Episode 129

Evening. While gazing at the sunset streaming through the window, I checked the completed swords.

There are seven in total.

I made them much faster than I expected, and above all I pride myself that each is of quite high quality.

Just looking at the finished swords brings an indescribable joy.

I certainly felt that I was able to grow as a blacksmith.

All of this comes from the processing of Esrea Magic Ore.

Filled with happiness, my attention turned to the remaining Magic Ore.

For now, I had prepared several pieces of Magic Ore to make a sword for Alicia. Those pieces of Magic Ore were thin, like rapiers.

Using these, I should definitely be able to make a sword suitable for Alicia.

The problem is myself.

What kind of sword would I want to use?

I hadn’t really thought about it that much.

Well, since I want a sword to protect Alicia, it should be a fine sword.

A sword that cuts well and is sturdy. It’s easy to say, but I don’t know if I can make that.

Either way, I’ll make it from leftover Magic Ore, so I won’t be picky about my own sword.

Various ideas came and went.

“Faik. You should probably return to the manor soon.”

At the entrance to the smithy stood Refy, who had remained as my guard all day.

“Ah, got it.”

After stretching lightly, I left the smithy.

Night.

I lay on the bed in my room as if to soothe the day’s fatigue.

I was lazing about, but I was looking at a book.

It was a book about how to behave as a noble. Rather than studying seriously, I was only skimming it, but I was studying so as not to be an embarrassing husband to Alicia.

The section I had open was about dances at a ball, written with illustrations, but it’s hard to imagine without actually moving myself.

It was while I was reading such a book.

Someone knocked on the room door.

It’s already night, so who would visit at this hour?

I don’t think I had any appointments.

I approached the door with some caution… Refy and Alicia had taught me to be careful even in a family home because you never know who might do what and where.

Well, soldiers were apparently stationed outside as guards, so unless something serious happened, it should be fine.

“Who is it?”

“Ah, Faik. Lady Aurera has come to visit; may I let her in?”

When I called out, Capri’s voice answered from the other side.

Thinking, ‘So Capri was today’s guard,’ I immediately opened the door.

Given who it was, I couldn’t make her wait.

“Ah, Faik. Sorry to come so late at night.”

“No, it’s fine. Is something the matter?”

There were Lady Aurera and Refy, pressing their hands together apologetically.

“Hmm, I was thinking I’d like to talk a bit. Is now okay? Or were you already asleep?”

“No, it’s fine.”

It’s not that late. There’s still plenty of time before I usually go to bed.

At my words, Lady Aurera breathed a sigh of relief.

“Then that’s good. I’ll come in.”

“Please do.”

I invited Lady Aurera inside and prepared a seat for her.

After watching Lady Aurera sit down, I took the seat opposite her.

Then Lady Aurera placed her hand over her chest.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t properly introduced myself. My name is Aurera, Alicia’s stepmother. Nice to meet you.”

“P-pleased to meet you, Lady Aurera.”

“You can just call me ‘mother-in-law’ already, you know?”

Lady Aurera smiled cheerfully, but I couldn’t possibly call her that.

“Th-that’s a bit premature, I suppose.”

“…Eh, so does that mean you’re having a casual relationship with Alicia?”

“N-no, that’s not true! I’m seriously thinking about marriage!”

“Then ‘mother-in-law’ is fine, right?”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. Come on, call me that.”

……Wh-what is this.

I’ve completely been swept up in Lady Aurera’s pace.

Lady Aurera looked at me expectantly, and there was no way I could refuse.

“…Mother-in-law, is that okay?”

I said it as if to hide a slight embarrassment, and Lady Aurera nodded in satisfaction.

“Yes, yes, excellent. So, the reason I came here isn’t to have a stiff, formal talk—it’s just that I wanted to chat. I thought we don’t often get a chance to talk alone… Ah, since Refy is here, it’s not exactly just the two of us.”

“Shall we step outside?”

“No, it’s fine for Refy to stay. Also, being together will make it easier for Faik to talk, won’t it?”

“That’s right.”

Well, it might be less nerve-wracking than being alone with Lady Aurera.

However, Refy can be both an ally and an enemy.

“So, Faik, what do you honestly think about Alicia?”

“Honestly… I think she’s a very good person.”

“You like her, right?”

“…Yes.”

Being asked again like that is really embarrassing.

When I nodded, Lady Aurera smiled broadly.

“Yes, yes. Oh, but if you had other ideas, you might not be able to answer me if I asked, right?”

“No, it’s all true from the heart.”

As Lady Aurera said, it’s hard for a person with normal sensibilities to deny that when asked by someone in her position.

“I see… Yes, I’m really glad Alicia found someone she likes.”

Saying that, Lady Aurera seemed to let out a sigh of relief from the bottom of her heart.