Chapter 58: Mother’s Work

After some time had passed since we returned to the mansion, Mother and the others came back as well.

“Welcome home, Mother.”

“Thank you.”

When we went out to the entrance to greet them, the carriage had just arrived, and the driver and Heralda were busy unloading the trunk cases.

“Rugena, this case contains work materials, so please take it to the study. Fana, you carry the remaining two cases to my bedroom. Heralda, I’ll need your help preparing dinner.”

Mother moved with swift precision, issuing instructions to everyone before turning her attention to me.

“Al, I need to talk with you. Come up to my room.”

“Okay.”

I followed Mother and Stefana up to the second floor.

Mother’s room was a suite in the truest sense, divided into a sitting area and a bedroom. The sitting area wasn’t just a place to lounge; it had a small counter kitchen and a dining table set, enough for light meals.

The bedroom, meanwhile, was more luxurious, furnished with a canopy bed, a vanity, and even a private wardrobe dedicated solely to her.

“I’m going to change. While I do that, read this letter, will you?”

She handed me an opened letter, its wax seal stamped with the Merlot family crest—a delicate combination of bees and flowers.

“Alright, I understand.”

Mother took Stefana with her into the bedroom to change, leaving me alone in the sitting area. I sank into the sofa at the center and began reading.

The letter was four pages long. The first page contained the usual seasonal greetings that nobles favor, along with news about Tobias and his household. The second described the glass workshop and its current sales, while the third mentioned the recent launch of eyeglass sales and the reactions it had garnered.

And the fourth…

“Magical photophobia?”

The last page told the story of a child born with a congenital anomaly known as magical photophobia, a condition where magical energy manifests as visible light to the affected individual. The child’s father had inquired whether glasses could somehow suppress this effect.

Naturally, the Merlot family, being familiar with glasses, had intended to reply that “such effects are impossible.” But they had sent the letter to Mother anyway, hoping that, as the alchemist who made the glasses, she might know something.

I imagined the person who contacted Tounis-sama was probably hoping for some effect on vision, but since glasses only correct eyesight, the answer would inevitably be the same.

Glasses aside, sunglasses could reduce glare, but they couldn’t selectively block specific magical light.

“Still… why does magic appear to glow in the first place?”

I knew magic usually remained invisible, but under certain conditions—like in a magical fog or with someone like Rud—it could be seen. Yet, for someone with magical photophobia, even normally invisible magic would appear illuminated.

Seeing what shouldn’t be seen… ghosts, maybe?

“Sorry for the wait.”

Lost in thoughts about magical photophobia, I looked up to see Mother emerge from the bedroom, now in her usual attire. She came straight to sit beside me, while Stefana left to help with dinner.

“—Mother?”

“I wore a dress for the first time in a while. I’m a bit tired.”

I doubted a hug could erase her fatigue, but if it made her feel better, then fine.

“…So, about magical photophobia.”

Since Mother hadn’t moved away, I just launched into the topic.

“Oh, that’s nothing to worry about. It was His Excellency’s request to let you read the letter too, but there’s really no cause for concern.”

“Eh, but—”

“A congenital anomaly isn’t an injury or illness. You can’t treat it, and even if it makes life a bit inconvenient, it’s not life-threatening, right?”

I remembered hearing that most children born with severe abnormalities didn’t survive long after birth. Compared to that, this was nothing dangerous—but still, her words sounded a little dismissive.

“That said, the fact that His Excellency sent a letter about it means there’s likely some ulterior motive.”

“If that’s the case, then rather—”

“Only accept the task if you’re confident you can fulfill His Excellency’s request. Otherwise, it’s better not to act recklessly.”

I trusted Tounis-sama to be sincere, but nobles often have their calculated motives, and this could easily be a trap. While I was curious—after all, it involved magic—it was safer not to risk failure by blindly following his intentions.

“I’ll decline politely, citing a reasonable explanation.”

“Then just tell them, ‘It can’t be verified, so it’s unclear.’ It’s true that we can’t test it without someone with magical photophobia.”

“Right, I’ll convey it that way.”

Glasses wouldn’t solve anything here, but I couldn’t simply say “it’s impossible” without testing. And if anyone discovered I was an alchemist, lying that we couldn’t be contacted would be risky.

“Now, let me explain my work.”

“Okay.”

Mother’s role was as an assistant to Fokkel, the administrative officer of the internal affairs division. Fokkel, nearing retirement, had been seeking a successor, and Mother had been appointed to assist him with the understanding that she would eventually take over.

The internal affairs officer was responsible for drafting and revising regional laws under the lord’s command—a position that required knowledge of both national and regional governance. Until now, no one had been suitable to succeed him.

“At the moment, it’s a busy time right before tax collection, so they’ve asked me to start work tomorrow.”

While tax collection itself was handled by the treasury, transportation and protection of the goods were the domain of the regional soldiers, and the assignment of storage and wagons fell to the internal affairs office. All related departments were swamped with work.

“I’ll manage the mansion while you’re busy. Heralda knows about the supplies, and Rugena has experience with hiring, so it should be fine for a while.”

Mother’s busy period would last about two months. As long as I could handle people and finances temporarily, and report back to her, there would be no problems.

“That would be a big help, Al.”

“Leave it to me.”

I felt a little like I’d been roped into something, but if it helped Mother, I was happy to do it.

“Tine-sama, Al-sama, dinner is ready.”

“Alright, we’ll be there immediately.”

Stefana called at the perfect moment, right as we finished our conversation.

When we first moved in, we ate simply in the kitchen with just the four of us. But once servants were employed, Mother and I took meals at the eight-person dining table in the dining room, while Stefana and Rugena ate with the staff in the kitchen.

It felt strange and lonely without the two of them at the table, but we had to get used to it, given our roles.

After dinner, we took our usual bath together, the four of us. Then, as I headed to my room to sleep before I got chilled, Mother unexpectedly stopped me.

“Um… Mother?”

She pulled me toward her bed, showing no signs of letting go.

“Tomorrow’s going to be busy, so at least tonight…”

She usually maintained a composed demeanor, but tonight was different. Perhaps something had happened at the administrative office.

“Goodnight, Al-chan.”

“Y-Yeah… goodnight.”

…Well, I suppose tonight I’ll quietly serve as a body pillow.

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