Chapter 128: The Margrave’s Family
They weren’t just tall—they had thick chests too. Three large-built men. They weren’t complete strangers since Ren had greeted them at dinner the previous evening, but Ren was nervous. Not because of their higher rank, but because of their imposing presence.
Especially Albert Brûlée, the Margrave, who had sharp eyes and an intimidating aura.
The Sucre Viscount introduced Eugene with a deferential attitude after greeting them.
“This is my younger brother, Eugene. You may have seen him at the wedding of Lord Kaiser and my sister Yasmin. Eugene was formerly a knight, but now works at the Adventurers’ Guild.”
“Oh? Guild work?”
“I’m Eugene Sucre. I serve as Materials Procurement Overseer for the Adventurers’ Guild, Eastern District. Please remember me.”
Eugene straightened his back sharply and bowed respectfully.
“I’m Albert Brûlée. These are my son Isaac and my nephew Stefan, the next head of the Caramel Viscount’s house. Those over there are my grandchildren.”
The Margrave pointed to the children playing the squares game on the other side of the table. Sylvie and Tina, who had been sitting at the table earlier, had joined in the squares game.
Eugene greeted Isaac and Stefan as well, then turned his gaze towards the children before looking back at Ren.
“…Actually, Ren-kun here consulted with me about bringing some kind of gift for the children, so I’ve brought an item currently in preparation for sale at the guild.”
“For my grandchildren, is it? …That child was Cain’s grandson, wasn’t he?”
Suddenly having the Margrave’s gaze directed at him, Ren’s shoulders jumped with a start. He hurriedly and vigorously bowed his head.
“Y-yes! …I’m Ren, third son of the Cream baronial house!”
He hadn’t expected to be remembered, so Ren greeted him with some bewilderment.
“Yes, there’s no need to be so stiff.”
The Margrave spoke without smiling in the slightest, his sharp eyes unchanged.
“You brought something for my grandchildren?”
“Y-yes! I consulted with Eugene-san… So they could play in the carriage…”
When Ren turned to Eugene for help, Eugene took out a set of Acorn Feather Drops from his bag. He had prepared enough for everyone, so the boxes and stands were stacked separately. He assembled one on the spot by placing a box on top of a stand, and demonstrated by putting feathered acorns inside.
“Here it is. As Ren-kun said, it’s a toy that can be played with inside a carriage.”
“Oh, you’re using azure feathers.”
Stefan peered into the box and spoke. There was something familiar about his profile.
(…Ah, this is the person who came to the guild wanting azure feathers…)
He hadn’t noticed when greeting them at dinner, but apparently the noble who had wanted azure feathers at the Adventurers’ Guild was Stefan.
“Patrick, Sylvie, Tina. Scott and Theo too, come here.”
When the Margrave called out to Patrick and the others, they came running over.
“You called, Grandfather?”
Patrick stepped one pace ahead of the others and asked the Margrave. The Margrave pointed to the Acorn Feather Drop.
“It seems this is a gift for you all from Ren-kun and Lord Eugene Sucre. It’s a new product from the Adventurers’ Guild, and apparently can be played with in a carriage.”
“Huh?”
Patrick’s eyes sparkled as he peered into the Acorn Feather Drop box.
“Wow, it has such beautifully coloured feathers. Sylvie, Tina, look. Scott and Theo too.”
Called by Patrick, Sylvie and the others drew closer.
“Really. Such beautiful colours.”
“How do you play with it?”
When Patrick and the others looked at Eugene with expectant eyes, Eugene smiled warmly and cast his gaze towards Ren.
“Ren-kun, could you explain how it works?”
“Y-yes!”
Ren explained how to use the Acorn Feather Drop while feeling a bit nervous from all the attention.
Patrick nodded with an expression of quick understanding.
“The competing with numbers part is the same as the squares game, isn’t it!”
“Yeah. I think it would be fun to play several rounds and compete with the total.”
“And you can play it in a carriage too! …Could it be, there’s one for each person?”
“That’s right.”
“Wow!”
Cheers rose from the children. Ren felt a bit embarrassed. Tina showed the newly assembled set to the Margrave and her father Isaac.
“There are three feathered ones, so up to three people can play. Grandfather, Father.”
“Hmm.”
“Tina will play with us?”
Isaac bent down and spoke to Tina with a smile. Handed a feathered acorn by Tina, the Margrave and Isaac dropped the feathered acorns into the spinning box.
“My! Grandfather got the highest!”
“Hmm.”
Patrick played with Sylvie, while Scott and Theo played with Stefan, trying out the Acorn Feather Drop.
Seeing everyone enjoying themselves, Ren let out a sigh of relief.