Chapter 656: I Still Can’t Tell

After watching the artisans at work, we headed to the shop. There were no problems with their work. Despite their sharp gazes, everyone looked happy as they crafted things, and they worked incredibly fast. They were true master artisans. Amazing.

We arrived at the shop. Everything seemed fine here as well. The magic potions appeared to be selling well, especially elementary healing potions, which were disappearing quickly.

Looking more closely, I saw people who appeared to be adventurers. It seemed they were the ones buying them.

If this allowed adventurers to work more safely, the territory should become even safer. There were still many monster territories in the frontier, after all, and several places were beyond House Heine’s ability to handle alone.

“Daily necessities seem to be selling too. Has this made commoners’ lives at least a little richer and more convenient?”

“I’m certain it has.”

I thought about that as I watched pencils and glass pens being sold before my eyes. Was that glass pen intended as a gift? It was being carefully wrapped. Glass pens seemed popular as presents as well.

After smiling at the scene in the shop, we headed to the trading company’s main office. Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela should be there. I knocked lightly before entering.

“It’s Julius. Are Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela here?”

“Hello, Julius. Did you come to check on things? Everyone must have been delighted to see you. Welcome, Lady Fabienne.”

“Julius, Fabienne, it’s wonderful to see you both.”

“I brought Lady Fabienne around so everyone could see that she’s well.”

“Thank you for having me.”

Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela were wrestling with the documents on their desks in the trading company’s office. Had I interrupted them? Still, it was best to settle this matter quickly.

“Sister-in-law Daniela, Lady Fabienne made some Anti-Ageing Skin Lotion, so we brought it to you.”

With a clatter, Sister-in-law Daniela sprang to her feet. Her eyes widened and sparkled. She must have been filled with anticipation.

In my opinion, she needed it even less than Mother did.

“Here it is.”

Lady Fabienne placed the Anti-Ageing Skin Lotion on the table before Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela. Both examined it with great interest.

It might become one of our principal products, after all. The battle had already begun.

“Let me ask again: what effects does it have?”

“If applied to the skin once a day, it should prevent skin ageing and repair the skin.”

“I see.”

“Mother has already tried it. She said her wrinkles disappeared, though I couldn’t really tell.”

I answered honestly, but Sister-in-law Daniela snatched up the Anti-Ageing Skin Lotion with remarkable speed. The more I looked at her, the more certain I was that she did not need it.

Perhaps she was more interested in preventing ageing? Yes, that must be it.

“May I try it?”

“Of course, but please use it only once a day. More frequent use might adversely affect your skin.”

“Understood.”

Sister-in-law Daniela replied with a serious expression. The safety net created by revolting magic potions was working here too. Thank goodness. Those awful potions had not been entirely useless.

Sister-in-law Daniela carefully poured some lotion into her hands and spread it over them. Its effect had been difficult to see when Mother used it, and it was even harder to discern on Sister-in-law Daniela.

Had anything changed? I wanted to ask.

“My skin feels more moisturised. Here, touch it.”

“Let’s see. Hmm, I can’t tell.”

Brother Alex gently stroked Sister-in-law Daniela’s hand. What was with this lovey-dovey atmosphere? What exactly were they making us watch?

Still, that was Brother Alex for you. Rather than offering empty reassurance, he had apparently chosen to be honest. In doing so, he was indirectly telling Sister-in-law Daniela that she had already been beautiful. What an advanced technique.

Nevertheless, Sister-in-law Daniela was extremely taken with the lotion and began spreading it from her hands up her arms. Her pale arms were exposed, and I began to feel as though I were witnessing something I should not.

“I’m delighted that you like it. Brother Alex, Sister-in-law Daniela, I wanted to consult you about how we should handle this Anti-Ageing Skin Lotion. One option is to teach Commander Giovanni of the Royal Magic Pharmacists how to make it and have him spread the recipe from there.”

Both fell silent in thought. They were torn. Keeping this magic potion secret from Her Majesty the Queen might be a poor decision, but they must also have wanted to retain exclusive control of it.

“First, let’s confirm its effects properly before deciding,” Brother Alex said. “It would be difficult to judge from Daniela or Mother, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s certainly true. Then we’ll have the servants try it as well.”

“I would also like employees of the Heine Trading Company to test it. That way, they can advertise it for us.”

He had a point. If the ladies who came shopping saw the employees looking younger, their eyes would light up. It would boost employee morale and provide publicity at the same time—a perfect two-birds-with-one-stone strategy.

“Understood. We’ll make more and ask the people working for House Heine to use it.”

“Why don’t we give some to the territorial knights as well?” Lady Fabienne suggested. “They’re always helping us.”

“That’s an excellent idea, Lady Fabienne. The female knights will surely be delighted.”