“Ryuze-sama~, I wanted to meet you! I heard you were coming… I could not contain myself, so here I am!”
After arriving at the Astaru earldom’s estate, Ricardo’s cutely dressed younger cousin – Lily – rushed out.
She seems to live close to the Earl’s estate, but on this occasion she rushed over to this mansion.
Her dress this time was light blue. For the full-throttle adorable Lily however, I personally think a frilly pink dress would suit her better now.
From behind Lily, the Earl of Astaru slowly walks over.
Behind the Earl was a young man with the same shade of orange blond hair as Ricardo. He must be Ricardo’s older brother.
For a man he has a small and slender build, but his dark green eyes held a sharpness.
His lower eyelids were a bit pale, and seemed in somewhat poor health.
“Ooh~, you have arrived!”
Towards the smiling cheerful greeting from the Earl of Astaru, Ryuze directed a business smile.
“Long time no so, Earl of Astaru. I am very grateful for you taking care of grandfather at that time…”
“Iya~, even if you say that, we are of equal status in this regard. Britney-jou has been sending our territory soap preferentially through Ricardo. We feel extremely blessed.”
As we have received much favor from them, I got permission from Ryuze and promised to give soap preferentially to the Astaru earldom through Ricardo.
For a while, we had received various accommodations from the matter of the engagement cancellation, but Ricardo demanded we barter with him from now on. Most likely, he wanted the feat of handling soap trade between our territories.
The other products as well, gives him a hold of political power over the neighboring territories, but the Astaru earldom has been somewhat given precedence and is enjoying greater trade.
“Britney-jou as well, thank you for coming. Please, be at ease and enjoy yourself.”
Because of the thing with Ricardo, the Earl was excessively friendly with me.
In contrast, Ricardo’s older brother was unsociable.
“This is the first time you two have met, isn’t it? This is my son, Millard. He has been assisting me in the territory’s management recently. Millard, this is the granddaughter of the Hakusu’s Earl, Britney.” (TLN: “Millard” is a french name that means “Strong.”)
“N, nice to meet you. I’m Britney.”
“… I’m Millard.”
Since he’s from the Astaru earldom’s household, he of course knows who I am. I am the reijou that Ricardo broke off his engagement with.
(This is a bit awkward.)
After being guided into the mansion, we started to talk with the Earl about our prospects of paying off our debt.
Millard and Lily were also present.
The room we were guided to was pleasant and relaxing.
“Actually, I would like to develop more medical care in this area. I’m thankful for being given soap preferentially.”
“That sounds good.”
I was silently listening in on the conversation between the two.
However, Millard and Lily don’t seem interested in the content.
(I thought Millard looks drowsy, but is it actually that he’s ill?)
I heard he had a weak constitution. Perhaps even now he’s straining himself.
Once the important matters had been taken care of, Lily chose to draw near Ryuze.
“Ryuze-sama, will you kindly stay overnight today? I want to talk with you more.”
As expected of a beautiful girl. Lily’s assertive behavior is full of confidence.
In contrast to me, who’s sitting alone on the coach.
Minding this, the Earl of Astaru spoke to me.
“Britney-jou, there is still some time until dinner, but… would you like some afternoon sweets?”
“No, I’m good. Thank you for your concern.”
Kuso-, you’re greatly mistaken if you think all fat people like sweets!
“Umu, which reminds me… I heard from Ricardo that you were on a diet.”
I don’t want to spread such private information.
“I think girls are cute when they’re a bit plump though…”
“Is that so? Gufufu.”
Slightly plump girls and chubbies are different creatures altogether!
Furthermore, men who say “a bit plump” usually mean girls who are hardly plump at all!
In girls’ speak people who are plumply cute have a “marshmallow body,” but to guys they are just seen as chubby!
(Don’t be deceived…!)
I was told I could go out in the garden, so I decided to follow my daily routine and exercise.
I was walking around the Astaru estate’s garden at a quick pace. However…
(Oh no! I forgot there’s no hot spring here!)
I noticed a serious fact at the end of my exercise.
(For now, lets use body powder to hide my odor… what would I do if I smelled of sweat?)
As I was in the state, there was someone staring at me from a window.
Translator’s Corner:These grandfathers are all no good! Stop trying to fatten our Britney!
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