"Heh, so this is your workshop, Beena."
Compared to the last time Jin had seen it—back when she was building Lotte—the space had grown to over four times its original size. The tools and material stocks were far more substantial as well.
"...It’s remarkably well organized," Elsa noted.
"Of course it is. I tidy up whenever I'm not using it," Beena replied.
"Is that how most people do it?" Jin wondered aloud.
Jin was the type who preferred to leave his workspace exactly as it was when he finished a task. Even if it looked like a mess to an outsider, his tools and parts were always positioned exactly where he found them easiest to reach. That said, he did do a proper cleaning at the end of the year or upon completing a major project. He also tended to start tidying up as a way to clear his head whenever he hit a creative wall, so in practice, his workspace never stayed truly filthy for long.
"It’s a fine workshop," Jin said.
Beena narrowed her eyes. "...What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Huh?"
Jin was taken aback. He had intended it as a genuine compliment, yet Beena was looking at him with pure suspicion.
"It means exactly what I said. It’s a good workshop."
"Are you sure?"
"Geez, have a little faith, won't you?"
"Well, looking through your eyes, Jin, a place like this must seem like child's play."
"Don't sell yourself short. A workshop's value isn't in its appearance. It’s about who works there, what they make, and the passion they pour into their craft. That’s all that matters, isn't it?"
A heavy silence fell over the workshop. Then...
"...Jin, did you eat something that didn't agree with you?"
"That’s cold. Is that really the first thing you have to say?"
"Well... it’s just so unlike you, Jin."
"Hey!"
"Dear, Beena... we’re not getting anywhere, so let’s leave it at that," Elsa interrupted, stepping in to break up the bickering with a firm hand.
"You're right," Jin conceded.
"Sorry about that," Beena added.
The two followed her lead, dropping the argument to return to the topic of the workshop.
"For about six months after Reggie was born, he took up all my time," Beena explained. "I only really got back into the workshop this year."
"Mmh, I understand," Elsa said. She knew all too well the all-consuming nature of caring for an infant.
"Now that he finally requires a little less constant attention, I've managed to restart my work. Maroom helps out with the childcare, too."
Maroom was forty-one this year. A long-serving chief maid, she had raised Louis with her own hands; to him, she was a second mother. Beena also received guidance from a maid named Sheera, who had plenty of experience raising children of her own.
Usually, women in service were expected to resign upon having children, with little hope of returning to their positions. However, because Sheera was such a capable maid who could be trusted with the estate's affairs, Louis had made sure to rehire her immediately.
"It would be great if there were systems like maternity leave or childcare leave..." Jin muttered to himself.
"Maternity leave? Childcare leave?" Beena caught the unfamiliar terms.
"Oh, maternity leave is a system where female employees can take time off before and after giving birth. Childcare leave is for taking time off specifically to raise the infant... I think that's the simplest way to put it."
"I see."
Beena didn't press him further on the matter at the time. However, thanks to the efforts of Louis—who had been listening nearby—Blue Land would eventually become famous as the birthplace of maternity and childcare leave systems.
And how the Countess Kuzuma came to be hailed as the 'Savior of Working Women' is a story for another time.
"So, are you working on something right now?" Jin asked.
"Yes, I was thinking of making a baby carriage."
Maroom had apparently suggested that it was nearly time to start taking the boy outdoors.
"I see..."
Jin had actually considered gifting a baby carriage for the birthday, but knowing Beena, he had assumed she would want to make one herself. He had provided materials instead, and now he realized he had perhaps overthought it.
"If you'd like, I can help you with it," he offered.
"You, Jin? No, I couldn't possibly trouble you," Beena began to gently decline.
But Elsa chimed in. "Beena, let him help. This man is dying to build something."
Beena relented with a small smile. "Is that so? Well, since you’re offering, I’ll take you up on it."
As it happened, Yuu and Mio used a baby carriage gifted by Reinhard, so Jin had never actually had the chance to build one himself. While it was unavoidable since he hadn't been on Planet Ars when the twins were born, it was a point of lingering dissatisfaction for him.
"Ride comfort and safety are the top priorities," Jin declared.
"I agree."
"Right. In that case, I want to use rubber for the tires. A suspension system and dampers are mandatory. We'll use ball bearings so it moves with minimal effort, and I want a brake and a stopper. We'll need a sunshade, obviously..."
"W-Wait, Jin?!" Beena cried out, trying to catch up as Jin started racing ahead with his ideas.
"Dear, keep it within reason, all right?" Elsa warned.
Realizing he was getting carried away, Jin settled into the role of Beena's assistant.
"The frame should be 64 light silver. I'll shape it like this... Ah, Jin, hold this part down for me, would you?"
"You got it."
Acting as an assistant was a novel experience for Jin. He turned to his wife. "Elsa, you help too."
"Mmh." Elsa, who had been starting to look bored just watching, accepted the invitation immediately.
"Reiko, you too."
"Yes, Father!" Reiko joined in with visible delight.
Beena let out a very soft sigh, though it seemed no one heard it except for Reiko.
And then...
"Finished."
"It's done."
In about an hour, a magnificent baby carriage was complete.
It featured rubber tires and a four-wheel independent suspension with dampers. It was fully outfitted with ball bearings. The frame was crafted from 64 light silver, featuring Gula Schwamm for the cushioning and a luxurious lining of magisilk.
It came equipped with brakes for safety on slopes and, of course, a sunshade. It even had a simplified barrier projector capable of deflecting small falling objects.
"...A baby carriage built with the assistance of a Magi Craft Meister," Beena murmured, her gaze drifting toward the distance.
"You're realizing this only now?" Elsa asked, patting her on the shoulder.
When they pushed the newly finished carriage back to the main house, three little voices greeted them.
"Ah—!"
"Oo—!"
"Dah!"
The babies were there to meet them.
"Reggie, welcome back. Look, here's your new carriage. Uncle Jin, Aunt Elsa, and Big Sister Reiko helped me make it!"
"Uncle Jin?!"
"Aunt Elsa?!"
While it was only natural for the children to call them that, Jin and Elsa were both left feeling a significant sense of shock at being addressed as 'Uncle' and 'Aunt.'