Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 312: The Mischief of the Duke’s Daughter
“Just kidding.”
After flashing her underwear and completely shocking Rest, Celestine gave a mischievous smile.
In short… this had all been a prank on Rest.
The two maids had dragged him rather forcefully into the mansion just to deliberately let him witness Celestine in the middle of changing.
“Wait, I totally saw you changing, you know? That’s not the kind of thing you can brush off as a joke!”
Rest held his nose and somehow managed to squeeze out a reply.
(Good thing I didn’t eat dragon liver just before this… I definitely would’ve had a nosebleed…)
“Why would you pull something like this? It’s not really like you…”
Then again… maybe it was.
Celestine had once barged in on Rest while he was bathing.
For a noble lady of such high status—perhaps because of that status—she had a surprisingly bold side.
“You’re going to be my husband eventually. A little underwear shouldn’t be an issue.”
Celestine said it plainly, without a trace of embarrassment.
“Besides… I just wanted to be a little mean. You haven’t come to see me at all lately, Rest.”
“Come to see you…?”
“You’ve been spending much more time with Viola, Primula, and Yuri than you have with me, haven’t you? So I thought I’d get a little payback.”
“…That’s because…”
It couldn’t be helped.
He lived with the Rosemary sisters, and Yuri had run away from home and was staying with them too.
Rest was busy developing his territory, and Celestine was based in the royal capital. Naturally, they didn’t have many opportunities to meet.
“Of course, I understand your circumstances, Rest. But… even a letter or a gift, something a fiancé could do, wouldn’t be too much to ask, would it?”
“Ugh…”
“Ah, but I’m not trying to pressure you. I know you’re not used to noble customs and etiquette. So this was just a little bit of playful teasing.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Rest lowered his shoulders and apologized.
Celestine didn’t look angry at all.
In fact, it was probably because she understood his situation that she played this prank on him.
She had every reason to be upset about the lack of etiquette from her fiancé, and yet she let it go this easily. Rest really should see her as a goddess of mercy for that.
“Now then… let’s put the jokes aside and get to the real topic.”
Wearing a violet dress, Celestine sat down elegantly and tilted her slender neck.
With just a look, she gestured for Rest to sit in the chair across the table.
As he sat, a maid immediately placed a cup of tea and some sweets on the table.
“First, allow me to thank you. I appreciate the rare gift of wyvern meat you sent.”
“…You’re welcome.”
“This came from the Southern Mountain Range, didn’t it? Going that far this time of year—could it be that the Clover family is planning a party?”
“…Right on the mark. That’s exactly it.”
“Ah, I thought so. You went to get wyvern meat for the main dish. Dragon meat symbolizes longevity, and flying monsters signify great leaps forward—it’s seen as an omen of prosperity. Perfect for a noble family’s banquet. So… you came here to ask about drinks, perhaps?”
“…………”
She hit the nail on the head.
Perfectly, completely, bullseye.
Without him even needing to explain, she had deduced his entire reason for visiting. Rest was left speechless.
“From the look on your face, I take it I was right.”
“…Yeah. Full marks. No complaints.”
“Glad to hear it. It would’ve been embarrassing if I’d been way off.”
Celestine smiled joyfully, watching Rest’s stunned expression.
Maybe the teasing wasn’t quite over yet. She was completely in control of the pace of the conversation.
“Well, since you already know, I’ll cut to the chase—do you know of any good alcohol that would suit the party?”
“As a matter of fact… I was just about to tell you something. It’s about alcohol, actually.”
Still smiling calmly, Celestine picked up her teacup and gently brought it to her lips.
She sipped it in an elegant motion, one that seemed perfectly suited to her image, and set the cup down without a sound.
“The fishing village had finally completed development on the distilled spirit the queen dowager had been working on. A new type of liquor has been successfully created, and I was planning to invite you for a tasting.”
“A new type of liquor… from that village?”
It was the village where the Queen Dowager had spent her final years.
She had built a distillery there with her own funds, operating under the name Sanada Shouko.
Back then, it hadn’t yet produced anything fit for sale—but after Rest inherited the village and entrusted its management to Celestine, it seemed things had finally come together.
“A new liquor would be perfect for the debut party of a newly-risen noble house like the Clover family. Would you care to join me for a visit to the village?”
It was a godsend of an offer.
Without hesitation, Rest nodded and accepted her proposal.