had promised to take her once it was complete, so she must have been curious about its current state.

If possible, I wanted her first view to be an expanse covered entirely in clover.

“It’ll take a little longer. I remember my promise, so please look forward to it.”

“Yes. I shall wait.”

While we waited for lunch, the rest of the family gathered. Apparently, we would all eat together today. Breakfast had been scattered, so I was rather pleased.

“Julius, regarding the additional workers we discussed yesterday, I’ve begun recruiting. I intend to hire three people initially. Naturally, they’ll be discreet.”

“Thank you.”

“I would like to send chocolate to the royal capital. Will that be a problem?”

Sister-in-law Daniela asked with a smile. Since only a day had passed, perhaps she was concerned about production.

As long as she didn’t send an enormous quantity, it should be fine. We would soon have a reasonable supply of cacao fruit.

“I gave the head chef the chocolate-making machine this morning, so production shouldn’t be a problem. And today, I shall ask the knights to help us harvest plenty of cacao fruit.”

“Then it should be all right. Still, when did you find the time to make such a magic tool?”

Sister-in-law Daniela tilted her head. Father and Mother narrowed their eyes. Oh, no. I had to change the subject—preferably to something that would seize the attention of Mother and Sister-in-law Daniela.

“This afternoon, I also intend to begin developing the skin lotion I promised you. It’ll require various tests, so it may not be completed immediately, but I expect to finish it soon.”

“Oh, really? I look forward to it.”

“In that case, perhaps I should wait until the lotion is finished before sending the chocolate to the royal capital?”

Sister-in-law Daniela sank into thought. It would certainly be better to send everything at once than in separate shipments. We would need only one letter, and House Heine would require only one wagon.

The number of wagons reserved for House Heine was limited. We couldn’t dispatch several to the royal capital in rapid succession.

One wagon carrying the gramophones was already travelling there. If we added two more now, we might have none available for an emergency.