Chapter 104: Returning Home

Gahahaha..Thanks for yesterday, Zest.

Zest, you shouldnt fix him next time, really.

.Err, try to be more moderate.father.

Let me seeTake care of yourself?, father-in-law.

(Dad is alright because hes very flexible.)

Toto, stop.

Bea turned completely red, so stop already.

I quickly finished this awkward breakfast, then started to make the arrangements for us to go to the Frontier Counts place, when a maid called out to me.

I wanted to consult with the Count about the affair with the demons, however could it be troublesome for him?

Young master, merchant Tanya requested an audience with you. What will you do?

Tanya? Its been a long time. Bring her to the reception room.

As you wish!

The maid left after she lowered her head. Still, my interest was picked.

Since a merchant decided to visit me in person, theres more to this than a simple greeting.

Just in case, maybe Ill ask Bea and Toto to be present too.

I took Bea and Toto with me and we walked to the reception room, where a middle-aged woman was waiting.

Your excellency, duke Zest, your excellency, duchess Beatrice, its been a long time. Toto-samais looking good as well.

As ever, this woman had a soft bearing.

As expected from a merchant, her smile alone is making me feel comfortable.Shes rather skilled.

Yes, Tanya, its been. Are you in good health?

Thank you for asking. Thanks to you, the business is favorable, as for me, Im the very image of health itself.

We sat down and started to chat.

I have to do this every single time but it cant be helped.If I skip this step, other nobles would disagree and Ill become the target of their pricking sarcasm.

Now.Come to think of it, your excellency Zest. Theres a rumor saying thatyou developed some truly wonderful thing.

She didnt have that soft bearing anymore, instead her eyes were shining brightly.

So, this is her purpose.

Developed?..Ah, are you talking about the bra?

Yes, about that, your excellency. I would definitely like to be part of it too

I seeWell, its not like Im hiding it or anything.

And I dont want to monopolize it either, since peoples envy can get scary.

This request comes from no other than Tanya, therefore, I cant refuse. Right, Bea?

As one would expect from Zest-sama. Its a wonderful consideration.

(Dad is so kind! Towards women, that is!)

Toto? Look closely, Tanya is already an old lady, all right?

Besides, Im nice towards men too..Maybe.

Thank you so much, your excellency. This is nothing but a small present..

Tanya took out some clothes materials and jewels.

Shes quite wicked

This is nothing but asmallpresent, so its all right.

I see. Ill accept it then. Ill leave it to my assistant Katalina to dispatch the craftsmen and take care of the details. Ill write her a few lines, so you can feel at ease.

Katalina-sama, right? Understood. Im looking forward to it. Thank you.

This is nothing but me speaking to myself, but a new underwear trial product is under development. Its getting quite busy and we dont have enough hands.

To receive this extraordinary consideration again..

Tanya, I was just speaking to myself. Theres no need for thanks.

Oh my, what have I done?

Hahahaha, Ohohohoho

We both laughed.

This is still a secret, but Im releasing a new product. If you send some people and pay for the expenses, Ill let you in on this.

Itll be a great feast.

This is a free translation of our previous exchange.

I wont monopolize the production, instead I will involve merchant Tanya and the Frontier Count in order to diminish the risks.

I stand out too much recentlyIf I dont reduce my profit, it might turn ugly.

I must distribute the risks as much as I can.

After that, I arranged for a letter to be sent to Katalina, and so the story was over.

I bet that Tanya spent a large amount of money on this not-even-close-to-small present she offered me, but she left this place very pleased with herself.

Well, once she calculated her profit, she must have realized that shed be in the black anyway.

Merchants have a great sense of smell after all.

It got considerably late, but we, nonetheless, went to the Frontier Counts mansion.

We left right after we finished eating lunch.

There was still enough time, so Ill take it easy andconsult with the Count until evening.

Welcome home, Bea. How are you feeling? Are you in pain? Right, hurry up and come inside. Toto, youre as cute as ever. Its like Im watching the child Bea.Ah, son-in-law-dono. You look healthy. Thats good.

Its been a long time, master. I mean, father-in-law.

Its been a long time, father.

(Am I cute? He said Im cute!)

I was the only one who was treated rather poorly by my master, but I still followed him inside the mansion.

Recently, Beas belly had grown bigger, and this is making my master even more of a doting parent.

The young lady has such a kind smile

Ah, I never imagined that the day when I would see the young ladys child will come!

Such a frightening. I mean, awe-inspiring young lady is becoming a mother!

I heard the maids whispers.

You guys have been through a lot of hardshipsLike the exchange diary and the sort.

Bea felt completely relaxed since she returned to her childhood home.

The maids were taking good care of Toto, so she wasall smiles.

Say, grandson-in-law-dono. It seems you have something to discuss with me.

Why am I alone with the Frontier Count in another room..?

I know that hes not a bad person, but even so hes quite scary.

Yes. I want to consult you about the matter that the demons head, Neebel-donoasked me to do.

Neebel-dono? Was it about technology?

As I thought, he knows about this.

Yes. Why do they negate technology..I mean, surveil it? I would like to know the reason for this.

I seeBut, grandson-in-law-dono, you mustnt hurry. Im sure that Neebel-donowill tell you all about it when the time is right. You should stop investigating this matter until then.

The Frontier Count recited as he stared at me fixedly.

Its only natural that grandson-in-law-donowants to know more about this. However, you mustnt be impatient. You have to wait a little longer..please..

Wha!? Please stop!

I never imagined that the Frontier Count would lower his head to me and beg..I cant turn him down.

There must be a good reason behind this.

I understand. I will wait for Neebel-donoto explain things properly.

You do that. This way I can feel at ease too.

The Frontier Count smiled like he felt completely relieved.

Now that you feel relieved, shall we reunite with Bea and the others? After all, shes visiting her home after such a long time.

Hoho, youre right. Bea will soon give birth to a child.Ive sure gotten old.

The Frontier Count and I walked towards my masters room.

I guess Bea and the others are already in the middle of a tea party.

The Frontier Count was wearing an unusually kind smile as he opened the door to my masters room.

What came in sight at that point was a battlefieldI mean, hell.

You dont saythat Zest-samaproposed to you?

(Mom, what does propose mean? Is it a flowers seed or something?)

Yes, young lady Beatrice.I mean, your excellency, the duchess. Thats right.

My master and Albert were on the floor in aseiza1position.

Bea was clad in a nostalgic dark magical power that was penetrating cold.

A dogkemonobitomaid was trembling in front of her.

Then

Grandson-in-law-dono.What do they mean by marriage proposal?

The Frontier Count wore a pitch-black smile.

Its been a long time since I was last in such a pinch, and I ended up doing somemarkings2again.

This..is probably bad.