第２６５堀：ローデイでの暗躍準備 (Part2)
"Right. I need to get souvenirs for the little ones."
...I’ll have to buy some for the wives in other locations too, or there’ll be trouble. I should write that down in my memo.
"Um, what should I do?"
As I was jotting down 'souvenirs' in my notebook, Eoid, who had been completely forgotten, spoke up.
Ah, right. Eoid finished his duty yesterday after handing over the official letter.
But sending him home alone is dangerous, pointless, and then there’s the whole situation with Amanda...
Well, what to do?
"Hey, Eris..."
"Yuki-san, please take Eoid with you. It’d be better for him to look around the city than to watch Amanda’s training. I doubt Amanda would want someone watching her train, either."
"Eh? I don't really mind?"
"...I won't stop you if you really want to see her get beaten to a pulp."
"Eoid, don't you dare cause trouble for Yuki-san and the others!"
"O-okay, I got it."
That was quite the sudden change in attitude, but since Eris is on the same level as the person who completely shut down the Principal, he probably realized that getting 'beaten to a pulp' was a very real possibility.
Naturally, you wouldn't want your lover to see you in that state.
Still, the shift was so abrupt that even Eoid seemed taken aback.
...I just hope his hundred-year love doesn't go cold over this.
After that exchange, we arrived in front of the Duke’s administrative office. A butler was standing there, bowing deeply.
"We have been expecting you."
"My apologies for the wait."
"Not at all. His Lordship has just taken a breather, and Her Ladyship arrived a short while ago as well."
"I see, that’s good. Then, regarding the continuation of yesterday’s discussion..."
"Yes. Understood."
With that, the butler knocked on the door with refined grace.
"My Lord. Yuki-sama is here. He says it is to continue the matter from yesterday."
"That’s fine. Show him in."
"Yes."
Following the exchange, the door opened and we stepped inside.
"Ah, Yuki-dono. Or should I say, my son-in-law?"
"Dear, what are you saying? Considering Yuki-dono’s position, it is only natural that we be the ones to show deference."
"No, 'son' is perfectly fine. Father-in-law, Mother-in-law."
When I said that, the Duke beamed with joy, and Viyu, perhaps just reprimanding him for form's sake, offered a similarly elegant smile.
"See, Viyu? Our son says so himself."
"My, well, do tell us if it becomes a bother. Don't hold back; you are my son-in-law now, after all."
"Yes. I’ll be sure to tell you without hesitation if it does."
"No hesitation, eh? I like that!"
Even though they are nobles, this family is incredibly refreshing.
Given this, I don't think I have to worry about the eldest son and daughter I haven't met yet.
"And, my apologies. We are the ones who barged in during work hours, so I should get straight to the point."
"What are you talking about? We are family now. Work can be handled on the side; please, state your business."
"Indeed. As my husband says. A breadwinner who prioritizes work over family matters when they aren't urgent has no right to have a family. Don't hold back, speak your mind."
"Then, I will speak without reservation."
We sat down on the sofa, and before the butler could even serve tea, I dove into the main topic.
"It’s about the video camera from yesterday."
"Ah, that video camera. Of course, I wouldn't dream of speaking of such a legendary magical tool to outsiders. It is filled with the wonderful love between my son-in-law and my daughter, after all."
*Cough.*
Damn it, are they still going to tease me about that?
No, wait. It’s a misunderstanding.
The Duke and his wife don't think video cameras are something that can be easily mass-produced; they think the secrecy is about the rarity of that single unit.
I, on the other hand, am planning to provide them with a large quantity of these cameras. With various conditions attached, of course.
Because our perspectives are misaligned from the start, I have to force the conversation forward, or they’ll talk about that confession scene forever.
Please realize that doing so is slowly grinding my sanity into dust.
"That’s right, Viyu. How about we turn that scene into a stage play?"
"Indeed. That scene, filled with both anxiety and the strength of their love, would surely be a hit not just with the nobility, but with the commoners as well."
P-please, stop.
I don't mind listening to other people's love stories on the side, but please, don't make me the original author of my own embarrassment.
Seriously, stop it.
No, I shouldn't be freezing up from mental damage; I need to force the real topic into the conversation immediately.
And while I'm at it, I'll crush the idea of that play, too.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but that’s not quite what I wanted to discuss."
"Is that so? And please, stop with the stiff tone; we are family, after all."
"...Then, if you’ll excuse me. To put it simply, I can obtain—no, I can create—a large number of these video cameras. So, could you give me some vacant land somewhere? I’d like to use it as a workshop and storage facility."
" " "Huh?" " "
At those words, the Duke, Viyu, and even the butler froze in place.