Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 76: Constance Howler
The day after Miss Patricia’s visit, Mr. Henry came to lunch and started talking about the mincing machine.
“I talked it over with my adoptive parents last night, and my adoptive mother said she wanted to meet and talk with you, Mai, but what do you want to do? If you are uncomfortable, I can intervene.”
“I’d be happy to meet her.”
“I’m sorry for dragging you into the hassle of the nobility.”
“Even in the previous world, business wasn’t just about exchanging goods for money. There are always going to be all kinds of relationships. It’s all right.”
“Mai-san is an adult. You can take care of your own mood by yourself. But you can depend on me a little more.”
“If I really need help, I’ll ask for it.”
That’s how I ended up here now.
I am sitting in front of Mr. Henry’s adoptive mother, Lady Constance Howler. Mr. Henry is away from his seat at Lady Constance’s instruction, so it’s just the two of us.
With light brown hair, hazel eyes, and a delicate frame, lady Constance is smiling, a true aristocratic lady. I’m a little nervous. But she speaks to me kindly.
“Please make yourself comfortable. I am very happy that Henry has brought his girlfriend here.”
“I am grateful that you would say that to a commoner and a stranger like me.”
“Henry was the picture of the ideal, he was such a good boy.”
There was a moment of silence, and then lady Constance put a handkerchief to her eyes. What is it?
“I and my husband have really loved and adored Henry. But I don’t think we were able to open the last door to that child’s heart. Henry never once rebelled against us. He never acted selfishly or even wishful. After he decided to become a civil servant of the castle, he studied so hard that I was afraid he would get sick. ……”
I can imagine.
“That boy always seemed to be fighting something we couldn’t see. Even though he had never been discriminated against as a beastman, it was as if he was preparing for when he would be. I felt very sorry for him. …… But Mai, you opened the last door for that child. You can see it when you look at him. Henry has changed so much in the last few months. Thank you.”
“Oh no. I love Mr. Henry, as he is, including his competitive nature.”
“Oh, well. Hehe.”
The tip of Lady Constance’s nose turned red again and she held a handkerchief to her eyes.
“Please be a good friend to Henry for a long time.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Now, then.”
I don’t know what changed, but lady Constance’s demeanor changed completely.
“From this point on, I speak to you as the wife of the head of the Howler family. The Countess of Scholes has asked our family to share your recipe with them. The decision is up to you, Mai, but I would like you to decline. The recipes are your property. They are aware of that. There is absolutely no problem with refusing.”
“I don’t mind the recipe being spread around.”
“It’s not just about the recipe. The Scholes family is close enough to the Marquis of Halford to have an arranged marriage. Marquis Halford is the head of a faction that has distanced itself from the royal family. When you provide a recipe to the house of the fiancée of that Marquis of Halford, some people might think that the Howlers or Henry himself have ulterior motives.”
Was this about a power struggle?
“If they insist on eating your food, I’d like them to either come to your restaurant, take the food home, or have our cook get the recipe and he will prepare it and give it to them.”
“What would be the scale of what the Scholars family would like?”
“At least thirty, maybe a hundred at the most.”
“One hundred… Then I would like to leave it in the hands of the Howler family cooks. I have my hands full just keeping the restaurant running.”
Lady Constance smiled softly. The atmosphere changed completely again. I see, so a single smile can convey so much emotion. I’ve learned something.
“Constance-sama, did you know that I can use a little magic?”
“Yes. My husband told me.”
“Then, I will give the chef here the tools I made with magic along with the recipe. The tools are essential for this recipe. If they need a demonstration on how to use the tools and prepare the dish, I will show them.”
“That would be much appreciated. The world of nobility may seem troublesome to you, but it’s not all bad. It’s a rewarding job in its own right. For a woman who is willing to fight and defend her home and family, that is.”
Yes, Lady Constance may seem delicate, but I felt she was strong too.
“Well, I will contact you before sending the chef. Miss Mai, please take good care of Henry.”
“Yes, ma’am. I will do my best to take good care of him.”
“And I’ll give you all the profits my family receives from your recipe.”
“……I understand .”
The tea party with lady Constance ended amicably, and I said, “Excuse me,” and left the room. Then I saw Mr. Henry standing against the wall across from the door, leaning against it with his arms folded.
“Wow, what a surprise. Were you here the whole time?”
“Yes, I was….It doesn’t look like your crying or anything.”
“Lady Constance was very kind and gave me a very informative talk.
“I’m glad to hear that. Would you like to go to my room?”
“I’d love to. I’d like to see what it’s like.”
While walking alongside Henry down the wide corridor, we passed two maids. The maids hid out of sight, and stood toward the end of the corridor, waiting for us to pass by. But Mr. Henry stopped, called their names, and introduced me.
The maids who were approached greeted me happily. It felt very strange. When I was in Orb village, I thought that as long as I could just stay alive, that was all that mattered. And yet, now I have a store, I know more people, and I’ve been introduced as Henry’s girlfriend. As a wielded of magic, I also want to be useful for someone.
Maybe this is what it means to live rooted to the ground.
“This is my room. I’ve been here since I was a baby.”
“Wow, it’s huge. So many books. Have you read them all?”
“Of course I have. I have to read books. Go ahead, I’ll lend you any book you like.”
There are so many books that it’s hard to choose.
The room could easily fit five or six eight tatami mats. The ceilings are also high. Ordinary people would wonder if it wouldn’t be cold in the winter with such a large space.
As expected, there is nothing unnecessary and it is very neat and clean.
There was a knock at the door and the maid who had greeted me earlier came in carrying a cart with tea and sweets.
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Illustration (By Mitemin)
A familiar tea set from the previous world. This world is filled with beastmen and magic, and while it seems like a completely different world, there are also some parts that are eerily similar to the previous world.
After the maid left the room, I told him about my conversation with Lady Constance.
“So I will be teaching the recipe to your family cook.”
“Yes, that would be better. The Marquis Halfords’, Mr. Kyrias’s family, is quiet now, but several generations ago, but several generations ago the head of the family once had his sights set on the throne.”
I see.
“The factional strife among the nobles may be nerve-wracking, but I’m mentally tough. If there’s anything you don’t understand, please tell me, Henry. And please use the profits from my mincing machine and recipes to benefit the people of the Howler family. You see, I am not short of money.”
Henry blinked a few times as he looked at me. I remember that Yotaro also blinked this way when he looked at me.
“That’s what I like about you Mai. You have a good spirit.”*
“Yes, I know. I know.”
Henry sat down next to me, smiling, and gave me a gentle hug.
“Mai, with your personality, you must have been absolutely irresistible in your previous world, right?”
“So you’re finally jealous of someone who doesn’t even exist in this world? Good, good.”
“There you go again.”
“I told you, the wife is not as popular as the husband thinks.”*
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I slipped out of Henry’s arms and took a bite of the pastry. The Howlers’ pastries were a little too sweet for me.
“Henry, I told you that I have changed my way of thinking. I no longer wish to simply survive. If I can help the Howler family’s chef, I would like to help them learn more about the flavors I like. I would like to be of use to someone, even if it’s just through magic.”
“Then I’ll be right next to you, providing support from the rear while watching it with a smile.”
“I think we’d make a great pair, Henry.”
After a short pause, Henry murmured,
“So you just realized that, didn’t you?”
TL Note:
Tatami (畳) are types of soft mat used as flooring material in traditional Japanese-style rooms