"Well, I’d like to continue our chat, but the night is growing late. We should probably call it a wrap for now."
Count Kuzuma spoke with a hint of reluctance. It was already past 10:00 PM.
"Forgive me, but I have preparations for the ceremony tomorrow, so I won't be able to look after you two very well. I truly apologize."
"Don't worry about it. The wedding is the day after tomorrow, isn't it? Just focus on that," Jin replied.
"Thank you. Still, I’m amazed you happened to visit at such a perfect time."
"Well, we just got lucky," Jin said.
He gave that answer, but since Regulus 5 of the Quinta had caught wind of the wedding and informed Jin, the "perfect timing" was anything but accidental.
"I should be able to join you for breakfast tomorrow morning, at least," the Count added.
Jin and Elsa both replied that they were looking forward to it. They then bid their host goodnight and left the grand dining hall to return to their quarters.
A maid offered to guide them, but they politely declined, as they already knew the way.
Reiko walked at the front, while Edgar brought up the rear.
Along the way, Elsa noticed that Jin’s gait was a little unsteady.
"Jin-nii, is something the matter?"
"...I think I might have overdone it with the drinks," Jin answered, his face looking a bit pale.
"Father, are you well?" Reiko stopped and turned back, her expression full of concern.
"Yeah... It seems that since my complemented body has been activated, I’ve become much more susceptible to alcohol."
An unexpected downside had revealed itself. At this rate, it was possible he had lost his resistance to toxins as well.
"Heal <Verheilen>."
Elsa cast her healing magic. It was the same spell she had used once before when Jin had suffered from motion sickness. Since it could alleviate nausea in addition to physical injuries, Jin’s discomfort began to fade almost immediately.
"...I feel much better. Thank you, Elsa."
"You're welcome."
The two shared a soft smile. Reiko watched them with a complex expression—one that seemed happy, yet carried a trace of sadness.
When they arrived back at their suite, Barrow and Belle were there to greet them.
"Welcome back, Jin-sama, Elsa-sama."
It seemed they had stayed up waiting for Jin and Elsa to return.
"Oh, you were waiting for us? Thank you. That’s enough for tonight, so go get some rest."
At Jin’s suggestion, the two bowed respectfully and withdrew.
"Understood. Good night, sir."
"Good night."
Jin leaned back onto the sofa in the living room and let out a long breath.
"Phew."
A glass of water was held out toward him.
"Here, Jin-nii."
"Ah, thanks, Elsa."
Jin, his throat dry, drained the glass. The water was perfectly chilled and tasted refreshing.
"Ah, that hit the spot. Thanks for the drink."
"Un."
After setting the glass aside, Elsa took a seat in the chair opposite him.
"Beena has become quite beautiful. Her movements, too," Elsa said wistfully, her gaze fixed on something far away.
"Yeah, she really has. It’s thanks to the Count. I’m sure he had her manners and etiquette drilled into her quite strictly."
Jin made a face that suggested he would want no part of such a rigorous education himself.
"Do you dislike formalities, Jin-nii?"
"Yeah. In the country I came from, there were no nobles or commoners. We had to maintain a certain level of politeness, of course, but there was no social hierarchy."
"...I’m a little curious about that place."
"Well, I’m likely considered dead over there, and I have no way of visiting anyway."
"...Un."
Elsa stood up, walked around the table, and sat down on the sofa right next to Jin.
"Elsa?"
"...I’m going to stay... by Jin-nii’s side. Forever....Will you let me?"
Having said only that, Elsa suddenly stood up as if she’d been stung and hurried into her own room. Edgar followed close behind her.
Jin failed to notice that her face had turned bright red.
"Elsa?"
With the last traces of alcohol still clouding his mind, Jin stared blankly into the darkness outside the window, trying to process the meaning of her words. He was brought back to reality by Reiko’s voice.
"...Father."
"What is it, Reiko?"
This time, Reiko sat down beside him.
"..."
Without a word, she leaned her weight against him. Feeling Reiko’s warmth, Jin sat in silence, gazing out into the night.
The thought that autumn nights often make one crave companionship crossed his mind.
"Let’s head to bed soon."
Jin stood up to go to his bedroom.
In the sky, which had finally cleared, a few stars were beginning to twinkle.
The next morning, after having breakfast with Count Kuzuma and Beena, Jin and Elsa returned to their room. The Count had apologized again for being unable to entertain them today due to the wedding preparations, and Jin had assured him it wasn't a problem.
"Barrow, Belle, as I mentioned yesterday, you’re free to do as you like today. Is there anything you want to do?"
This trip was, in a way, a vacation for the two of them as well.
"Yes, actually. We’ve become friends with Beena-sama’s younger brother and sister. They offered to show us around Blue Land today."
While they had been helping out with things like cleaning the gardens, it seemed that Nana and Raldo—now fully recovered and healthy—were training as an apprentice maid and apprentice butler, respectively.
The four had met during dinner the previous evening and hit it off immediately.
"I see. Have fun, and be careful."
"We will! Thank you very much!"
A knock sounded at the door. When Belle opened it, Nana and Raldo were standing there.
"Jin Onii-chan! Hello!"
"Hey there. It’s been a while. You two look energetic!"
"Yes! Thank you so much for everything you did for us!"
Jin shared a happy reunion with the siblings, who had grown taller and now possessed healthy, vibrant complexions.
"I heard you’ve become friends with our staff?"
"Yes!" Nana answered cheerfully. Barrow was fifteen and Belle was fourteen, while Nana and Raldo were twelve. In a massive estate filled mostly with adults, it was only natural that they would gravitate toward people closer to their own age.
"And you’re going to show them around town?"
"Yes!"
Jin smiled warmly and pulled four gold coins from his pocket.
"I’ll give you one each. For Nana and Raldo, this is a reward for guiding my staff. For Barrow and Belle, consider it pocket money."
"This much...?"
"Are you sure?"
Jin practically pressed the coins into Nana and Raldo’s hesitant hands.
"Thank you very much, Jin-sama!"
Barrow and Belle, who understood Jin’s extraordinary nature all too well, accepted their coins without further hesitation.
"Now then, what should we do?" Jin mused, sitting back on the sofa after the four youngsters had departed.
"Jin-nii, what about the wedding gift?"
The gift Jin had crafted for the occasion was still back on Hourai Island. Since it was quite large, he hadn't brought it on the airship.
"Well, that can wait until this evening."
At Jin’s reply, Elsa made a suggestion.
"...In that case, why don't we go look around Blue Land together?"