A Cold

The place I led the visibly nervous Fee wasn’t my private room... it was my magic tool research room.

“Um... Yuri-sama? Are we doing it here?”

“Of course. Why are you saying something so strange?”

“F-Fee is the one being strange?”

“What is it? You’re acting even odder than usual today. Do you have a fever?”

I pressed my forehead against hers to check her temperature.

Fee’s face instantly turned a brilliant shade of crimson, and she began flailing her limbs in a panic.

“Hmm, you do feel a bit hot. Don’t overdo it. It’s fine if I work alone today.”

“A-Alone?! T-Then I’ll go call someone else for you!”

“No, I’d be more worried about you collapsing if I made you do that.”

“Uuu... I understand. I’ll rest quietly today.”

“Shall I walk you back to your room?”

When I offered, her face flushed even deeper as she desperately turned me down.

“I-I’m fine! I can get back by myself!”

“You sure? Well, be careful on your way back, then.”

“Yes... I understand...”

Fee drifted out of the room looking completely dazed, leaving me in solitude.

A smirk finally tugged at the corners of my mouth.

Finally, I can immerse myself in my research without any interruptions.

My time had been swallowed up by other matters lately; I hadn't been able to get anything done. Since I’d finally managed to carve out some free time, I wanted to focus on my studies in peace.

What should I work on next? Is it time to start on communication equipment? Or should I further develop the lighting equipment? A stove might be practical, too. Then again, maybe I should branch out into entertainment goods.

I let my imagination run wild as I began moving my hands.

“Um... Yuri-sama?”

Hmm. If there’s a risk of a budget shortfall during the nation building phase, then entertainment goods should be the priority. I’ll start with a few simple, safe items... Since they won’t actually be magic tools, I can probably keep the production costs low. Maybe I’ll just leave the specifics to Fritz.

“Yuri-sama! Do you have a moment?!”

A sudden shout right in my ear made me jump, my shoulders twitching in surprise.

“W-What happened? Is something wrong?!”

“No, Yuri-sama. You have a guest.”

“I’m busy right now.”

“But... it’s the guest you brought here yourself...”

The one I brought?

The only guest I’d brought recently was the King of Inraku, and he was supposed to be out touring the city right now. Had some kind of trouble broken out?

If it was anyone else, it wouldn't be an issue, but if it was the King himself, this could turn into a massive headache. And here I thought I’d finally get to enjoy some slow, quiet research...

“I understand. I’ll be right there. Show them to the reception room and serve some sweets.”

“Understood, sir.”

I let out a heavy sigh as I tidied up the research materials I’d spread out, then set off toward the reception room.

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