The Duke’s Household

Caro took the painkillers, and it seemed they had kicked in; the strained look on her face was gone.

“That medicine you gave me is amazing, Kent-san. The pain really eased up. And the underwear too—just having these things around, it feels like we could open a shop for women.”

Caro and I sat close together on the sofa, drinking tea and spending a quiet, relaxed time.

“Really? I can also get cosmetics and things—want to try them?”

“That’s incredible. But they’re expensive, right?”

Caro asked me.

“The expensive ones are really expensive, but there are affordable options too.”

I took out my device and displayed a list of cosmetics.

“There are so many. I don’t really understand what each one is used for, but… there are definitely cheaper ones too.”

“I don’t know much about cosmetics, so I’ll ask Akane and have her help pick.”

“If you do that, I think Rachel-san will say she wants some too.”

That was true. I could already picture her saying it wasn’t fair to buy only for Caro.

“It’s almost noon. What should we do about lunch?”

I asked Caro.

“Right… then I’ll make something.”

She headed to the kitchen as she said that.

“You’re probably still hurting, so I’ll do it.”

“But…”

In the end, I had Caro rest and I made lunch.

“Kent-san, thank you.”

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

The two of us ate lunch. After we finished, I expected we’d relax, but Caro started getting ready to go out.

“Alright, Kent-san. Shall we go?”

“Huh… where to?”

“To Josette-sama’s mansion, obviously.”

“But I’ll just get turned away at the gate.”

“Leave it to me.”

With that, Caro took me along to Josette’s residence.

We passed through the town center, and Caro didn’t even glance toward the place that used to be her home before we arrived at Josette’s mansion.

“You again? No matter how many times you come, it’s pointless.”

The same guard from earlier snapped at me as soon as we arrived.

Caro stepped forward.

“Were you the one who handled Kent-sama when he visited this morning?”

She spoke boldly, almost like she was throwing the words at him.

“Hah—Caroline-sama. Yes, I dealt with this commoner.”

“Did you convey the message he asked you to deliver to Josette-sama?”

“Th-that is…”

“Kent-sama has an appointment with Josette-sama today. Announce him at once.”

At Caro’s command, the guard hurried inside to announce us. I was shocked by how different Caro’s attitude was from usual.

“I think he’ll let us in now.”

Caro said to me with a gentle smile. Before long, the guard returned looking flustered, bringing a maid with him.

“I-I offer my deepest apologies. It appears there truly was an appointment. I am terribly sorry.”

He looked pale, as if he’d been harshly reprimanded inside the mansion, and he bowed repeatedly.

“Kent-sama, we sincerely apologize. It seems word was not properly circulated, and we caused you great discomfort.”

The maid apologized to me as well.

“It’s fine. Anyone can make a mistake, so please don’t worry.”

I answered them with a smile.

“Kent-san, you really are impressive for not getting angry. It makes me want to hug you.”

Caro clung to my arm as she said that.

“Then please, this way.”

Guided by the maid, Caro and I entered the mansion.

The distance from the gate to the main building was long, and we followed behind the maid as she led us along.

“It’s a huge mansion. The distance from the gate to the house is pretty far.”

“It’s a house second only to the royal family, so even within the city, it’s one of the few you can count on one hand in terms of size and grounds.”

Caro answered as I gaped.

When we were brought inside, Josette came out to greet us.

“My people were terribly rude. I’m sorry—it seems we made you go through the trouble twice…”

Josette apologized to me the moment she opened her mouth.

“It’s fine. We managed to meet like this.”

“And Caro-san, thank you for coming all this way.”

“No, if it’s for Kent-san, I’ll do anything.”

The three of us exchanged greetings.

“Then please, this way.”

The maid led us into the reception room.

Luxurious furnishings made it obvious this was the home of a high-ranking noble, and I felt like I’d come somewhere I didn’t belong. When I looked at Caro beside me, she didn’t seem particularly affected—she wore the same calm expression as always. Guided to the sofa, Caro and I sat down. Then Caro spoke in a small voice.

“It’s been a long time since I came to this mansion. The last time I came, my father was with me…”

Remembering the past, Caro’s face grew a little darker. I quietly took her hand.

“Kent-san…”

Caro squeezed back.

“Then shall we get to the main topic right away?”

With that, Josette spread out a set of mansion plans.

As expected of a duke’s household, there were so many rooms drawn in that I couldn’t make sense of it. It didn’t look like the kind of blueprint I was used to—if anything, it was closer to a painting. Of course, there were no measurements written either.

“First, this is my living quarters. Here, you will install something equivalent to what you have at your home—or something even better.”

Josette pointed to a building that seemed to represent her residence. It was a separate structure a short distance away from where we were, and it seemed no other family members used it. Even though it was called a “separate building,” it was still enormous. The idea that she occupied it alone made me feel nothing but envy.

After the explanation using the plans, Josette led Caro and me to the separate building. Meals and baths were done in the main house, but her daily time and sleep were spent in this separate building.

“Now then, I’ve prepared about this much as the budget, so please spend it all.”

“Um… I heard this was for a restroom renovation, but where is the restroom?”

“There is no such thing.”

When I asked where the restroom was, Josette answered that it didn’t exist.

Hearing that, I remembered something Caro had told me before, and I asked Josette.

“Do you mean… you throw waste out the window?”

“Of course. What other method of disposal would there be?”

It seemed my common sense and noble society’s common sense were worlds apart.

“Sorry. I’m going to check outside for a moment.”

I stepped out of the separate building and looked around. I quickly found one spot where something that looked like waste was scattered.

“Could it be… this is from Josette-san?”

I studied it carefully.

“Kent-san, do you have that kind of hobby?”

Josette, who had followed me out, said that. Caro seemed to have stayed inside.

“No, it’s not like that. I’m just checking the situation.”

“Commoners pile it up in huge heaps, don’t they? Isn’t it better to handle it this way?”

“Uh… I don’t think either is good…”

From a hygiene standpoint, neither was good. Still, I found myself thinking that at least piling it in one place was better than throwing it anywhere.

“How is it done at your home, Kent-san?”

“At my place? We have something called a septic tank buried underground. It cleans things to a level safe enough to release, and then we drain it. Not just the restroom—wastewater from the bath and kitchen also gets treated the same way. We do try to consider the environment.”

“Oh? I didn’t realize you thought that far ahead.”

Josette said, sounding surprised.

“And how long do you intend to keep looking at it? If you stare like that, I’ll get embarrassed.”

“So it really is yours, Josette-san.”

“…!”

Josette made a face like she’d just slipped up.

“Alright, I understand the situation now. Let’s go back inside and work out a renovation plan.”

“Yes. Please do.”

Josette and I returned to the room where Caro was waiting.

“Welcome back, Josette-sama, Kent-san.”

Caro greeted us.

Then the three of us sat with a table between us, on the room’s sofas.

“Is it enough if we only install a restroom?”

“Yes… and what was it called—an air conditioner? That box that blew cool air. I want you to install one in my room and one in this reception room.”

“Understood… then the cost will be about this much.”

I listened to her request and gave her a price estimate. Since we had to add new electrical wiring, plumbing, and drainage, the cost was quite high.

“Then please proceed with that.”

Josette handed me the amount I’d quoted.

“Okay… the well should go here, and drainage should run this way… There will be some loud noises, so be careful.”

I entered the renovation plan into my device and had it set up: solar panels and storage batteries, a well pump, drainage channels, and for the restroom, the most expensive model—one that opened the lid automatically when you approached and had automatic flushing. Of course, it also had heated bidet functions and more. Then I installed air conditioners in Josette’s room and the reception room.

I tested the new air conditioner and explained how to use both the air conditioner and the restroom. It was summer now and hot outside, but cool air flowed from the unit, and the reception room became comfortably tempered.

“This air conditioner really is wonderful. Now summer heat will be much easier to endure.”

“I’m glad it seems to be helpful.”

“If I need anything else, I’ll be counting on you.”

Josette said that in a very good mood.

Just then, someone knocked on the door from outside.

“My lady, pardon me. The master has arrived. What shall we do?”

The person who entered after knocking was Josette’s personal maid.

“My father? That’s unusual. You may show him in.”

“Yes. I will escort him.”

The maid left the room.

“I’m sorry, you two. Since my father has come, please wait a moment.”

Josette apologized to Caro and me, looking apologetic.

A little later, there was another knock, and a man who seemed to be Josette’s father entered.

“Father, it’s rare for you to visit this building. Did something happen?”

“Well, I heard there was a loud noise near this building, so I came to check. Oh? Caroline—it’s been a while.”

Josette’s father spotted Caro and spoke to her.

“It has been some time, Your Grace. I am visiting the mansion today on an errand.”

“I see. You’ve had your share of trouble as well. You should relax and stay awhile.”

“Thank you.”

After exchanging brief greetings with Caro, he turned back to Josette.

“Still, it should have been fairly hot outside, but this room is cool.”

“Yes. Today, Kent-san installed a box called an air conditioner. It blows cool air and keeps the room at a comfortable temperature—a rare machine. I believe the loud noise was from installing these.”

“Hm. Then are you some sort of mechanical engineer?”

The duke asked me.

“No, I work part-time at a bakery. Josette-sama and I are classmates—we study in the same class.”

“So you are her school friend. Forgive my rudeness. Then why does a student like you possess such advanced mechanical skill?”

As I struggled with what to say, Josette stepped in to help.

“Father, this Kent-san has an ability to call forth machines unlike anything we’ve ever seen, if certain conditions are met. Today, he used that ability to install the air conditioner and the restroom.”

“So you can use something like summoning magic. I’ve heard such magic existed long ago—so there are still those who can use it.”

The duke looked at me with impressed interest.

“Now, you explained the air conditioner, but what is this ‘restroom’ you speak of?”

“It will be easier to explain if you try it yourself, Father. This way.”

Josette took the duke by the hand and led him toward the restroom.

“Kent-san… I feel like this is turning into something serious…”

“It might be…”

Caro spoke to me worriedly, and I agreed.

After a short while, Josette and the duke returned.

“Kent, that was an excellent thing you made there. If possible, could you prepare one for me as well?”

“I don’t mind, but installing it will cost money. Is that alright?”

“My daughter told me already. Then could you also install that air conditioner together with it?”

“Sure.”

Josette and Caro stayed in the separate building while I was led by the duke back to the main house. There, at the designated location, I installed an air conditioner and a restroom, and along with them I set up solar panels, storage batteries, and a small wind turbine to supplement power shortages. I also prepared the water supply and drainage systems.

“Is this acceptable?”

After finishing, I asked the duke.

“Forgive me for making such demands. If you ever have trouble, tell me anything. I will help as much as I can.”

“Thank you.”

After he thanked me, I taught him and the maids how to use everything, then returned to the separate building.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Kent-san, thank you for your hard work.”

“Kent-san, thank you for accommodating us.”

After rejoining Caro and Josette and having tea, Caro and I took our leave of the duke’s household.