Reward Money

“Even if it was an assignment, it would be rude of me to give nothing when you worked for the sake of my territory. You might say that my daughter alone is enough, but this is my thanks. I would like you to accept it.”

Saying that, he handed over a heavy-looking leather bag. Kent looked inside the bag he had received and was shocked. Inside were eighty large gold coins, equivalent to 80,000,000G.

“I cannot accept this much money.”

“What are you saying? This comes from the money you earned through this assignment. You have the right to receive it. You may buy as many things as you like, use it to start a new business, or spend it however you wish.”

After Baron Frederick pushed the bag filled with a large sum of money onto him, Kent could not refuse and decided to accept it.

“Then, good work, both of you. The new term begins tomorrow, so make sure you prepare and do not forget anything. Also, Caroline.”

“Yes, what is it, Father?”

“Until you graduate from the academy, you are to live in this house.”

“No…”

After the Baron said that, Caro looked disappointed.

“However, I will not forbid you from staying overnight at Kent-dono’s house, but do not practically live there. Keep it in moderation.”

“I understand, Father.”

Once she learned that she had not been forbidden from staying at Kent’s house, she seemed to regain her energy.

“Then today, I will stay at Kent-san’s house…”

“No, I cannot allow that today, as expected. It would be difficult for Kent-dono if things began that way right from the start of the new term.”

“…That is true. (I have monopolized Kent-san for a long time, after all. Today, I will let Marie-san have the honor.)”

Caro said the latter half in a quiet voice, sounding a little regretful.

“Then, Kent-dono, use our family’s carriage today. Rest well and prepare for the new term starting tomorrow.”

“Yes, thank you for everything.”

“Well then, Caro-san, see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, please be careful not to work too hard with Marie-san and let it affect you tomorrow.”

Kent said farewell to Caro, boarded the prepared carriage, and headed back to his own house.

Realizing that his luggage had been left at the shop, Kent stopped by the shop once. Business hours had ended, and Marie and the others seemed to have gone back to Kent’s house.

“Ah, welcome home, Big Brother.”

“I’m back.”

Just as he entered the shop, he met Rachel. It seemed she had worked hard during summer vacation as the manager of the second shop.

“How’s the shop going?”

“Let’s see. For now, the new term starts tomorrow, so I prepared things so that the shop can run even without me there. As a shop, it is making a good profit. At this rate, I think I can repay Caro soon.”

The shop seemed to have gotten on track, and Rachel seemed to have more emotional leeway.

“By the way, Big Brother.”

“What is it?”

“Sometime when you have time is fine, but there is actually something I want to consult you about alone, so will you hear me out?”

“Well, if it’s just listening.”

“Thank you. I’ll be counting on you then. Marie-san is waiting, you know? You have to hurry home.”

Having apparently finished her business, Rachel chased him out of the shop. Since there was no helping it, Kent decided to go straight home.

“I’m home.”

“Welcome home, Kent-san.”

“Welcome home.”

“Welcome home, Master.”

It was his home for the first time in about a month. Marie, Catherine, and Al welcomed him. Having people there to welcome him home was very soothing to the heart.

“Would you like a bath? Would you like dinner? Or would you like… me?”

Marie said the standard newlywed line.

“Then I’ll take you.”

“““Ehhh?”””

Hearing Kent’s straightforward answer, the three of them, who had expected him to become embarrassed and be at a loss for an answer, were shocked.

“It cannot be helped. You wanted me that much, did you?”

“I’m joking. For now, dinner, please.”

“R-right. Dinner comes first, yes? Catherine, please prepare it.”

“Yes, Mother. Al-chan, let’s go.”

Saying that, Catherine took Al with her and headed to the kitchen. Kent and Marie, who were left behind, looked at each other.

“Allow me to say it again. Welcome home.”

“I’m home.”

Marie pulled Kent into her arms. Kent entrusted his body to Marie as she pleased.

“Honestly, Mother.”

“He just came home after so long, so is it not fine?”

From behind the wall, Catherine and Al stuck out only their faces and said that while watching the two of them.

“It was fun making dinner with Al-chan again after so long. Here, today’s dinner. Lately, we can buy delicious vegetables at the market, so I’m confident in the taste.”

Catherine said that with confidence. The dishes lined up seemed to mainly feature vegetables. However, Kent recognized those vegetables.

“Catherine, about how much were these vegetables being sold for?”

“Um, let’s see… A little more expensive than the things usually lined up at the market, I guess. But they were fresher, and there were even out-of-season things that you can’t get right now, and above all, they were delicious. They seemed popular with the people in town too and were selling like hotcakes. Since we have a refrigerator and can preserve them, I bought a lot before they sold out.”

Saying that, Catherine opened the refrigerator door. The inside was packed with vegetables.

“I see. So the people in town liked them too.”

Hearing that, Kent learned that the work he had put effort into was being appreciated by the people in town as well, and a sense of satisfaction welled up in him.

“Master worked hard, after all.”

“Though almost all of the hard work was done by Al.”

Then Kent and the others enjoyed their dinner.

“By the way, Kent-san, what is this bag?”

After dinner, while the family was relaxing together, Marie noticed the leather bag.

“This? Caro-san’s father gave it to me as a reward for this time.”

“I see… It looks like there are around eighty large silver coins, about 800,000G.”

The coins inside were different, but the number was exactly right. Kent was impressed, thinking that she was a merchant indeed.

“The number is exactly right.”

“Amazing, right?”

Marie puffed out her ample chest proudly. At that moment, it seemed to sway greatly up and down… or so it felt.

“But the contents are large gold coins.”

““Eh?””

Marie and Catherine froze. Al had no interest in money, so she looked calm.

“Mother, he said large gold coins. This is my first time seeing them.”

“I have seen a few before, but this may be my first time seeing this many.”

The two of them gazed at the large gold coins with enchanted expressions.

“It’s a large sum of money, so I’ll put it in a safe for now.”

Kent bought a fairly secure safe from the device and placed it in his room. He put the money inside and locked it. Marie and Catherine watched that scene with regretful expressions. After that, they finished bathing and decided to sleep.

“Well then, Kent-san, I will be in your care tonight.”

Marie said that, and once she entered Kent’s room, she began taking off her clothes. Tonight, Catherine and Al would sleep in the same room, while Kent would sleep with Marie.

“It has been a long time, so I will do my best tonight.”

Marie said that, pushed Kent down, and kissed him passionately. And so, Kent and Marie’s long night began.