Chapter 12 – Single Aristocrat Cannot Make Them Understand

　Ilya and my mother get fired up by Sera’s words. 

　This topic has been raised so many times in the past, so it’s only natural that I’m fed up with it. 

“Haven’t I said I’m not getting married.”

“Why not?

“Because I like being single. I have no interest in marriage.”

　Even when I answer in this way, mother and Ilya look at me with faces as though they can’t understand at all.

“Why? Don’t you want to live together with a woman you love? Don’t you want to have children and make a happy family?

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to live with someone else. I prefer to be alone. And besides, I’m not interested in raising children.”

“Ehh–“

　Listening to my declaration, Ilya looks put off. 

　In this world, lifestyles are not as diverse as they were in modern Japan.

　As in the early Showa period, one is considered a full-fledged adult after getting married and having a family. And they hold on to the entrenched idea that this is generally what it means to be happy in life.

　For Ilya and my mother, living without marriage is not an option, and they surely find such a life unthinkable.

‘……Brother, maybe you like men?’

“No.”

　At Ilya’s hesitant question I immediately refuted. 

　Her thoughts had derailed to me not liking women because I might be homosexual. Even for this sister of mine, the idea was too offbeat. 

“Then, why haven’t you had a single girlfriend?”

“As I’ve just said, I like to be single. I’ve come to find all this love stuff annoying.”.

“Brother, if you can say that, then does that mean you’ve been in love?”

　Sharp. The words that’d carelessly come from my mouth were based on my previous life’s experiences.

　That is, it wasn’t the case that I had a personality like this from the get go. I’ve learnt from many past events and experiences and have come to embrace these kinds of feelings.  

　Since she had never seen me go out with any women in this life, I can understand Ilya’s suspicions. 

“As far as I’ve seen, there hasn’t been any woman you’ve been on good terms with.”

“And at work and in high society, he’s had a lot of women try to come on to him.”

“Well.”

　As my mother’s eyes keep narrowing, Ludwig sends a lifeboat, 

“Ah yeah, looking from the outside, brother has many conditions in favour of him. He’s tall, has a good appearance. On top of that, as a magic tool specialist, he has high income, graduated with high honours from his department in the Royal Academy, the eldest son of a Viscount. And he’s single…… the women who wouldn’t be trying to sink their teeth into him would probably be in the minority.” 

“Isn’t there a nice woman out there who can hook him? At least with that, I’ll get to see my grandchild’s face.” 

“As long as you get to see a grandchild, nothing about me matters huh……”

　Despite me retorting like that, Ilya and mother just continued talking whatever they wanted. 

　Good Lord, they’ve started to talk about what kind of wife would be good for me, what the children will look like, and so on.

　Apologies for thinking this while they’re happily talking to each other, but what they’re saying is all going to be pointless because that future is never going to come.

“Well, that should be enough of that talk for now. Let’s have dinner.”

　While Ilya and mother were excitedly chatting, my father, who had been quietly watching the conversation closed the topic. 

“That’s right. I’m getting quite hungry.” 

“Sera is also hungry.”

“Okay. Well then. Shall we eat?” 

　Ilya had looked dissatisfied when my father and I spoke, but when Sera said the same thing, her expression changed completely.  

　Hmm, this is useful.

　From now on, whenever troublesome topics arise in the mansion, shall I try to use Sera?

　After father called out to Gilliam, the door opened and servants came in one after another, setting out the dishes.

“Hey? Come to think of it, what happened to Alto?”

　As the meal was being prepared, I noticed that despite some time passing, Alto, his wife, and child had yet to arrive.

“Alto has social obligations, so he won’t be coming.”

“Huh? You let that guy refuse but you didn’t let me refuse?”

　I’m not satisfied that my brother and his wife were allowed to decline while I couldn’t.

“Zirc, you haven’t been back for a year so you have no right to refuse.” 

“Generally, Alto is busy because his brother not only isn’t inheriting the territory, he also doesn’t show his face in high society, right? Do you have any self-awareness when you say that?” 

“……My bad. I can accept Alto not attending.” 

　There were some things I could say in return to my mother, but I had no words for Ilya’s point. 

　He’s succeeding the estate in place of me because I’m devoted to making magic tools and because I’m bad at socialising. He’s the one who has to interact with those from high society. 

　I’ve been set free from the fetters of aristocracy largely due to Alto’s great efforts. I mustn’t forget my gratitude.

“Should I give him a present and take him to a nice restaurant?”

　I decided I would express my thanks to Alto in some casual way. 

　In the meantime, dishes and tableware were lined up on the table one after another.

　There was a colourful salad, a cold potato soup, a vegetable and meat stew, as well as the fish I’d caught called “sabana” included as one of the dishes.

“Ah? There’s a fish I don’t recognize?”

“Maybe it’s the fish that brother caught outside?”

“That’s right.”

　Because I’d been in the mood for fish today. So in the end, I’d wanted to eat it no matter what and asked the cook to additionally prepare it.

“Eh, Zirc caught this? This looks delicious.”

　Ludwig, who loved fish dishes, had his eyes lit up when he saw the grilled sabana.

　That guy prefers seafood dishes to meat.

“Well then, let’s make a toast to the Louren family’s future prosperity.”

　To the sound of my father calling for a toast, each of us raised a glass in our hands and toasted.

　The clear sound of glasses clinking rang through the dining room.

“Sera, you too, toast with your uncle.” 

“Cheers.”

　Ilya took Sera’s hand and forced her to make a toast.

　She didn’t have to force her, but Sera still obediently went along with it.

　The first sip of the toast moistens my throat.

　I wonder if it’s because I drank Serberus wine during the day. I can’t help but compare it to that mellow aroma and flavour, so I honestly can’t enjoy it.

　……I think it’d probably be better not to drink red wine today. If I can’t drink with joy, then I shouldn’t drink at all. 

“By the way, Zirc, are you making proper food at your home?” 

“I’m a good cook. So I do cook for myself.”

“If anything, aren’t you just buying expensive meat or something and grilling it? Or in other words you just make snacks to go with strong alcohol.” 

“That’s not……”

　As I was about to object that there was no such thing, I thought back to my recent eating habits.

　Just the other day, I went to eat yakiniku, this afternoon, I ate smoked food. 

　I’m not eating well enough to refute Ilya’s point.

“Ah-, he hesitated! I bet you’re eating exactly the way I mentioned!”

“You’ll get sick if you keep eating such an unbalanced diet.”

　Sorry, but the Solitary God has blessed me with a healthy body. I don’t have to worry about the illnesses my mother is worried about.

“It’s alright. I won’t get sick.”

“How can you say that so confidently?”

“Since the past, I’ve never once been sick.”

“Actually, I might’ve never ever seen brother sick! Eh? Isn’t that just plain amazing?”

　Ilya was surprised as she looked back into the past and searched her memories. 

“You may be fine while you’re still young, but as you get older, your body gets weaker, you know? You have to eat right.”

“Ah, I got it.”

　I nodded my head as my father said anxiously.

　In fact, I’ll be fine because of the blessing of the Solitary God, but I think my parents would definitely be unable to understand that.

　Nevertheless, an unbalanced diet is still not good for the body, and it also lowers one’s performance. I’ll rethink things a bit.

“Is this really a sabana? It tastes completely different from what I’ve had before.” 

“You’re right. It’s different from when you grill it with salt, the taste is kind of complicated……”

　While I was thinking and eating the salad, Ludwig and Ilya raised their voices in surprise.

“That’s because we cooked it in a special way with Master Zirc’s magic tool.”

　Gilliam, who was standing by, opened his mouth to explain.

“Cooking with magic tools?”

　Ludwig asked for further explanation, but Gilliam turned his sight to me.

　This probably meant it was best for the person who had created it to explain.

“You burn special chips and smoke it. That way, it increases the richness of the flavour, making it more delicious.”

“Wow, I didn’t know there was such a cooking method. You’ve once again made an amazing magic tool. Though, speaking of that, is that magic tool for sale.”

“I use the smoker for my own personal use, so. I won’t be selling it.”

　It’s not that hard to make, but I don’t want to voluntarily add to my own work.

　I want to have enough buffer so I can always move freely. 

“This, delicious.”

“Oh, Sera, you can eat it? You always say you don’t like fish because of the smell……”

“This one doesn’t smell bad, you know?”

　For a four-year old, I wonder if she can really appreciate the taste of smoked food. 

“Hey, Zirc. Can’t you sell me one of those?”

“Father wants one too! With this smoker thing, it seems like I’d be able to enjoy all kinds of food.”

　Jumping on Ludwig’s words, my father takes advantage of the opportunity and asks for one too. 

“……Got it. Next time, I’ll make and deliver them.”

　It’ll also be a hassle to be called for every time if they say because they don’t have a smoker.

　Let’s obediently send them smokers and have them not bother me.