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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Letter from Father-in-Law
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Inside a hotel near Ebisu Mine. I received an unexpected letter from Grand Duke Hadellus.
At first, I thought it must have been sent to me by mistake. I never dreamed he would write to me.
"Why haven't you written to me?"
And why did it start off so prickly?
Could the Grand Duke have somehow caught on and sent this letter? My heart shrank to the size of a pea.
But the rest of the content made no mention of Ebisu Mine, no matter how hard I searched.
Instead, it was Father-in-Law who was getting all twisted up over something strange.
"I know you've grown close to the Grand Duchess lately, but this is too much. Aren't you curious about how I've been?"
What exactly is "too much," Father?
I couldn't for the life of me figure out what had offended Grand Duke Hadellus.
We'd never been the type to exchange letters regularly, and we weren't exactly close, so it baffled me even more.
I'd at least run into the Grand Duchess often enough to make an impression, but I hardly ever spoke to the Grand Duke.
With the letter's intent itself being so puzzling, my head was filled with question marks.
"No way it's because I beat him in that Petra bet last time, right? If so, I'm truly sorry."
Father must think I'm some petty kid.
I'd forgotten all about the Petra bet ages ago, so this was beyond ridiculous.
"What kind of image does he have of me?"
After reading through Grand Duke Hadellus's letter, full of inexplicable grievances, I let out a deep sigh.
The narrow-minded one was Grand Duke Hadellus. Who knew he'd nag like this just because I hadn't written?
Still, I picked up my pen to reply. My ultimate goal was to turn Akid into a son loved by his parents, after all.
Right—for our Akid, a letter's nothing. I'd gladly write a whole book if asked.
"Father, I want to make today a holiday from now on. For you to write to me personally...
I'm so thrilled to receive your letter that..."
I poured out insincere flattery with every flowery phrase I could muster.
Not only did I list off my recent updates unasked, but I subtly praised Akid too.
Were all those times I wrote novel-length self-introductions practice for this moment?
I scribbled away without pause, dotted the final i, and slipped the letter into a pretty envelope. Just as I was about to hand it to Hanna,
there was a knock, and Henry entered. The smile spreading across his face suggested good news.
"How'd it go?"
"It's confirmed. The spirits definitely stayed in Ebisu Mine!"
Henry could barely contain his excitement, snorting through his nose. His flaring nostrils spoke volumes about his fervor.
It was a reaction I knew well, so I silently clasped my hands in reverence.
'You've returned from your holy pilgrimage, brother.'
It's only natural to get thrilled visiting a place once stayed in by your idol.
I, too, had a subtle obsession with places or items Akid had touched. I just tried not to show it.
Living together didn't mean skimping on fanning; if anything, it demanded even more diligence.
A bit overwhelming with all the fanning spots around?
Feeling an odd inner camaraderie with Henry, I smiled warmly at him.
Did he know? That spirits were floating right beside him at that very moment.
If he did, he might sob into the empty air. As I listened quietly, Henry continued.
"Traces of spirits were found everywhere. With this much evidence, imperial certification is just around the corner. The palace says they'll send someone soon."
"No way, really?"
I feigned surprise at the "new" information and leaped up with a cheer. For the imperial administration to come themselves meant it was a sure hit.
The deal was already sealed after the Grand Duchess contacted me about acquiring Ebisu Mine.
All that was left was for my pockets to get fat, so a grin bubbled up naturally.
"Heh heh."
Hanna eyed me oddly, but who cares? My fanning life was about to get luxurious.
—Look at her! Making that pervert face again.
I ignored the chattering spirit beside me and stood up.
Having roped Henry in, it was time to return to my main job. Beaming brightly, I asked,
"So, where's Lord Akid?"
With Henry Corner's help, the Ebisu Mine issue resolved smoothly.
Akid made one last round near the wormhole, chatting with the manager.
Henry's invention detected spirit traces like a ghost. A few samples sent to the palace got an immediate reply: inspectors incoming.
Excited over traces after centuries, no doubt.
The wormhole walls were plastered with magic stones—even more than when first discovered.
It was practically a magic stone farm. Bizarre.
'The spirits' blessing is incredible.'
Akid fiddled with the spirit detector as he exited the wormhole.
Just as he neared the mine entrance, the unturned-off detector suddenly chimed ding-ding, signaling.
Akid scanned around, following the needle pointing outside the wormhole.
That's when he spotted Roena smiling brightly near the entrance.
"Lord Akid!"
Roena waved enthusiastically as she approached. The needle pointed right at her.
And not just that. Akid sensed a strange, alien power flowing around her.
But before he could process it, the sensation vanished.
Akid glanced between the detector and Roena.
But only briefly. The detector cracked with a snap.
'Broken?'
As Akid tilted his head, Roena drew right up to him.
'Whew, thought I'd been caught.'
I patted my chest inwardly and eyed Akid. He fiddled with the shattered spirit detector, head cocked.
No wonder—it had been blaring moments ago, then suddenly cracked.
And the culprit? Spirits hovering around his hand. I glanced at the particularly rowdy ones.
They clung to the detector. One even slid down his arm like a playground slide.
A far cry from their savage display just now.
But I'd seen it. The feral grace as they smashed that sturdy detector in one go.
'Spirits are strong.'
The realization sent chills down my spine.
They'd felt like pesky kids to mind before, but now they looked different.
Just moments ago, they'd been chattering like children—then eyes flashed, and they pounced on the detector.
Ever since the pocket watch incident—the detector going off—they'd been on high alert.
Worried my spirit mage identity might slip, I suppose.
I'd panicked, thinking they might harm Akid.
Only breathing relief upon realizing it was just the detector.
'Gotta stay low-key.'
Allies, sure—but quirky ones. Made them scarier somehow. Just my imagination?
Shaking off my stare at the spirits, I grabbed Akid's hand.
Or pretended to, while peeling off the clinging ones.
—Ouch!
The spirits scattered with a racket. Akid stared at his captured hand.
"Did you come to meet me?"
Shyness tinged his soft question. His fidgeting lips under lowered eyes were adorable.
"Yes. Figured it was about time you finished, and look—we bumped right into each other."
"It's cold out. You should've waited at the hotel."
Akid tapped my cheek, then unwound his scarf and wrapped it snugly around me. My cheeks must've felt chilly.
I buried my face in the scarf, still warm with his body heat. His faint scent filled it—like being in his arms.
'Wow, perfection.'
My lips twitched involuntarily, drawing protests from the spirits.
—Again! Pervert face!
Annoyed by the mood-killer, I used the classic "Ew, a bug!" to shoo it away.
—Eek, the spirit mage hit a spirit!
They scattered noisily, still yapping. Hardly the dignified response for noble spirits.
Whatever. I held out my hand to Akid.
"On second thought, my hand feels a bit cold."
Lame excuse. I was wearing top-grade gloves.
Claiming cold hands with these was pure nonsense.
'But since I'm here to meet him, I wanna hold hands all sweet and walk back.'
He had to know it was forced, but I wiggled my fingers insistently.
Akid stared, then gently took my hand.
And then.
"Gasp."
"It is cold, huh."
"......"
"This'll warm it up more."
Akid slipped my hand into his inner pocket and grinned.
His bold move caught me off guard—eyes wide. Never expected this.
My heart pounded wildly. Scarf, then hand in pocket? Too much.
Terrified it'd give me away with its thump-thump.
Akid eyed my dazed self calmly.
"Shall we go?"
Akid was definitely a pro.
