Chapter 145

Chapter 145: Alberts Depression

Zest-sama, you are an important nobleman, you know? Therefore, you must be careful so that this does not happen again. Going out in the city is not what nobles do.

Im more shocked that you thought I would get angry because of this, than of the subject itself.I must become a little more gentle, otherwise hell hate me!

(Dad, is the mongrel still alive?)

For the sin to have mistook men for women when he guided us to that shop, Albert received my punch and collapsed.

I didnt do it because he exposed our secret incident though.

Youre right. Im sorry. Ill weight the situation better from now on.

Also, do you always feel like going out because you dont want to drink with me? Well, you probably lost your interest in me already, since I come from a countryside noble household.

I really want to drink sake with him sometime.Maybe I am not charming enough

(!? He moved! Amazing! The mongrel sure is sturdy!)

Toto, that was a convulsion, so its rather a dangerous sign, you know?

Since Id be troubled if he died, I used healing magic on him.

Losing interest in you, Bea, is impossible. Lets take our time and have a couple of drinks together this evening. I can stay here for one more day or so.

.Right. It cant be helped then, Ill keep you company since Im your wife and everything. So, well be together this eveningOnly thinking about it made me feel sick, therefore youll have to excuse me now.

Yeeeey! I must go prepare for tonight!!

Bea said and took Toto with her as she quickly left the room.

Will she prepare some evening snacks or something? In this case, I must be careful not to eat too much this afternoon.

Since I finished healing the mongrel, I sat on a chair.

I have not done any work yet, so I must finish this now.

Fuu. He looks considerably better now, but its still scary-nya.

Your excellency, I was very close to death this timeExcuse me, but it appears that I lack sufficient training!

Katalina saw the whole incident from beginning to end, so she was now pulling back a little. And there was Albert, who just made a recovery.

You, thats what you apologize for?

From now on, everything will slowly return to normal. I will trouble you for a little while, Katalina, but Im relying on you. Albert, you must think a little before talking.

Dont worry about it-nya.

Your excellency, there are thing I can do and things I cannot do. Thinking before speaking is extremely difficult for me!

With a rather fresh and clear expression, the mongrel just called himself a fool.

It cant be helped now that he said this.

I see.Then, I will entrust Meril with this. It appears that shes quite an excellent woman, so Ill have her train you.

We can safely leave this in Meril-samas hands-nya.

Wha!? Will you tell this to my wife too?

When I was about to tell him that this wasnt the case, someone knocked on the door.

It seems like she arrived.

Excuse me. Meril-sama is here.

Let her in.

Certainly!

A few minutes after we heard the reply, Meril entered the room.

Alberts face turned ashenAre you that scared of her?

Meril-sama is a very strict person-nya. Shes actually famous for being particularly severe with men-nya.

That is wonderful! Shes perfect for your education, Albert. Youre becoming a marquis after all, so you have to give up.

.Yes sir.

Even his ears hanged down, and I felt that this despondent and defeated Albert was kind of charming.

I have no interest in men, but I might have animal instincts or something.

Thinking about such stupid things, the woman who was strict with the above-mentioned man entered the room.

Its been a long time, your excellency Zest. I am Meril, Alberts wife.

She said and lowered her head.

She had reddish blond hair and loose curls.

Her face was gentle and she looked like a nurse.

Is Albert perhaps strange for fearing such a woman?

Its been a while, Meril. Is everything going smoothly with child raising? Isnt it too much for your physical condition?

Thanks to you, everything is going smoothly. My son and I, were both too energetic even.

I see. Health is the most important thing. Dont hesitate to call me in case something troubles you.

Thank you for your words, it is an honor for me.

It doesnt matter that shes Alberts wife, first we must do some idle talk.

This was the noble peoples conversation flow.

On the contrary, talking about the main topic all of a sudden would be too impolite.

Its safe to do this with your subordinates, but this woman was still nothing but the wife of my subordinate.

By the way, Meril. I have various things to discuss with you today. Also, its not going to be a bad talk.

The four of us sat at a table, and I waited for the right timing to break the ice and talk about the main problem.

Since she has a small child, she probably doesnt want to be away from home for too long.

The truth is, I am thinking to make Albert a marquisHowever, there are no problems with his armed might or loyalty, but

Forgive me!

I only went to say this far, but Meril lowered her head energetically.

So, did she already understand the problem?

Because this mongrel is a fool, youre probably worried about internal politics and social life, am I right? Please rest assured. I will work as a civil official. Also, I will firmly educate him at home.

Err, when you said mongrel did you refer to me?

Who gave you permission to talk? If you want to talk in front of his excellency, you must first ask for permission. If you dont even know this, you will cause problems for his excellency.

Right, right.

Besides, do you even know why this was no good? Thats because a superior is having a conversation. Interrupting it from the side is very disrespectful, you know?

I watched as Albert got scolded, and checked Katalina too.

She drank tea as she nodded continuously.

I see now. This woman is very strict when it comes to manners.

You did understand, right? If you did, then start preparing forthat!

He-here?

The nurse-san glared at the troubled Albert and took something out.

.Urm, isnt it a breach of manners for a woman to take something out from a breast pocket?

This troubled me deeply, but I didnt say anything.

Thats because I never thought she would take out a thorned whip from that spot.

Zest-sama, do you know about the kemonobito folks expression of affection?

Yo-you use a whip for that, right? Go ahead, go ahead.

I dont mind it either-nya. Please go ahead-nya.

Because the permission was given unanimously, the mongrel had no other choice but to sit on the floor in a seiza position.

Are you all right? Your face is ghastly pale, you know? Do you hate it that much?

Then, excuse me. Well now, lets confirm our affection as you repeat what you just learned!

Im counting on you.

With a smile on her face like that of a holy woman, Meril wielded the whip, and as she hit him vigorously enough that blood oozed out, Albert kept on replyingThank you very much!.

I drank tea as I watched this strange spectacle.

Say, KatalinaWas this within your expectation?

As one would expect, this was unforeseen-nya. But, this way hell definitely remember this-nya.

I looked at Katalina, who kept her calm but was in fact trembling, and I thought again.

The reason why there are few kemonobito nobles is also for this strange practice.

At first sight, it looks very abnormal.

I must hurry Suu to finish that handbook.But I didnt have time to keep thinking of this

Then, the last repetition.

I cannot interrupt the conversation of someone who has a superior court rank!!

You did good. Lets stop here then.

Thank you very much!

The animal trainingI mean, the expression of affection ended.

Meril sweated a little, though she soon returned to her gentle smile.

You cant even imagine that she just a moment ago hit her husband with a whip.Which is her true nature, I wonder?

For the time being, well go with this plan. Also, I dont mind if you bring your child to the office with you.

Eeh!? Something like thatIs it really all right with you-nya?

My child? Your excellency, that is.but..

Aah, so you dont usually bring your children to your work place in this world?

Then, Ill add this to the features of my dominion.

A nursery schoolLets make preparations to build a place where many children are taken care of and where people work as educators. A territory with few children has no future. Lets put this in practice on my dominion, so that people wont worry about having children anymore.

I see-nya. Your excellency espresses the importance of population-nya.

A nursery school?.Leaving nobles aside, this is more than welcome for commoners.

I will also introduce the maternity leave. Such trivial concerns will bring prosperity to my dominion

We were about to have a very unlikely good talk, when someone knocked on the door with just the usual timing.

Incidentally, the mongrel used up all his strength and was currently knocked out.

Your excellency, the sister came to see you.What shall we do?

..Since I troubled her during Beas delivery, I cant ignore her now.

I ordered for the junky sister to be led to the reception room.

.Again.It is time for a cryptanalysis.