「How can I become someone like the older guys?」

In the early evening, when I came to share herbs in the kitchen, I asked about it incidentally.
The head chef who I was looking up at is robustly muscled, but the other cooks are also very muscular. Because I made bread with my mother, I understand that cooking needs muscles, but each person here can win with their fists. The older man, understanding that I am not talking about my cooking ability, laughs as he guesses my intentions.

「Why, boy? Did you lose a fight?」

「In the neighborhood, everyone is younger, so I don’t fight, you know.」

Ponpon, he pats my head with a large hand.

Because his thoughtless power is strong, I simply take damage.

「Then, is it a girl?」

「Hm? No……」

Is that what it seems like? I don’t really understand.
If you don’t deny that illogical question immediately, it’s expected that the chefs who are expected to prepare dinner will become cheeky and tease. 

「As expected, isn’t Ojou-sama, isn’t it!」

「That’s aiming too high, isn’t it?」

「No, a childhood friend from the neighborhood is also a possibility.」

They were saying various things as they pleased. It was like calling out the winner of a horse race. I, perhaps, am being used as betting material. A friend from the boy’s school I went to in my past life also humorously told me he made a bad bet. It’s looking like that situation.
Now, if I ask the cooks if they have a girlfriend, it’s no good, isn’t it?
That method of revenge came to mind, but I stopped it.

「Anyways, I want to become strong.」

I emphasize that abstract wish.
Ojou was the cause but, it does not mean the sense of helplessness I felt at that time disappeared.
For the sake of dispelling my self-awareness, I simply want to train, I thought.

「Or rather, you want to become a man among men! Hahaha!」

The older man laughed at something funny, and then, pashipashi, patted my shoulder. Because his power is strong, it generally hurts. Even without feeling exceedling bad, it’s painful. Anyways, can you teach me or can I disappear, which is it.

「What are you doing, everyone?」

When I try to object to the pain, the older guys from the other side hear a voice. The older guys completely surrounded someone I could not see, but the ones who reacted to that voice scattered in all directions and returned to their posts.

But, I, who was in the back door of the kitchen, standing near the entrance, can’t see the person near the entrance because of the ingredients on the table. Who is it, it seems?

「Heinz-san, you’re exactly on time. Can you train this boy?」

Oh, the older chef is diligently using polite language. The head chef’s polite language surprised me, but if I carefully think about it, I realize the tone of the duke’s house’s personal chef is strangely frank.

「What?」

It was an abrupt topic change and moreover because I can’t be seen, a puzzled voice is returned. It seems the question in his voice has a mood of 「why」.

「This guy, he wants to be strong.」

With his funny-seeming smile that doesn’t go away, the older guy takes me near the entrance, his voice primarily introducing me.
Looking up, it was Butler-san. Certainly, this is the first time we’ve met face to face. I heard Butler-san’s name is Heinz-san, but it’s no wonder he’s familiar with that voice.
I understood the true identity of the voice but, I, not understanding the reason for introducing me, vacantly looked up at Butler-san. The older guy taught me.

「Heinz-san rejected the invitation to be the assistant of a knight’s order, because he came to the Ernest house.」

My own self-teaching wasn’t as competent as an instructor, the older guy said, laughing.
A fighting butler isn’t only in games and manga, it seems. The truth is, I’m amazed. In the manga my sister from the previous world read, the fighting strength of the employees is crazy, and in the games I played, butlers and maids were equivalent to ninjas that flung dark abilities.
Servants don’t need that kind of fighting power. Ah, but I’m also one of those employees, aren’t I?
While I’m surprised, the older guy and Heinz were finishing the advanced arrangements for the change to the dinner menu for the next day. If I notice it, Heinz arrived from the hallway entrance to the kitchen.

「I was just introducing myself. I am humbly called Heinz Von Dries.」

Accompanying the hand on his chest, there are no weak spots in the bow he gives, and I also flusteredly bow.

「……Ah, I’m Isaac Baumgartner.」

「I know.」

Because it was the first time using direct speech, so when I introduced myself, I received a curt response. Yes, if it’s Heinz-san, like an electronic dictionary, could produce remarks for all of the servants of the house.
More than that, I don’t know anything good to say and several beats of silence go by. With the silence like calm water, I can only look up and tense up.

「Why do you want to become strong?」

「Ojou, sama, I want to protect her.」 [T/N: Comma intentional, in the raw it’s there, likely as a pause as he remembers to add “sama”.]

Because I was asked while looking into my eyes, I don’t turn away in order to look back and answer.
To protect, such a thing is like an extreme expression, however with the exception of that way of speaking nothing else came to mind. At least, only for when she’s close to me, she won’t be in danger or suffer, I think.

「……Then, when you are with Lydia-sama and encounter a scoundrel, what will you do?」

「Escape with her.」

At the immediate reply to the question, Heinz-san raised his eyebrow.

「Then, if you’re alone, what will you do?」

「Escape.」

At the me who immediately replied, Heinz-san widened his eyes a little.

「The reason?」

「The potential they are carrying a lethal weapon, or another one of their comrades are carrying a weapon exists. The current information on them is little, so for me, who is a child, fighting against them is reckless.」

In my life in the previous world, I played games where you kill zombies, but there you have specifications and equipment, so you can fight against them. But it doesn’t mean ordinary people can do the same thing.

「Besides, assuming I was alone…… I don’t want my family to mourn for me.」

I was always getting into fights with my father, and my mother often scolded me. With my sister,  we were always insulting each other. With my abrupt death in the past world, they’re sad, I think. I don’t want to cause any more sadness.
I don’t understand how to succeed in life, but this time I will live until my father’s peaceful death. I’ll make an effort to survive.
With that determination, I look at Heinz-san, and he breathes out a little.

「…….That’s good, isn’t it?」

「Eh?」

「Once or twice a week, for a few hours, if it’s fine I’ll teach you a classic form of martial art. I’ll make the adjustment to your schedule with Dennis-san. For you, to some extent, you also have stamina from gardening, you know. ……Because you’re still very young, please do fifty situps and squats, and exercise your back muscles every day.」

「Heh? Eh??」

Telling me to prepare with squats, my reasoning couldn’t catch up and fell into chaos. Just now, did he say the extent I should is fifty?

「Will you do it? Will you not do it?」

With my silent look, I am certainly asked. Now, if I don’t answer, there certainly won’t be another chance.

「I’ll do it, Master!」

I unconsciously straightened my back and bowed. Somehow, Heinz-san froze for an instant. But, because afterwards he said nothing like a farewell and was leaving, it might have been my imagination.
In addition, for leaving, when I went out by the kitchen, the old men said congratulations, and patted me on the shoulder. I, when did I take an exam?
From that day, I added weight training to my daily routine.

Several days later, what changed was that I was hungrier than before. When I can finish the quota my father set for me in the morning, near a tree root, I opened the bento box I had received from my mother

「I’m hungryyy.」

I don’t notice that mumbling is starting to become a habit, and when white fried fish and tomato come out, along with a rye bread sandwich with vegetables held inside, my eyes shine.
Without delay, I put both of my hands together and lightly say.

「I give my thanks for this meal.」

Both of my hands briefly separate, and then this time, they grab hold of the bread.

「Then, thank you for the meal!」 [T/N: This is intentional and not just me inserting random Japanese.]

「……What is that? That.」

「Ah?」

Exactly at the moment the sandwich is in my mouth, a voice comes out. I look in the direction of the voice, and Ojou is there making a strange facial expression.
For me who’s become hungry, with using a gesture of holding out my palm towards Ojou, I convey a message. The intention is sent, it seems, and Ojou comes close until she is sitting slightly next to me. She waits patiently for me, who is earnestly eating.
For the two sandwiches, I properly bite into them and eat them. For the waiting Ojou, it’s bad, but because I am taking a break and eating, I want her to forgive me if possible.

「Thank you again for the meal.」 [T/N: No real good way to translate this one, as this is the “after eating” thanks.]

With the situation Ojou is staring at, I finish eating, and contently put my hands together.

「Then. What is it, Ojou?」

「That.」

Concerning the recent question she asks, she points at my hands that are clasped together.

「Sometime ago and now, what are you doing?」

「Something like saying thanks.」

「Thanks?」

In this country, before meals it is customary to give thanks for the king’s reign. Giving thanks after is a memory of a custom from the previous world. It seems I did it before realizing it, in my house, because everyone in my family did it, it was natural, I thought, but it seems mothers started to do what I did. That is to say, it is a custom limited to my house.
I give Ojou the answer I gave my mother when she heard my young self.
There are seven gods in one grain of rice, but because rice is not a staple food, it was decided not to communicate it. [T/N: This is a traditional Japanese saying, “Seven gods live in one grain of rice”.]

「For things like eating, it isn’t only the king, but various other people and nature’s blessings we should thank? Like that, I am a person who feels gratitude for everything.」

It might be a characteristic way of thinking for a Japan where things like mountains and anything becomes a god.

「That is an uncommon…… way of thinking, you know.」

Ojou, hearing that thought for the first time, tilts her head in confusion. Because giving thanks to the king is natural, giving thanks to something except for that is beyond her expectations, it seems. For my mother’s house, it was smoothly accepted.

「But……, that, that sort of thinking is not bad.」

Yes, while thinking that I nodded my head.
Without making fun of her, I diligently listened, so she’s glad, and I laugh.

「Wh…… what is it?」

Ojou, who doesn’t understand the reason I can smile, is somewhat flustered.

「I, well, Ojou’s way of diligently asking, I like it.」

She’s a good kid. From the beginning, even though she talked with a commoner like, firstly after she asked me about my thoughts, she answered. There are plenty of nobles who have no ears for something like talking with common people and servants.
Ojou, after staying still for a moment, like a thermometer turned red from bottom to top, reaching until the top of her face that I thought something like steam would come out.

「…………!!」 [T/N: It’s totally because of the “I like it”.]

She tightly closes her mouth and then is resisting making a frantic noise.

「? Ojou, what is it?」

Why did she suddenly turn red? I hadn’t seen that kind of red, and I completely don’t understand.
When I tilt my head to the side, Ojou shuffles her feet, starting to retreat.
Eh. I, did I do something she hates?

「Ojou……?」

A little anxious, I call out to her one more time.

「……whwhwhwhat are you saying, Zack!!」

「What did I say?」

What in the world was she hearing, I don’t understand. She was saying something with the sound of something like a protest, but what am I being blamed for?
Especially if I did something back, I want to apologize, but again when I ask Ojou she doesn’t give me a response. She’s subtly making distance, like a threatened cat raising its shoulders.
What is it?

「Ah. Which reminds me, Ojou, for what business did you come here?」

For now, the first objective is to confirm.

「……My mother, during tea at three o’clock, wants to also meet Zack. Wash your head and wait.」

When Ojou, someway or another, transmits a message from the princess, she thrusts her finger at me while throwing words at me and then running off.
For me, who had been left behind, I couldn’t go back to work immediately. I also didn’t have an answer to my question.

The expectation is it was an invitation for meeting over tea, but what can I wear?

---

Wew, there we ago, another one! I’m starting to gather some steam in translating these guys, as I’m already translating Chapter 11 and this is Chapter 7. I still keep the cadence of 3 weeks in case something happens and I need to buy some time between posts, but if I get far enough ahead, I might be able to do a two week cadence for a bit. But, really, these chapters do take about 2 weeks to translate, and then the long chapters take a little more.

Anyways, I’m back in the office 4 days a week, which has definitely made keeping up translations tough, but we’re chugging along. Not too much from my end.

And as always, thanks for reading, and if you want to help support these continuing translations from a one-man shop, then do think about helping spread the site around. Or, if you’d prefer to help keep the site up/domain registered so I can spend more money on Surtr Approved Ice Cream as translation fuel, then hit up my Ko-Fi which can be found at the top.

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Only the sound of a fountain pen being dipped in ink is expected in the library, but an out-of-place voice resounds.

「Because of that, recently when I go out, she now sees me off with a smile on her whole face and it’s even more cute. Around the time she was reserved and shy, she was also cute, but……」

The head of the household, Duke Geordo von Ernest, naturally broke the silence of the library. Towards Ernest who was continuing to eternally openly sing his daughter’s praises, an admonishing voice descended.

「Geordo-sama, move your hands, not your mouth, please.」

「My hands are also working, it seems.」

Certainly, as for one’s point of view, his right hand was moving ink. While recognizing the reply to the delivered letter, he was going on and on about his family with such skill that jealous green eyes would ooze disgust. 

「Then, if you’re quiet, you’ll progress faster with your work, you know.」

「No, if I don’t express my overflowing love for my family, I will die. Does Heinz want to kill me?」

The butler, Heinz, is dumbfounded at the contents of the serious objection that was made. Should he be amazed or should he scold him, his judgement is puzzled.

「First of all, because Heinz tells me I should not talk with the exception of being at home, at work I am enduring it.」

「For you, when it comes to your family, your limits disappear.」

「Naturally. Towards my family, my love has never been exhausted.」

「Exactly for that reason.」

Punctuating with one syllable at a time, Heinz importantly warned him.
Even if the limit of the head of the household to be able finish their work while talking is high, it does not mean one must congratulate them. One should not disturb the workplace of people’s affairs.

「Geordo-sama, please be a little more aware of your situation and surroundings.」

Although he was famous for being a devoted husband, with his sweet appearance and behavior, in high society the amount of women approaching him for marriage isn’t decreasing. At work, his sweet smile that was shown, as it is, always with calm judgement, made a decision. Because of fame like this, coupled together with his magical aptitude, those around him called him the nobleman of ice. There is no weak point in this ice, but in front of his family he thaws, which is a problem. His appearance collapses and his orderly looks are spoiled, in addition to other things that crumble.

「As long as I have Dia, I don’t care about such things like my surroundings……」

「Is that fine? The other day, Lydia-sama, who heard of Geordo-sama’s way of working, held much respect for it, you know.」

Implicity saying Lydia was disillusioned is fine, isn’t it, Heinz thinks, and while making a threat, already straightened out his good posture. Heinz sighs at his internal thoughts while correcting his thinking. Thus in this way, periodically, if he didn’t encourage him, the duke of the first family would not find it difficult to abandon this position everyone envies.
While the fountain pen flows, Geordo smiles a little. His daughter again?, Heinz thought, but it was different.

「I honestly have good junior workers.」

「……I’m a butler, now.」

Already their views  are different, Heinz warned. In his school days, one year ago, Heinz served the Ernest family. However, even if they were content with their previous relationship, something like becoming negligent with professional duties, must not happen. In the middle of professional duties, the topic of appearing like he was close with the duke, was something he did not prefer. Geordo happily listened to  admonishing words he humbly received from the side. Because the duke was the second rank in royalty, a person who can send rebukes without cowardice is valuable. Because he had heard flattery from early on in his life, he found it disagreeable and grew tired of it.

「Heinz is strong, huh?」

From the olden days, the preface is hidden.

「Geordo-sama is too uninhibited.」

Does he remember what he did during his days as a student? Because his facial expression doesn’t change, he can’t read him, but Geordo laughs at the fond memories of them arguing. Heinz surely is mysterious, it seems.
Suddenly, the door being struck made a sound. The two’s gaze turned towards the door, and like a small bird a charming voice dignifiedly resounded.

「It is Lydia. Father, are you coming?」

Around the time the voice finished speaking, Heinz moved to the door and opened it. The young girl beyond the opened door was holding something in her hands, and Heinz prompted her to take a few steps inside.

「Oh, an angel has descended upon me, hasn’t she?」

「Father, your compliments are too excessive……」

Heinz knows she is saying it seriously, but as a butler stayed silent and refrained from commenting. Apart from that, being shy to the young daughter and admonishing her would be more of a problem, he feels. 

「I haven’t eaten anything, you know. Why did you come to the library?」

「Today, I heard that it was father’s vacation, so would you like to go to the spot with the flowers together…… am I being a nuisance?」

Lydia saw the fountain pen in the hands of her father who was sitting at a desk, and apologetically lowered her eyebrows. As if to dispel that sadness, turning with a smiling face, Geordo stood up.

「That is a fantastic invitation. Of course I want to go together with a princess. Besides, you arrived exactly when I finished writing the reply to that letter, so it is completely no problem.」

When Heinz glanced at the top of the desk, there was already sealing wax on the envelope. When did he do that?, he thought, amazed as to how the way he worked was like magic. He felt strange towards the ability that was shown when it regarded his family.
For Gerald, during the time Heinz was surprised, moved so he could take his daughter’s hand, and left the library. Because his butler was excellent, if he entrusts and leaves it to him, the arrangements for the letter will be completed, it seems.

「I’m sorry,  I cut your vacation day short.」

While going to his wife’s room, Geraldo apologized to Lydia. He wanted to use the whole vacation day completely for the sake of his family, but an urgent matter arrived and the time he spent with his family was regrettably cut short. As it is, he is already very busy, and he wasn’t able to spoil his young daughter.

「No, the times I am able to see Father working are very little, so I’m happy.」

Seeing the respectful look from his beloved daughter looking up at him, he unconsciously squeezed her hand.
It was a moment that he was glad he preserved at work. After this, he would also continue to persevere at work, he thought, and inside he trembled with determination. Even words of praise from the king could not give him such a delight.

Does Dennis have this feeling, he wonders.

He can recall the first time he saw it, the admiration towards one’s father and a gaze of respect, that time being from the boy who was a gardener apprentice. Receiving that look every day, he was rather envious. He intended to change his state of affairs with his beloved daughter, and so he was jealous of his exclusive gardener.
With being close to that age, if there was a chance, he wanted to have something like exchanging stories about their children over drinks. 

「Which reminds me, is that for Flora? It’s a little early, isn’t it?」

Lydia was carrying something like a thick book in her hands not holding onto Gerald’s. Is my daughter carrying a children’s book, he asked in his thoughts.

「No…… that isn’t the case. Afterwards, I’ll show you.」

「I see. I’m looking forward to it.」

Only slightly in a hurry, concerning what was in the hands of his beloved daughter, for Gerald he wouldn’t investigate further.
Arriving in front of his wife’s room, Heinz who had gone on ahead opened the door. Any appearance of being out of breath was completely nonexistent, his face was also like water, completely silent. Although he matched his young daughter’s walking pace, Gerald deeply thought there was no space for a break at work.

「Ahh, Dia.  You’ve become something like a goddess with your beauty, haven’t you? You are our jewel, you know.」

「Mother, is it okay to go together?」

「My, Gerald with Dia. With both of you, Flora will also be delighted.」

Fufu, laughed the woman who was smiling while embracing an infant as she sat on the couch. The mother of two children, her beauty was something Gerald considered worthy of praise without any doubt.

Gerald and Lydia also sat on the wide, luxurious couch. Lydia was exactly between both of her parents.

「Octavia-sama, should I get you something warm?」

For Gerald, because she would prioritize women in the house, and Lydia would also prioritize her mother who had just given birth to her younger sister, from the beginning he asked Princess Octavia for advice.

「Well, I’d like to request Dingla’s milk.」

「Certainly.」

With the rain that had gone on for a few days, considering how summer was close, in preparation for the cool air, Heinz had the maids prepare black tea.
In the time they prepared black tea, two people peered into the middle of Octavia’s arms, and were met with the same pink colored pupils. The two of them were reflected, and raising one’s voice with words that didn’t mean anything, very small hands reached up. Lydia unconsciously brought that hand close, and was grasped by the hand that was smaller than her own. At that strength, Lydia’s facial expression changed to a smile.

「You’re very cute, Flora.」

At the intimate moment between sisters, the look from both parents increased in warmth. For Gerald and the others, he suspected that the gardener’s apprentice’s work had bloomed.

「I’m sorry for coming late.」

「Oh my, in any case, you were working again, it seems?」

「I had to write a reply for a letter.」

Gerald apologizes for being late while stroking a wrinkleless platinum blonde, and for Octavia who could show purposely angry behavior, invited her husband’s forced smile. For Octavia who has no intention of blaming him, smiles, understanding it dispels the appearance of being angry to her apologetic husband.
She understands the extent her husband is busy and the importance of his post. However, he is making the most time for his family.

「The head of three provinces can be really popular, hm?」

Glowing red at the teasing he received, Gerald again sarcastically laughed.

「I’m not happy being popular for my work. I don’t want to be popular with anyone other than you.」

「Being popular with me, it can’t be helped anymore, can’t it?」 [T/N: Quit your flirting and explode!]

「That isn’t it. My love for you grows forever, you know.」

Even if the expectation is showing appreciation for work, it was changed to flirting between the two parents for the daughters in between them. This scene raises great concerns in Heinz, holding the maids back from the door, who wonders if this is good for children’s education. However, this scene is one that is quite unsurprising in the Ernest household.

「I heard from Heinz that it is very amazing that Father is working with the three ministries at such a young age.」

「It’s only because I have two elemental affinities, so it elevates me.」

Gerald was humbly replying to the respect from his daughter. Certainly it’s rare for someone to have two elemental affinities. However, that amount of magical power also is beyond a normal person’s means, and his talent was recognized, and his ability as the head of chain of command was valued.
The three departments, the Sorcerery Department, Medicinal Department, and Healing Arts Department, with things such as education and medical care and so on, cooperation is vital, and for each ministry, three ministers are appointed at the top. For the sake of supporting the country, it’s an important post, and it is a heavy burden to bear on people for the sake of power, and even if he is a duke, he cannot just sit on his laurels.
For this status, twenty four is young, and as for the calmly seated Gerald, for things such as the Duke’s house, he is doing his job properly, saying only nothing that it is due to the duke’s family and his dual attributes. For that reason, Heinz told Lydia the facts.

「That isn’t it! Father is amazing!」

「Thank you, Lydia.」

Still, even if she can’t understand difficult things such as politics, to her, her father is an amazing person with eyes like a Nigella flower that you cannot doubt. She herself had an identical eye color, and so it cannot be helped that she appears as beautiful, and with that, Geordo hugs his beloved daughter.
He can certainly receive her words, and the embraced Lydia also smiles, seeming happy.

「After the rain stops, shall we go for a stroll in the garden with everyone?」

「Via, is your health good?」

「Mou, even you treat me as a sick person, and three months in the estate is unhealthy.」

「For me, I know the best place to see the hydrangeas.」

At Octavia’s suggestion, Geordo, who doesn’t understand how long the postnatal recovery for a woman is, is concerned, but Lydia is excited about showing them around the garden. At the two’s respective reactions, Octavia softly smiled.

「Oh my, that’s wonderful. Dia has become very well-acquainted with the garden.」

「Ah…… um, recently, taking a stroll there has been my pastime……」

At her mother pointing it out, Lydia lost her momentum, becoming disordered. Geordo who knew the cause instead wonders.

「Oh, you haven’t told Via about Isaac yet?」

「Father!」

Why she had to be so flustered, Geordo doesn’t understand. He was thinking she had already told his wife a long time ago. The incident with him, in great detail, he had already told her about it and she listened.

「Come to think of it…… I heard a rumor that my cute Dia, with the gardener’s apprentice, was seen together……」

At her mother’s words, Lydia became frightened with a jump.

「I didn’t hear it from Dia’s mouth at all, you know. For me, it’s been lonely……」

「Eh……」

Octavia moved her hand to her cheek for emphasis, seeming sad. Thinking she was getting mad, Lydia, at the unexpected reply, was surprised, then was struck by the truth she had made her mother sad..

「Mother, that’s wrong! Um…… I thought she doesn’t like it……」

Lydia, hanging her head with her heart despondent, doesn’t notice the soft pink eyes falling on her.

「Why?」

「I, sa…… I thought appearing together with a commoner was distasteful……」

Her mother, a beautiful and sublime princess, Lydia yearned for her pride. To that kind of mother, if she can’t separate because of the social positions, she would be scorned, and given that, the scary topic of the boy who is gardener’s apprentice was being avoided.

「That person, is he Dia’s important friend?」

Although hesitating, Lydia nodded. But it doesn’t mean she feels ashamed. If that’s the case, in that respect, she must not lie, Lydia thought.

「I see…… if it’s Dia’s important friend, then I would also like to meet him.」

At her daughter’s surprised expression as she raised her head, Octavia gave an affectionate smile.
Understanding the meaning of her mother’s smile, Lydia let out a relieved and happy smile.

「If Zack commits a discourtesy towards Mother, I will precisely reprimand him.」

「Oh my, you two are on good terms if you call him by a nickname, you know.」

「Ah……!? That’s wrong!!」

「Should I be jealous of Zach, I wonder?」

「If you are worried, he’s a good person, I can assuredly say.」

「I’m also a small friend.」 [T/N: Honestly I got nothing, this sentence was weird.]

「It’s different, Mother!」

Both parents warmly smiled at their flustered beloved daughter. Octavia had long ago recognized the cause of the change in her daughter, and for Geordo, who thought the change was good, was watching over it carefully. Towards Lydia who often felt a sense of embarrassment she doesn’t understand and was often flustered, her mother’s arm went from her little sister and extended out. When she grasped that hand, somehow she calmed down a little bit.
After a friendly chat, Lydia had forgotten she was trying to take a stroll.

「……father.」

Tightly embracing the thick book, Lydia hesitated to continue the dialogue.

「What is it?」

While pressing with a smile, Geordo waited for her words.

「Um…… I, if I could talk with father a little more, and…… and because of that, Za…… why don’t father and I exchange journals…… I understand father is busy, but……」

In the middle of the book she timidly presented to Geordo, when he opened it, was brand new paper.

Because Lydia wanted to try hearing some of father’s work stories, she also wanted to equally hear stories from her mother of everyday affairs. However, because time wouldn’t permit it, it would be selfish, and so she decidedly gave up. The gardener’s apprentice, considering that, spilled out that if that’s the case, if you exchange journals, it would be good and easy to repeat. Girls like that, don’t they, he said, with a theory she didn’t understand, and in the family room exchanging letters didn’t make as much sense, she thought.

「I have been practicing my penmanship…… um…… is it no good?

「……!!?」

She blushed and made an excuse, and while shy, with upturned eyes, at the request his beloved daughter made in front of his eyes, Geordo laid down on the floor.  He trembled at this posture In order to bear the emotion welling up from inside.

「Father?! Are you sick!?」

「Rather, I’m feeling too good. Lydia.」

「…….God, I am thankful for you having sent this angel in front of me.」

Towards Lydia, who worries for her father who was lying down on the floor, lifting prayers to God, Octavia gracefully smiles at her daughter to give her peace of mind.

「Then, here, please take care of me.」

At the thought of the expectation being that if Lydia held the diary, it would fall, the butler took it. Raising his head, Geordo protested to his butler.

「That is mine and Dia’s.」

「It’s impossible for you to always be holding onto it, isn’t it? In the event Geordo-sama is not busy, I will hand it over.」

「I see. Because Father is also busy, is it fine if our intermediary is Heinz?」

「Certainly, Lydia-sama.」

Geordo is astonished at how his butler seized the matter, and moreover an unaware Lydia is relieved she can entrust the management to Heinz.

「Then, shall we go for a walk?」

「Yes, Father, let us go. I will guide the way.」

While feeling a dazzling sensation towards his beloved daughter who was extending and hand with a smiling face, Geordo takes her hand and stands up. Just his daughter smiling clears up any sorrow.

「Ahh, let us go.」

Led by the hand of his daughter, he turns his sight to his smiling wife who is holding another younger daughter.
Thus, the happiness that can be had on a calm holiday is thoroughly enjoyed by Geordo.

Afterwards, the gardener’s apprentice, who had only helped with the maintenance of the hydrangea, was held in the arms by the duke, and suffered damage until the butler stepped in.

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Not a ton to comment on today. Hope you all enjoy the summer, and for those celebrating Memorial Day, have a good long weekend.

Additionally, to all our members of the Armed Forces, thank you for your service.

I’m taking a week’s vacation, but it shouldn’t affect our translation post speed, either. See you all then!

And as always, thanks for reading, and if you want to help support these continuing translations from a one-man shop, then do think about helping spread the site around. Or, if you’d prefer to help keep the site up/domain registered so I can spend more money on hot chocolate as translation fuel, then hit up my Ko-Fi which can be found at the top.

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Pre-Chapter Note: The MVP for this chapter’s translation is Sachi Komine, the best girl from the Fruit of Grisaia. I’m not joking.

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「I came for you.」

When she opened the front door, Ojou had a self-satisfied look on her face.
Katherine-san is wearing an overcoat with a hood attached for the purpose of protecting her from the rain, but behind her Ojou is not getting wet due to holding an umbrella.

「What are you saying, Ojou?」

No one would be thinking about how Ojou would launch a surprise attack at the employee cabin on a rainy day. Duke-sama said it was good, so does the Ernest house have a habit of surprise attacks? From the site in the middle of the Duke’s grounds to the point where this cabin is, it’s the distance you’d get good exercise. I have a feeling due to me, Ojou’s stamina exceeds the limits of what you would expect of her.

「When it’s raining, I have free time, it seems. Therefore, I will come to teach you grammar.」

It seems that somehow or another, Ojou’s circumstances are that in the rain, the tutor will not come.
Since we’re standing and talking, I’ll guide them to the living room. Because we don’t have things such as towels, I handed over two finished laundry towels, Katherine-san wiped Ojou’s hair and the hem of her dress, and then wiped where Ojou had gotten wet. I encouraged them to sit on the sofa that is smaller compared to the one in Ojou’s home, but Katherine-san refused, standing diagonally behind Ojou.
Since that’s the nature of her work, it can’t be helped and I quickly give up and call out to Ojou.

「You’ve come often, haven’t you. Being devoted to coming to this place, Ojou is amazing, huh?」

My praise of Ojou’s stamina doesn’t seem strange, but because I understood that despite the rain Ojou persevered, I patted her head. Because both of my parents would pat my head when they praised me, I also make sure to do the same thing.

「……it is not something significant.」

The truth is she wanted to put on airs, but because she blushed and hung her head while talking, it’s obvious she’s embarrassed.

「Please wait a moment, I’ll prepare tea.」

「If that’s the case, I will—」

Katherine-san immediately makes an offer at my words.

「Today, Katherine-san is also a guest, so it’s fine.」

I absolutely refuse her, then I descend to the kitchen on the first floor. Incidentally, I stop by the warehouse where my father is doing tool maintenance.

「Father, I’m making tea, but will you drink it?」

When I asked after suddenly opening the door and poking my head in, father nodded, checking for loose ropes.

「Understood.」

At the kitchen, I boil hot water, and then take out four mugs.
Should I use the newest tea leaves?
Our house’s tea leaves are ones for basic herbal tea. My mother makes tea leaves from extra herbs gathered at work. Because they’re no more than handmade leaves, even Ojou should worry about the best-by date.
I removed the lid of the sealed container and smelled lemon grass. Stopping the flame that is getting the pot heated up, I put in the proper quantity of tea leaves. It’s only the bare minimum but because we don’t have cookware, the method of making tea is this way. After I put the lid on the pot for a moment to steam it, I pour it through the tea strainer into the mug.
Setting the mugs on a wooden tray, after giving one to my father I return to the second floor. Opening the door, restlessly looking through her surroundings, Ojou’s body froze. Even if she was searching for an ero-book, I’m not nervous. The me from my past life would be, though.

「Thank you for waiting. I’m not angry, so you can look as you like.」

「That is something improper……」

It seems she wanted to say she wasn’t doing it, but after obtaining permission, Ojou’s eyes which were curious again looked around her surroundings. Because her curiosity is age-appropriately strong, after coming to a place she didn’t know, she’s trembling nonstop, it seems.
If I’m not mistaken, this cabin was built in the era of the Ernest family’s great grandfather for the exclusive gardener, it seems. The great grandfather was also huge, it seems, as the ceiling that even my father’s head does not hit is high. Or was it because generally the noble estate is built tall, and then the same outline was used here?
I don’t understand what is so unusual about being small, but Ojou seems to be having fun above all else.
I put one mug on the table in front of Ojou, and hand another one to the already standing Katherine-san.

「Thank you very much.」

I confirm that Katherine-san received it, then I drink tea from the remaining mug. However, I feel someone’s gaze and stop.

「What is it?」

When I looked up at Katherine-san, who was talking, she hesitated but opened her mouth.

「Can’t you sit down…..?」

「Because the guest is standing, I can’t sit.」

When she laughed that she could drink as it was, Katherine-san lowered her eyebrows as if she was in trouble. Looking Ojou’s way, from the back of the couch, she is showing her face with her eyes held steady. It’s evident she’s upset at the situation of being left out.
With only one’s gaze, how will you do it?, I ask Katherine-san, and she sat down, feeling obliged, on the side of the couch Ojou was patting. After confirming she’s sitting, I also sit down on the opposite couch for one person. It’s absurd to be so humble even though the host in a commoner’s house doesn’t care. More or less, we’re inside the grounds of the duke’s estate, however no one is looking so it’s fine, it seems.
Ojou starts to drink tea with satisfaction. Katherine-san subsequently tries from the mug, breathing out a small sigh of relief. There’s a small bit of tension but if it loosened up, that’s good.

「It’s delicious.」

At Ojou’s relaxed expression and mumbled words, Katherine-san agrees. I’m relieved at the approval of two people who are particular about their tastes.

「That’s great. My mother will be delighted.」

「……I think, certainly, the tea leaves made by Isaac’s mother are good quality, but for tea the way of making them is important.」

I was scolded for not honestly accepting compliments sent to me. As such, to Ojou I happily smile.

「It is an honor.」

「It is still below Katherine’s level though.」

「You’re comparing to a pro, though—」

I return a forced smile to Ojou who is aloofly looking unconcerned. Katherine-san, who was just compared to, only shyly and silently drank her tea.
After taking a breath, I asked how she was going to teach me grammar. Because in the rain, books would get wet and so forth, so she didn’t bring books, and at the time of visiting, Katherine-san isn’t bringing any luggage.
Ojou, sticking out of the white lace from her upper sleeve, takes out an unsealed envelope.

「With this.」

Rather than the contents, I care more about the construction of the dress’ sleeve that seem to spread out from the dress. What, did she reach into an inside pocket?
Because my gaze completely isn’t on the envelope, and doesn’t leave from the place it came from, Ojou grows impatient, and pushes the envelope in front of my eyes.

「Quickly, ask what it is.」

「Oh.」

I catch the pushed out envelope like a sword with both hands, then from the received envelope take out its contents. Inside are two sheets of writing paper. When put side by side, the handwritten letters line up.
It’s the first language of the Argon Rotate. Surely the neighboring country uses the second language, but it’s to be expected that more Latin-like languages exist. Common people can speak the second language, but that is only for merchants who cross over the country who live by the national border. Generally, only knowing the first language won’t cause any problems. Because classical language are used only to the extent of hymns you hear, for now it’s fine, it seems.
On the first sheet are uppercase characters, and on the second sheet it seems like there are lowercase characters.

「Ojou, your handwriting is lovely.」

My seven-year-old hand is small, but for Ojou who is only five years old, it’s smaller. Even if it seems it’s hard to hold a pen, there’s no indication she stumbled drawing the lines. I wonder if she also practices penmanship. I genuinely admire it.

「For the daughter of the duke, it is natural knowledge to have.」

Naturally, as for Ojou who was puffing her chest with pride, her face turned a little red. She’s happy, it seems.
Today, she will likely teach reading this alphabet.

「Then, incidentally, I will also teach you handwriting.」

「Eh…… but—」

「It will be fine.」

Because Ojou hasn’t also brought a pen, I’m confused. I say to wait a little bit, then go to the first floor to pick up the necessary things. I prepare the whole set, getting permission from my father to borrow it before returning to the second floor.
Ojou saw me return with a stick-like pole in a shallow bow, and looked like she did not understand at all what it was, and Katherine-san also is making a strange facial expression.
Because there is something on the table, I put it horizontally on the floor.
When the two peer into it and confirm the contents, it seems they can’t figure it out.
At the bottom of the wide tray, soil is spread out, and two T-shaped objects made of ordinary tree branches accompany it. Because there is dirt, I couldn’t put it together with the table where there is tea.

「Then, what will you do?」

「This.」

I hold the branch, and then attach the branch tip to the dirt and move it, and in that portion a line is drawn in the dirt.
Next time, with the T-shaped tool, if you use the long rectangular area, the dirt is flattened. It was only scribbles in the dirty, but it was essentially the same. I just substituted the tray used for sprouting.
Ojou was silently as if she had seen a groundbreaking thing. Katherine-san said 「I see」, nodding with understanding.

It’s nothing major, but……

There shouldn’t be this much of a reaction. However, because she’s a person who didn’t think of it, she’s therefore surprised to this extent, it seems. What is this sort of thing, Columbus’ egg? The scales have fallen from your eyes? Even though I only practiced earlier, it was like presenting my one talent, and I felt a little like running away.

[T/N: Columbus’ egg refers to an amazing discovery that seems very simple after the fact. “Scales fallen from your eyes” is a reference to the Bible’s New Testament, being able to see a situation clearly. Sachi from The Fruit of Grisaia uses this phrase a lot. That phrase was a pain in the ass to translate because it literally was just “From eyes, scales?” But, in fact, the only reason I was able to understand this one was Sachi.]

「Isaac…… in reality, are you a genius?」

「The truth is that’s what it’s like, isn’t it? In reality, this is the wisdom of ordinary people.」

I can supply it with this.
Because Ojou is familiar only with paved roads, marble floors, and arranged lawns, the ground hardly was a contender, it seems. Returning to my house’s neighborhood, with dirt and gravel walkways, you can search for something like white chalk you can write with. I’m certain that Ojou has never done anything like that.

If she were to visit my house, that would be good, even though……

If it’s Ojou, with me and the neighborhood kids, if we play together, we’ll absolutely have a good time. A lot of various games that would please her come to mind, but I can’t make a suggestion. As a child, I can’t guarantee her safety.
For daughters, when travelling incognito to parts of the city where the standard of living is low, an escort is essential. Because Ojou is cute, and because her thin blonde hair and pale blue eyes stand out, her social status would be exposed and a kidnapping risk would follow her around.
How cool would it be if I could say something like Because I’m here, it will be okay? I have that kind of feeling of wanting to baselessly show off. But, memories of my previous life just barely stopped me in time. Even if Japan was peaceful, I can’t think little of risks that can’t disappear.
Wanting Ojou to be able to do such childlike things is so difficult.
I became a little frustrated at my own sense of helplessness.

「What happened?」

「Nn. It’s nothing.」

Ojou tilted her head in confusion at me, who was strangely silent. In addition, I smile and conceal my inner thoughts.

「For now, it’s fine that I write while looking at the example.」

I ask Ojou how to read them while I, one at a time, write one character and then erase it, over and over again.
I begin writing and immediately am told how to identify them.

「The stroke order is different!」 [T/N: Don’t even get me started on how much it’s a pain to memorize kanji stroke order.]

It’s said that the way to memorize is to speak the letter you’re reading while writing, 

「The pronunciation is different! For this pronunciation, use your tongue more……」

Again I receive a pointer. It’s also called avice.

「That one should be more round……」

「Ojou, you’re very strict.」

「Wh—!? I’m being generous…….!」

At the joke I said, Ojou who was teaching with all of her effort  suddenly turned red and got angry.
Dangerous. As it is, she’ll cry. Or, really, I’ll get struck by lightning.

「I’m really sorry! I’m a fool, so therefore just saying it isn’t enough for me to understand. Ojou, let’s write them together, yes?」

Since I write while looking, I offer her the branch. Ojou, so that I will understand, after puffing her cheeks, glared at me, and then afterwards took the branch and sat down next to me.

「You really are an idiot, aren’t you?」

「Yes. It’s good that Ojou is wise.」

「Naturally.」

Receiving horrible treatment with a smile, I’m, as expected, not very intelligent.
With the two of us, arguing about this and that while writing, rather than studying it was like playing, and I had fun. Ojou also seems to be having fun writing in the dirt, her pupils glittering.
When I received a passing mark from Ojou about the character I wrote, after getting accustomed to writing it by practicing by repetition, I went to make tea for the two of them and then practiced alone.
As for Ojou, who was looking over my current state while drinking tea, her eyelids seemed to be drowsily falling, persevering in deliberately keeping her eyelids up. In the room that was full, with the sound of dirt intermittently being scraped, from outside the gentle sound of rain came through. The sound of the rain, which is normally gloomy and displeasing , feels comforting today.

「Ojooou, you should lie down.」

Because we’ll wake her up if it becomes time for her to return, while practicing writing the letter and saying them out loud, Ojou slowly shook her head in refusal.

「I am, I am sorry, I will sleep, ha……」

At her declaration of intent, Katherine-san separates Ojou’s hand from the mug in order so it doesn’t spill, although there is no resistance. Katherine-san puts the mug on the table with a kotori sound, together with Ojou’s eyelids completely shutting.
Then, sitting back down on the sofa, Katherine changes Ojou’s posture to lean on her. After showing a slightly weakening gesture, Katherine gently guides Ojou’s head to on top of her knees for a comfortable sleep. For a little while, Ojou slightly stirred, and with that being the case, Katherine-san is worried, but when the sounds of breathing from a sleep person could be heard, she relaxed.
She looks a little like a cat when she’s rolled up.
When I let a smile show, Katherine simultaneously smiled. We mutually exchange glances, and then so we don’t make a sound, smile.
While taking care not to wake Ojou up, I return to grammar practice.

「Um……」

For a moment, Katherine starts talking with the volume of a whisper.

「Yes?」

The sound of the rain is softer, but that being the case the question reaches my ear. I respond with about the same level of volume.

「For that time, thank you very much.」

As for that time, I understood.

「No, my actions, depending on how you look at it, instead made Katherine-san’s position worse. I’m sorry for being so inconsiderate.」

「That….. I was scared and couldn’t make an explanation for myself. However, you, a stranger, for my sake, pointing me out for Lydia, I’m very happy……」

At her words, I was surprised but Katherine-san covered her amused lips with her mouth.

「It’s because I received a fist from my father, you know.」

It was excessively painful, and with a bitter smile, I recalled it, which seemed to have the effect of making Katherine-san amused to the point her shoulders began to shake.
As for that matter, it’s fine that it can be an amusing story.
After some time, Katherine-san apologizes for having laughed, and begins to speak with a few words.

「……as for me, I look different from my sisters, which isn’t good, and given that, my father is dealing with a lot of troubles towards his wife……., and unlike my older brother, I can’t succeed the house……, at that time, if I had lost work, I would cause trouble for that place.」

At that, Katherine-san laughs at herself.
When I asked Lydia before, Katherine is from Duke Lehar’s house, it seems. Basically, they don’t have territory. However, as for the exception of children who will receive the inheritance, generally they go outside. Daughter can marry, or work for those of a higher social position. Expanding one’s personal connections for the sake of a political marriage is the preference, but because Katherine-san has freckles, her father gave up on her, and it seems she voluntarily selected the road of working.
Her father is terrible if that’s the case, I think, but in this aristocratic world, it isn’t rare that a child is treated as a tool. From the fact Katherine-san is also not doubting her treatment, I can infer that.
That’s my assumption, however if she had been fired, what would have become of her? At her next place of employment, the rumor of her being fired from the duke’s house would have been discovered, and because she could not go become a commoner, she would be sent to the monastery to get rid of someone troublesome. The kind Duke-sama may possibly be able to get to the bottom of things, but because of Katherine-san’s personality, she may have left voluntarily.
I heard that Katherine-san is five years older than Ojou. At that age, nobles have to think very hard about whether they want to pursue marriage, find a job, or enter the monastery.

「……therefore, for me, right now, being able to serve Lydia is a blessing.」

Reflecting the girl on her lap, her jade pupils gently relax. It looks like a flower has bloomed, bordered by her black hair.
She softly strokes the thin blonde hair like it was a fragile object. Their looks are completely different, but when they’re seen like this, it’s completely like they’re sisters.
After that, the result of Ojou’s preservereance and transformation is right before me.
If you cut away only that time, it might be a bad thing, as it has now become a necessary occasion for the two of them.

I’m relieved. 

I didn’t do anything, but I’m happy that I can see the result of them persevering and meeting halfway.

「You’re like a daisy.」

「Eh……?」

「I, it was when I saw Katherine-san laugh for the first time. With that laugh, it’s like a daisy that bloomed, you know?」

It’s the kind of flower that is extensively common, but its blooming form calms people down and produces a tender color.

「I don’t have such things as a wife, but Katherine-san and her father don’t have that perspective.」

It seems to be popular for therapy. In my past life, because aggressive women were the trend, us guys became afraid of our circumstances. At those times, it was no exaggeration to say yamato nadeshiko were extinct. It can’t be helped with there being many guys who ran to 2D, you had the feeling or so that men’s mentality is weak. [T/N: “Yamato nadeshiko” is the name given to a woman who embodies the traditional, conservative Japanese expectations for a woman. It’s hard to come up with a good translation for it.]
Especially in Japan, there’s considerable demand for therapy. Surely it’s to be expected that even in this country the amount of men looking for comfort is many.

「That……」

That isn’t it, Katherine-san said, her voice quickly vanishing. If it’s my true feelings, a misunderstanding was sent, but Katherine-san who was hanging her head, whispered those words of denial in a voice not as weak as the sound of the rain.
Something like this is modesty, isn’t it? In my past life, because I hadn’t seen a girl make this kind of response, at last I understand the meaning of those words. Maaah, my attitude in my past life was also playful, so it’s expected the other person couldn’t show such a look. Katherine-san, furthermore, doesn’t seem to have the energy to talk, so I return to practicing handwriting. Sometimes I peek at her, and it’s a good feeling, as the sleeping Ojou has her hair stroked by Katherine-san. The calm times flow.

「She’s sleeping well, huh?」

She hasn’t woken up, when I finished my practice in a convenient spot, smiling while looking at her facial expression, and I couldn’t bear to wake her up.

「The evening is slower than usual……」

It can’t be helped, said Katherine-san with a bitter smile, and I tilted my head to the side in confusion. Why is she staying up late? Sleep is the most important thing for a child. If I eat a meal and then take a bath, I sleep like a dead battery.
Katherine-san, perceiving my doubts, informs me with a glance. Her gaze stops over a certain piece of stationary in my hands. [T/N: AAAAAAAWWWWWWW.]

「Until she was satisfied, she wouldn’t give up.」

She neatly wrote the entire alphabet. With this many characters, it would be a miracle if the small Ojou wrote it without a single mistake. Even without looking at it, you can imagine Ojou who persevered and wrote everything neatly.

She persevered for me, huh.

「I will take good care of it.」

I’m happy, so I smiled. It will become a precious treasure.
However, if you are aware it’s my fault, it becomes harder to wake her up. What to do, I’m hesitating to wake her up, but from the background someone calls out.

「Zack.」 [T/N: Okay so originally I thought this was just “saac”, as “Isaac” cut off, as the raw is literally “Zaku” (Gundam fans are smiling) but it seems later on this is an actual nickname.」

「Ah, father.」

I ask Father what the matter is, and Father’s eyesight goes to look out the window. Because before the sun will set, it’s good to send her back, it seems. Yes, that, I understand.

「……Zack?」

There, before I wake up Ojou, with a sleepy look in her eyes, she gets up.

「Good morning, Ojou.」

「A good morning to you…… Zack……?」 

While rubbing her eyelids in half-wakefulness, Ojou asks about sounds she is not used to hearing.

「It’s my nickname.」

Who is it from, I wonder. Maybe it was my taciturn father who started using it, I think. If I had noticed it, with both of my parents and the neighborhood, I was going by Zack.

「Zack……」

Ojou repeated it as if to confirm.

「It’s fine if Ojou also calls me that.」

「Truly……?」

「Yep.」

When I went up close to Ojou and our eyes met, a blossoming flower laughed.
And, if you think, she suddenly woke up. Then, she shook her head.

「Th, that isn’t it…….!」

What??

It seems something is a mistake, but I don’t know what it is. Is the back and forth just now strange?
The smile from a bit ago is surprised, but.
I don’t understand, but the Ojou who was flustered for some time noticed my father and Katherine-san, and calmed down.
Ojou gives her greetings and thanks for intruding to father,  but the difference in body size was a bear and Red Riding Hood. Even with just father before her eyes, it can’t be helped that Ojou’s shoulders shake just a little. Looking up with the angle of a child has a great sense of intimidation. With the exception of me and the neighborhood kids, the experience of looking up, seeing my father and crying is like a rite of passage. My father isn’t a demon, though.
For now, the fact Ojou is only a little scared is worthy of praise.
Father, who is unintentionally scary, falls to one knee and brings his eyesight close to Ojou’s.

「Ojou-sama, I apologize for any inconvenience my son caused.」

Eh. I caused trouble?

Regrettably, when I look at father he looks the other way. As for father, I have a hunch he favors the Ernest house more than me. That is, they are his employer, however. Perhaps it’s something of Father’s honor, which I can’t understand yet.
No, but this afternoon, because she did something unreasonable, it became that I caused trouble for Ojou? Father’s arbitrary decision also might not have been entirely a mistake.

「This much is nothing considerable.」

Ojou looked unconcerned.
Until some time ago, she got tired and slept, but I don’t say that. Maybe if I say it with this timing, will I have lightning dropped on me by Ojou or Father?
I was trying to return her to the estate, but because Katherine-san is there, Ojou refused, saying it was fine. At least see her off to the front door.

「Then, excuse me.」

Together with Ojou’s words, Katherine-san silently bowed.

「Mhm. Watch your step returning home.」

She said, waving her hand.
Ojou turned on her heel after talking.

「Ojou, thank you, for this.」

I hold the envelope the stationary was put in above my hands to send my thanks. Then immediately, she turns around.

「I will not permit you to handle it roughly, you know, Zack.」

With her voice raised at me, I wryly smiled. Although I’ve decided to treasure it, there’s no confidence, huh.
I see her off until the silhouette of an umbrella disappears in the rain.
Immediately from when the umbrella is no longer visible, it might possibly be my imagination, but I had a hunch Ojou’s ears turned a little red.

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She’s so cute, awww. This chapter was painfully long, too, holy crap.

Not too much in terms of translation notes, but just as a heads up it looks like my company is looking to return to full-time on-site some time in June. I don’t know how much that’ll affect translation speeds, but we’ll see. Currently I’m finding about 1.5-2 hours a day Monday through Friday is letting me get these chapters done at a two-week pace with one week for editing, so hopefully that doesn’t change.

I have been looking for a good kanji dictionary and asked several of my teachers about it, which will enable me to translate during my morning commute. Fingers crossed!

As always, thanks for reading, and if you want to help support these continuing translations from a one-man shop, then do think about helping spread the site around. Or, if you’d prefer to help keep the site up/domain registered so I can spend more money on hot chocolate as translation fuel, then hit up my Ko-Fi which can be found at the top.

See you all next chapter!

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Several weeks of my gardener apprenticeship passed by, when the Duke came along carrying a rose.
No, really.
I was taking care of the rose garden with my father when he came exactly from where the roses were blooming.
The amazing smile on his whole face seems very delighted. Even though I knew different, I wonder if the Duke made those roses bloom.
Though at that kind of scene I was surprised and missed the timing to greet him, the Duke spread both of his hands and then hugged me.

「Thank you, Isaac!」

「Eh!? Ah, wait, Duke-sama, you’ll get dirty!」

Rather than caring about being hugged by a man, I was first of all worried that his expensive clothes will become dirty. Common people can’t afford the reimbursement.
It seems he doesn’t hear my warning, starting to hug me even tighter. It isn’t painful, but I’m completely unable to move.
Because it’s hopeless for me, I look towards my father and want him to save but, he’s also in his work clothes so he isn’t in a state to touch the duke.
In his current state, words aren’t reaching the duke, and quickly giving up he waits carefully. Giving up so soon? Even though your son is in trouble, it seems.
Ah, Butler-san is also here. Since when was he there? But, as expected, help isn’t coming, right? Surely he’s already prepared a change of clothes, for following up after this, it seems.
In the first place, the feeling of getting a hug from your superior as thanks to me isn’t relieving.

「D, Duke-sama, what did I do?」

I wasn’t doing anything, but. Occasionally during the times when I had to fulfill my quota and rushed, father would get angry at how the work was rough.

「Dia is so cute!」

「Ha? Haa, that’s right, isn’t it?」

Even if you’re told such a fact, you can still see each other’s faces. Because of her beautiful parents, naturally the child they gave birth to is also beautiful, especially if they are on their own, it seems.

「She is, isn’t she! No, Dia is originally cute but recently, she’s become even more cute that I can’t take it!」

「That’s good, right?」

What an overdoting parent. Did this guy come here especially to a gardener’s apprentice to speak proudly, even though work is busy? Just what are you doing? [T/N: Raw has him refer to the duke as an “older brother” with how overdoting he is.]

「For your assistance, thank you!」

He says that again and hugs me closely. I don’t understand the meaning.

「……Um—your….. daughter, what’s the relation to me for her becoming cute??」

I don’t want to be dragged into something unrelated.
However, Duke-sama says that my involvement is plentiful. Somehow.

「Because of the advice you gave that day. Dia said she will see me off everyday however early it is, and Dia also said she will try to meet with Flora more often. Recently, once a day, we’re making sure to eat one meal as a whole family. Thanks to making more of an effort at work, I can quickly finish, you know.」

No, I can say with confidence if you accept this, everything is like a favorite outcome. I suppose it’s the truth but, as for that deredere feeling.
Or rather, if you could suddenly take out the person’s name, maybe it could be the Duke’s wife or his daughter.

「Then, your daughter…… is only doing her best, then?」

「No, the reason she gave is you, Isaac. Besides, afterwards Dia also consulted you for advice many times. My gratitude being late is inexcusable.」

As for that, every few days somehow she would come along, and for her reconciliation with Katherine, the maid, she would give a small and cute report. I would listen and make comments to indicate I was listening, however my giving advice was nonexistent because I was working. My previous life’s sister understood a woman’s complaints are mostly answered by themselves, but they generally want someone to listen to their worries and troubles.
Therefore, for the time being, all you have to do is listen.
I’m seriously doing nothing I should be thanked for.

「It’s thanks to having friends close to her in age that Dia could become honest, isn’t it? After this, please continue to get along with her.」

「Of course, with pleasure.」

With his dazzling smile, I can’t go against my superior’s words, and I unintentionally turned into a yes-man. Duke-sama, if you make such a strong handshake with the state of my cotton gloves, your hand will get dirty, you know.
Finished with his business, Duke-sama left, gallantly scattering the petals. It was only the appearance of flowers fluttering about, but the timing was perfect.
From when he disappeared, I folded my hands together towards the butler following Duke-sama, and said I was sorry, bowing.

Sakuri, sounded the grass as I stepped on it, and turning back that way, my father just returned, holding fertilizer.

「Let’s continue.」

「Yes.」

We return to our work from before Duke-sama interrupted us. During work, I was an apprentice, so I’m trying to use polite language.
It isn’t spring yet, so the rose garden is only blooming a little. But still, my father is making adjustments to make it look nice with a contrast of green, so that being the case it isn’t showy, but pretty. Starting from the early summer is the best time to see it because you already see the growth of the plants, and you can prepare for where to add new ones.
I think it’s the case that the real pleasure of a gardener is the preparation. Certainly there’s arranging already bloomed ones but, apart from that imagining the scenery until the flowers bloom while working is more exciting. Because I’m dealing with nature, thinking of everything in that way can’t be helped. Gardeners just guide the direction a little. There’s still some way before it can be entrusted to me, however my father, while preparing for what kind of garden he must make, looks happy.
I’m still only getting chores, but the fact I’m able to be in this special seat makes me happy.
When I was younger, I asked if my father could show me how to do the work I was asked to do outside. It was festival preparations for a promenade that continued on to the water fountain. From the neighborhood, on the day of the festival, the streets I knew well had flowers blooming as if it were something like magic, and I was very surprised.
My father doesn’t use magic, but I believed he was a wizard at the time.
By the way, this world has magic.
However, here a 「magician」 is a person who is qualified and has a certain amount of magical power. Magician is the official name, however, for commoners the term wizard is good.
Commoners usually don’t use magic.
Magic powers are frequently not inherited, or so an academic conference from very long ago accounted, but in this country generally social status and the amount of magical power are proportional.
My father has earth-attribute magical powers and can use it a little, and because he can understand the current state of the earth, he became a gardener. But, my father doesn’t use magic. Not because his magical power is insufficient, but in order to maintain this garden forever, skill, not magical power, is needed.
So I also persevere in watering the plants with the water attribute magic I take pride in. I want to do it because really it looks easy.
Especially for me who has memories of my past life, I think using magic powers is more exciting.
It’s because I read shounen manga, and played games with famous titles.
But, from when I was born, what was naturally always there didn’t surprise me. The magic power in the world is like the radio waves of my past life. I can’t see it but it’s always there, using it is a convenient thing.

Which reminds me, what element does the Lady Daughter have, I wonder?

With superior magical power, people always, sooner or later, have an element they specialize in. Between all elements, people who specialize in more than two elements are very rare.
Because at around five year old, your magical element manifests, and soon you’re expected to understand your elemental aptitude.

Things like how strong you are, or so I hear.

Because she’s wearing a dress with a strong and close to a primary color, I have the image her offensive power is high.

Ah, it’s not kind to the eyes, huh?

She has fluffy and faint-colored hair and light blue pupils, so a more tender color would be better, don’t you think? You pay a lot of attention to cat’s eyes, don’t you? [T/N: Not a literal translation, but a quick search shows that cats do have more sensitive eyes, so this is a nod towards that.]
Her light blue eyes may look like ice when a blank fish-like look is on her face but her expressions are surprisingly abundant.

「Isaac.」

The girl I was exactly thinking of just came along.
The sun was going down so it’s after she finished her afternoon tea, it seems.

「Oh. Good afternoon, how are you, milady.」

Today she is also wearing a deep pink dress with many large ribbons attached to it, which was not gentle on the eyes.
Returning to my work of removing thorns from roses, the pink disappears from my vision.

「I was matching with my mother!」

「Matching what?」

「My magic.」

I understood that something good happened because she was all smiles, but it seems she got the exactly magical aptitude result she was looking for.

「Heh, that’s good, huh. What element?」

「Lightning.」

She had a self-satisfied look and her voice was proud.
She had become a girl who could drop real lightning, it seems. As much as possible, she shouldn’t get angry.
Ah, I’m water aligned so it’s my weak point, huh?

「But, there is not a lot of utility, is there? Besides, unlike my mother, my hair swells.」

Her mother’s hair is free-flowingly straight, it seems. Before, she said she was jealous.

「It’s convenient because you can use a machine. You can do a good job in a place like a factory.」

Although magical powers are mainstream, it does not mean there aren’t machines. For factories, the lightning element and fire element are highly valued.

「I have no plans of working in a factory in my whole life but……」

「Can you save up electricity in a battery?」

「Isaac, do you want me to be active in a factory so much?」

I felt the tingling sensation of her getting angry, and immediately apologize. It’s my weakness, so it’s scary. Ah, I might have felt a little bit of static electricity.

「I’m sorry. I was only thinking of a way to use it.」

I wonder why she gets mad at something I said normally.
If I apologize, she’ll permit it, more or less. Incidentally, she had asked about how to correct her way of dealing with the maids, and I said first of all it’s good to get a hold of saying greetings, thank you, and I’m sorry, she seems to have tried and become better since if the other person apologizes she will permit mistakes.
And then, recently she’s started to report happy things. If I noticed, the king’s ear is like a donkey’s ear hole. Well, I don’t plan to grow reeds, so I won’t leak information. Ah, that’s what humans think about reeds, is that it? Well, first of all, those guys from the neighborhood don’t believe such things like that I know the duke’s daughter. [T/N: Edited TN, I am dumb, this probably a reference to the fable where someone heard the secret the king’s ears looked like a donkey, and in order to “keep” the secret, whispered it into the ground. Reeds sprouted, and when the wind rustled them, you could hear the secret.]
It seems, as for milady, occasionally during her alone time she comes to meet with me. Her relationship with the maids has bettered, but it doesn’t not seem that means she can say just anything. So, she wants to come to my place. In the house of my previous life, it was a tofu shop where both of my parents worked, and because of that when I was small, often my little sister would tease and attack me. This person is the same, it seems.

「Which reminds me, why is the ojou so flashy?」

During a break in the conversation, I unintentionally try to ask. Come to think of it, why do I have that kind of habit?

「What do you mean, flashy?」

「Your dress. It’s always a strong color with so many ribbons attached it’s over the top, isn’t it?」

「This is because it cannot be made fun of.」

The house of the duke is among upper portions of society, so the design is chosen to have a presence that can’t be made fun of even if it’s on someone very young.
That is to say, because it’s strong. Especially for an elementary school boy. Because I thought appearing strong was cool, in my past life I would often wear red clothes.
Wait. Something got caught.

「……then, the truth is ojou’s preference is different?」

Turning my head to see the reaction, I awkwardly turned my eyesight a little.

「Really, what do you think I like?」

Fixedly staring, I can’t make an excuse.

「……my mother wears light colored clothes, and I do not think of wearing them…… but, they suit me.」

「Why? They suit you, don’t they?」

I interrupt the words of denial that continued right after her true intentions spilled out a little.
Immediately after, she’s stunned and her cheeks become dyed red.

「Wha……」

「At least, for my sight, because it’s a gentle color, I’ll be happy.」

「I, I won’t change for Isaac’s take!」 

「Yes, the image change is for the sake of Ojou by Ojou.」

「That is what it is……」

She dropped her shoulders, visibly tired. Some time ago, she was fast-walking here to arrive, it seems.

「Besides, it’s dignified? I was worried about Ojou but any appearance is fine.」

「How can you say that……」

「Because, Ojou is pretty, isn’t she?」

「Eh!?」

Ah, she became red again.

「Is this a performance? Because my attitude is always straightforward and neat, I can’t make fun of you, you know.」

It’s the result of practicing, it seems. Her appearance is beautiful no matter how emotional she is with her back always straightened. Like that, she persevered until it was possible to do it naturally. It’s a little amazing, huh, I simply admired it.
There’s no way that a guy like me can make fun of the duke’s daughter doing her best.

「Isaac, y, you, what is that……」

Things like her face would turn red when she occasionally wants mad but with her fine expression she can’t look mad. Ojou, she’s often shy even though she’s used to being praised. Her true nature is honest, isn’t it?

「Is there something bad with saying the truth?」

「……that is enough already.」

After a troubled few seconds, Ojou abruptly turns her face away.

「Then, I’m looking forward to it. Ojou’s image change.」

「I’m telling you, it is not for Isaac’s sake!!」

He doesn’t know, but several days later, the duke’s daughter for the first time, went to go see him wearing a cherry blossom colored dress.

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Wow this chapter is called pain. A lot of lines that were a real pain to translate. The next chapter was thankfully easier.

Not a lot in terms for comments here. I originally had “Katherine” as “Catherine”, but since the guys running the manga translation opted for “Katherine”, I synced mine up for consistency’s sake.

As for admin stuff, you guys might have noticed I opened up a Ko-Fi page. This is just because the domain renewal is coming up soon, and while I’m 100% capable of keeping the site up, I just put it up in case you guys feel like lending a hand. Really, all it does is let me buy an extra pack of chips at work instead of having to pay for the domain, haha. Don’t feel obligated at all, seriously.

As always though, I’ll 100% ask you guys to support the original creator by buying the originals, which should be linked on the table of contents. Hopefully I’ll be able to keep to my translation pace as well, because I am slowly having to go back to the office, which hopefully will not impact my translation speed.

See you guys next time!

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