Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 179: The Young Lady’s Reason
The day after Marquis Van Dyne proposed that Tauro be adopted into a noble family, Tauro and Aeris visited the Adventurers’ Guild together for the first time in a while and accepted a medicinal-herb gathering quest.
Tauro had visited the guild the previous day, but Aeris needed to complete a quest soon. She had been inactive long enough that the guild might otherwise penalize her by lowering her rank.
“Um, Tauro… I hope we’ll continue working well together.”
They were walking toward a forest outside the Royal Capital when a lull in their conversation prompted Aeris to renew the sentiment.
“Of course. I’m just surprised. You no longer need to remain an adventurer.”
“That’s true, but… I like who I’m as an adventurer. Black-Gold Wings is somewhere I belong, and I want to treasure that.”
“Now that your father has returned, shouldn’t you value the time you can spend with him?”
“I thought the same thing. No matter how terrible Mother was, she was still Papa’s wife, so I expected him to be devastated by what happened. But apparently their marriage had already been failing for years. He wasn’t as shocked as I expected. What surprised him more was learning how much I already knew. We’ve spent a great deal of time talking over the last few days…”
Tauro waited quietly for her to continue.
“Lately, Papa and Mei have been getting along rather well.”
“Huh?”
The conversation had taken such a sudden turn that Tauro could only stare.
“She used to be the head maid, and now she serves as the residence’s steward. Papa and Mei seem to enjoy each other’s company, and I don’t want to get in their way. So I thought I should… stay away from the house for a while.”
Tauro was surprised by her unexpected reason, but Aeris clearly wanted to give the two of them space.
“Couldn’t you simply return to the Van Dyne territory instead?”
“I could, but adventuring with you and the others is much more fun. Besides, we’re still only an E-rank team, aren’t we? I want all of us to reach the higher ranks together!”
“If that’s what you want, then I have no objection… but you do remember that you’re a marquis’s daughter, don’t you?”
Tauro gave a strained laugh at her decision.
They reached the forest and began gathering medicinal herbs.
“By the way… about the adoption proposal…” Tauro began.
“Did it bother you?” Aeris asked instead.
“No. I’m honestly bewildered because it’s a possibility I never considered. Until now, I only wanted to enjoy my life as an adventurer.”
“I think Papa intended it as a way to thank you. At first, he considered employing you directly, but when I explained what you’re like, he realized that your personality would make you dislike being tied to his household. Then he thought about his friend, the count who wishes for a child, about me, and about how to repay you. Adoption seemed like an answer that might make everyone happy. The count is a very kind man, by the way. He’s devoted to his wife, but they haven’t been blessed with children. When Papa suggested adopting you, the count said he would be delighted.”
“I’m still not sure. Judging from you, it seems even nobles can live fairly freely… but Black-Gold Wings is important to me too. I can’t decide anything without discussing it with Shin and Rumeya.”
Tauro had initially thought he could simply refuse. However, since Marquis Van Dyne had put genuine thought into the proposal as a form of gratitude, he decided to postpone his answer until Aeris had also settled on her own future.
“I understand. It’ll affect the rest of your life. I’ll tell Papa that.”
After completing the herb-gathering quest, they visited the curry shop as ordinary customers, and Tauro treated Aeris to a meal.
She was thoroughly pleased with the curry, but the moment dessert arrived, her expression changed completely.
“What’s this pudding? I want to try those colorful cakes too… Tauro, can I take some home? I want Papa to taste them.”
“Sure. I’ll keep them in [Magic Storage], so tell me whenever you want them.”
“Thank you, Tauro!”
In high spirits, Aeris went to the glass display case and began ordering one dessert after another.
“Don’t overdo it. You’ll gain weight if you eat too many…”
Tauro once again confirmed that sweets held irresistible power over women in any world.