CH 99

I signed the contract with the duke

“Once word about you spreads, Mr. Takumi, it won’t just be just the nobles who will react, but the merchants as well.”

“And so we want to give you the best conditions possible, so that you will do business with us.”

“Mr. Takumi. What do you say?”

“…Indeed… To be honest, it’s more than I could have hoped for. …That being said, if I could make just one addition to it?”

It was clear that it wasn’t just Mr. Ekenhart, but Ms. Claire was also making the request.

They were both quite passionate about the matter.

However, I wanted to make another adjustment that would be in my favor.

While it wasn’t written in the contract, it was very important for me.

“What is it? We can be flexible within reason.”

“…Umm, just for a little while longer… Would I be able to stay in this mansion?”

“…”

As Sebastian said they could be flexible, I was quite hopeful when I told them of the condition I wanted to add.

However, they all looked at me with dumbfounded expressions.

Well, Leo was still preoccupied with her milk, and Tilura was preoccupied with watching Sherry, who was also drinking milk.

But the others were dead silent.

After a few seconds, Mr. Ekenhart burst into laughter as if highly amused.

“Hahaha!”

“…Ha… And to think that I was bracing myself for a ridiculous demand…”

“…But it’s also the exact kind of thing I’d expect from Mr. Takumi.”

As Mr. Ekenhart’s laugh echoed through the room, Ms. Claire and Sebastian looked at me with exasperation.

Huh? Was it really that strange?

As someone who had no one else to rely on in this world, it was very important…

I didn’t have any money yet, which meant I could not get a room at an inn. I would not even be able to buy food.

I suppose I could have Leo hunt orcs, and I did have some experience living in the forest now, but I would still prefer a proper room and meals.

As I thought of such things, Mr. Ekenhart laughed as he said,

“Hahaha! You are a funny one, Mr. Takumi. Your wish is granted. You can stay in this house for as long as you want. I’ll make sure that the maids tend to your needs. …In fact, you could come and stay at the main house, if you want?”

“Mr. Takumi, you can stay with us for good, if you want. After all, there is Sherry… I think I would be more at ease if you were here.”

“…The contract aside, we servants had all but assumed that you would be staying here with us… Still, should this be added to the contract, Your Grace?”

“No, that won’t be necessary. Mr. Takumi is a friend now. So he can stay for as long as he wants, contract or no contract.”

“Certainly.”

“Uh…are you sure?”

In short, they were welcoming me into the mansion.

According to Sebastian, they had meant for me to stay here, even if I never asked about it.

But I would not have thought they’d allow me to stay here without the contract.

After all, there was the matter of food, especially for Leo. And so it would not have been strange for them to eventually ask that I take my leave.

It seemed that I had completely underestimated the Liebert family.

“Now, Mr. Takumi. Will you agree to sign the contract for the selling of herbs?”

“Yes. Please.”

I nodded at Sebastian’s words.

And then Ms. Lyra produced the sheet where I signed my name, and the contract was concluded.

They didn’t have signature stamps in this world.

Well, even if they did, I didn’t have one, which would be a hassle.

Speaking of which, I had signed my name in Japanese, but when I looked at it, the name on the paper was written in the language of this world. And everyone was able to read it.

…I wonder if this mystery will ever be answered… Perhaps I should ask Sebastian about it later.

He seemed to enjoy finding explanations for mysteries like this.

Once our business was done, and we had enjoyed our tea amidst a relaxed atmosphere, we bade each other good night, and retired to our rooms.

Mr. Ekenhart had rode long, and was tired, and meant to get an early rest.

Ms. Claire and Tilura were going to play with Sherry for a little while. But I hoped they wouldn’t stay up too late so that they couldn’t get up tomorrow…especially Tilura.

As Leo and I walked back to our room, I suddenly remembered something.

I had been quite distracted by the contract that Sebastian brought to me, but I had planned to bathe Leo tonight.

Leo had eaten to her full, and was so satisfied that she had also forgotten about it. She was currently walking ahead of me towards the room.

“Leo… Aren’t you forgetting something? We need to take a bath.”

“Wuff!? Wuff-wuff.”

Leo jumped and then she turned to look at me and shake her head in protest.

“Sorry, that’s not going to work. You need to be clean and set a good example for Sherry, all right? Now, let’s go.”

“Wuff…wuff…”

Perhaps it was a dirty tactic, but using Sherry was an effective way of getting Leo to listen.

Was it as an older sister? Or a mother? Not only was Leo fond of Sherry, but she had also taken the role of mentor. And so I knew she would not do anything that could be a bad influence.

…Now that I think about it, did Sherry hate baths as well…?

I would ask Ms. Claire about it tomorrow. If she didn’t hate them, perhaps she could bathe with Tilua.

She had wanted to bathe with Leo, so she would likely feel the same about Sherry.

It was with such thoughts that I headed to the bathing area, along with Leo, who was mournful but obedient.

It took a little over an hour, but I was able to wash away the dirt and clean Leo thoroughly.

And before I got in the tub, I asked Ms. Lyra to bring some towels so that she could dry Leo.

In the meantime, I soaked in the hot water and warmed my body.

While I had wiped myself in the forest, I had avoided bathing in the river, as it was too cold.

And as someone raised in Japan, soaking in hot water eased both my mind and body.

After I was warmed up, I got out of the water and then took the clean and dried Leo and returned to my room.

Leo seemed rather exhausted after braving the bath she hated so much. I patted her on the back and then climbed into bed.

Today, I met the duke for the first time and signed a contract. It had been a nervous day for me, and so I was mentally exhausted.

As soon as I lay on my side, the drowsiness I hadn’t felt a moment ago suddenly washed over me. And without resisting it, I quickly fell into a deep sleep.