Chapter 83: Relaxation

I know! Lets go to the sea!

This was the idea that popped up in my exhausted head after I returned from the imperial capital.

Your Excellency, theres no work to be done at the moment, so now is a good time-nya.

Son-in-law-dono, I am free too.

Master, you mustnt come.

This was supposed to be a trip for me, Bea and Toto.Now, these guys are coming too.

Master, dont glare at me like that, Im still not taking you along.

The carriage was shaking as it made its way towards the fishing village.

Once in a while, you have to get some rest otherwise youd be ruining your body.or so they say.

After all, when I was in the imperial capital, I was exposed to the Imperial Familys terrible darkness

No, stop it!When I think about that, my head starts to hurt.

I want to forget about Princess Tsubaki too.

She is.yeah, shes shocking

If she were to actually become my wife, my stomach would be full of holes

Whats the matter? Are you all right, Zest-sama?

(Dad, why dont you sleep if youre tired?)

They looked at me, their expressions filled with worry.

Thanks, but Im good.

These two were really kind, so much so that my troubled heart was starting to heal.

I proudly brushed their heads.

Thieves!!!

Do it! Kill them all!

..The maids unit was full of energy as always.

Almost all of them have decided upon getting married..with the black knights.

Only muscle brains children are likely to be born from them.

Will my domain be all right?

I must find some other civil officials too, since I cant let Katalina do everything.

We arrived at the fishing village, and I was amazed by the changes it underwent.

There was a solid fence surrounding the village, and the houses were looking great.

It seems Herman went through a lot of trouble to do all this.

Your Excellency, Duke Zest, its been a long time.

Hey Herman, you did great things here. It looks wonderful.

Herman felt proud, but he also remained modest.

Sooner or later I might have to make Herman a noble too

Come now, we have made preparations for a welcome party.

A banquet hall was prepared in the villages centralplaza.

It wasnt extravagant-looking, but they cooked a lot of seafood-based dishes for us. Everything was filled with emotion.

Im very glad you people feel this way. For today, lets party to our hearts content!

I greeted and the party started.

Katalina? Long time no see!

Well then, look at my trick

Ha ha ha, I wanna try it too!

I listened to the soldiers merrymaking and drank.

As one would expect, a duke was not supposed to be noisy like them.

(Dad, you knowHaha)

Hm? What is it, Toto?

She sat on my shoulder and smiled at me.

(Dad, you were mad at that Majesty uncle, right?)

..Youre right. Our meeting wasnt really interesting.

I cant hide things from her, it seems

(Thats why, you know, I made sure to send him away!)

.Eh?

Totototototo, Toto? What did you do?

(I sent away the uncles hair!!)

You sent awayhis hair?

(The uncle had some hair placed on his head, you know? Thats why I sent it flying!)

His Majestywas actually bald..even though hes young

Toto, this is a secret, all right? Do you understand?

(Yes! I promise, Dad!)

She said and followed me excitedly.

I see now, he was bald

.If there was no evidence left behind then theres no problem.

..Toto, you did amazingly great!

Oh my! You were talking with Toto, Zest-sama.

Hey Bea, are you having fun?

She came to me, escorted by the maids unit.

She constantly looked around her.

Katalina looks very happy. She met her friends again, after a long time.

Thats great then.I made her do the impossible after all. I actually wanted her to meet her friends.

Zest-sama, youre the samedoing the impossible!

Beas expression became sullen.

Toto seemed to have guessed something, so she left us alone.

Just by looking at your face I understood everythingI already know, that something happened.

I see.

Did you do itfor my sake?

That was one of the reasons, but to be honest, I did it for myself. I dont need anyone else but you, Bea.I did it because Im a noble.

.My father often said this to me:Because youre a noble

..

However, at least let me worry about you.I am your wi..wife, after all.

Youre right. Thank you, Bea.

I brushed her hair lightly as I began to inform her.

I got a message from the Frontier Count.

From grandfather?

Princess Tsubaki will soon arrive at your grandfathers castle. The Frontier Count will serve as her guardian as he escorts her here. Im ashamed to say, but she will enter the Dukes Household as an adopted child.

Zest-sama.

..Yes.

She needs guidance, all right? I will train her in homemaking arts..Ahaha.AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

(Tsubaki!? Shes coming!? Awesome! I hadsomethingto say to her!)

They were clad in a pitch-black aura and there was no way I could oppose them.

All I could say wasYesorUnderstood.

That day, several hundreds of fish washed up ashore; they could be found all over the fishing villages harbor

Gods gift to mankind: Mockii